Meet Melanie Pierce | Cofounder & CoOwner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Pierce and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
When things are tough, I consider my friends, bandmates, family, and supporters. They are all pulling for us, and the encouragement has been incredible. I have all the motivation I need to carry on simply knowing that there are individuals out there that believe in us.  Unless someone is not passionate about what they are doing, I don’t necessarily think giving up is the right thing to do. Nothing in life is simple, and I don’t want anyone to lose up on their aspirations just because they appear hard. I would advise giving it up and pursuing what brings you happiness if you know there is something you detest doing and it isn’t something you love to do. This is broad advice, not just for the music or small business worlds.  

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a singer and songwriter for Elevation Memphis, and the topics I write about are actual events that are also relatable. Elevation Memphis music is distinctive due of its sound. Not just any alternative band, we are an alternative band. One song may have a variety of genres, you never know. This distinguishes us from other bands of this generation.

My excitement is focused on our next record. Everyone should be able to find at least one song they love or can relate to on the album because it is so diversified and unique throughout. I’m prepared to share it with the world.

When I’m not doing the concerts, my primary job is working long hours in a warehouse until we get noticed and can go around the world doing what we love full-time. I am making it all come true.  I’m also helping out with the band consignment shop, which is another aspect of our business.  Every purchase helps our band buy the supplies we need.

I recently started doing my best to mimic Tina Turner as another career move, and I must say, it’s been an incredible experience. The band has been entertaining and is giving the city a unique experience. We want this show to feel a lot like a mini–Las Vegas performance. We are consistently looking for way to enhance our show.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since Earnestine and Hazels has a rich history, I truly like them. The soul burgers are amazing, and it has a really fantastic ambiance.

I love eating at Venice Kitchen while I’m in the city. Their deviled eggs, spinach artichoke, and creole delight are to die for.

Another Broken Egg and Toasted Yolk are my favorite breakfast spots, but I also cling to my traditions and eat at Waffle House. I don’t require fine dining all the time but I do love fine dining.

Along with Memphis Pizza Cafe in midtown, Bonefish Grill is another one of my favorite restaurants. I will stop at Huey’s for a nice burger if I don’t want to drive downtown. I also adore the food truck Tacos Nganas. The tacos with shrimp are incredible.

Some of the best live music in the city can be found at Neils Music Room and Lafayette’s Music Room. Southmain Sounds, run by Mark Parsell, is a place I will take my friends if they enjoy original music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to start by saying thank you to my mom, Mary Cotton. She put up a lot of effort to instill the highest principles in me and always supported my endeavors. She continues to be my biggest fan. I am really grateful to her. My family has been really encouraging. To see Elevation Memphis perform, my sisters Monica Pierce and Monica Evans drive all the way from Georgia and Arkansas. This is love.

My closest buddies are so awesome. Some of them showed up to the performances when no one else did in the beginning of Elevation Memphis, and I am forever grateful, I cannot say this enough. They, along with my friends who haven’t come to many events but have liked, shared, and commented on our flyers, have made my life better and I will always be grateful to them for that as well.

Gregory Parker, one of my closest friends, was among the first to have faith in my talent. We constantly jammed with keys and the Djembe, and he kept telling me that I needed to move further, I always thought he was kidding.  My coworkers definitely made me feel special by attending our first sold-out performance back in October 2023 at Neils Music Room.

I want to express my gratitude to the local bands who are working with us as special guests and who are such fantastic social media supporters. I think it’s crucial to support those that want to support our band. You don’t often see people helping each other out like we are doing here in the Memphis Music Family.  After realizing how much the Memphis music community loved one another, Steve Owens created the moniker Memphis Music Family.  We all have custom tshirts made by him and we are always repping the family.

I want to express my gratitude to Derrin Lee, our musical director, for sticking with the band and supporting our mission. He has been an incredible friend and band brother and has contributed to the band’s sound tremendously. His abilities are acknowledged, and he gives us the impression that we are the greatest performers in the area. He has been by far the band’s most valuable puzzle piece. I’m really grateful to him, and we are all just trying to elevate to a higher level.

Another ardent supporter is my aunt Stella. She supports many causes and purchases merchandise. She is the life of the party at the shows, along with my mother. I’ll always be appreciative of her.

My closest friend and band sister is La-Shon Robinson. This is a big shout out to her. I first met La-Shon in 2018, and we connected and formed this band in 2019. She initially requested that I perform as a background vocalist, and things only got better from there.

I’m in the music community because of La-Shon. I don’t know whether I would be doing anything other than singing in a karaoke bar if I hadn’t met her. She saw something in me, which is why she thought I was capable. My rock has been Lashon. Even away from music, she is among the greatest people I have ever met. Meeting my best friend and band sister, who will always be my family, completely transformed my life. We had a cubicle transfer day at work, and for some reason, I ended up next to her even though I had no idea I would meet someone like her.  Seeing my gifted friend grow from a bashful lead singer to a great lead singing powerhouse has been incredible. All we’re doing is observing one another as we strive to be the greatest versions of ourselves. I am her biggest supporter and will be there for her wherever the journey takes us.

Derrin Lee, La-Shon, and I get along well, and I wouldn’t exchange that for anything. I love our 3-piece acoustics, it’s easy and flows so well.

Memphis’ Danny Day is a fantastic photographer. He has been capturing our experience from the start. We adore him so much, and in addition to taking amazing images, he is awesome person.

Here are a few people to thank:

Rhythm Section Podcast) – Derrick Michaud, Jeff Ward, Highlander Pub – Collierville, Neil’s Music Room – Neil, Richard & Dean, Troy Isom – Headband, Josh Haynes, Robert Allen Parker, Darren Little, Station 8 Productions – The Hum Program, Gina Moore, Missy McKee, Dawn Rath, Kari Short, Samantha Pickett, Karen Dilliard (Midnite Train From Memphis Band), Toni Vaughn, Angela Vaughn, Amanda Lester, The Fast Mothers, The Vick (Georgia), Gregg Drew & Paul Gagliano (World Hot Wing Festival), JB, Fevertree Band, Michelle Isom, Donna Conlee Etheridge’, Lindsey Adams, Steve Owens, Ash Lee, Ann Yates, Mark Parsell, Danny Day, Kyla & CJ Williams, Lee Booth, social media friends, and all of the supporters I missed. Thank you so much.

These are the names of people we were able to be a part of their platform, perform with us or those who have overall supported us for many years and recently. I cannot thank you enough.

Website: www.ElevationMemphis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063547662160&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@elevationmemphis?si=_U_i-xpu0uXrnPgD

Image Credits
Danny Day photography