Hi! Thanks for visiting my page! Glad you are here:)
My name is Melanie, a 35 year old mother who just happens to have a passion for singing and writing music.
I have been trying to get myself noticed in the music scene for about the last 10 years and now more than ever I am thoroughly motivated and enjoyong myself!
I don't even know where to start..................
For years I have dreamed and hoped to somehow make it in this business.
As a child, I was very shy and very unconfident of myself, so unfortunately I never pursued singing.
I believe that no one should ever give up on any dream they have. Everyone learns from their mistakes, and you just have to take chances if you want to move foward in this business.
2010 is going to be a great year for me because I have been given an opportunity to sing the lead in a band of very talented musicians here in the Peoria area.
We have recently started rehersal and it is going better than I ever could have imagined.
We will primarily be playing at fairs and festivals throughout Illinois and we'll be playing various country Top 20 hits primarily.
" Our Song", " It Happens", "Anyway", " Need You Now" and " Gunpowder and Lead" are just some examples of the kinds of songs we will be playing.
We are all working on a name, but Have not decided yet. "Melanie and the XXXXXXX??" So I will keep you all updated as this progresses.
I am still going to continue to do all my other gigs and our shows will not start until May or so.
I started entering contests in 2001 and it was when I won a recording session in 2002 that got me even more motivated to stick to it.
I have won several competitions since then some of which are: Holiday Idol in 2003 which I won A trip to Las Vegas, The Colgate Country Showdown local level in 2005 , The most Talented woman contest, which is held at the Women's lifestyle show in 2007, Washington Cherry-oke contest in 2007, Rock Star in 2007 ,the Colgate Country Showdown local level and Iowa State level in 2007 and some other little local contests as well that I entered just for fun.
I have performed at many venues throughout Illinois and Iowa.
Some include :
The New Salem Country Opry, Bement Opry, McClean Country country Opry, McClean Country Fair, The Illinois State fair, The Taste of Chicago, The Tri-County Rodeo in Ft. Madison, Iowa, Pontiac Summerfest, Sang the National Anthem At the Peoria Chiefs baseball games, a few times:) Alot of fairs and festivals , The Spoon River Drive, weddings, Christmas parties and alot of other places, but I don't want to bore you with that.
I have sang the National Anthem at some of my son's basketball games:) That is so cool:) and I am going to sing it at the New Windsor Rodeo in the summer of 2010. I am excited about that:)
In 2002 I started entering a contest called the " Colgate Country Showdown".
It has a local level, A state level, a regional level and finally the Final level where the winner takes a nice $100.000.000 home with them.
This contest has given me so much experience in this business and I have learned so much from it. I have been competing in it every summer for the past 8 years. In 2007 I made it all the way to regionals, and it was an experience I will never forget. I did well, but regretfully, I did not win.
It is so overwhelming how many other people there are out there trying to make it in the music business. I have met some incredible singers and songwriters over the years and I have learned so much from all of them.
Some have taught me how to have confidence and have fun without looking so nervous, Stage presence of course is a big one, but most importantly to just be yourself. It is so important to just reach inside you and find your true self.
I Grew up in Peoria, Illinois, graduated in 1992 from Limestone Community High School and still reside in Peoria now with my son. He is ten years old and his name is Bobby. He wants to race bikes and/or cars for a iving, so he tells me. He loves to play the Wii and I have caught his singing in the shower and he has a great voice!! But he does not like to hear that:)He is a very sweet boy and I am so proud of him with his school work and he may not want to show it in public but he is Mamma's baby boy:) I loveeeee him soooo much:) Can't wait til he starts playing basketball again:) I love going to his games. I also have a step-daughter, Samantha who is 17 and resides with her father. I love her as if she were my own and I have loved being a part of her life:) She is so beautiful inside and out. She is never around, but that is how they are at that age. She is very responsible and works at Subway:) She has helped me in more ways imaginable in life. She is so important to me and at times I do not know what I would have done if she were not around:) She helped me make the most important decision of my life and I will forever be thankful.l
It has been four years now since I lost a total of 70 pounds and I changed my entire lifestyle in order to accomplish that. I know it has nothing to do with singing, but it is something that I am very proud of myself for actually doing. I have become a very active person and I work out almost every day . I am finally a happy and very strong person who is not afraid of her own shadow:)
I enjoy alot of different styles of music, besides country. Although Country is at the top of my list. Miranda Lambert is my Favorite right now with Martina McBride following. I also like Rhianna,The Black Eyed Peas, Leonna Lewis, Kelly Clarkson, Fergie, and I adore Sheryl Crow. I love a good book. Nora Roberts is my favorite author. I adore Daniele Steele as well:) My favorite book is " Angels Fall" by Nora Roberts.
