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Melvin Dillon, opening for Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Machiavelli’s January 16, and performing at the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City January 25, is a name to pay attention to in 2009.
Born in Big Stone Gap, VA to a coal miner, he remained there during his childhood. Melvin began playing guitar in high school, and immediately started writing songs right off the bat,” and I haven't stopped since,” he says.
While earning a BA in theatre at Emory & Henry, he worked at Barter Theatre during the summers, and after graduating, left for Chicago. where he started playing music and caught the ears of the Cassette Company, a young upstart record company in Chicago. “I started playing all over Chicago, as well as playing in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan,” he notes.
Dillion plays what he calls Appalachian Soul. “First and foremost, I'm proud of where I come from, and I can't deny the mountains influence on my music. Soul comes from the type of music that makes my heart beat. Motown, Stax, Philly Soul- I have such a passion and quite the Soul music collection for a 24 year old white boy from the mountains,” he says.
He was also involved in a hip-hop group in Chicago, called The Bridge; he would sing the hooks for them - he didn't do any rapping. “We got alot of radio play and I got to open for lots of great rappers, such as Talib Kweli at House of BLues Chicago, Snoop Dogg at The Rave in Milwaukee, where we did shows opening for Nas as well,” says Melvin.
But his main focus remains the acoustic guitar.” I left Chicago to go out and tour and see people, play shows, make new fans,” he says. Currently he’s in Abingdon to visit friends and family for the holidays, then off to Charlotte, NC for bit, then to Chicago to record his first record for Cassette Company.
“I'm looking forward to having a record to sell at shows and hopefully having full band to support the record as well. I hope to have it ready to sell online by the summer,” he says.
“I'm really stoked to be able to play a show here and there while I'm in the area, and I hope lots of people are able to come out and catch some good music.”
For more information visit www. melvindillon. com - The Loafer
Discography
Training Day Mixtape - 2008
Melvin Dillon Live at Cupid's - 2009
Roads Home Burn - Coming Soon.
Songs available on www.melvindillon.com and www.myspace.com/melvindillon
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Bio
Born and raised in the coalfields of Virginia, Cassette Company recording artist Melvin Dillon looks to play his brand of music, he calls Appalachian Soul. Taking the roots of the mountains where he came from and the beautiful sounds of soul he found on the streets of Chicago, Melvin's upcoming release "Roads Home Burn," takes a pivotal look at where he is going, where he came from, and what he left behind.
Currently on the road, Melvin looks to be touring the area and showing audiences the same stripped-down stories that he showed to the many people who came out to see him at all the different bars, clubs, and coffeehouses he played in Chicago.
We'll see you soon.
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