Natalie Merchant performs at Cyndi Lauper’s 8th Annual “Home for the Holidays” benefit concert at the Beacon Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, in New York. Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Jamestown native Natalie Merchant has been named to the Library Of Congress’s American Folklife Center Board of Trustees.

The organization works to preserve and promote the United States’ folklore, cultural traditions, music, and arts, and aide in the long-term planning and policy direction of the center.

“Natalie Merchant, has been an important singer-songwriter for decades, both as a solo artist and as former lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York and Senate majority leader. “Raised in Jamestown and now a resident of the Hudson Valley, she has had a profound impact on American music culture and has an invaluable perspective for American folk tradition. She is the working heir to the legacy of Billie Holiday, Odetta, Pete Seeger and Levon Helm. That is why I am proud to appoint Upstate New York’s own Natalie Merchant to the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center Board of Trustees,” said Senator Schumer. “She’ll make her way and provide important contributions to the board’s ongoing policy for the hub of American folklife. Natalie – you’ve been so kind and generous – and your service will help preserve our nation’s most important cultural treasures for generations to come.”

Merchant joined the band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 while she was a student at Jamestown Community College and was the lead vocalist and primary lyricist for the group. She remained with the group for its first seven albums before leaving to begin a solo career in 1993. Her last recording with the 10,000 Maniacs, a cover of Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” for the 10,000 Maniacs MTV Unplugged album reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1994.

She has since released seven studio albums as a solo artist. Her first solo project, Tigerlily, included the top 10 hit “Carnival” and top 40 hits “Wonder” and “Jealousy.” The album sold more than 5 million copies.

“It’s such an honor to be selected to serve on the Folklife Center board. I’ve admired the work of this agency for many years and hope to find some way to help further their mission of preserving and promoting all forms of folk arts in America,” Merchant said.