Bio
Mark comes from a musical family. Both of his parents were musicians and singers -- his mom an expressive vocalist with a knack for inventive harmonies, his dad a songwriter and musician. Their band The Gospel Voices was known for bringing unconventional rock elements into a traditional music style. His dad later earned a living producing radio and writing jingles.By 12, Mark was strumming his dad's Gibson and singing original songs influenced by popular artists from his parents' heyday like John Fogerty, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash.
At Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, he made a name for himself as one of Kentucky's finest singer-songwriters, blending imaginative lyrics and a distinctive guitar style. By his early twenties, he had collaborated with a number of great musicians like Curtis Burch and Bela Fleck of Newgrass Revival, Kentucky Headhunter Greg Martin, and jazz pianist Beegie Adair.
His songs have been used commercially by the NCAA athletics department of his alma mater as well as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Melloan's songwriting has been praised in a number of publications including Country Weekly.
His latest album mixes country, bluegrass, rock, and pop into an all-American sound with wider appeal than the narrative folk and newgrass Melloan is known for. "Hallelujah Love" (release date forthcoming) fits somewhere between Alison Krauss and The Wallflowers.
Recorded in Nashville mainstays like Quad Studios' Neve Room where Neil Young recorded Harvest, the thirteen songs include performances by bluegrass masters Stuart Duncan and Byron House, Counting Crows drummer Steve Bowman, and pop singer David Mead. The collection was mixed by Grammy-winner Jason Lehning and mastered by the iconic Bob Ludwig.
Melloan's vocal is refreshingly free from affectation and immediately recognizeable. As producer and bandleader, Melloan's arrangements are sophisticated and rewarding in a critical listening session. And as songwriter, his lyrics are uplifting and relatable, hitting on universal themes of love, hope, and endurance.
Melloan's new songs are memorable and easy to like. Download on iTunes in "Mastered for iTunes" high-fidelity audio, or order CDs (free shipping): markmelloan.com/buy
For booking, distribution, and licensing inquiries, email .
