Melle Augustine

Born in South Carolina, at the foot of the Appalachians, Melle Augustine was raised on Lake Michigan in the north western Michigan town of Petoskey. Petoskey was, to quote Melle, the "idyllic" beginning.

It was in this small city, nestled on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, Melle had a very happy childhood. She grew up with three siblings and two loving parents that supported the dreams of all of their children. Melle grew up surrounded by music. Her father is Scott McKinstry, Editor in Chief, Grand Poobah if you will, of Boomer's Music Review.

This new website will feature reviews of all venues, young and old. Still in production, but well on it's way. Visit, bookmark...check back soon!

It was her father, collector of all things round that contained music, that taught Melle to play the guitar when she was a young teenager. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you could hear music coming from their home. Surrounded by the inspiration of her father's huge record collection, Melle began writing her own songs when she was just a young teenager.

With plans of being a Middle East war correspondent, Melle returned to Greenville, South Carolina at the age of 21. She attended the University of South Carolina in pursuit of a degree in English and Philosophy.

While away at school her parents heard for the first time, some of the songs that Melle had written and encouraged her to share her music with the world. So she did.

Melle began playing her music around Northern Michigan and in South Carolina. Her first album, Stockholm Syndrome, was produced by Sit 'n' Spin Records in 2006. It wasn't long, and the size of her audiences began to grow. It was when Melle opened for Livingston Taylor, brother of Sweet Baby James, in 2007 that she realized that the pleasure of standing in front of a crowd of hundreds could be so empowering. To quote Melle, because I just love the energy in her statement, "Playing for a couple hundred people or more is electrifying - there is a inexplicable energy when several hundred people are focused on you, waiting for you to entertain them, or please them, or even deliver them from a foul mood. I love it!"

2008 saw the production of yet another album, Captain of The Apocalypse. This was produced by Vision Music Group of Nashville, Tennessee. Melle has received a great deal of praise for her new sound. Her first albums were acoustic/folk versions of her songs. With Captain of Apocalypse she broke into a bolder, bigger sound, my personal favorite. Melle will be offering the opportunity for her fans to decide which version they prefer. Acoustic or Nashville?

You can hear a great sample of Melle's gifts to the music world on The Sixty One, a website that provides a platform for musicians to upload their creations. Melle is one of those artists. She has a beautiful, comforting voice. You can feel in her voice, feelings as big as the mountains from whence she came.

One of my favorites is "Careful". "Be careful how you look at me...you're no longer mine..." What do I do when I see you? She sings of the struggle of seeing a love she no longer possesses. Anyone that has craved a lost love will understand the lyrics of this song.

Those feelings are beautifully expressed in her song "The Apology" , a lover's plea for forgiveness. We all make mistakes, say the wrong things..."...sewn the seeds of sorrow".

She sings of a beautiful "Northern Sky" and there is no mistaking her Appalachian roots in her song "Blue Ridge". Where "...they still know how to treat each other..."

Don't leave without listening to her song "Stockholm Syndrome" , such a beautiful song that it will surely bring a tear to your eye.

All of the songs she has The Sixty One are available for free download.

Check out her podcast here on Chicago Acoustic Underground , or visit her MySpace site.

More information is available at her band website: MelleAugustine