Natalie Anne Merchant (born October 26, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter. She joined the band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and was lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the group. She remained with the group for their first seven albums before leaving to begin her solo career in 1993. She has since released nine studio albums as a solo artist. == Early life == Natalie Merchant was born October 26, 1963, in Jamestown, New York, the third of four children of... [more on Wikipedia]