Jessica Mellott

(Sounds of Laughter Rang out) Last Night at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Vanity)
www.comedyopenmike.com ^ | 10/13/2006 | Sensei Ern
Posted on 10/13/2006 9:36:53 AM PDT by Sensei Ern
Last night, ComedyOpenMike.com sponsored a show at Walter Reed Medical Center. We had five comedians, including myself, and pop singer Jessica Mellott. This show was for the injured soldiers recovering at Walter Reed, and their families.
It was incredibly fun for everyone.
I opened, and emceed. Then, Jessica came up and did three songs. The crowd fell in love with her.
Every comedian brought their A-game, and were 100% clean. The only complaint I have is that my sound system developed a a problem that caused feedback, and the only way to fight it was to adjust the equalizer.
After Jessica, Brett the Irish Com'Mc delivered 15 minutes of solid Irish humor. His toast at the end of his set was perfect.
Tom Myers picked up the energy. He related to the crowd with material that they could identify with.
Next, Kelly Terranova rocked the house, as the world's only vegetarian NASCAR fan, who would be meat free were it not for McDonald's.
Jessica did three more songs and stole the show. She definately stole the hearts of every single soldier in the crowd of 150.
Headliner, Ron Bender wrapped up the show and left the crowd wanting more, which is how you should leave them. He threw one-liners at the crowd and before they finished laughing, he hit them with another.
- New Republic

GIRL SCENE MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 07

Jessica Mellott
Talented and a great role model, that's Jessica Mellott. Read our exclusive interview with her here!

GS: Hi Jessica! Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

JM: I am 17 years old and currently live in Maryland, though I am moving soon. I have been singing and entertaining for my entire life. I love performing and singing all types of music, but pop music is my main style.

GS: When did you first know that you wanted to become a singer?

JM: I have been taking vocal lessons since I was 5 years old, and I had always loved music. When I was in 3rd grade, I auditioned for the role of Gretl in "The Sound of Music" with a local theater group and got the part over hundreds of other girls. I found that I loved performing on stage for the audience, and I knew then that I wanted to be a professional singer.

GS: Where do you get inspiration from when writing songs?
JM: I find inspiration for songs from everyday life. I will be thinking about something that is going on in my life, and a tune or a lyric will pop into my head.

GS: If you could collaborate with anyone in the music industry, who would you choose and why?

JM: I love collaborating with other musicians, and there are so many people that I look up to in the music industry. I would love to work with other artists that inspire me, there are so many people that I would love to perform a duet with! I also want to collaborate with songwriters and producers that I look up to as well. Writing songs with other people is so much fun and is a great learning experience.

GS: What is the best part about being a singer/songwriter?

JM: Performing! I absolutely love entertaining for an audience. Being on stage has always been a huge part of my life and I always want to be there!

GS: I hear that you are also a very talented actress. What has been your favorite acting project and why?

JM: I have enjoyed all of my acting projects. Each one has been unique. I love everything from learning the lines to rehearsing with the cast to the unique costumes!

GS: How would you describe your fashion style?

JM: I love clothes and I love looking at different kinds of fashion. I get tons of ideas by flipping through magazines and by looking at clothing from different eras and cultures.

GS: What are your plans for the future?

JM: I am moving to Boston soon and will be performing there. I also recorded new songs recently and those will be released soon. I am also excited to announce that I am going to be the face of a new social site called Blog Thot (www.blogthot.com) where you can post microblogs!

GS: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

JM: Thank you for reading this interview! Be sure to check out my music at www.jessicamellott.com and www.myspace.com/jessicamellott. - Girl Scene Magazine

