Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Bollea Rowe.
Hi Melissa , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Nashville, TN in August of 2006 from my hometown of Tampa, Florida to pursue my songwriting career full time. I landed a job on Music Row as an administrative assistant at (GAC) Great American Country for several years before leaving to start my own boutique publishing company called Rhyme Partners in 2013. Since that time it’s been head-down and hard work. Along the way and 13 years later, I’m a professional songwriter with an incredible catalog of songs that have found their way into tv/film, ads, radio and streaming. I’ve seen many success’s and hardships but I’m still here and I’m very proud of that.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road. In fact I knew very little about music publishing when I started, only that I wanted to stay in Nashville and write songs for the rest of my life. I also. wanted to champion others with the same dream I had. Some of the struggles along the way were keeping the lights on so to speak, and working backwards, learning to collect royalties literally from all around the world. I created Rhyme Partners on my own with very little to no investment and I found out quickly that made it challenging. The music business comes with no guarantees and the competition is brutal there are thousands of amazing songs that never see the light of day. I had to learn to become very creative not just in songwriting but navigating the business. Thankfully I was able to do so. I learned the publishing years after becoming a publisher. lol
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what has sets me apart from others is that I continue to search all the corners of the music industry to find ways to be creative and get songs placed. Something I am very proud of is my work in a musical turned film called “Speak Life End Bullying, The Musical.” It’s a powerful production played in middle schools nationwide accompanied by a curriculum called “Lyrics To Life.” I wrote and coproduced all five songs for the film. Knowing these songs touch and change the lives of students all over the world, makes my heart very happy. I’m honored to be known for this, I think more so than any other songs recorded and released out there in the world by various artists. However, I was recently able to place a song with the iconic Bonnie Tyler, mostly known for her timeless mega hit (Total Eclipse Of The Heart. She recorded a song in our catalog called “Yes I Can” by two wonderful songwriters Hannah McNeil and Bill DiLuigi and that’s been exciting. Watching them/us celebrate the single which has done exceptionally well with her fans has been a pretty phenomena cut.
What’s next?
To continue to make and champion great music as well as play live shows. I’ve created a few music events that have been successful year after year like “A Very Merry Nashville Christmas.” I could actually see myself owning my own music venue someday to house some of these events but for now we are honored to keep hearing “yes” to our shows.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MelissaBolleaRowe.com
- Instagram: @shesgotthelyric
- Facebook: @rhymepartners
