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Melanie Mausser an up and coming saucy singer from Kidder Valley
by Joleen Jansen December 2006
Melanie Mausser (28) grew up in her beloved KidderValley just north of the small town of Epworth. Her tender song, “KidderValley” speaks poetically about the land where she was born and growing up in a cozy home surrounded by daffodils situated in the hills of northeast Iowa. Her parents, Bill and Betty Mausser, have steadfastly loved and supported their two girls by providing them with a deeply rooted foundation from which to spread their wings.
Both girls have done so and in turn, both have recently returned home. Albeit temporarily to live with their parents in KidderValley. The simple fact that Melanie has an unwavering allegiance for her home here in Iowa’s northeastern corner has afforded local live music fans the fortunate opportunity to discover the amazing talent that lies within her.
Following her sister, Jolene’s footsteps, Melanie began piano lessons at the age of four thus beginning what has become a formidable, up and coming music career. After completing a double major in English and Music at LorasCollege, in Dubuque, Mausser moved to Florida where her career in singing and songwriting was initiated. Melanie began writing music as a result of an all too common broken heart. Her lyrical nature and artful approach found her quite naturally turning to music to comfort her sorrowful soul. “I was disillusioned with love and that started my songwriting which led me to trying open mic nights.”
Soon after that time in Florida, Melanie again followed her sister’s footsteps by joining Jolene in Prescott, Arizona, home of the famous Whiskey Row. For Melanie this was a songwriter’s paradise where she began, on a regular basis, to perform and perfect her craft. The surroundings significantly influenced the developing country western portion of her Americana style. Receiving a very positive response from the area, she rapidly became a regular performer at guest ranches south of Prescott in the Wickenburg area. This guitarist is someone who truly appreciates the human spirit and genuinely values getting to know people. “It was very gratifying to play[in Wickenburg] and actually make money at it but more so it was great to meet people from literally all over the world,” explains Mauser.
After a couple of years in Arizona, Melanie continued her, self proclaimed “hobo” lifestyle by packing her gear and returning again to her family home in Iowa. More than likely her return is temporary as she really hopes to eventually move to Nashville where she wishes to sell her songs.
“I best describe my style as country folk with a bluegrass influence which many would term Americana.” She explains the Americana genre is a form rooted in the past but attempting to look forward. “Americana styled musicians are kind of always keeping their foot in the back door,” says Mausser. Melanie admits her subject matter runs the gambit from the sometimes trite and humorous to the soulful and deep. She respectfully compares her style to that of Emily Lou Harris, Dolly Parton or Loretta Lynn. Her young innocent almost angelic exterior does not for long hide her quick witted, saucy often tough interior. A women scorned she has written songs entitled the likes of, “Hard Drinking Woman,” “Cadillac Daddy,” and “We’re not Really Through.” Each of these songs speaks of the unabashed strength and experience of the women featured in the songs. Her music is clever, real and catchy.
While in Iowa, Melanie plays every weekend at various venues throughout the area including stages in Dubuque, Davenport, Galena, Manchester and evenChicago. Next week she will play at a terrific new coffee house located on Dyersville’s, 1st Ave called Groovy Grounds. Melanie is also a regularly on stage at the Cedar Lodge Steakhouse’s, Crazy Moose Saloon in Manchester.
Entertainment Coordinator for the Crazy Moose, Carolyn Cannon loves having Melanie play at the Crazy Moose, “Melanie is a multi-talented entertainer not afraid to travel. We think she has a bright future.”
Even though Melanie plays plenty in the local area, she has set out on major tours this past year including a trip to the Ft Collins CO, Laramie WY area, in addition to a trip to Nashville. TN.
Melanie is a scrappy girl not afraid of adventure. Pre-booking her own gigs all along her tours, Melanie is genuinely amused to meet people along her tour route. She admits some of her favorite performances have been in isolated western tumbleweed towns and southern border bergs where townspeople are truly grateful for real live entertainment. Perhaps the biggest feather, to date, for this young musician’s cap, was when she landed a 10 day stint in SturgisSD, during the world famous bike rally. Mausser played the same stage each morning of the event while bravely camping each night in the back of her Ford, Expedition.
As a risk taking women she explains the rationale behind her emerging music career. “The only way to get where you really want go is by playing as much as possible and meeting as many people as possible and just getting yourself out there and developing a fan base.” As a recently featured, KGRR Radio musicmaker, this is something this girl is certainly accomplishing. “My whole thing is to be me and be real.” She has no intention of getting to the top by inadvertently knowing the right person but instead will get to where she is going on her merits alone.
Melanie’s first CD, “Cadilliac Daddy” was released this past June. It consists of ten self written songs that are each a testament of the real ability this young songwriting performer possesses. Her gift for putting her introspective thoughts into witty, imaginative lyrics combined with her skillful, entertaining performing ability undoubtedly has her on the road to stardom. Learn more about Melanie by clicking on her sponsor link at www.dishntunes.com.
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