American singer-songwriter Melissa Elliotte's debut album "Sunshine Moonlight" produced by Irish guitarist David Keary (Jerry Lee Lewis, Andrew Strong , former musical director for Flatley's Lord of the Dance ) and mixed by Nashville's 5-time Grammy winner Gary Paczosa (Dixie Chicks, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Nickel Creek) is NOW AVAILABLE from Pebble Beach Music through Nova via Pinnacle. All songs are original and written/arranged by Melissa Elliotte and David Keary.

Another song by Melissa recorded earlier in Galway, "No One Else," went on to be covered by the popular Irish singer Frances Black for her album "How High the Moon." Melissa has also been fortunate enough to work with drummer/percussionist Ray Feane (U2, Sinead O'Connor, Elvis Costello, Crowded House), keyboardist Paul Trudeau (Meredith Brooks, Mandy Moore, Lifeline), fiddler Nollaig Casey (Mary Black, River Dance) plus Chris Hillman from the legendary band, the Byrds. She has been successfully performing in Europe including support to Ruggero Robin, Frances Black, Lloyd Cole and Mercury Award winner John Spillane and was featured on the UK gold compilation album, "Songbird."

Although classically trained vocally, Melissa is inspired by artists such as Alison Krauss, Sarah McLachlan, Cole Porter, and Nina Simone.


Debut Album Press Release, 2006

American singer-songwriter Melissa Elliotte's debut album "Sunshine Moonlight" is NOW OUT from Pebble Beach Music through Nova via Pinnacle!!! The album was recorded and produced by Irish guitarist David Keary at Red Door Productions in Limerick and mixed by Nashville's 5-time Grammy winner Gary Paczosa (Dolly Parton, Dixie Chicks, Nickel Creek, Alison Krauss, Mindy Smith). All songs are original and written/arranged by Melissa Elliotte and David Keary.

About her music, Melissa says, "I grew up listening to all the Broadway/Hollywood musicals as a child. My parents both loved the old standards and my Dad in particular became a fan of jazz and classical music. I went to my first private voice lesson at age 12 and I haven't tired yet of exploring how to express and create using the voice . Up until the age of 12, I wanted to be a poet until it occurred to me that everyone we were studying was in fact dead which was a bit disillusioning as a career choice actually. So, I didn't try poetry again until 15 years later when I started writing songs. I love the way you can create an emotion or set the scene through song. I dabbled in a lot of styles at first, but went back to the torch songs, swing, blues, Cole Porter, Fred Astaire, Billie Holiday - this, for me, feels like home."

Melissa has been successfully performing in Europe including support to Ruggero Robin, Frances Black, Lloyd Cole and Mercury Award winner John Spillane and was also featured on the UK gold compilation album, “Songbird.” She also performed as a guest artist with Henry Chung at the legendary Bohemian Caverns jazz club in Washington D.C. where the great Duke Ellington himself started.

Melissa's tunes have received airplay on the John Creedon show, RTE Radio One's Round Midnight, Clare FM and Lyric FM in Ireland and on Big L Radio London with legendary DJ Mike Read as well as John Darvall on Saga FM in the UK.

Currently Melissa works in Switzerland, so continue to check out her website for upcoming news at www.melissaelliotte.com!

Also featured on the album are Myles Drennan-piano/drums, Dan Byrt-drums/percussion, Dave (Gonzo) Macannay-piano, Ken Rice-violins, Mick Kinsella-harmonica, Oleg Ponomarev-solo violin and Denis Carey-accordion.