A Song And A Dream
Cheraw native Mike Melton is writing his story of music and success.
Local musician and songwriter Mike Melton has always had a song in his heart.
“I’ve always been in love with music,” says Melton. “In my younger days, I would always pay attention to the lyrics of a song and see if it really told a story or if I could relate to the message it told. Some songs wouldn’t, which made me think that I could write a better song.”
Fast-forward to his current age of 60, and Melton has indeed written himself a better song that could become a big break for him.
In addition to his day shift as a set-up operator at the bearing company Schaefer USA, Melton’s side job is working as an event DJ. His friend, fellow DJ Cannon Banyon, signed to the Average Joes label out of Nashville, recently asked Melton to write some songs with him. One of them was “Dirt Road Motel,” and Banyon “put the beats to it.” Plus, he liked the song so much that he sent it to Colt Ford and Charlie Farley, two national artists that are also signed to the Average Joes label.
“His style is a little different from mine, but I guess that’s where the magic comes from when you combine two styles,” says Melton. When we went to Nashville for the recording, Charlie told me that he really didn’t like to record other people’s songs, but he thought this one had ‘hit’ written all over it.”
Songwriting hasn’t been the only area that he’s been a hit and expresses himself through music. Born and raised in Cheraw, Melton is also known for his gigs as a wedding singer and DJ.
“Once I did my first wedding and people were pleased, word of mouth was my calling card,” he says. “I love the small-town atmosphere around here. I moved away a couple times, but I would always wind up back home.”
To prove Melton’s heartfelt allegiance to his hometown, he even wrote a song about Cheraw, entitled “The Prettiest Town In Dixie,” the town’s nickname.
“I write about inspirations around me, such as ‘The Ballard Of Tom Brewer,’ our local hero,” says Melton. “Writing songs for me is like someone else building something or watching a garden grow. I start with a melody and a few lyrics in my head and if I finish it and record it, it’s so satisfying.”
The father of five and grandfather of eight has also written and recorded a country gospel album, along with songs in a variety of genres. While in Nashville, Melton also helped Farley write a song he was working on, “Guns and Freedom,” which he just released with a video on YouTube. Farley, says Melton, also plans to release “Dirt Road Motel” soon, along with a video.
When Melton isn’t writing or singing a song, strumming a guitar (he’s self-taught) or DJing a wedding, he says he seeks adventure in life, loves to travel, and meet people.
“But, most of all, I love anything to do with music,” says Melton. “I hope that I’m another story of never giving up on a dream.”
For a sampling of Mike Melton’s music, visit https://www.reverbnation.com/mikemelton.
Author – Ashley Daniels
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