Rod Melancon

Roots country singer/songwriter Rod Melancon was born August 16, 1988 in South Louisiana. At the age of 18 he packed and headed out west to California. In December 2007, he received his first guitar as a Christmas Present. That same year he bought his grandfather a cd with a collection of Hank Williams Sr. songs. His grandfather went into a corner of the house, put on the album, and listened for what seemed to be hours. Amazed at the impact the collection of songs had on his grandfather, Rod soon started teaching himself to play by listening to that same collection of songs.

Before too long, he started writing his own songs. His first song, “My Brother” which he wrote in late 2008 received a lot of great feedback which motivated him to put more and more effort into it. Around the same time he met Brad Nickel, a fellow musician and kindred spirit from New York who supported and encouraged Rod’s musical explorations. After a series of late night jam sessions, Brad offered to produce Rod’s first album gratis.

In early, 2009 over two whirlwind weeks, Rod recorded what would become his self titled debut album of 11 songs at Brad’s parents home in Idaho. Nine of the songs were written by Rod, while “On The Road” and “Sweet Simplicity” were written in collaboration with Brad.

Rod’s debut album was released on CD Baby, www.cdbaby.com, in July 2009 and soon after was picked up by iTunes, Rhapsody, and Amazon. He charted almost immediately on the alternative country charts and has been reviewed positively in a number of international markets, Belgium, UK, and the Netherlands just to name few. He’s been likened to a young Johnny Cash and Steve Earle.

Rod has also developed quite a following in his hometown in Louisiana where his debut single, “On the Road” is in frequent rotation on the Radio and he’s in talks to be a featured artist at the Gueydan Duck Festival in Summer 2010.

Rod is influenced by varied singer/songwriters. Some of those influences are Johnny Cash, Ryan Adams, Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, James, Taylor, Hank William Sr., and Bob Dylan among many others.