I am trying out For " America's Got Talent" this year, Can't wait:):):)
To sum it all up, I am just your average middle class mother has a dream of making it in this business somehow or another. I intend to keep at it for many years to come. I will NEVER give up:)
I have wonderful family and friends (You know who you are) who support me in this and I thank them so much:)!! I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD, BOBBY, SAM AND "AUDIE AND THE FAN CLUB"!!!
I just want to make people smile and let them hear what I have to say in the songs I write especially. I someday want to record all the songs I have written, get signed to a label and maybe just maybe be heard on 104.9 the wolf, or River Country. (HA!)
But if I don't, that's ok..........as long as I keep on singing for all of you I will be happy:)
I'M SO GLAD UR GETTING AWAY FROM HIM U CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER SWEETIE , AND U NEVER HAVE TO WALK EGGS SHELLS AGAIN. GREAT MOVE GOOD LUCK FROM ME AND JOHN. WE ALWAYS HERE FOR U HUN. AND I'M ON FACEBOOK ALL THE TIME .
HEY MEL , HOW ARE U JUST WANTED TO STOP BY AND SAY HEY AND LET U KNOW WE THINKING ABOUT U , AND LET U KNOW IF U EVER GO TO FACEBOOK WE ON THERE TO LOV YA KEEP ROCKIN.
I dear i always will be a fan of ur i lov u and ur music so much. i just can't wait to see u again. i miss are old time we had in the valley ,when i come to ur show i had so much fun . and i will get with u sometime again. john & i want to come and see u when ur sing new year eve up there where he works. lov girl KEEP ROCKIN.
Hi sorry u cant sleep. How was the par-a-dice tonight I seen on your profile you were singing there tonight. Hope to see you soon too. You guys have a wonderful Holiday too.
Couldn't help but notice that you may need some light today. I send love, healing and whatever else you may need. I am praying for you! Keep shining your own light my friend cause you never know who might benefit from it! *hugs*
Hey Mel! Had to stopped by and listen to your lovely voice. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful to have you as a friend in my life. Be well. ♥
Hi Mel,just stpping by to hear your beautiful singing,I,ve been busy getting my music studio together here in the city, Playing an awesome new harp and my electric Guitar, Fun!! Angelina Andria
HEY Mel, don't want going on but i just want u to know u we think of u , and wait to hear some more songs from u to brighten up our days we lov u and we miss u . take care girl KEEP ROCKIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
hey mel i just listen to ur song that u recorded a u really sound great . keep rock girl .I SURE DO MISS U . but i do go to ur page and listen to ur music all time . u for got going on , ur going be a country sing one day and we be seeing u on tv on cmt or gmc soon i have faith in u . love ya.
hey girl ,i just was little down so i listen to ur songs again and i really love that song there i be thats a beautiful song. but as always u singing put a smile on my face and bring back time when i used to get to see u in different singing shows , i miss thoses days we all used to do that . well u keep rockin keep singing ur my ur dreams come true I got faith in u . lov girl. ur friend always .
K I finally got thru your albums and made some comments. I'm bad at looking at photos and profiles. I need to pay more attention to that stuff but I'm great at writing messages and responding..gotta count for something right? LOL.
