myspace music my music | music videos | featured playlists | top artists | shows | classifieds | forums 

Liz Melendez Band
Southern Rock / Blues / Rock

Well behaved women rarely make history.



MARIETTA, Georgia
United States

Profile Views:  24875




Last Login:  7/8/2009
View My: Pics | Videos | Playlists

   Contacting Liz Melendez Band

 MySpace URL: 

   Liz Melendez Band: General Info
Member Since1/31/2006
Band Websitewww.lizmelendezband.com
Band Members




InfluencesGuitar: My dad Dan Melendez, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan, Alvin Lee, Luther Allison, Albert King, Joe Walsh. Vocal: Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Chris Robinson, Chris Cornell, Rita Coolidge, Linda Ronstadt, Paul Rodgers. Songwriting: Paul Simon, Elton John, Van Morrison.
Sounds LikeAn irresistable musical ass-kicking...



Liz%20Melendez
Quantcast
Record LabelKing Mojo www.kingmojo.com
Type of LabelIndie


Get Flash now!

In order to listen or view this content you will have to upgrade your version of Flash.



   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Jan 1 2010 5:00A
SEE LMB CALENDAR BELOW :) ATLANTA, Georgia

Liz Melendez Band's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Liz Melendez '09 Economic Stimulus Plan  (view more)

Liz is on the new Big Shanty CD "Sold Out"...  (view more)

Adele  (view more)

Melendez ’09  (view more)

Liz on XM Satellite Radio Bluesville 74  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Liz Melendez Band




Liz%20Melendez
Quantcast




Meet Liz Melendez

Liz Melendez ~ Milagro from William Rich on Vimeo.


Video credit: Produced by Bill Rich



The Mission

Liz Melendez is, quite simply, one of the most exciting and promising new artists on the music horizon today. Her guitar prowess alone puts her far ahead of her contemporaries. Comparisons to Carlos Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughn are not uncommon. Not content to master the electric guitar, Melendez prides herself on being a “triple threat.” “Many guitarists can write songs, many songwriters can sing, and many singers can play a little. What is most unique about me is that I can do all three.” And she does “all three” exceedingly well. Her vocal style harkens back to Janis Joplin, though the compliment, “She reminds me of Bonnie Raitt,” has been overheard on more than one occasion.

Born and raised in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Liz moved to Atlanta, Georgia in the late 1990s, lured by it’s vibe and location. “The south is home to so much of the music I love. It’s the heart of the new south and a great place to live. Plus it’s location makes touring the southeast easy.”

A formidable artist, she soon found herself in high demand as a lead and rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist. However, the desire to express her unique musical “voice” became too strong. Not content with the background, Liz released 2, all-original, full-length recordings. “Mercy” in 2001 and “Sweet Southern Soul” in 2007. Both have been praised for the quality and substance of the songwriting and the masterful guitar work. Nearly every track has become a fan favorite, with “Milagro”, “Mercy”, and “Justice County” most often requested. Worldwide radio air play and accolades in national and international publications soon followed.

An intense, dynamic performer, Melendez has garnered a substantial following touring the United States and internationally. She has headlined major festivals, notably the Chattanooga Riverbend Festival’s Bessie Smith Strut before an audience of over 70,000. Only one other female artist, Koko Taylor, has headlined the festival in its history. She has co-headlined the Cape Fear Blues Festival in Wilmington, N.C. and the Blues 2003 Festival in New York. She has opened for artists Nappy Roots and has performed on-stage with such notables as Bob Margolin, Henry Butler, Francine Reed, Hubert Sumlin, E.G. Kight, Chris Duarte and Candy Kane.


The 70s At 120 Decibels

Growing up, Liz was taught and heavily influenced by her father, Dan Melendez. She proudly admits he “lovingly blasted at deafening volume the great album rock and blues of the 70s during my tender, formative years.” She now dedicates all her musical pursuits to her father who, sadly, passed away shortly after the release of “Mercy”.

