New Exclusive M.E.I.N. Interview

**UPDATE** Part Two of our fan Q&A is now available! We have also posted audio clips of some of Melissa's responses to questions in Part One. (Sept 2, 2010)

Melissa shares her thoughts on a wide range of topics as she answers questions submitted by M.E.I.N. members. Find out if Melissa will tour next year, what she thinks of the recent events around Prop 8, her favorite guilty pleasures and more. Log-in to M.E.I.N. Members Only to read Part I.

Excerpt:
How do you prepare the day of a show? Are there any particular 'rituals' you have? What do you do in the hour or two before going onstage? – JoAnne S.

Melissa: My show days are very routine and that actually becomes the ritual. My day is normally started in a hotel. I usually do interviews in the afternoon, like I am doing right now, and then my day is very timed out from the moment I get to the venue. I do sound check and some hair & make up and then there is dinner. Then more hair & make up and then a meet & greet, if there is one. For a half hour before the show I stretch and connect with my band. The only ritual thing we do – I am one of those entertainers that takes a moment to hold hands in a circle and I say, "Hey! Here we are and there we go!" It is just to connect us all together right before we go on as a band and then we go on. It is very routine and there is some comfort in that. There are no surprises. I know what I am doing and how long I have to do it. It is very rhythmic. (Aug 25, 2010)