An Interview with Jessica Mellot



Artistic Pursuit magazine interviews Jessica Mellott
AP: You have been around quite a while. I have been taking a look at some of the things you have been doing. You started out quite early if I understand correctly, is that right?
JM: That’s right. I have been singing ever since I was about born pretty much. I actually got into professional private voice lessons when I was 5 because my mom was a volunteer at kindergarten.
All of the other parent volunteers and teachers told my mom I sang all the time and that I really needed to take voice lessons. It’s a funny story.
AP: So, where are you from? Are you based out of MD?
JM: I’m from Frederick MD, which is about an hour from DC.
AP: Have you ever done a performance in either DC or Baltimore?
JM: I have performed at the Warner Theater. It was a great experience.
AP: Can you tell me more about your musical background?
JM: I started out at 5. One of my favorite things to do was musicals.
AP: What is your favorite musical?
JM: I love the music from ‘Wicked’. It is amazing. I love musicals. When I was in the 3rd grade, my first big performance was Gretel in the Sound of Music. I auditioned for the role and I got it over a couple hundred other girls who wanted the role. I was little and thought it was so cool to be in a show like that on a big stage.

AP: Where was this?
JM: The Weinberg Theater in Frederick.
AP: So, you have done a lot of musical theater. When did you decide that you wanted to get into the industry as far as becoming a singer in the mainstream?
JM: That was a more recent change. I have always loved pop music and rock music. When I was in middle school I really loved that style. I didn’t think I could swing it because I have been trained classically and was more musical-theater oriented. In 8th grade I was singing Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. I saw Kelly Clarkson do it on American Idol and I was singing it for my mom and suddenly I belted it. I was like shocked that I sang it. How did I do that? I decided that pop music and mainstream music was what I wanted to do, so I decided to take lessons geared toward that, which was late middle school and high school. Now, what I do mainly is pop rock and R&B, and songwriting as well.
AP: So when was it that you started recording?
JM: I started recording in the 10th grade. That was my first experience in a recording studio so it was really cool for me because no one in my school had ever done anything like that. It was pretty unique and pretty cool.

AP: Who makes up your fan base? Do you mostly get rock listeners, pop listeners, or do you have a wide variety?
JM: I do have a wide variety. I would say mostly pop listeners and singer/songwriter listeners. I have a wide variety of age groups that listen to my music. I seem to have a strong pull on very young people. I have a lot of young fans who are girls who love my music and look up to me, which is amazing. I think that is awesome. I want to keep making music and working hard to maintain a good image, especially for young girls.
AP: How did you start building that fan base? Was it from hearing your music online?
JM: A lot of it is online. I got on MySpace and I put up my music and people started to come listen to it. The first day I put my song up there I had a few hundred plays, which is pretty rare for a new artist. Then, people kept joining my site and listening to my music. Of course, when I perform I get new fans that way. So it has definitely been multi-dimensional. One of my favorite performances in the DC area was at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I performed for the soldiers out there.
AP: How did that come about?
JM: I was approached on MySpace. That’s a great way to get your music out there. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity. I did 2 performances there about a year ago.

AP: Speaking of MySpace, you have almost 22,000 fans. How did that come about?
JM: People will just see me on someone else’s space, come and listen to my songs, add me as a friend, and then tell their friends. That’s how it all came about. I have fans from all over the world, not just the US. My website gets hits from all over the world - even from countries I have never heard of before.
AP: So, MySpace has been helpful to you.
JM: Very Helpful.
AP: That’s interesting. I say interesting, because a lot of people have not had that much success on MySpace. I am wondering if you have done a lot of advertising. How have you been able to promote your specific songs and music?
JM: I am also on a few other Internet sites as well. Of course, those sites direct traffic to MySpace. A lot of it is word of mouth or seeing me somewhere on the Internet. One thing that has happened to me recently on the Internet was I was featured on myxer.com. My ring tone was featured as the free ring tone of the day and it was downloaded thousands of times. They said it was downloaded about once every 10 seconds. So, now my ring tone is on a ton of cell phones.
AP: So what do you think the next steps are for you?
JM: Right now I am working on my degree in music learning, and as much as possible, to keep performing and songwriting. I am working on a lot of new material now to record.
- Artistic Pursuit Magazine

"Jessica had a dream to have a singing career, and has jumped on out there with focus and panasche. This 16 year old, who hails from Maryland, has a lovely lyrical singing voice, full of flavour and feeliing. She's been wowing crowds since the age of five. Her brand of pop/rock is fun and her charming writing and powerful delivery draws you in. I am delighted to have done a portrait of her, "Jessica's Field of Flowers", which she is featuring on her Myspace site as well as her website www.jessicamellott.com.