When a then five-year-old Liz first heard the guitar introduction to Freddie King’s “I Wonder Why”, her fascination with all things electric guitar began. “My father started teaching me rock and roll and blues standards like “Johnny B. Goode”, and “Hideaway”. He challenged me early on to learn Bill Doggett’s “Honky Tonk”, which was pretty tough for a little kid.” Much of what her father taught made no sense to young Liz, but he would reassure her “as if he could see into my future.” “This will all mean something very important to you someday,” he would say. He was right. By the time Liz discovered the “Brit-Blues” of Led Zeppelin, the hard rock of Black Sabbath, and the “out-of-his-body” Latin grooves of Carlos Santana, she found learning their songs coming naturally. The techniques and fundamentals Liz drilled had equipped her to tackle just about any musical style, techniques that can still be heard in music today.

“Probably more important to me than the guitar methods themselves,” she emphasizes, “my father taught me the fundamentals of what it means to be a great musician. He was an exceedingly intellectual man and he drove home his philosophy that becoming a great rhythm guitarist was an essential part of being a great lead guitarist and that the importance of learning to be a good support player as part of an ensemble was paramount in my pursuit of becoming a great musician.”

It was, however, the “Texas-shredding” of Stevie Ray Vaughn that changed her life. “Only a few artists change the way an instrument is played by all who come after them. I had never heard anything like Stevie Ray before and have not heard anyone like him since. My own homage and tribute (shows) have less to do with covering his songs and everything to do with expressing the way listening to his music makes me feel. It’s a pure desire to honor his contribution to my musical life.” Liz performs an amazing Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute show several times a year.

Her father’s support and wisdom are the basis for much of Liz’s conviction today. “He always told me, ‘Liz, don’t ever be afraid to get on stage with anyone. Don’t ever be intimidated. You can hang with anybody out there.’ He was always saying things like that,” she remembers. “One afternoon, he was listening to me practice in the next room. I don’t remember what I was playing, but it was probably loud and wild. After a minute, he came in and said matter-of-factly, ‘Liz, you are going to be one the best guitar players on the planet someday.’”

Not to be minimized is the unconditional support of her mother, Jo Melendez. “My mother has to be the hippest and most enlightened, intelligent, and tolerant person I know. She put up with all my early band practices, endured some of the loudest music known to man, and my late-night tests of the Ampeg V4’s maximum volume. She has always supported and encouraged my music and is always the voice of reason when things go topsy-turvy on me in my music business. I could not have survived the challenging life of a music artist without her support and counsel. I can honestly say that everything I know and everything I’ve become I owe to being blessed with great parents.”






Get your LMB T-Shirts, Baby Doll Tees, CDs and Stickers
at our new LMB Online Store!





Liz%20Melendez
Quantcast>




I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.1


   Liz Melendez Band's Friend Space (Top 16)
Liz Melendez Band has 1646 friends.
 Liz Melendez 


 MINNIE 


 Spiro 


 King Mojo Records 


 Georgia Music Hall of Fame 


 Texas Blues Cafe 


 Ruthie Foster 


 Bonnie Raitt 


 Darwins Blues 


 Joan Jett And The Blackhearts 


 Madams Organ Blues Bar 


 The Loft Live! has Adam Hood Saturday!!! 


 Edgewood Corner Tavern 


 Little 5 Corner Tavern 


 Motown Mitch 


 Elizabeth Sugarfoot Tull 





Liz Melendez Band's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 385 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Sal





Jul 8 2009 1:47 PM

Liz, you're amazing! Play that ax! Love you girl. Sal
Atlanta Chapter GoGirlsMusic





Jul 8 2009 1:47 PM

We do hope you can come out to a
very special show we are playing.
Friday July 10th. 8pm - 4 gogirls
bands playing in support of our
fellow gogirls members, the band
Cornerstone from Austria. Playing
USA for the first time! Let's show
them a warm Atlanta welcome
w/green bracelet, electricsoul,
and cell fehrenbach!
Uptown Loft
9700 Medlock Bridge Road
John's Creek (Duluth area)
Reminessence





Jun 28 2009 8:25 PM

Thanks for the add
THE BLUESDOG





Jun 28 2009 9:07 AM

great morning to ya LIZ, just wanted to stop in and wish you a wonderful show tonight, hope to see ya on the road.. take care and have a wonderful bluesdog'n day!!
Adrian Edward





Jun 28 2009 9:07 AM

hey!
just wanted to stop in let you know that I've changed my artist name to Adrian Edward but it's still me, I'm not going anywhere! lol!
have a great weekend
much love
~adrian edward
Adrian Edward
Stevie Pannell


Online Now!


