Singer/songwriter Melanie Meriney on her bandtwango crowdfunding campaign
Meriney’s Backstory:
I was 8 when I realized my career path. Most people find theirs in high school, or college, or maybe even after that. But when I was 8, I wanted to be a singer. It was not in the childlike way that kids want to be ballerinas or astronauts or ninjas and then forget it about a few years later. I became obsessed. I started voice lessons, I studied guitar, I joined a multitude of choruses and church choir, I wrote songs like crazy.
The tough thing about having an unconventional dream is that there aren’t any directions on how to get there. It’s not like you can go to school, get a degree, take an internship, and land a job with a good resumé in your field of choice. To be a music artist, the paths are limitless and never the same for two different people. I moved to Nashville at the age of 18 knowing nothing and no one, determined to make a name for myself.
Nashville has been good to me. Since I’ve been here I’ve recorded two EPs (“Up In Lights” and “All The Good Songs”). I’ve opened for Little Big Town, Restless Heart, The Commodores, Steve Augeri of Journey, and Rick Vito of Fleetwood Mac. I signed a publishing deal. I was nominated for a Nashville Independent Music Award for Best Female Solo Artist, and got mentions in publications like Billboard, Country Aircheck, and Music Row Magazine. I was named one of AXS’s and Next Women of Country’s “2018 Artists to Watch”. My music video for my first single “Lifeboat” premiered on GAC and the song charted #2 on the UK Hot Disc chart.
I’ve accomplished all of this with help from my friends, mentors, and family, but I’ve reached the stage in my career where it’s going to take more than what I currently have. I’m asking for a rally of support from you guys- the people who have pushed me this far and motivated me every day with your inspiring messages, your shares, your spins, and your kindness. Here is what your belief in me and your generosity will do:
· 1. It will allow me to record NEW MUSIC
I have so many songs I’m dying to share with you. I have spent the better part of a decade meeting and forming working relationships with musicians and songwriters who are SO DANG TALENTED and who are ready to hit the studio! I am so proud of the music I have already released, but as a next step to my goal of getting signed to a major label, I need to have a couple more carefully-selected songs. My team and I think we have the perfect ones.
· 2. It will allow me to MARKET that music
If a song falls in the woods and nobody is around to hear it, does it make a sound? I want to kick my marketing plan into high gear and get my music out to as many people as possible! Before I go into label meetings, I need to show them I have the buzz and the numbers to be a successful artist that they’d be crazy not to sign. Unfortunately, amazingly awesome exposure and results do not come cheap! I have the perfect people I want to work with- I just need the funds!
Anyone who knows me knows I eat, sleep, and breathe this dream. People ask me what my hobbies are outside of music (uh… does songwriting for fun count?). Every single minute I’m not working at my day job as a teacher is devoted to trying to progress my career in some way (not gonna lie, some of my time at my job is even spent on this). I’ve always been someone who hates asking for help and wants to do everything on my own because I feel like I’m inconveniencing people. However, I am swallowing my pride and asking anyways because I literally cannot do this on my own. I need you ❤ Check out the incentives (aside from my undying gratitude and love) for helping me reach my goal. I’m a Ramen-noodle-eating broke person too, so I completely understand if you cannot donate more than a couple bucks- luckily, another way that you can help me is by SHARING this campaign! Seriously, it goes further than you’d think.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Let’s do this! Love, Melanie
Watch Melanie’s bandtwango campaign video
Contribute to the bandtwango campaign
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