MELODY GUY
By Daniel J. Curran
She writes the music, books all the gigs for the band and has sold
her tapes and CDs out of the trunk of her car. Life as she once knew
it, is about to change and possibly in a very big way.
Melody Guy is a rare breed of musician; her music, although it has
a strong country western feel to it, crosses more than a few genres.
Her music is rooted in blues, rhythm and blues and country, which translates
into a strong crossover appeal. She brings a fresh approach to country
western music.
What separates Guy from her contemporaries besides her sexy, soulful
voice is her songwriting ability. It's strong and heartfelt. Her songs
seem to be snapshots that peek into a life progressing.
Guy's songs are a testament that all country western songs don't have
to be about lying, cheating and heartaches in abundance to be worthy
of acceptance. Her music reflects her share of failures, but it is much
more than the traditional country western music theme, which lives on
the 'crying in the beer' mentality. It's fun too.
Local media outlets are beginning to take notice as well.
Recently, Guy was the featured artist on KINK FM 102 Local Musical
Artist Spotlight in their performance lounge. She shined in that
piece and KINK Music Director Kevin Welch has promised to bring her
back with her full band in tow. He, like many others in the local media,
realizes just how much talent Melody Guy possesses.
"Melody has a lot of the talent that is required to make it in
this industry," says Welch. "Her songwriting is a notch above
most and that is what is going to give her longevity in a business that
is always in a rush for the next best thing."
KUPL 98.7, Portland's largest country music station, has supported
Guy in a big way too. The relationship is a good one that only promises
to get better.
Recently, Guy did a benefit concert opening for country star Joe Diffie,
to which KUPL added media support by including her in the ads for the
benefit and in the Bonafide Country newspaper. The exposure she
realized with the ads for the benefit gave her much some much-needed
and well-earned name recognition.
"Melody Guy is the type of vocalist that makes clear the difference
between good and exceptional," says Terry Collins, publisher of
the Bona Fide Country newspaper. "You get the feeling when
listening to Melody perform that should have paid for a $30 ticket,
and somehow the bouncer hasn't caught you yet."
The benefit, supporting to the National Association of Slain Officers
(N.A.S.O.), a Clackamas based organization that provides support for
family members of slain officers, garnered Guy a standing ovation and
opened discussions on possibly opening for Joe Diffie on a national
tour.
Guy will be working with KUPL again as one of the featured performers
on Sept. 8 for the Liverpalooza 2002, a motorcycle benefit ride.
It benefits the Northwest Region of the Liver Foundation, to help find
a cure for the potentially devastating effects of Hepatitis C.
Nashville started calling.
In June, Guy is expected to sign an exclusive agreement with a prominent
Nashville agent to take over the management of her band, venue bookings
and a recording contract off her things-to-do list. European distribution
of her music will be on the table as well.
Guy started playing music at the tender age of nine, performing in
beauty pageants, talent contests and fairs. By the age of 12, she sang
at the Tehachapi State Prison in California, singing Judy Garland's,
Over the Rainbow to a very receptive and enthusiastic audience.
Guy counts her dad, Bobby Guy, as her single most profound musical
influence. A popular musician in his own right, he played guitar in
a Portland band, Bobby and Guys, in the '60s. He also wrote special
musical articles for the Oregonian.
The Budweiser School of Music played a pivotal role in Guy's musical
development, too. According to Guy it was her dad who would tell her,
"Get your daddy a beer and I'll play you another song." She
would beat a path faster than fast to the fridge. And she would get
that next song. "If it wasn't for my dad playing and the strong
musical influence he had on me, I don't think I would be playing music
today," says Guy.
As talented as Melody Guy is, she can't do it alone. She features a
band with an impressive set of musicians who not only complement her
talents, but display quite a bit of their own exceptional musicianship.
On guitar is Todd Powers; Geoff Clarkson on mandolin and electric guitar;
Larry Barent on bass guitar; and Joey Gardner on drums. For larger shows
and venues, Guy fills out the band with Karen Phillips on backup vocals
and Dave Lipkind on harmonica.
Her musical influences run the gamut from Patsy Cline to Bonnie Raitt
to Steve Earle. "I am a product of everything I've heard,"
says Guy.
Coca Cola is climbing on board the Melody Guy bandwagon as well. Recently,
while playing at Hayden's Bar and Grill in Tualatin, Coca Cola marketing
representatives heard her and bought CDs. Soon after, they came back
with a bunch of friends and they bought CDs. The rest is, as they say,
history as the wheels began to turn on what promises to be an opportunity
for some long overdue backing and some excellent exposure in July.
Coca Cola and Thriftway grocery stores will be giving away music packs
which include, T-Shirts, CD players with headphones; and the new Melody
Guy CD, Should've Loved Me, will be included. Posters will be
displayed in all the Thriftway stores in Oregon and Washington.
In addition, Guy will be the featured artist in the Coca Cola Concert
Series with Northwest Albertsons and Safeway stores; eight selected
stores will feature her in concert along with a good old-fashioned barbeque.
"This is about never giving up on your dreams," says Guy.
For concert information on Melody Guy, her Web site address is: www.MelodyGuy.com.
(Also, see Bandstand.)
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