"I'm so thrilled to have worked on Jessica's portrait. Everyone I do a portrait of has something glowing and charismatic about their personality or an elusive something. It's hard to explain what makes me want to paint a real person. Jessica has brilliant colouring and the light loves her. A very blessed thing for a budding entertainer. Her natural charm and obvious talent go hand in hand with a genuine, caring young lady, who loves to sing and is reaching for her dream."

~ Susaye Greene
Ms. Greene the last member of Motown's legendary Supremes, is a singer with a five octave range, songwriter, producer, publisher and multi-media artist.

http://www.myspace.com/susaye
- Susaye Greene

"With the voice of an angel, and some very catchy Pop songs, Jessica Mellott is destined to one day be a household name. That day can not come soon enough, as everyone out there needs to enjoy the Pop bliss of Jessica's "Waiting on You." The song builds nicely into a memorable chorus and a vibe that sticks with you. A real winner!"
ADAM WALTEMIRE
POP GARDEN RADIO

http://www.myspace.com/popgardenradio
- Adam Waltemire

http://purestyledc.com/?p=268

Mike Styles: First, thank you for doing this interview… Lets jump into this… Please take a second to tell the readers a little about yourself for those that don’t know who you are… Why should we care about Jessica Mellott?


Jessica Mellott: I am an 18 year old pop singer from Maryland. I have been singing since I was 5 years old. You should care about me because Jessica Mellott is Hott!!! Heehee! J But, seriously though, I love singing and songwriting and when people tell me that they really relate to my music, it means a lot to me. Also, I love to perform, and I want to share that with as many people as possible. After I do a show people often come up to me afterwards and tell me that my performance affected them, and that they will continue to watch me in the future. It means a lot to me that people care about my music!


Mike Styles: You have multiple talents… Acting & Singing… What inspired you when you were growing up to get in the entertainment business? What are some of your influences?


Jessica Mellott: I have been involved with singing ever since I was 5, when I sang everyday in my kindergarten class and the parent volunteers told my mother to put me into voice lessons. I auditioned for a voice teacher with my favorite song of the time, “A Whole New World” (from Disney’s Aladdin). Ever since, I have loved singing, and when I was in the 3rd grade, I began acting as well when I performed as Gretl in The Sound of Music. I am influenced by a variety of things…everything from my favorite artists (including Kelly Clarkson, Shakira, Christina Aguilera, etc.) to things I experience and see in everyday life.


Mike Styles: You grew up in Maryland, but recently moved to Boston… How has the transition been? What are you aspirations now that you are in Boston?


Jessica Mellott: I love Maryland and miss home of course, but Boston is amazing and I now consider it a second home as well! It’s a beautiful city, and there is so much to do and see. The transition has been relatively easy! Of course I miss my family and friends back home, but I have a lot of friends here who are practically a second family too! My aspirations have not changed, I am still striving to be the best person and musician I can be, and I feel like I am learning a lot here.


Mike Styles: What motivates you more? The music or the money? Are you in this for the passion or the business and career side of things?


Jessica Mellott: I am definitely a music-oriented girl! Money is basically a necessity to life, but without music, for me at least, I would have no life! Haha J I have been singing and performing for as long as I can remember, and so many of the activities I do revolve around music. I am so passionate about music, and I love songwriting and performing!


Mike Styles: Let’s be honest… you are an attractive girl… What does Jessica look for in a guy? And is there any special guy in your life?


Jessica Mellott: Why thank you! J I look for kindness, honesty, trust, and passion in a guy! I also want someone who has their own goals in life and is determined. Right now, I am so busy and focused on my music and career that I don’t really have time for a boyfriend!


Mike Styles: What do you do when you aren’t singing and acting? I know you are in school too… So what do you do to enjoy your free time?


Jessica Mellott: When I am not singing or acting, I love spending time with my family and my friends! I love them all so much! I also love dancing, it is so much fun and is an amazing release for me. I also enjoy going to the beach and on vacation, shopping, reading, writing, exploring, etc.


Mike Styles: Are you planning any tours? Any performances coming up?


