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kenmellons.jpg" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE"5" HEIGHT="250" WIDTH="215"> Ken Mellons and Julia Roberts share a distinct quality. They both have the kind of trademark laugh that commands full attention even in the most crowded room. When Ken starts one of his resonating bellows, not only do you turn your head, you have to grin even out of sheer envy that youıre not having as much fun as him. Even more distinctive though than Mellonıs chortle is his rich baritone voice, that stirs your ears and your heart. It is the voice that makes it so you wonıt be able to ever forget Ken Mellons. Armed with the most haunting ballads in years, Ken Mellons and his new single, ³Paint Me A Birmingham², will stick to your ribs for years to come.

Ken Mellons hasnıt exactly ever left, heıs just been, shall we say, ³wood shedding²--writing, touring a bit, and most importantly, playing Dad to new pride and joy, young son, Kade. ³After the success of ŒJukebox Junkie,ı I continued touring and writing and have really rediscovered who I am and what Iım about, musically. What I do best is still very traditional, lyric-driven, honky-tonk, real music, which is where the musical pendulum seems to be swinging back to,² says Mellons. Ken has been patient, biding his time, refusing to join the pop tart army that has taken over the country music genre. He has a plan of attack and he will divide and conquer. Country music fans can finally sit back and sigh, traditional country and genuine storytelling is back. Kenıs album led by the vivid ³Paint Me A Birmingham² features guest vocals by superstar Vince Gill; a video for the song is in the works. The rest of the album boasts industry heavy hitters like Rebecca Lynn Howard, Earl Scruggs, and George Jones accompanying Ken. Those country veterans jumped at the chance to support Ken on his new venture, his bellowing voice and humble talents have earned the respect and admiration of artists like Gill and his hero Jones, who would like to see music swinging back to career artists like Mellons. Recorded in Nashville, the forthcoming album on his new label, aptly named Home Records, is due out October 28th. The music is true to both Ken and his loyal country music fans.

Born in Kingsport, TN, and raised in Nashville, his earliest musical influences were sparked by his Dadıs passion for bluegrass, as well as the Opry and the long running Porter Wagoner TV show. Outfitted in cowboy gear, complete with fringed vest and guitar, the precocious toddler would climb on the family coffee table and wail out a country standard for anyone whoıd listen. Throughout school, Ken nurtured his two passions, music and a distant second, sports. He played baseball and football until he was a sophomore in high school.

After graduation at 18, college never beckoned, but the stage spotlights did. Odd jobs at Kroger, Food Town, and as a carpet and shoe salesman, finally yielded to a pivotal gig (1989-1992) at Oprylandıs ³Country Music USA² show. At last he could hone his craft in front of thousands of people. There he met future stars Chely Wright, James Bonamy and ³Lonestarıs² Dean Sams.

This was not Mellonsı first brush with stardom. In 1987, Mellons auditioned, unsuccessfully, for the Nashville Networkıs popular show, ³You Can Be A Star.² He, nonetheless, attended the taping as a fan. During a commercial break, Ken was asked to stand up and tell a joke. Mellons seized the opportunity to sing a song. After he finished, he was approached by RCA star, Keith Whitley. ³After I finished, Keith Whitley, who happened to be a judge that day, said to me ŒHoss, youıre one of the finest country singers Iıve ever heard. Donıt you ever give up! One day youıll be a star,ı² recalls Mellons. ³He had no idea they had turned me down for the show.² After that point, Whitley became a major musical influence for Mellons. After Whitleyıs untimely death, Ken met Keithıs mother at Fan Fair and recounted the story of meeting her son. ³I was floored. She said to me ŒYes I know. Keith came home and told me the same story of how he met you,ı² he said. ³I felt like I was in the ŒTwilight Zone.ı²

Mellons soon caught the considerable attention of Hal Durham and Bud Wendall who invited him to play a Friday night Opry Show where he met producer, Jerry Cupit. The two began a collaboration, which would land Mellons a deal on Epic in 1992 and begin the whirlwind success of ³Jukebox Junkie.²

Fans eagerly await Kenıs new roots country album, and his timing couldnıt be better. ³I just want to cut the best songs possible, whether I write them or not. Itıs about realism. Iım not trying to be the Œin thing.ı For me, its performance over perfection, Iım proud of what Iım a part of.²

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