'Voice' alum Meghan Linsey brings tour to Lancaster

If you go

What: Meghan Linsey

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23

Where: Chameleon Club, 223 N. Water St., Lancaster

Cost: $10-$12

Purchase tickets: Visit chameleonclub.net

More information: Visit meghanlinsey.com or follow Linsey on Twitter ; Facebook ; Instagram ; and YouTube

Just a year ago, singer Meghan Linsey said she'd never given much thought to auditioning for another reality singing competition like "The Voice."

She and her singing partner Josh Jones — who together made up the country duo Steel Magnolia — had already won CMT's singing competition "Can You Duet" in 2009. And after parting ways with Jones in 2013, she was focused on pursuing a solo career of her own.

But when "The Voice" casting producers called her and asked if she'd be interested in auditioning for season eight, Linsey said she couldn't say no.

"For everyone to know me and not just Steel Magnolia, I thought it was a great opportunity, and I took it," Linsey said. "It let me come out on the other side and have people know my name and have people know who I am as an artist."

While on the show, which premiered in February, Linsey spent many 16 to 20 hour days working and being coached by judge and country singer Blake Shelton. Linsey first met Shelton when she opened for him at age 15, just a year after she started playing gigs as a solo artist in Louisiana and Texas.

"I know (Shelton) doesn't remember me from that long ago, but he does remember me from Steel Magnolia," Linsey, now 29, said. "We were a really good match. He was trusting of me and how I know myself and my song selection."

On May 19 during the finale episode, Linsey was named runner-up behind Sawyer Fredericks.

Now, five months later, Linsey is bringing her solo tour to the Chameleon Club in Lancaster Oct. 23.

She said she's most looking forward to the small, intimate vibe of the venue.

"I love little places that have good sounds that allow me to tell stories and sing," Linsey said. "It feels like you're playing a show in your living room, and that's what makes it special."

Fans can expect to hear some of their favorite songs from "The Voice," like "Girl Crush," as well as some songs from her new EP "Believer."

The six-track EP, released in July, has more of a soulful pop sound than her previously recorded music, but her song-writing still retains the storytelling aspect that she loves about country music.

"Every song I write is a story song," she said. "Everything pulls from real life. Everything I've been through, you can hear that on the record."

For Linsey, the message of "Believer" is about empowering women.

"(It's about) letting women know they can come out positive on the other side," she said. "The EP is about a message of hope more than anything."