Jessica Mellott: Right now, my band and I are gigging around Boston, but we don’t have a specific tour going on, since we are all in school, and are leaving for summer vacation in just a few short weeks. However, we have a lot of performances coming up soon, so keep checking my website www.jessicamellott.com, and my MySpace tour date section (www.myspace.com/jessicamellott) for the latest up-to-date information.


Mike Styles: What does the feeling of playing in front of a live crowd feel like?


Jessica Mellott: There is nothing like performing live. It is amazing to perform onstage in front of a crowd that is watching you! I get such an adrenaline rush when I step on the stage, and I always try to perform as if it is my last performance, because I want to give my all everytime I sing. Every song deserves to be expressed to its full extent, and every audience deserves the best performance you can possibly give. Sometimes when I perform, it almost feels as if I am someone else, because you have to be extremely open and pour your heart out to the world, even if the song you are singing is about something very personal.


Mike Styles: Being a pop artist, there is so much competition for the spotlight… What makes you stand out?

Jessica Mellott: I think I am different than other pop artists because my songs are about many different topics, while many top artists today sing mainly just about love. Of course I enjoy writing songs about that subject, since it is such a main part of life, but I also feel the need to write about other topics too. Many people tell me that they really relate to my songs, and that means a lot to me.


Mike Styles: Thanks for this interview… Last question… It’s a fun one. Who is your celebrity crush and why? Never know might be an avid reader…


Jessica Mellott: This is probably the hardest question! Heehee! J I definitely think that some of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood are very handsome, including Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt. I also love some of Hollywood’s hottest new up-and-comers…I love the show Gossip Girl and I definitely find the male stars of that show, including Chace Crawford and Penn Badgley, very attractive!

- PureStyle Magazine

Teen takes West Coast honors

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007

A Frederick teen’s musical talents have earned her a pair of honors, besting artists from around the world.
Jessica Mellott, 17, was recently honored at the Los Angeles Music Awards as best pop singer and songwriter of the year and for her personal Web site, www.jessicamellott.com.
Mellott, a senior at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, released a three-song CD late last year, featuring the song ‘‘Remember Me” and was nominated for the award by a visitor to her MySpace social networking Web site.
‘‘I was surprised to be nominated and then to win was amazing, especially since the award comes from across the country,” she said.
Each year, the Los Angeles Music Awards spotlights the best and brightest independent musical talent from the United States and abroad. Past winners of the awards include album bestsellers the Black Eyed Peas and System of a Down.
In the best band Web site category, Mellott was tops among three bands from California and one from the United Kingdom. To win the female singer⁄songwriter of the year honor for ‘‘Remember Me,” she was selected among a field that featured acts from California, Canada and Australia.
‘‘The awards mean a lot to me,” Mellott said. ‘‘It makes me feel confident in my singing ability. I’m honored to be involved in something so exciting and a part of something that is global.”
Having developed a talent for singing at a young age, Mellott began songwriting last year. She recently released two new songs and is working with a Nashville-based producer on her first full-length album.
- Post-Newsweek Media Inc.

Indiechickmusic.com


Join us this month

as we take you

behind the music and

into the world and life

of Jessica Mellott.


---------------------------------------------




ICM: You had your song “Life Grabs You” featured in the independent movie “How To Be A Girl”. How excited were you to get this opportunity to share your music?

I was very excited. I like watching movies and I always wanted my music to be played in movies so lots of people can hear it. When they asked me to have “Life Grabs You” to be played in the movie, I was very excited for the opportunity.


ICM: When you are on stage, what is the best part about being able to sing live for a crowd and share your music that way?

It is definitely the rush you get from being on stage. I have being performing my whole life and it never gets old for me. I always feel a little nervous before I go out on stage and when I do and see the audience, it goes away. When they start singing with me it becomes very exciting.


ICM: Do you have any little rituals you always do before you go on stage?

I have the little singer's rituals. I drink tons of water all day long, I drink a lot of water in general because it is good for the vocals. I take Throat Coat, which is a special type of tea that helps your throat. I don’t do any real rituals, but now that my band and I are going to start gigging in Boston, we will probably have some rituals together. I will keep you posted on that one.


