Melissa Reaves has been delighting audiences throughout the U.S. for more than a decade with her rock, funk and rhythm & blues-based sound. Reaves is a powerful vocalist and guitar player whose style ranges from driving rock & roll to a funk and groove sound that lends itself to a diverse repertoire. Performing over 200 shows per year, Melissa spends most of her time touring with her eclectic solo show as well as her band at venues as diverse as Lilith Fair, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Seattle's Bumbershoot and Hempfest', NYC's Merce Cunningham Studio and The American Dance Festival. In January 2000, Melissa was chosen to participate in a "Women of the Millennium" showcase at MIDEM in Cannes, France and toured in both England and France which included opening for Robert Plant of Led Zepplin.
In 2012 Melissa's, "New Rock Song" was placed on the 55th GRAMMY Awards nomination ballot for Best Rock Performance. In addition, her latest collaborative project, The Meldavians, were placed on the official GRAMMY nomination ballot in 3 categories for their recent album, Farewell Arigemon… Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Americana Album.
In 1999, Melissa won the Lilith Fair Talent Search for the mid-south region. She took the stage at Tremont Music Hall (Charlotte,NC) by storm and blew the crowd away. Melissa is well-known for her electrifying performances which leave her fans screaming for more. Her performance at Lilith Fair was incredible, and Melissa ended up on the main stage at the end of the night and truly brought down the house.
Melissa's third CD, Sentimental Anthem, includes a blend of some incredible grooves and the powerful extremes of Melissa's vocal abilities. Nine tracks are originals and the CD includes a dynamic rendition of "Purple Haze" with the Willy's, as well as a beautiful acoustic version of "I Know You Rider." For Reaves, one of the goals for this CD was to capture the intense energy of her live performances. Sentimental Anthem was released in May 1999, and has received outstanding reception from both fans and radio play.
Another of Reaves' accomplishments was the independent release of her debut album, Fall From Grace. Melissa worked with Stacey Heyden, Billboard top single producer and guitarist for Iggy Pop and David Bowie to shape the tracks on, Fall From Grace. Melissa has one track from Fall From Grace, on the GO ON GIRL '97 CD compilation. GO ON GIRL '97 features female fronted bands from across the U.S. & Canada and is the brain child of Susan White at Fret Less Music.
Melissa has opened shows for Robert Plant, Sarah MacLachlan, Leon Russell, Cyndi Lauper, Sister Sledge, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Doc Watson, Little Feat and has performed for many benefits and rallies including New York, DC and Atlanta Pride, Battered Women's Shelters, and PETA. Melissa has also been a featured artist at the MIDEM, CMJ, Rockergrl & LMNOP conferences and at the NEA Extravaganza in Nashville,TN.
Reaves prominence on the independent scene has garnered attention of various media outlets including CMJ, The Oxygen Chanel, On-Line TV, the Discovery Channel. Rob Bloom of NYC's Manhattan Mirror said that, 'Melissa sings the blues all heart and soul...Melissa delivered the goods and shook the place,' while Steve Rylie of Creative Loafing says, 'Reaves will electrify any audience and send chills down your spine.' Melissa has propelled herself forward in the independent music scene with enormous strides. With her dynamic stage presence and burning desire to entertain, Melissa Reaves is someone who will excite and energize any audience!