Biography
Melody is a 2009 Stellar Award, New Artist of the Year Nominee and headlining perfomer. The Motown native is also the 2008 WAMA/BMI WAMMIE Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Recording. Refusing to be locked into a genre specific box and showing great musical boldness and versatility, Melody's debut CD, The Reason offers you a fresh sound with a unique vocal blend of Jazz, Soul, R & B, and Traditional Gospel.
Along with her family, Melody also credits a God ordained "chance" encounter with one of her musical heroes, Gospel icon Fred Hammond as a major inspiration on her gospel music journey. After viewing an R&B video she had on display in a Mall, Hammond challenged her to think about using her musical gift solely for God's purpose. That meeting would leave a seed planted that later inspired her move from a secularly focused music path... to becoming fully committed to the music she calls, "The greatest and most inspiring form of music one could ever sing! Afterall, gospel music is all about spreading the good news!"
Melody has opened up for and shared platforms with such notable Gospel & Christian artists as, Marvin Winans, Angelo & Veronica, Deitrick Haddon, Gary Oliver, Isaiah Thomas, Larnell Harris, Donnie McClurkin, Byron Cage, and a host of others. Most recently, Melody has performed on the stage of the coveted and legendary, Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN during the 24th Annual Gospel Music Stellar Awards. Also, no stranger to the acting stage, she has performed in several Gospel Musical Productions, which included appearances at Washington, DC's historic Lincoln Theater & Maryland's celebrated Publick Playhouse.
Due to her marked versatility, Melody prefers not to have her style of music defined by labels, however, she says, if you had to call it anything call it "Rhythm & Praise" Gospel. The Reason, boasts a myriad of songs birthed out of Melody's own personal testimony and are a candid reflection of her journey... It is from this place that her tremendous passion & raw emotion is evoked and felt in every song and note she sings.
Her music inspirations, which are as varied as her style, range from a wide group of music legends and innovators such as, Mahalia Jackson, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tramaine Hawkins. Other songtresses & balladeers who've impacted Melody's musical journey include, Natalie Cole, Denise Williams, Mary J. Blige, and Chaka Khan - just to name a few. These, as well as others, have helped to inspire & shape the sound and style that is uniquely…Melody! To find out more about Melody - visit her official website @ www.melodybarnes.com. For booking and media, contact N'Flyte Music @ 240-568-3115.
Instrumentation
Melody Barnes - Lead Vocals, BGV
Steve Ebhodaghe - Keys, Acoustic Guitar, BGV
Joshua Patani - Bass Guitar
Solomon Ekuwuoma - Drums, Percussions
Bunmi Dada - BGV
Discography
THE REASON (BMI)
Links
| http://WWW.MELODYBARNES.COM |
| Melody on Myspace |
| Purchase @ CDbaby.com |
| Purchase @ Amazon.com |