Seriously, you've got to hear this girl sing-her voice is piercing, emotional, raw and delicious-chocolate covered strawberries delicious.

10 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Folk Blues, FOLK: like Joni



Details:
Megan Melara - Bio

Born August 22, 1980 in Dallas, Texas, Megan Melaraâs love for music came early. By the time she could walk she was picking out tunes by ear on the piano, and she started singing in school and church choirs as soon as she could. As early as 2nd grade, teachers took notice of her natural talent and encouraged her to keep with it. Megan stayed in choir all the way through her freshman year of college at Trinity University in San Antonio.

With the feeling that choir wasnât her ultimate goal, Megan let go of that and made the move to Austin, where she was finally able to focus on her desire to make singing her life. Megan picked up the guitar sheâd gotten as a Christmas present a few years back, and began the journey of learning the instrument, finding her voice, and writing songs, though still too afraid to play them in public.

Then, she says, âI got to a place where I felt like I had just wasted four and a half years of my life getting a college degree that I will probably never use, and I was bitter and scared - of what was going to happen or not happen. I started reading a book someone recommended, and it changed a lot for me. I mean, I guess it was just another part of this path, like a map that I could either pick up and study or not. Well, I picked it up, and Iâm glad I did. I went from being too afraid to sing in front of even my closest friends to being a regular performer at the open mics at Ruta Maya in just a few short months! Yeah, it sounds like some miracle diet story, but for me and where I was at the time, it was somewhat of a miracle.â

Megan dove head first into performing, writing more songs, and building up confidence. With school behind her and only her future ahead, there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel for this new singer - more like a light the whole way through the tunnel.

Megan grew up listening to the Beatles, The Guess Who, America, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and many other classic rock artists and folk singers. She considers her main influences to be folk singers and writers such as Patty Griffin and Joni Mitchell, along with blues singers such as Susan Tedeschi and Bonnie Raitt. Megan writes insightful, powerfully delivered songs about her experiences- real and imagined, the experiences of others, and the serendipitous nature and universality of everything under the sun.

âMy first open mic was in March of 2003, and since then there have been countless doors of opportunity opening, thanks to all of the gracious people in our town. That tells me that Iâm on the right path. I am so grateful and excited that Iâm getting to do what I love, and that Iâm able share it with others. I consider myself very lucky.â
Credits

Megan has recently been in the studio with Austin legends Stephen Bruton and Malford Milligan. She also sang on a track with Dale Watson, another local legendary songwriter. She is currently in the studio recording her second album with renowned drummer and producer Merel Bregante. Megan recorded background vocals with Woody Russell on his cd, Salt.

Venues and events she has played in Austin include: Alligator Grill, Austin Fine Arts Festival, Austin Zoo, Baxterâs, Cactus Café, Easy Rhino, Fado, Flipnotics, Gat5 Art Studio (East Austin Studio Tour), Gueroâs, Hillâs Café, Lavaca Street Bar, Lone Star Vegetarian Chili Cook-off, Mariaâs Taco Xpress, Momoâs Club, Mother Eganâs, Mozartâs, Rossâ Old Austin Café, Ruta Maya, Seattleâs Best, Sky Lounge, Southwestern University, Sullivanâs, Ventana del Soul, Y Bar & Grill, Texas Soberfest 2003 and 2004, and Threadgills. She has also performed in New York City at the Orange Bear Bar and the Cupping Room Café, as well as in Dallas at Poor Davidâs Pub and in College Station.

Currently, Meganâs first video, âFool In Loveâ, is airing on the Austin Music Network.

Her first cd, Dawn, is available for sale on the website and at her shows.


Press


October 2nd, 2003

âA bit of a blend of Patty Griffin, Sarah McLachlan,
and a touch of Shawn Colvin, Ms. Melara is one to be
watched