Karen Lee Batten Interview
By Big Al Weekley for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show
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Karen Lee Batten’s first distinctive musical memory came at age 4, when she memorized her father’s vocals while watching him in concert. Inspired to find her voice, the British Columbia native of Abbotsford sang in elementary and high school choirs and entered vocal competitions with “I Will Always Love You” as a reliable favourite – developing the passionate vocals and dynamic range that would 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.
With her next two singles – 2020’s “Too Strong” and 2021’s “Drinkin’ Song” – Karen Lee added a forceful modern edge to her distinguished country soul through a new collaboration with CCMA-winning producer Jeff Johnson. The positive response earned Karen Lee her 8th BC Country Music Association Award for Female Artist of the Year, along with Music Video of the Year and Fan’s Choice (for the second time in a row). She topped it off by winning Country Artist of the Year at the 2022 Jim Bean Indies Awards at CMW.
After picking up three 2023 BCCMA Awards for her music industry activities through KLB Entertainment (Business Professional of the Year, Don Adams Industry Supporter of the Year, and Country Event of the Year), Karen is releasing 2023’s “The Trouble with Friends”, the title track from her upcoming 2024 album.
As she continues her enriching and fulfilling musical journey, Karen Lee Batten’s voice remains as timeless as it is relevant – commanding an adoring spotlight wherever a song might take her.