Karen Lee Batten’s first distinctive musical memory came at the age of 4, when she memorized her father’s vocals as she watched him in concert. Inspired to develop her own voice, the British Columbia native of Abbotsford sang in choirs at the elementary and high school levels, and entered vocal competitions using Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” as her reliable favourite. These experiences marked the early foundation for the passionate vocal delivery and dynamic range that would later come to define her.
As a young adult, she was bouncing between serving jobs, hosting karaoke shows, and performing intermittent gigs when an unwavering sense of purpose pushed her to devote full-time energy to music.
Empowered by clearer ambitions, Karen Lee broke through as a Top 10 finalist on Canadian Idol, giving her immediate national recognition and an exciting industry entry point. Drawn to the country genre for its close-knit community and stylistic openness towards rock and soul elements, Karen Lee’s new pursuits led to her first album Every Moment and her first music video on Canadian Country Music Television.
Karen Lee’s sophomore album, Cause a Scene, arrived in 2014 and did just that – hitting #1 in album sales and #40 on Billboard Soundscan in Canada in its first month, followed by four subsequent radio singles. She matched her album success with a commanding stage energy, which has since sent her to Rockin’ River, Merritt Mountain Festival, Gone Country, Sunfest, Williams Lake Stampede, a showcase during Canadian Country Music Week, and has made her an anthem favourite at NHL, CFL, and MLS games.
With CCMA award-winning Mitch Merrett (MDM Recordings) and Michael Pyle (Bobby Wills) producing, Karen Lee’s third record, Under the Covers in Muscle Shoals, boasted hand-picked covers from the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. In its first week in Canada, the 2018 album hit #2 on Billboard Soundscan and #4 on iTunes, later earning Karen Lee her 7th BC Country Music Association Award for Female Artist of the Year.
Hot off winning the BCCMA Fans’ Choice Award in 2020 and the success of that year’s single, “Too Strong”, Karen Lee is adding a forceful modern edge to her distinguished country soul. Her newest release – the party single “Drinkin’ Song” – continues to lay the groundwork for a new 2021 EP, produced by Merrett and CCMA Award-winning Jeff Johnson.
Karen Lee Batten’s voice remains as timeless as it is relevant – commanding an adoring spotlight wherever a song might take her.
