Melissa Ramski

Indie Ville TV #33 "Keep Dreamin" with Melissa Ramski

Written by Patricia Faulkner

Melissa Ramski is a country singer based in Nashville. She released her first music video “Keep Dreamin” this year on the 30th of January.
I got a chance to chat with this lovely blonde bombshell and here’s what she had to share from her musical experiences.

Q: Where were you born/raised?

Melissa: I was born in Florida, moved to Kansas in kindergarten-southwest Kansas, and I graduated as a junior in high school.
Afterward, I moved to Nashville, and here I am. Kansas is a completely different world. Having to travel forty-five minutes to a nearest Walmart, etc, is certainly different from everything constantly going on in Nashville.

Q: Any classical training with vocals or guitar?

Melissa: I had voice lessons from fourth to eighth grade. In Hugoton, Kansas, I traveled a half and hour twice a week to vocal class.
In high school, I Youtubed guitar lessons and studied those, and later took guitar lessons from a woman in my town. on a side note: My four year old daughter received a guitar from Christmas, and I think she’s a natural.


Q: You’ve been playing shows for how long?

Melissa: I started singing in 4th grade. That is when I realized I wanted to sing. I got started in pageants-miss america pageants in kansas- and my favorite part was singing. My sister and I started a duo in Nashville, but I eventually broke free as a solo artist.


Q: Any shows coming up soon?

Melissa: FanJam (June 11-14), CMA fest,
and we have a headlining concert in June in Elden, Missouri!
They got an opening act for us there, and we’ve been putting it together for the pass two weeks.


Q: How old are you and long have you lived in Nashville?

Melissa: I turned 24 on the 25th of this month ( March), and I have been living in Nashville for 6 years now.


Q: How long have you known the members of your group, and who does what?

Melissa: We’ve only been a band for 7 months. First person to join the group was Eric, my best friend who plays guitar, writes with me and leads the band. From there we just kind of grew. People we knew who knew people who knew people because a snowball effect. We have a lot of chemistry when it comes to playing and reading each other. You have to have that chemistry. If you can read each other you can change things up smoothly.

Q: Tell me about this year’s upcoming projects for you..
I had a single come out in January. I’m currently working on a yet-to-be-named EP, and the release date isn't posted yet.


Q: What led up to the inspiration (or uninspiration) in the making of the music video “Keep Dreamin”?

Melissa: I co-wrote with Eric. It led me to be an opener this summer. “Keep Dreamin” was actually based off of life and relationships-a really horrible breakup in middle of last year. It was great to put those feelings on paper. The song made me feel better about situation, and I think it was my only way to get my feelings out.


Q: Do you have any female beauty icons you have looked up to as a child?

Melissa: Patsy Cline. Mom loved her and I’ve always looked up to her.
“Crazy”, is the first song of her I’ve sang, but “She’s Got You” is my favorite.. I idolize her.
I wish she was still alive today.


Q: What are some of your musical influences for your personal music?

Melissa: I listen to a broad range of genres-hip hop, pop, folk- I like to listen to everything and dissect the elements as inspirations.

I hope to branch out into other genres, I’m more popish, not so much old country. I have been talking to other artists about possible collabs with hip hip, so I could see myself possibly doing that as well.


Q: What thought helps you focus when you are onstage?

Melissa: I am a completely different person onstage than when I’m just hanging out. Being able to have fun with the band really changes me when I’m onstage, from that introverted person to my bubbly personality that comes out and really shines.

Q: What do you love most about your fans?

Melissa: I get so many Facebook messages and comments, I have fans that are constantly promoting me, so I send them free posters, free cds, etc. It gets me really happy that they react to my music, so it is my therapy.


Q: How do you think you stand out from the cookie-cutter depiction of a rising country artist?

Melissa: I feel like lately everyone is copying everyone with songs about whiskey whiskey whiskey, blame blame blame.. The radio and television want the same people to do same things because…that’s what sells. I can affect multiple types of people with my music, because I have multiple approaches.


Q: For independent female singers, artists, musicians, and role models, what can you say to other females in pursuit of their dreams?

Melissa: It’s hard sometimes, especially being a female.
You are going to succeed if you believe. Keep believing and knowing you can do it.

