Mark Melloan - News and Reviews

Old News:

September, 2005 --

London has become one of our favorite spots to entertain. We consistently have a nice turnout,
and apparently, folks have had time to listen to the CD several times now.

I was honored to see people from the other side of the state singing along with songs like
"Courthouse Rock" (which is in their own backyard) and "Hubert Atwell's Store."

Special thanks to Jay and the folks at Holly Bay, and thanks to our friends in London.

August, 2005 --

Earlier this month, we also got back in the studio to cut a small project including three new songs:

"More Than I Bargained For"
"Apartment J"
"One Good Country Song"

April, 2005 --

The Kentucky Writers Conference was an exciting event this year. Western Kentucky University's
South Campus hosted a variety of different writing voices, including book authors, poets, and
songwriters. www.sokybookfest.org

I was honored to host a workshop on songwriting. Special thanks to all those who attended for your
attention and insightful questions. Thank you, Paul Bush, for moderating. Also, thanks to Jack
Montgomery, Dory Hudspeth, Jayne Pelaski, Diana McQuady, Anna Jo Johnson, Sean Kinder, Portia
Pennington, David Coverdale, Roxanne Spencer, and Tom Hunley for organizing.

Thank you, Curtis Burch, for planning April 16th's Benefit Concert at the Woodbury Amphitheater.
Proceeds went to our good friend Eric and his battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

March, 2005 --

Safe travels and Godspeed, Nathan McBroom.

January, 2005 --

Special thanks to David Atcher and the entire Bridge Community for a fun evening and a welcoming
environment. Sean Redding did a great job and had some really encouraging things to say.

October, 2004 --

Transitioning from September into October was quite a week. Special thanks to the reputable Bowling
Green Noon Rotary, a gracious and energetic audience who have now added me to a distinguished list of
guest speakers including, most recently, Senate Majority Whip, Mitch McConnell.

Thanks to Brandon Miles of Stellar Kin and Bad Apple Records for inviting me to wrap up Friday evening's
concert at Westminster. College kids hooping, stomping, clapping, singing along to currently-unreleased
originals: priceless.

Finally, thanks to the city of Glasgow and the various sponsors of the Beaver Creek Music Festival.
Dr. Dobro and I played two sets for an attentive all-ages crowd, and Rhonda Vincent headlined. A fine
day in Barren County.

Summer, 2004 --

Getting back into the swing of things. We've got a couple of shows coming up this week:

One in London at Holly Bay and one in Bowling Green on the square. The BG show is a nice chance for me
to tip my hat to a fine young songwriter, Mr. Eric Wilson. Everybody who's anybody should be there.
Drew Ingram will be making a special appearance on the mandolin.

Also, July 17, Green River Fest takes Munfordville by storm. Thelma Stovall Park will set the backdrop for
performances by:

Darrell Scott, John Cowan, Eddie Pennington, Pat Flynn, Soulgrass, and, yes, me and my cohorts - Dr. Dobro, Rob,
Drew. These are some pretty heavy-hitters in the newgrass and songwriting world, so click on their names to
get in the loop. We'll see you there!

Spring, 2004 --

Nothing much...
Started teaching English at Western Kentucky University.

...oh, and GOT MARRIED. Please excuse a brief concert hiatus. Still writing.

December, 2003 --

HIGH ON A HILLTOP

On December 4th, "High on a Hilltop" aired in Nashville's massive Gaylord Entertainment Center before
Western faced the Louisville Cardinals. Radio commentators noted Rick Pitino's chagrin at Western's striking
pre-game show.

December 7th, we presented a "High on a Hilltop" halftime show in Diddle Arena. A section of The Amazing
Tones of Joy accompanied as fans sang and clapped, gearing up for the second half.

Come out to the games and cheer on your Toppers. Yesterday, Coach Horn led his boys to a 75-59 victory
over Austin Peay.

               READ THE LYRICS / CHECK OUT THE CAST
                          wkusports.com
              Study up on the E. A. Diddle legacy

November, 2003 --

"High on a Hilltop" - my anthem to WKU basketball - debuts in Diddle Arena this Saturday, November 29th,
when Western takes on Mississippi State. The game starts at 7PM Central / 8PM Eastern. WKU tickets are
a hot commodity, so visit wkusports.com or call 1-800-5-BIG-RED.

The song/video project features an outstanding list of WKU alumni and friends.

October, 2003 --

The President's Circle Polka-Dot Gala: a celebration of Western's Investing in the Spirit campaign, which raised over 102 million. I had the honor of sharing "High on a Hilltop" while the WKYU team projected vintage footage of E. A. Diddle and bygone Hilltopper basketball teams on the big screens. Special thanks to Dr. Ransdell, Lucinda Anderson, and Cheryl Beckley. Stay posted for details on the recording project.

