Natalie Merchant

Her full name is Natalie Ann Merchant otherwise known as NAM or NAT

She was born on October 26, 1963 in Jamestown New York.

She is the 3rd of 4 children born to Anthony (Italian/Sicilian) and Anne (Irish) **woo hoo** Merchant who divorced when Natalie was quite young.

Natalie Merchant was the lead singer in the band 10,000 Maniacs from 1981-1993 until she left the band to pursue a solo career.

She toured for her first solo album Tigerlily in 1995-96.

Natalie toured with Lilith Fair in 1998.

Ms. Merchant toured at the end of 1998 and in 1999 for her second solo album Ophelia.

Natalie toured in the summer of 2000 to promote her live album and also to try out some folk music in which she did a beautiful job, of course.

Natalie toured in 2001 to promote her albumn Motherland.

Natalie had a baby recently.

...It goes a little something like this:

I have always appreciated Natalie Merchant's music both when she was in 10,000 Maniacs and when she went solo. I wasn't a huge fan, in fact I didn't have any CD's but when I listened to her on the radio I would really enjoy it. In 1995 I was a senior in High School and working at Subway. I met Trace there and she is the one that really introduced me more to Natalie. I blame her for my obsession, although it isn't such a bad obsession! She made me a few tapes of 10,000 Maniacs and Natalie's solo stuff. I REALLY enjoyed it, so did my mom and she ended up taking them from me. So Trace made a few more tapes for me. I decided to buy my first 10,000 Maniacs CD, Our Time In Eden, which I really enjoyed. From there on I became a really big fan. Trace introduced me to a e-mailing list called FHC (For Her Children) in which we talk about Natalie (and some off topic stuff too) and it comes in email format to the whole group of people. Last time I checked there was 600 people in this group. Then in 1999 I went to my very first Natalie Merchant concert. I went with Trace, and her husband, Dave. We had FRONT ROW seats. My first Natalie concert and I was sitting in the front row, it doesn't get much better than that, so I thought. I really enjoyed that concert. Not only because I was so close but she truly has an amazing voice and a wonderful stage presence. After the concert we decided to stay after to try to meet Natalie. I remember it was really cold and it had just rained. But we still stuck it out. About 2 hours later, what do ya know, Natalie comes out. There were probably about 20 fans around and I just stood there in amazement. Many fans were talking to her, getting autographs and pictures. I finally built up the courage to go say hello and she was talking to me. I don't remember what she said because at that point my brain had froze and I was in shock. I remember putting my arm around her and getting a picture with the both of us. She told one of the people taking a picture to take it again just in case the picture didn't come out. OMG, I was thinking. I have been in Natalie Merchant obsession heaven ever since. To date I have been to 9 Natalie Merchant concerts. NO, not every show is the same. She doesn't always play the exact same set list and her mood varies with each show so some shows are better than others. Just like some days are better than others for most of us. I plan on seeing Natalie again if she goes on tour, which I hope she does. If you haven't seen Natalie in concert, just do it, if you have well then I am sure you can relate to what I have had to say. Ciao Bella.