Fans who have seen Lindsay Ell's live performance may not be too surprised to learn that pop legend Michael Jackson was a big influence on her formative musical years. While the two artists may diverge when it comes to genre, Ell's live swagger and ability to hold the attention of an audience takes some serious cues from Jackson's onstage charisma.

The country music up-and-comer, who was recently announced as the latest member of the 2018 class of Taste of Country RISERS series, Ell explained that Jackson's influence was part of the reason behind her decision to perform her own rendition of his iconic "The Way You Make Me Feel."

"I was just always infatuated with the way Michael performed," the singer explained to Taste of Country. "It was after watching [2009 documentary] This is It, when I saw him talk to the band...he would walk up to the bass player and be like, 'No, it needs to be a little bit more like this.' And then walk up to the guitar player and be, 'Okay, play it a little more like this.' He just understood every element of a live show."

Ell knows a thing or two about putting on a captivating performance herself. The singer has plans to hit the road this fall to headline the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, and is also making supporting stops for both Sugarland and Keith Urban in 2018. Ell is the second Taste of Country RISER to be named in 2018, following "All on Me" singer Devin Dawson. The next RISER will be revealed in October of 2018.

Watch Lindsay Ell's Masterful One-Woman Performance of "Criminal"

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