Gimme Five with Singer Melanie Taylor

GIMMEFIVE celebrates the independent artist.  Each week our guest will answer five questions and be the subject of a YOU HAIKU.  Our spotlight will give you an inside look into the mind of an artist.  Be sure to check out their work, and tell them Greg sent you…

This week ~

Melanie Taylor | Singer, Writer, Yogi, Optimist 

Website

“As one of Bette Midler’s infamous and legendary Harlettes for nearly a decade, Melanie Taylor has been seen twirling and singing on the Emmy Award-Winning HBO Special Diva Las Vegas, as well as a 6-week sold-out engagement at Radio City Music Hall, and in a millennium photo essay in Rolling Stone magazine.  Melanie has been a featured vocalist on tours, TV, and shared the stage with such artists as John Mayer, Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder, Sarah McLachlan to Aerosmith’s Summer Tour 2012.”

– from melanietaylormusic.com

 
 

Beautiful, talented and funny.  A dangerous combination.  When I first met Melanie, she was preparing to go on stage at a cozy bar venue to sing with musician Terry Wollman.  She spent some time catching up with old friends at our table.  I found her energy, enthusiasm and laughter to be infectious.  Oh, yeah…did I mention she can SING?  This girl has chops.  If Bette Midler thinks so, you know it’s true. 

Check out Melanie’s website and then go out and hear her sing.  You won’t be disappointed…

 
 
What inspired your latest project?

Well, this is a very, very new project I’m starting so I don’t want to say much about it because it’s still taking shape. But I’m writing about a new way to face a challenge.  I recently had an experience that had a completely different outcome due to some incredible, helpful tools I discovered to guide me through.  I’ve always wanted to write something that would have a universal appeal and I think this may be the fulfillment of that goal.  I’ll keep you posted!

Why did you become an ARTIST?

Why did I become one?  Well, I never consciously chose an artistic path, it’s just who I am and how I express myself. My Mom’s a classical pianist, my Dad sang opera, my grandmother sang…my whole family is artistic so it’s in my DNA. I am always in the process of becoming more of who I am, and evolving as an artist.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why?

I have so many but off the top of my head I’d say Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  She’s full of wonder, deeply curious, forthright, brave, and she’s all heart.  I love her universal story and her prodigal journey back to what she knew in her heart all along.

If you were a spy, what would your codename be?

Well, Cleopatra Jones was my alias when I was on tour.  I was always a fan of the 70s action films and I always got a chuckle out of seeing it on my Hotel Bills and stuff….it was fun to be stealth.

(For those who may not know, Cleopatra Jones is a character from the 70’s blaxploitation genre, of which Melanie is a huge fan…)

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

A life coach or a fashion designer
 
 
Melanie Taylor | The You Haiku by Greg Morton            

Within this seeker

A discovered believer

And still, a lover
 
 
Listen to Melanie’s song “Something Wrong”…

 
 
Thanks to Melanie Taylor for being a part of the independent artist spotlight.  Know an independent singer, writer, artist?  Send an email suggestion and we’ll try and include them on GimmeFive!