I remember the 1989 Grammy Awards so vividly. I was bored off my butt and on walks some chick named Melissa Etheridge. Immediately her style of guitar playing had me in a trance
(it still strikes me as reminiscent of CSN&Y). Next thing I know, she starts belting out
"Bring Me Some Water". Romping and stomping taking full command of the stage!

My first thought was - I'd never seen a woman perform like this before in my life. I think up until that point in music for women, the majority of songs were written from a submissive point of view. Her in your face style of writing about the raw emotions we feel yet seldom disclose, coupled
with an incredible acoustic rhythm guitar style, has had me hooked ever since.

As luck would have it, a few months later she came to town and did a show. It was a live radio broadcast, her amp blew-up and to kill time she belts out "Mercedes Benz". WHEWIE! She was so incredible! Only Melissa could take a moment of amps blowing up and make it a memory people still talk about to this day.  Who would've thunk it...Columbus,Ohio. Famous for the most coveted bootleg!

 Speaking of bootlegs, from Amherst, MA '94 I Take You With Me is available for a listen.
Also available Enough Of Me and All The Way To Heaven and Summertime.

Twelve years later of   fantastic memories to add to my head .... I'm forever a Melissa Junkie!

Melissa Ferrick!

This chick knows how to rock! By dumb luck someone sent me two cuts from "Freedom"
and that was all it took. Shortly thereafter she happened to be playing in Columbus.
It was the best ten bucks I've spent in some time.

Her guitar work is beyond awesome. From intricate riffs to down right jams, this woman has ALL
my respect as a guitar player. Lyrically I find she has a wicked sense of humor.
She also has a knack for combining the emotions of angst and vulnerablity all in one shot.

I have a few songs available for your listening pleasure Welcome to my Life.
Don't know why, but I love singing this on the way to work in the mornings.
And... Everything I Need and Win 'Em Over.

Patty Larkin!

I'm still in shock on how I stumbled upon Patty Larkin. Our FM station had some free Cds in the hall,
I picked up "Perishable Fruit". Not expecting much more than picking up a free disc,
I was in awe of what I was hearing.

Patty has the gift of word. Her lyrics paint pictures and characters that leave you
wanting more. At this point, she is the BEST lyricist I've heard in quite awhile.
She's funny and endearing, I can't say enough
good things about her writing style.

So, can she play? Oh yeah baby! Like Ferrick, she has an intricate style.
I still find new riffs I didn't hear on the first listen of many tunes.
She also has a wonderful way of weaving her voice around her music.

I have two songs of Patty's available for a listen.
Wolf at the Door and Rear View Mirror.
I chose these two songs since they stand in contrast each other.
I just added a few more gems...
Banish Misfortune/Open Hand Don't and Mary Magdalene .