‘The Voice’ finalist Karen Waldrup comes to Dosey Doe - The Big Barn

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The 2023 - 2024 season of ‘The Voice’ featured some not inconsiderable talent, considering the long legs of the show in its 25th season, and Louisiana native Karen Waldrup found herself in the top five finalists before her musical journey ended.

Since then, however, she hasn’t slowed down from her studio in Nashville, and the country singer has found herself on a whirlwind tour. “Texas snuck up on me,” she told Woodlands Online in an interview the day before her latest concert at Dosey Doe- The Big Barn, taking place this Friday.

Karen took a few minutes to speak with Woodlands Online as she prepared to head to the Township.

Was music always part of your life?

“I was into music by the time I was 16. I loved it, singing in church and at home. Then I went to college on an orchestra choir scholarship, and everyone wanted me to play, whether it was a party or a game or an open mic night. I finally graduated with a marketing degree, and that’s when I figured I’d move to Nashville to try to combine my passion with my degree. I worked for a copier sales company for three years until my musical reputation built up. The turning point came when I was on a Bravo show called ‘Platinum Hit,’ which let me quit my job."

Who were your inspirations growing up?

"Fortunately, I came from a home that appreciated music. One of my top inspirations has been The Dixie Chicks – I was inspired by their writing, their harmonies, their passion. Alongside them were favorite, strong female voices in the ‘90s like Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Martina McBride, and timeless singers like Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, and Janis Joplin; these were the women who crush."

Obviously ‘The Voice’ earned you an audience. How has it grown since you left the show?

"Thanks to mass media like the show and the Internet, I’m able to keep in touch with ‘Waldrup Worldwide’ – that’s what I call my fans – because there’s a vast opportunity to reach people all over the world. With more than a million followers, and nearly half a billion views of my videos, that’s a gift from God."

What can people expect at the concert?

"I’ll have my full band with me, and they’re awesome. I’ll be performing with Jaret Reddick of Bowling for Soup. And also there will be available a VIP meet-and-greet before the show where I get to talk with you one on one and we get to know each other. I’m going to enjoy my weekend down here; later on I’ll be playing in Tomball, and then after that I’ll be doing a special rum-tasting event at a couple of local Spec’s. I hope to see everyone at all these events!"