To check out Melissa’s music, visit:
melissaramski.com
http://www.rdio.com/artist/Melissa_Ramski/
https://www.facebook.com/melissaramskiband?_rdr
https://instagram.com/melissarramski/
CD BABY- http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/melissaramski
ITUNES- https://itunes.apple.com/album/keep-d...
AMAZON-http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Dreamin-Me... - Patricia Faulkner

UNE
Mountain Jam in Hunter Mountain, NY (June 4-7)
• The Black Keys

Wakarusa in Ozark, AR (June 4-7)
• Moon Taxi, Wick-It the Instigator, The Delta Saints, Natural Child, Kopecky, HoneyHoney

Bunbury Musical Festival in Cincinnati, OH (June 5-7)
• Kacey Musgraves, Mikky Ekko


CMA Music Fest in Nashville, TN (June 11-14)
• Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Florida Georiga Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Neal McCoy, Rascal Flatts, Sam Hunt, The Band Perry, The Oak Ridge Boys, Thomas Rhett, Wynonna & The Big Noise + more

Country FanJam in Nashville, TN (June 11-14)
• RedHead Express, Mary Sarah, Genevieve Allen, Tammie Davis, Legree Graham, Savannah Lynne, Kayleigh Leith, Melanie Meriney, J.T. Cooper, Jenny Tolman, Chris Turner, Jeff Best, Justin Myers, Abbi Scott, Lindsey Cardinale Band, Ben Rush, Camille Rae, Hannah Anders, Melissa Ramski, Courtney Lynn, Hannah Belle, The Darlins, Kat Saul, Amanda Jo, Wisewater, Doug Briney, Jiv Wandass, Shantell Ogden, Marcum Stewart, Lexi Larsen, Bonnie Irwin, Wade Hayes, Buddy Jewell - WRITTEN BY: NASHVILLE LIFESTYLES

“Kids Take Nashville” being filmed here
Young musical performers from a Nashville reality television will be in town on Friday night at the High on the Hog.

Aspiring singers of the new show Kids Take Nashville are scheduled to take the stage at the carnival and a portion of the show will even be taped there.

According to a news release, two of the kids’ performances will be filmed at the High on the Hog at 6:30 p.m. Friday night. In addition to these young performers, the host of the show Melissa Ramski, the Stagger Moon Band and Julie Gribble are scheduled as entertainment.

Franklin County Kiwanis Club members are excited to about this opportunity to have these talents showcase their talent at the High on the Hog.

According to Kiwanis member Brenda Long, Kids Take Nashville is a great, family show and invites everyone to come out to see these future stars perform.

About the show

Ordinary kids doing something extraordinary — this is what the show, Kids Take Nashville, is all about.

Melissa Ramski, host of Kids Take NashvilleIt takes ordinary kids ages 4 to 14 on a journey that could land them a music career in Nashville.

The show features music industry veterans such as Patsy Trigg. Patsy had the mega hit and triple platinum record “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.”

In addition to Trigg, Microwave Dave joins the cast.

Microwave Dave had the mega hit “Roadrunner” and performs it for the kids as he mentors them on the art of stage presence. Patsy and Microwave Dave are truly inspirational mentors for not only the kids, but their parents too.

It is a no drama show. So, those tuning in to see a spectacle of drama mamas will not find it on this reality show.

The show follows each kid as they record in the studio. A few even attempt a music video. The show promotes only the positive nature of kids.

The kids and parents are coached in a positive environment so that every memory is warm and yet exciting. This helps build each child’s selfconfidence as they strive to make their dream of being a music star a reality.

There are a few standouts in the crowd for sure. However, most of the 15 kids have never had a music lesson, let alone stand in front of a microphone with ear sets on and everyone staring at them.

For most, that would be very intimidating, however, this group of kids wasn’t intimidated at all. In fact, they did well, relaxing into the session and recording their song.

Many of the songs recorded will be in upcoming movies. “I Can Fly” recorded by 5-year-old Destiny Christian will be in the animated movie “It’s A Merry Christmas When Pigs Fly.”

The song “Hero”, recorded by 11-year-old Veronica Anderson will be in the animated movie “Toodles The Pink Poodle.” Viewers will also hear “You Are Loved” recorded by 9-year-old Mia Bailey in the anti-bulling film “Tuff KooKooshka”.

The host of Kids Take Nashville is Country Music recording artist Melissa Ramski. She also ran a mentoring session for Entertainment Law.

Her session “Avoiding The Sharks” is a must for the entertainment industry. In addition, Ramski also performed what is sure to be a hit “Moon pie My Old Friend”. She also shows the kids and parents how to record a music video with her song “Never Give Up”.

The show will follow the top six kids — Carly Green, Mia Bailey, Landon Wall, Veronica Anderson, Alaska Mathews and Bailey Brandner for 22 episodes.

Kids Take Nashville will air on the AMC network with the first episode to air Sunday, April 20. - The Hearald Chronical

ile owners beg for tax monies and teams look to build their own "networks" its nice to remember that on a warm summer night you can find three or four baseball games on the radio. In an ongoing series, Royals Review highlights the once and future regional appeal of the Royals by exploring the Royals Radio Network in detail.

