With a rich, distinctive voice and a knack for writing powerful songs with catchy melodies, singer/songwriter Austin Merrill is proving to be one of country music’s brightest rising stars. As evidenced in the new single, “Whiskey & Water,” his unique sound is both traditional and modern, a seamless blend with mass appeal that feels just as much at home on stage as it does on the farm.
“Whiskey & Water” is the title track from Merrill’s 2019 debut EP, produced by multiple Grammy winner Mark Bright (Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Reba). The project features five songs written solely by the artist and neatly merges his 90’s country upbringing and contemporary songwriting with Bright’s clear musical vision.
Music played an essential role from an early age for the Oregon native, helping forge a strong sense of individuality and creativity in a multicultural family. Country music was family music, and the influences of his favorite childhood artists, such as Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, and Shenandoah, can still be heard in the music he writes and sings today.
Merrill first came to town as an award-winning upright bassist and accomplished sax player. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, he answered another lifelong calling that he could no longer ignore: he joined the U.S. Army and is currently commissioned as a lieutenant in the Tennessee Army National Guard. Being an officer in the Army has taught him countless life lessons and given Merrill the chance to serve the common good while pursuing a burgeoning music career.
The first single off the EP, “You’ll Come Knocking,” was featured on Spotify’s New Boots Playlist and has garnered over 400,000 streams. The music video for “You’ll Come Knocking” had a World Premiere on CMT and was highlighted as part of the “CMT Next Up Now” series, and also garnered over 20,000 views in 24 hours on Country Rebel.
