Karen Waldrup: Choosing Joy One Song at a Time
- Louisiana Country Music
- Jul 1
- 7 min read
Spend five minutes with Karen Waldrup and you'll hear about Louisiana, faith, friendship, and fans long before you'll hear about awards or achievements. That's saying something considering the Mandeville native has toured internationally, amassed millions of followers across social media, competed on Season 25 of The Voice, and built one of country music's most loyal fan communities.
But success has never seemed to be the point. Whether she's throwing beads from a Mardi Gras float, singing to fans online, or releasing music inspired by life's highs and lows, Karen Waldrup has spent years building a career around something much simpler: choosing joy.
A Louisiana Girl Through and Through
Karen may call Nashville home these days, but Louisiana has never left her.
Growing up in Mandeville, she was surrounded by the food, music, and culture that make South Louisiana unique. It wasn't until she began traveling that she realized just how special home really was.
"I love Louisiana. I'm obsessed with Louisiana," she told us during Louisiana Country Music Live. "We think everybody eats great food and dances like nobody's watching. Then we travel the world and realize Louisiana is just such a special place."
That love for home came full circle last year when she served as Grand Marshal of her first Mardi Gras parade. Though she'd spent years attending parades as a spectator, riding one was an entirely different experience.
What she remembers most isn't the spotlight, but a young boy who had no beads. Karen covered him in throws, and moments later he ran back with a sparkly silver hat he'd been holding and tossed it up to her.
"I was literally crying," she said. "When you give, you receive."
That philosophy would become a theme throughout her life.
Building It the Long Way
Long before television appearances and viral videos, Karen was simply a college student trying to figure out where life would take her.
She attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she sang in the orchestra choir and played five nights a week around Hattiesburg. Fraternity parties, tailgates, bars, and songwriter nights became her training ground. While many artists dream about Nashville from a distance, Karen was learning how to entertain a room and connect with people one show at a time.
After graduation, she spent her days selling copy machines while continuing to chase music at night. Eventually, she considered moves to New Orleans, Austin, and even California before making a trip to Nashville in 2008.
What happened that first night still feels almost unbelievable.
A chance encounter led her into Country Radio Seminar, where a radio promoter handed her an all-access pass before flying home. Suddenly, the girl who had just arrived in town found herself backstage meeting Taylor Swift.
Afterward, Karen had the opportunity to speak with Taylor's father, who shared something she has never forgotten.
"He said 'She always makes time for her fans'," Karen recalled.
Years later, that lesson still shapes the way she approaches music and relationships.
"I think Nashville is kind to you if you're kind to Nashville," she said. "I always respected her."
Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to her, Karen immersed herself in the Nashville community. She played writers rounds, stayed to hear other artists, attended industry events, and slowly built relationships that would become the foundation of her career.
From Perfection to Connection
For years, Karen approached music the way many artists do. Every note mattered and every performance had to be polished.
Then the team at Country Rebel, a digital country music platform that helped introduce her to a wider audience, challenged her to think differently.
"They taught me to just go online and be myself," she explained. "People don't really care if you miss a chord."
That freedom eventually led to Waldrup Wednesday, where Karen began sharing songs directly with fans each week. Over time, those videos helped create a community she affectionately calls Waldrup Worldwide.
Karen sees those songs as gifts.
"When I sing a song, I'm giving a gift," she said. "When people receive a gift, it's natural for them to give something back."
That mindset has helped her build one of country music's most engaged audiences, not through trends or algorithms, but through relationships with the people who have supported her along the way.
The Voice and a New Level of Excellence
Karen entered Season 25 of The Voice with years of experience already behind her, but she says the show sharpened her in ways she never expected.
"It took me from honky-tonk to professional," she said.
The long rehearsals, battle rounds, and constant preparation forced her to understand her voice and her craft on a deeper level. Karen eventually finished as a Top 5 finalist on Team Dan + Shay.