ICM: Do you write your own music?

I do write a lot of my own music. Some of the songs on my myspace have been written by other people, but I have been writing a lot more of my own music. Keep looking for those songs.


ICM: What is your inspiration when writing a song?

Basically, things from everyday life. I will be thinking about someone or something from that day or a few days ago. It just comes to me, a lot of times I will be walking down the street and a line will pop into my head. When I get home, I will write it down quickly and I will base the song around that.


ICM: Where did the musical roots come from for you?

I have been singing ever since I was a little girl. I started voice lessons when I was 5. I actually got involved in that when my kindergarten teacher told my mother that I would sing in class everyday. I would sing “A Whole New World”, and she told my mother that I had been singing all the time and that I should get voice lessons. I auditioned for a private voice teacher and I got in, and have been singing ever since. I don’t have any real musical roots in my family, no one was a musician at all, so it’s kind of strange that way.


ICM: Who are your most musical influences?

I love listening to all kinds of artists. I am a pop singer mostly, but I do everything like country, rap, reggae. I listen to everything, but I definitely think as far as pop artists, Kelly Clarkson influences me a lot, I think she has a great voice. Gwen Stefani has a beautiful style, I really admire that. Shakira is a great performer, so I love that too. I get influenced by many different artists from a lot of different regions.


ICM: Who is your all time favorite musician or band?

I can’t really say, because I love so many. If you ask any musician that, they are usually going to say, “no, no, no”. It’s just so hard, because I listen to so many different types of music and artists, that I can’t just pick one.


ICM: How do you describe your music to people?

I would say that it’s pop. Some of the songs are pop/rock, upbeat and party. The lyrics are light and some of the songs are about relationships and everyday struggles.


ICM: What image do you think your music conveys?

The songs are about everyday life and everyone can relate to it. It shows an everyday image, there’s nothing crazy there. I get a lot of people that write to me and say they just listened to my songs and it helped them a lot through a break-up or whatever, and that means a lot to me.


ICM: If a major record company wanted to sign you tomorrow, but change your image as well, would you sell out just to get signed?

No, not to just get signed. My music could go a different direction. If they were interested in having me be an edgier artist, because right now the new songs I am writing are slightly edgier, they are more pop/rock. Something like that, I wouldn’t mind so much. As far as selling out, I wouldn’t do that, I like the way I am and I wouldn’t want anyone to change me.


ICM: I’m sure you made some sacrifices in life to get to where you are right now. Do you have any regrets?

I don’t have any regrets, because I have not done anything bad to get to where I am now. I would never step on anybody or do anything. One of my main things is that I would never want to hurt someone else to get to where I am now. I haven’t done that, so I don’t have any regrets. I have made sacrifices though. I do remember one specific instance that had to do with singing. I had to miss out on doing things with friends. When you are at that age it is the biggest deal in the world, but I don’t regret anything.


ICM: Being in the music business have you met anyone that you admired so much as a kid?

Well, I wasn’t so much a kid, but I did love Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. I did see them perform and I love them so much, they are both great singers and great role models that everyone should follow.


ICM: Does anyone make you star-struck?

Probably Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, would put me in awe.


ICM: Let’s Get Personal...
When you are not working, what can we find you doing to have fun?

I love hanging out with friends and family, that is the most important thing to me when I am not working. In general, music is my life so you will find me sitting around the house, writing songs and playing music. I also love acting, dancing, and going shopping. Even just watching a good movie, I love Audrey Hepburn movies. I do a lot of different activities, like going to the beach.

ICM: What is your favorite kind of junk food?
I guess you could classify this as junk food, since it’s not really good for you, Starbucks mocha frappuccino. I just love those things.


ICM: Tell us a little secret about yourself that your fans may not already know.

Besides singing, I also like dancing and acting. I think some of them now that, but not everyone so they might find that interesting.


ICM: And for all the guy fans, are you single? Or is there a man in your life?

I don’t know if I should say because I get so many offers and I am just really busy right now to have a relationship. So, no I don’t have one and I am very busy with music so I don’t think I can have one right now.


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