BIO

Melissa Lee is a singer/songwriter born and raised in New Berlin, Wisconsin. Melissa first played the drums at age 7, then transitioned to piano at age 13. 

There was always a whirlwind of music in her childhood home, from classical symphonies and opera, to country western, and rock and roll. This "tornado" effect of music inspired and influenced Melissa's songwriting, and by age 14, she was composing and arranging her own music. She has continued writing and performing for the better part of 40 years, in various venues as keyboardist with area rock and blues bands in local bars, county fairs and festivals including Wisconsin's Summerfest and the Oshkosh Leach Amphitheater, in churches as a music director, and most recently, as a solo performer. In 2016, Melissa competed in TalentQuest's national singing contest, and won 1st place in the Female Masters (age 50+) category for both the State Competition in Wisconsin and the Regional Competition in Michigan and was invited to perform at the International contest in Las Vegas.

While the stage is a natural comfort zone for her, Melissa's true passion has been songwriting, and it is reflected in the 9 original albums she has self-produced, arranged and recorded in her various home studios since 2007. Most songwriters or artists have a band of musicians, back up singers, arrangers, engineers and producers in their ensemble to create a song.  What makes Melissa's talent so unique is that she wears all of those hats.... every instrument, every note heard in her songs is [Yamaha] keyboard-based, yet so meticulously performed that it actually sounds like a real band...and she arranges and records all rhythm tracks, vocals and harmonies. Melissa has won awards for her songwriting as well and was a member of the Songwriters of Wisconsin International (SOWI) and the Tennessee Songwriters Association International (TSAI). She also works with a team of domestic and international lyricists with whom she collaborates on various projects. In April 2021, Melissa and one of her co-writers, Joe DeLucas, won Best Song in the Rock/Pop/Blues category for their composition, "Cold December" at the annual TSAI Awards in Nashville. Melissa and Joe also had four songs nominated at the Josie Awards, held in Pigeon Forge in September 2021. 

Melissa's personal taste in music is quite diverse, and her collection of favorite artists and influences ranges from country and blues to jazz and classical music.  Melissa's “one-[wo]man band” show reflects this in the variety of song styles she performs using her own unique 'backing tracks'  that she arranges and records herself.

In April 2022, Melissa and Joe DeLucas won Best Song in the Rock/Pop/Blues category of the TSAI awards for the second year in a row, with their composition, "When I'm Holding You". 

After three years ‘on the road’ living in their RV, Melissa took a brief hiatus from performing live shows, and with her husband, moved back to Wisconsin in March 2023 and now resides in their home near Tomah with their two dogs and three cats. Melissa continues to write and perform live shows whenever and wherever she can.