The Mercies

PRESS RELEASE (7-8-2008): The Mercies were selected to perform in the Shiner Rising Star showcase. The Mercies' are scheduled to performThursday, August 7th at Hat Tricks in Lewisville. Show starts at 7:30pm.
PRESS RELEASE (3-24-08): The Mercies are one of the winners in American Songwriter Magazine's bi-monthly Lyric Contest. Their song "Missing You in Memphis" was selected for the May/June 2008 issue. Editor Doug Waterman interviewed Karen and Kim for the Spotlight artist profile.
The Story of the Mercies Karen Whitley wrote her first song on her Papa's old Buck Owen's red, white, and blue acoustic guitar at the age of eight. While other kids were out playing, she spent countless hours perched on her grandparents' porch in the scorching Texas heat perfecting her songs. Karen was awestruck the first moment she heard her Papa Pete Whitley sing "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." From that moment, she knew exactly what she wanted to be, a singer-songwriter like her Papa. And that's exactly what she is...a genuine singer-songwriter. Every song tells a deeply personal, yet universal story with remarkable simplicity and honesty. She's a rare performer who has the gift of moving listeners with her voice and her songs.
Karen found a perfect match in bassist and songwriting partner Kim Naddeo. Kim got her first guitar, a Sears Silvertone, from her mother for Christmas when she was sixteen. She didn't even ask for it. Pretty cool! She spent hours in her room picking out songs on the radio and singing back-up to her Mother's records. A few years later, Kim bought her first bass for a boyfriend who loved music, but the bass sat in the corner until she picked it up and instantly fell in love. They broke up, but the bass stayed. Six months later she was gigging out with a band. She eventually migrated to the music mecca of the Lone Star State, where she and Karen crossed paths.
They met while working together in another project, but their musical chemistry soared to new heights when they began writing, recording, and performing as The Mercies. In April 2006, Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer and became 1 of only 11,000 young women diagnosed that year. The long road to recovery gave new meaning to their lives and new meaning to their music.
In January 2008, they released a promo EP featuring their raw Texas sound that blends elements of folk, pop, rock, and country. The four tracks on this EP only scratch the surface of The Mercies' depth and breadth as songwriters.
The first track "Save Me" was recorded in one take in their living room and captures that raw style that characterizes their live shows. This coming of age story begins, "Bobbi was a small town girl / She wanted to see the world / She learned to hide her dreams / In the pocket of her blue jeans." This song has become a favorite among fans who can be seen singing along with the band at shows.
The slow-moving ballad "Brave Heart" begins with a sparse arrangement of guitar and vocals that gradually grows into a sweet combo of Kim's tasteful moving bass lines and vocal harmonies. This inspirational song has evolved into an anthem for those rare individuals who face life's toughest struggles with an unstoppable spirit.
"I Wish You Knew" combines rock-like rhythms with a poetic narrative chock full of metaphor. Karen confesses, "In my youth I may have loved you / like the morning loves the sun / But somewhere I forgot exactly who I was." Kim's syncopated phrasing on bass gives this song a feel-good groove.
The gorgeously somber "Dance with Angels" explores life after life and truly speaks to anyone who has lost a loved one. The Mercies' passionate performance of this spiritual song often moves both them and their audiences to tears.
The Mercies are about one thing...the sharing of their souls through their songs. Karen and Kim truly have a gift for connecting with listeners, and on stage, they are one of the most entertaining duos out there. The Mercies perform at charitable benefits, festivals, youth organizations, schools, libraries, churches, and music venues. They also host open mics, present educational programs about songwriting, and make motivational appearances.
Professional Memberships
Ft. Worth Songwriters Association
Americana Music Association