Horse Cave Heritage Festival: Main Street closed down, cars lining both sides of 31W, barbeque brisket, fried
blooming onions (complete with a mystery sauce), bluegrass, newgrass, soulgrass, gospel, and... us. I introduced "The Last Song Charles Jones Wrote" and "Amazing Grace." Thanks guys.

September, 2003 --

If you're familiar with the Wildhorse Saloon, you know it's a great privilege to take that stage. And if you've
been there on a Saturday night, you know that the audience is immense. I played "A Dirt Road in Utah" and "Her Mama Loves Me," originals I suspected would be well-received by a Wildhorse crowd; they were! Nashville listened. A few folks even two-stepped, a definite first for me. The audio was amazing, special thanks to Marvin and the production crew. Also, thanks, Carter, Dena, Amanda, David and Meridith Doran.

Live @ Vette Museum: I gave a sneak-peek of "High on a Hilltop" to the National Board of Directors of WKU's Alumni Association. WKU President, Gary Ransdell, stood up after the song and vowed "before all those in attendance" to have it produced and played on the jumbo-tron Sony-vision screen in Diddle Arena before home games! Stay posted.

August, 2003 --

Friday, August 1st, in Munfordville, KY, was a great time. When we book a show on the courthouse steps, we mean that quite literally. We looked down on kids fishing pennies out of the water fountain, lots of new faces, and a down home, storefront backdrop. Thank you, Curtis Burch, Ron & Luke Davidson, Melissa McGuire and the Tourism Commission, my friends and family, and the town of Munfordville.

July, 2003 --

Holly Bay: Mr. Clauson recommended that if I were performing in London, I'd better "check my chambers and pull the hammers back." But we had a great time. Simple wooden stage, kerosene lanterns galore, fireworks over Laurel Lake, and some fine Eastern Kentucky listeners.

Gerstle's: Wowza, The Muckrakers are true entertainers.
Special thanks to Louisville writer, Kevin Gibson, for a nice plug in the .LEO..
I debuted "A Dirt Road in Utah" and "Carolina Sand." How about them versatile Louisville ears...

June, 2003 --

This Saturday, Rob and I will join The Muckrakers for a night of music at Gerstle's Place in Louisville.
My good friend, Micah Gerdis (co-wrote "Seven Miles Away"), now plays electric guitar
for the Mucks. If you're free on the 14th around 10:30 P.M. (Eastern), come check us out.

May, 2003 --

April 29th with Briarwood Elementary School went off without a hitch; what a cool bunch of kids!
Friday, April 25th was a great show with another awesome turnout. The fundraiser effort for E'town's Historic State Theater Complex was successful to say the least: We were able to raise over a thousand dollars for the renovation fund. On behalf of myself and all of the friendly folks at the State Theater, thanks again.

April, 2003 --

This Friday, April 25th, we're playing a fundraiser concert for Elizabethtown's Historic State Theater Complex. This will be just the second performance since the renovations began, and all ticket proceeds will go to the theater.

Curtis Burch (dobro) and Rob Collier (upright bass) will accompany, so we'll pick some cover tunes as well as my originals, new & old. The State is downtown E'town, on the corner of 31W and Highway 62. You can't miss the antique marquee. (7:30 Eastern / 6:30 Central)

This Friday, April 18th, I will be performing a solo set at Barnes & Noble in Bowling Green. This will be a special show, an intimate acoustic performance in a venue which typically features book authors and lecturers. Grab a cup of Joe and settle down to some of my originals, new and old. (8 Central / 9 Eastern)

February, 2003 --

Special thanks to the KRWA and the Sloan Convention Center! The audience was wonderful, and the catering was amazing. We sold a lot of "The Shadowlands" CDs and met people from all over the state.

As usual, Curtis Burch (dobro), Joel Whittinghill (mandolin/fiddle), and Rob Collier (upright bass) played great; and Bowling Green teenager, Kody Schumm, accompanied on djimbe (an afro-celtic drum). We played some new original material, including "Church Street Graveyard" and "O Kentucky"; also some grassy takes on "Last Train to Clarksville" and "Kentucky Woman."

Congratulations, Curtis Burch and Friends, on the success of your recent concert with the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra. The combination of newgrass and orchestra was fun for eyes and ears.

December, 2002 --

Thanks Bowling Green! The Phoenix Theatre concert was awesome. The place was full and energetic -- I'll definitely do it again. Special thanks to Curtis Burch, Rob Collier, and Joel Whittinghill, also Delia Brown and the rest of the Public Theatre of Kentucky.

The WKU on-campus show was also a lot of fun. Following pianist Jeffrey East and Eric Wilson's band, I lullabied past the midnight hours and sent students back to their dorms with a full dose of mellow acoustic music.

I also want to thank KET (Kentucky Entertainment Television) for their interest in my project. Curtis Burch and Kurtis Matthew accompany me on "Coal-Burning Train" and a brand new song, "O Kentucky." To see the show, tune in Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 8/7 pm CT on KET1 or Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6/5 pm CT on KET2.