Jun 25 2009 1:07 AM

hi liz,i just came by to show some love.stay blessed
Tommy Haan





Jun 4 2009 9:13 PM

ROCK ON! LOVE YOUR MUSIC!
ROBERT





Jun 4 2009 2:17 AM

Thank You for Your Friendship...PEACE....Robert..
LAURA BETH CALDWELL





Jun 4 2009 2:17 AM

Photobucket
Nathan Morgan





Jun 1 2009 5:59 AM

Hey Liz! sorry I couldnt make it out to your show at Darwins!. I have really been wanting to jam with you and do about a ten minute version of Texas Flood or something haha! I was thinking that I am playing at Niks Place in Marietta on July 25th, the last Saturday of that month. I would love for you to come out and jam!
Sean L. McMorris





Jun 1 2009 5:28 AM

Man, sorry I missed your show :-(, but pleased keep me posted on future shows. I would love to hear you play live again.
Thanx for the invite.

Sean
Flávio Luz





May 26 2009 5:04 PM

FRU





May 24 2009 7:41 AM

I have missed seeing you for such a long time... it is so refreshing to have gotten to see you live again. Next time I won't wait so long, I promise. Thank you for being such a great and gracious musician and for loving what you do and loving that other people love what you do. Keep rockin'!!!
Mark Frayne





May 23 2009 4:25 AM

Thanks for the add, Liz. Love your music! All the best. Mark
Dave Day - Guitarist





May 23 2009 2:15 AM

Thanks for adding me.  You're a great player!
Motown Mitch





May 22 2009 6:46 PM

Photobucket
Lori Lee





May 22 2009 6:46 PM

Hey I had to try out a music myspace too! LOL. I am sitting in for a few Deadhead songs they covered with Rocky at Nicks (Men in blues, but see you tomorrow? ;-) can't wait!!! been awhile.
Norgoddess
Jim Bass





May 22 2009 2:47 AM

hey I'd love it cause you wail....but misconduct is at The Cave Sat and since I play bass with them guess I gotta go make a buck!
jb
Tom Hill Collective





May 22 2009 2:47 AM

LIZ,
GREAT VOICE AND GUITAR! We're playing Friday, Saturday & Sunday...
but have a great gig at Darwin's...
Hopefully we can jam sometime,
mix up our ideas,
Peace to you,
Tom
Liz





May 22 2009 2:44 AM

You rock my socks! My baby girl graduates tomorrow night, and I might need to come hear some blues on Saturday.
Cherri Swan





May 21 2009 7:35 PM

Hey Liz! I'll definitely try to make it out.
Elizabeth Sugarfoot Tull





May 21 2009 7:24 PM

Would LOVE to make it out-if I get a sitter I'm there for sure.
kooder (good music)





May 21 2009 3:40 PM

Hi Liz. Wifey and I won't be able to make it. Sorry. But please keep me informed, especially about gigs in the middle GA area.

Caught you on the "Live At 5" TV show sometime back, and love the way you handle a guitar. Unless there's a family thing that stops us, Wifey and I intend to be at any upcoming gigs down this way.

I'm a fan. :)

kooder
KeithO





May 21 2009 3:40 PM

Hey Liz, If I can get away I'll come see you. Peace
Gary's Audio





May 21 2009 3:39 PM

I would love to but I'm working Sat night...Sorry!

Gary
Add Comment


©2003-2009 MySpace.com. All Rights Reserved.