MELISSA Q&A

July 26, 2010 -- Here’s a chance to get caught up on Melissa, both music-wise as well as away from the microphone.

Although Melissa is in the middle of three shows in seven nights, a question-and-answer session with her seemed long overdue.  Here’s the latest from the singer/songwriter that is entertaining audiences in numerous locations.


QUESTION: You’ve got your furthest show south coming up.  Really making some miles, huh?
MELISSA BRETHAUER: Yes, it’s exciting to have so many sites interested in having me perform.  I’ll be down in Pineland, Florida, which is in the Fort Myers area.

Q: And now there’s something being scheduled for you to take you to your furthest show north?
MB: That’s right.  There is a week-long songwriters festival up in the Panhandle at the end of September.  I’m honored that they are going to schedule me to do multiple appearances during that.

Q: And that will sort of be a homecoming performance for you, if you will?
MB: Definitely.  I was born in the Panhandle and still have family living up there.  So it will be nice for them to finally be able to come out to one of my live shows – if not more than one.

Q: All these live shows you’ve been doing… You just did one two nights ago… How have the audiences been?
MB: I’ve really been blessed with how kind everyone has been at the places I’ve played at.  Not only the people who are there listening to my music, but all the venue operators have been really great too.  It just means so much to me that complete strangers are hearing me perform live and then buying my CD while they’re there, and then a lot of them end up showing up on my Facebook and/or MySpace page or following me on Twitter.  I can’t say enough about the appreciation I have for everyone’s support.

Q: Have you been doing much songwriting of late?
MB: Not right now, although there was a song called “Better Than That,” which I wrote not too long after the CD came out.  I do that song live a lot.

Q: You’ve had a few run-ins with the weather though, huh?
MB: Unfortunately, yes, but that’s something that’s out of everyone’s control.  And by no means am I the only one that has had to experience that.  And that extends way beyond me trying to perform live music outdoors somewhere.  Sporting events, for instance, are another example of where an organizer is at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Q: Speaking of the great outdoors, to get away from music a bit here, you just took a little time for yourself, right?
MB: Yes, it was awesome.  I went up to North Carolina with my family for a camping trip.  Being that they live up in the Panhandle it was so nice to see all of them for so many days in a row.  All good things must come to an end though, and I had to be back to perform two nights ago in Apollo Beach anyway.  But, it was very good to have had that time to get away.

Q: And there was another nice non-music happening in your life recently…
MB: Right.  My birthday was eleven days ago so I finally hit 21.  Some people argue 18, but I guess this really makes it official that I’m an adult now.  (laughs)  I’m ready to continue facing new challenges though, musically and otherwise.

Q: Which would bring up the topic of your studies…
MB: Indeed.  I took some more classes this summer, and am working on my Fall semester schedule.  It will be good to finally be a college senior because it will mean that the end is in sight for another chapter in my life.  All learning experiences are good though.

Q: Any final thoughts or words?
MB: Just again my continued thanks to everyone.  I’m amazed that my music has already been able to touch so many people.  I know that people have purchased my CD from as far away as New York, Texas, California, and even Japan, and as I said before, there are always new people being exposed to it and responding well to what they’re hearing, so I’m grateful to everyone who is buying “Waiting” and coming to my live shows and sticking with me through the various social media websites.
Here’s to a great second half of 2010 for us all!