Previous Affiliate Profiles:

York, Nebraska
Conway, Arkansas
Waynesville, Missouri
Topeka, Kansas
Storm Lake, Iowa
Vinita, Oklahoma
California, Missouri
Garden City, Kansas
Belle Fourche, South Dakota

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Ulysses Kansas-1420 KULY AM

Miles from Kansas City: 413

Located an astonishing 413 miles (its 480 if you stick to the big roads) to the west of Kansas City, about fifty miles from the Colorado border, lies Ulysses Kansas, county seat of Grant County. As was the case with fellow affiliate Belle Fourche, South Dakota the early history of Ulysses was dominated by its battle with nearby Appomattox to become the County Seat, with the winner claiming glory, county-wide pride and of course, all the government payola. Thanks to that victory, Ulysses boasts a population of 5,650 while Appomattox claims... Well, I'll let you find that for yourself. Suffice to say, more people own Royals Review shirts than live in wherever Appomattox used to be.

Thanks to the continued existence of that County Seat status, Ulysses is the 50th largest city in Kansas and one of the bigger towns in the trans-Garden City western part of the state. Ulysses is 75% white and 37% Hispanic (yes, see for yourself), with 10% of the population below the poverty line.

Considering Ulysses is the hero of one of the greatest epic poems, an important character in another, an inspiration behind arguably the greatest novel ever as well as a very, very good poem I had high hopes that the humble berg might have an old classicist behind its founding. Sadly, this seems not to be the case. Does GRANT County not give it away?




Still, something of Tennyson's Ulysses lingers in my conception of the place. Or at least in my mythical conception of the Great Plains. In Tennyson's poem Ulysses has returned home after years of adventure, only to discover there's nothing left for him in Ithaca:

It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.

So instead of the own sad version of playing out the string that awaits us all, he hands the throne to Telemachus and hits the waves again (or at least plans to), asking his old friends to get together for a literal ride off into the sunset.

Come, my friends,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Basically, the idea behind Wild Hogs, only with dignity and meaning. While I had hoped that my investigation of Ulysses would find rugged heroes refusing to yield despite a harsh environment, instead my browser repeatedly lead in a different, though equally American direction...

Although Ulysses is 100 miles closer to Denver than it is to Kansas City, 1420 AM keeps it a dedicated Royals hotbed. KULY doesn't have a website, but they play country music, is a part of the Kansas Agriculture Network and the Western Kansas Broadcast Center.



Its been a long winter in Ulysses

Every January Ulysses hosts the Miss Southwestern Kansas Pageant, a part of the larger Miss Kansas competition. The 2007 Miss Southwest Kansas winner is Alexandra Blasi who ran on a platform of Youth Volunteerism with a Talent of Vocal Performance. This is where it gets weird. In 2006 Alexandra appears to have won the 2006 Miss Capitol City contest and eventually finished 1st runner up at the statewide pageant. You can find her dad's myspace reaction to this, as well as multiple pictures of her here. Blasi appears to be a pageant regular, but is she spreading herself to thin? How exactly was she eligible? She beat out two local girls from Ulysses! I promise to keep investigating this however... Congrats to Cassidy Reimer of Ulysses for winning the Swimsuit Competition.

Speaking of stars, the greater Ulysses area also boasts Mindy and Melissa Ramski, two sisters capable of singing and acting. And yes, they're also in the pageant game. Mindy also has a myspace page which is fairly intense. Since she's underage, I won't be linking to it, but it looks safe to say shes well known at Ulysses High. Do people in Southwest Kansas do anything except compete repeatedly in pageants? Just utterly bizarre.

One thing is clear: These young ladies listen to the Royals constantly on 1420 AM.

Girl #1: Like, have you heard who the fourth judge is?? I heard its Smith and that guy doesn't like platforms that are about smoking. By the way, should I use this for Evening Gown?
Girl #2: Whatever. I can't concentrate right now, Denny just mentioned that Meche's pitch count is at 87. And no, you don't have the body to pull that gown off. Maybe if you worked out more than once a week though you could.

Downtown Ulysses features multiple banks, churches and restaurants, including a Pizza Hut, Sonic and McDonald's. The Peddlers Inn Motel considers itself "The Finest Place to Stay in Ulysses" and also features an on-site restaurant.
No Major League baseball player has ever been born in Ulysses, nor died there. Yet. - Royals Radio Affiliate By Freneau

Melissa Ramski, Clay Kirk, Nicki Kris, Erin Eder.....VIdeo attached to link. - BlogTalkRadio