SecondLife Singer/Songwriter Showcase

 

The TERRYLYNN FILES


TerryLynn Melody is a professional musician and songwriter who has been featured on National Public Radio, Clear Channel Radio, and Fox Television. Her live shows span folk, counrty, rock and blues, performing both her originals songs as well as an eclectic mix of covers from many genre's and era's. A truly versatile performer who chooses her material based on a deep connection to the lyrical content. She has won numerous awards for her vocals as well as several songwriting contests and is a published writer, and ASCAP member.


Her debut CD "Watch That Turn" is due to be released Winter 2012, and will feature notable artist including Country Music Hall of Fame great Charlie McCoy.


Q&A


1. Why are you a singer/songwriter? its a need... a compulsion, I do it to understand my world, to know myself better.


2.  What is your musical background? Do you have a musical family or did you just fall into songwriting all on your own? I come from a family full of musicians, though we weren't a very musical family. We all played instruments and sang, but rarely played together, which now years later seems somewhat sad and a bit odd. My maternal grandfather was a conductor and an incredible concert violinist, I had the opportunity to play with him once in my lifetime. I wish I'd done it more, but i was painfully shy as a young musician. My mother went to New York High School of Performing Art as a result of her continued theatrical involvement, I grew up doing musical theater, which I LOVED!. I played my first instrument at the age of 7, the flute. My dad played guitar when he was young, I've seen pictures of him with it though i don't remember him playing it when i was growing up.  My sister sings beautifully and we did on occasion sing together, though never publicly, she also played the clarinet., my niece Tina sing and is learning to play the guitar, dad's brother played sax, my paternal grandmother played a mean chromatic harmonica.. thats the BIG one!  Still somehow with all of this music in my family. I feel like I stumbled onto songwriting. I chose it late in life out of a necessity to express myself it isn't a craft i sought to learn.. it kind of happened to me out of need.


3. What sorts of things have you done to improve your songwriting? There is only one element that in my mind is most essential and that is to do my best to remain honest.


4. Have you written any songs in the last 12 months? What are you working on now and where do you feel your music is headed? Yes i have written several.. 2 of them will appear on my upcoming CD "Watch That Turn" I'm nearing competition on it. It has been an incredibly challenging but deeply rewarding experience to invest in my craft and myself in this way.  As far as where its headed... i never know where my journey will take me.. I'm simply happy be able to continue moving forward.


5. And finally, what advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar path to yours? ... its painful ....its beautiful.. .  it can ultimately drive you crazy... but you MUST!! follow your passion... it may not be easy but you will know without a doubt that you have LIVED!

TERRYLYNN LINKS