Melissa’s love of music was born of the deep emotions it evoked in her from a very young age. “I can remember being moved to tears listening to Christopher Cross’s Sailing at the age of three and years later, being completely changed by the powerful lyrics of Mike & The Mechanics “In The Living Years.” She spent her early years dabbling in songwriting – getting her first few song cuts with Tampa-based children’s show NuNu & Company at age 19. “That’s when I realized a career in songwriting was possible.” She set to work, honing her craft with the help of workshops in Colorado, Hawaii, New York, LA and Nashville studying under hit writers like Jeffrey Steele, Jason Blume, Max Martin, Marshall Altman, Walt Aldridge, Jim Femino and Bobby Braddock. “I knew I had stories to tell – but I also knew I needed to learn how to tell them in a way that was universal and could connect with others.” In 2006, after years of back and forth, cultivating relationships and working on her craft, she made the bold move from her native Florida to Nashville. “I had no idea how I was going to make it happen… But I knew I was destined to work in the music industry.”
She got her foot her in the door when she landed a job with Great American Country allowing for more education and networking opportunities within the industry. “I absolutely loved working for GAC – and admired and respected the people I worked with. But I felt a bit like a caged bird. I was meeting so many of the artists and songwriters that were doing what I so badly wanted to do… I’d always wanted to be known for my songwriting.” In 2013, Melissa left GAC and started Rhyme Partners with the signing of then flagship songwriter Bill DiLuigi, a long time friend and collaborator. “The decision to establish Rhyme Partners was born of the realization that I could forge my own path towards a successful songwriting career as well as promote and champion other talented writers.”
Since then, Rhyme Partners has had 100’s of cuts with both indie and major label acts, including Rachel Holder, Erica Nicole, Amber Hayes, Christie Lamb, Nine Days Band & Clayton Anderson to name a few, several songs placed in television and film, including major motion pictures Storm Rider, The Sunday Horse, Dakota’s Summer, and Cowgirl’s Story. The company’s catalog has seen a lot of success on commercial radio both nationally and internationally, as well as a number of prestigious awards, including a 2016 Canadian Covenant Award win for Sean Spicer’s Awaken My Love, a 2017 Juno Award nomination for Aaron Pritchett’s album The Score, which includes the track Lifeline and a 2017 Grammy consideration for Cheryl B. Engelhardt’s album Inevitibility which includes the track “The Do I Do.”
Aside from the publishing success of Rhyme Partners, Melissa has seen much success as writer. Her credits include: I Belong, theme song for The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance; American Blueprint, featured in the 2016 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.; Dress Up This Town, recorded by The Voice contestant Mary Sarah, featured on Radio Disney, and a national radio ad campaign for Boot Barn; Shakin, recorded by artist Lexi Larson sponsored by Durango Boots; Sleeping Giant, an album collaboration with X Factor sensation Rion Paige; Often And Much with two-time Portland Music Awards Songwriter of the Year and Male Artist of the Year winner Tyler Stenson; Tommy with the former Steel Magnolia member Joshua Scott Jones on his second solo album The Rural Deal; One Mistake, a collaboration with legendary Grammy winning artist Bonnie Tyler, Two Hearts Too Big on the newest Nine Days album Snapshots featuring the re-release of their mega hit Story Of A Girl and many more. Melissa not only writes, publishes and performs for a living; she mentors, educates and works with charitable organizations like The Beat Of Life promoting healing through music and enjoys participating in corporate team building events with The Song Team.
In all, Melissa has established a creative mecca in Rhyme Partners for those looking to exercise their voice while in search of their big break – especially those former reality television contestants. So many finish the show having had national exposure, yet have nowhere to go. We’ve given them a place.”
