Meet Melissa Reaves | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Reaves and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I don’t really think I had much of a choice in the matter. I truly believe leave Being an artist and creativity was simply woven in the fabric of my being from the day I was born. And then fostered by my mother who involved me in music music at a very early age.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a musician who performs within a variety of genres but most notably rock and roll and improvisation. The thing that I believe sets me apart from others would be my propensity for improvisation and experimentation. There are many different accomplishments and opportunities I’ve had throughout my career that I’m proud of. Some personal highlights are performing at the Apollo theater in Harlem, opening for Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin in Nottingham, England working with the legendary producer Cowboy Jack Clement in Nashville. I believe my latest album, Bitter Pear is something I feel pretty proud of.
Live performance, meeting new musicians in improvisational situations in particular, making real music with substance are the things that excite me the most.
There are a plethora of situations that have brought me to where I am today in my music career and it was by no means easy, it still isn’t. Each and every one of those unexpected hurdles has undoubtedly made me who I am and I feel I’ve gained Invaluable experience and knowledge going forward. The key being continuing to go forward.
As far as what I want the world to know… I want the world to know that I exist I want the world to know hear my music, I want the world to know that they are loved.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I live in a small desert town in Southern Arizona, Bisbee is an old mining town turned artist enclave. I would start by getting a great cup of coffee (mostly for myself, to get me through this tour) at Kafka coffee shop. Then taking them to the mining museum which would give them a good overview of the town and who settled it at the turn of the century. I would take them on a hike after that on the rugged city trail, snaking across the mountains just above the town. Then we would drop down into town grab lunch at Thuys Vietnamese diner, Walk down Tombstone Canyon to the Grande (hotel) for a Bloody Mary and possibly some great live music at this point. We would then walk through town brutawn hitting the other clubs that all have great live music, the historic Copper Queen and then on to Brewery Gulch To experience more great live music at Saint Elmo’s, The Quarry and Arizona’s smallest bar the Silver King.
The next evening would be spent giving them a tour of the adjacent town of Warren. I’d show them America’s oldest and longest running ballpark, the Warren Ballpark. We’d have a great meal at the Copper Pig. Possibly go to a party at comedian Doug Stanhope’s compound. And again catch some great live music at the Shady Dell, a vintage travel trailer campground.
During our escapades I would hope that we would run into one of the many internationally renowned renowned artists that call Bisbee home, Visual artist Sam Woolcott and Poe Desmuke. The Internationally acclaimed post minimalist artist Peter Young. Painter and early performance artist Alex Hay and numerous others.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother , Michelle Johnson

Website: www.melissareaves.com

Instagram: @melissareaves

Twitter: @melissareaves

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/melissareavesmusic/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/mreneereaves

Image Credits
Melissa Reaves Jennifer Garland Banister Pope Lynda Coole Ellen Gwyn