Ken Mellons hasn't exactly ever left, he's just been, shall we say, "wood shedding" --writing, touring a bit, and most importantly, playing Dad to new pride and joy, young son, Kade. "After the success of "Jukebox Junkie," I continued touring and writing and have really rediscovered who I am and what I'm about, musically. What I do best is still very traditional, lyric-driven, honky-tonk, real music, which is where the musical pendulum seems to be swinging back to," says Mellons. Ken has been patient, biding his time, refusing to join the pop tart army that has taken over the country music genre. He has a plan of attack and he will divide and conquer. Country music fans can finally sit back and sigh, traditional country and genuine storytelling is back. Ken's album led by the vivid "Paint Me A Birmingham" features guest vocals by superstar Vince Gill; a video for the song is in the works. The rest of the album boasts industry heavy hitters like Rebecca Lynn Howard, Earl Scruggs, and George Jones accompanying Ken. Those country veterans jumped at the chance to support Ken on his new venture, his bellowing voice and humble talents have earned the respect and admiration of artists like Gill and his hero Jones, who would like to see music swinging back to career artists like Mellons. Recorded in Nashville, the forthcoming album on his new label, aptly named Home Records, is due out October 28th. The music is true to both Ken and his loyal country music fans.

  Born in Kingsport, TN, and raised in Nashville, his earliest musical influences were sparked by his Dad's passion for bluegrass, as well as the Opry and the long running Porter Wagoner TV show. Outfitted in cowboy gear, complete with fringed vest and guitar, the precocious toddler would climb on the family coffee table and wail out a country standard for anyone who'd listen. Throughout school, Ken nurtured his two passions, music and a distant second, sports. He played baseball and football until he was a sophomore in high school.

  After graduation at 18, college never beckoned, but the stage spotlights did. Odd jobs at Kroger, Food Town, and as a carpet and shoe salesman, finally yielded to a pivotal gig (1989-1992) at Opryland's ¯Country Music USA" show. At last he could hone his craft in front of thousands of people. There he met future stars Chely Wright, James Bonamy and "Lonestar's" Dean Sams.

  This was not Mellons' first brush with stardom. In 1987, Mellons auditioned, unsuccessfully, for the Nashville Network's popular show, "You Can Be A Star." He, nonetheless, attended the taping as a fan. During a commercial break, Ken was asked to stand up and tell a joke. Mellons seized the opportunity to sing a song. After he finished, he was approached by RCA star, Keith Whitley. "After I finished, Keith Whitley, who happened to be a judge that day, said to me "Hoss, you're one of the finest country singers I've ever heard. Don't you ever give up! One day you'll be a star," recalls Mellons. "He had no idea they had turned me down for the show." After that point, Whitley became a major musical influence for Mellons. After Whitley's untimely death, Ken met Keith's mother at Fan Fair and recounted the story of meeting her son. "I was floored. She said to me "Yes I know. Keith came home and told me the same story of how he met you," he said. "I felt like I was in the "Twilight Zone." Mellons soon caught the considerable attention of Hal Durham and Bud Wendall who invited him to play a Friday night Opry Show where he met producer, Jerry Cupit. The two began a collaboration, which would land Mellons a deal on Epic in 1992 and begin the whirlwind success of "Jukebox Junkie." Fans eagerly await Ken's new roots country album, and his timing couldn't be better. "I just want to cut the best songs possible, whether I write them or not. It's about realism. I'm not trying to be the "in thing." For me, its performance over perfection, I'm proud of what I'm a part of."

visit Ken Mellon's official website