Karen Mercer grew up in an extended family of musical relatives who often came together to sing and perform with one another. She credits her parents teaching her harmony singing as a child, and it is this mastery of the voice which is paramount in her music.

With an eclectic mix of folk, swing, bluegrass pop, and original tunes, Karen has fronted numerous bands and duos throughout her music career. She is currently in an all female trio "Gotta Be Girls."

Karen spent a year in New Zealand singing in various pubs and performing live at the New Zealand Folk Festival in Auckland. She did a live tour in Ireland in the summer of 2007, performing in local pubs as a solo act. In her adopted state of Colorado she frequently performs on the folk and bluegrass festival circuit. She is an avid supporter of public radio and has performed live numerous times on KVNF Public Radio in Western Colorado.

Karen lives on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado with her 11-year-old daughter, Bridgit, who is soaking up the gift of music from her mother and playing mandolin, keyboards and clarinet. You can e-mail Karen at: mercermontrose@msn.com