Karyn Rochelle

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Karyn Rochelle is an American country music songwriter and singer from Wilmington, North Carolina. She has written or co-written songs that became hits for artists such as Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Ronnie Milsap, Sunny Sweeney, and Kenny G.

Her love of music came from her mother, who sang in a country band. Rochelle began writing songs at 13 and was influenced by Debbie Gibson, Suzy Bogguss, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. At 18 she worked as a disc jockey and line dance instructor in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A promo CD by Matraca Berg inspired her to pursue music more seriously. She moved to Nashville in 1996 at 19 with Shane Stevens to develop as a professional singer. In Nashville she focused on demo singing to show how songs should sound. Her big break came when Stevens handed a demo to the daughter of music industry professionals, leading to her signing with Crutchfield Music Group and Warner Chappell, and later Famous Music.

George Jones was the first artist to release a single she co-wrote, and her songs were performed by many others including Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, Kellie Pickler, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Ronnie Milsap, Sunny Sweeney, and Kenny G, with notable songs such as “Red High Heels” and “Georgia Rain.” She has also sung backing vocals for Martina McBride and Blake Shelton, was a member of Garth Brooks’ band, and opened for Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks. In 2014 she released a self-titled solo album, followed by a Christmas album the same year, and in 2018 she released the album Pretty Mess.