"If you do something hard that you don't think you can do, you're better for the rest of your life afterward," she said.
Rather than viewing The Voice as a finish line, Karen treated it as another chapter in her growth. Since then, she has continued releasing new music, including recent songs like "Good Guy" and "Keeping The Faith," while continuing to tour and connect with fans around the world.
Blue Cowboy Boots and Choosing Joy
What started as an idea with longtime friend and songwriter Ed Hill eventually became something more.
After writing "Blue Cowboy Boots," Karen bought her first pair and started wearing them everywhere. Before long, she noticed something she'd never experienced with any other piece of clothing. Everywhere she went, people stopped to talk about them.
"There was just something that felt so free and joyful about them," she said.
As the song grew, so did its meaning. To Karen, the boots became a reminder that attitude is a choice.
"You might be having a bad day, but you are until you decide you're not," she explained. "I'm not gonna let this ruin my day."
Over the years, that outlook has become one of Karen's trademarks. Optimism isn't something she stumbled into. It's something she's chosen over and over again.
Keeping the Faith
If "Blue Cowboy Boots" captured Karen's outlook on life, her recent music has reflected the deeper places that outlook comes from.
Faith has been part of Karen's story long before she moved to Nashville. She grew up singing in church and choir, and over the years she's used her platform to support causes close to her heart, including Mission of Hope Haiti.
That perspective found its way into one of her most recent songs, "Keeping The Faith."
"It's about always believing that good things will happen and then trusting that they will," she said. "Faith isn't always easy, but sometimes it's the only thing that keeps you moving forward and reminds you that better days are ahead."
For Karen, faith isn't something separate from music or everyday life. It's part of the way she approaches relationships, opportunities, and even difficult seasons. And as her career continues to evolve, that perspective remains one of the constants that has guided her from Louisiana to Nashville and everywhere in between.
Why Karen Waldrup?
Karen Waldrup has spent the last two decades doing things her own way.
She learned to entertain in college bars around Hattiesburg. She sold copy machines while chasing music at night. She embraced new ways of connecting with fans, built a community through Waldrup Wednesday, and continued growing long after national television introduced her to a wider audience.
Through every season, she has remained unmistakably herself.
It's easy to understand why so many people have followed Karen's journey. Long before the millions of views and sold-out shows, people connected with something much simpler: her love for music, her love for people, and the joy she brings wherever she goes.
For Louisiana Country Music fans, that's more than enough reason to celebrate her.
Follow Karen Waldrup
Stay up to date with Karen Waldrup by streaming his music and following along online.
Watch KAREN WALDRUP on Louisiana Country Music Live
September 23, 2025
frequently asked questions about karen waldrup
Where is Karen Waldrup from?
Karen Waldrup is from Mandeville, Louisiana. She later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she built her career as a singer-songwriter.
Was Karen Waldrup on The Voice?
Yes. Karen Waldrup was a Top 5 finalist on Season 25 of NBC's The Voice and competed on Team Dan + Shay.
What genre of music does Karen Waldrup sing?
Karen Waldrup blends traditional country, country soul, and Louisiana influences into her music.
What are some of Karen Waldrup's most popular songs?
"Blue Cowboy Boots"
"Louisiana Hurricane"
"Good Guy"
"Keeping The Faith"
"Sometimes He Does"
"Kendall County Road"
What is Waldrup Wednesday?
Karen Waldrup previously hosted Waldrup Wednesday, an online series where she shared live performances, stories behind her songs, and connected directly with fans. The series helped grow the fan community she affectionately calls Waldrup Worldwide. Many past episodes and performances can still be found on Karen's YouTube channel and social media pages.
Has Karen Waldrup toured internationally?
Yes. Karen Waldrup has performed in more than 15 countries throughout her career.
Is Karen Waldrup involved in charity work?
Yes. Karen partners with Mission of Hope Haiti and has supported charitable causes throughout her career.
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