| Melissa Etheridge | |
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 Melissa Etheridge performing live in 2007.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Melissa Lou Etheridge |
| Born | May 29, 1961 |
| Origin | Leavenworth, Kansas |
| Genre(s) | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician, activist |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Label(s) | Island Records |
| Website | MelissaEtheridge.com |
Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961, in Leavenworth, Kansas) is an Academy Award-winning and two-time Grammy Award-winning American rock singer-songwriter and musician.
Contents |
Career
In 1982, Etheridge moved from Leavenworth, Kansas to Los Angeles to break into the music business. She got some small gigs performing at The Candy Store on the Sunset Strip, as well as at least four lesbian or mixed bars, Robbie's, the Executive Suite and the Que Sera Sera in Long Beach and Vermie's in Pasadena. Some of her early fans from Vermie's gave her demo tape to Bill Leopold, a friend's husband who worked in the music business. Etheridge auditioned for Leopold, who was so impressed that he offered to represent her on the spot.
As Etheridge continued performing in lesbian bars in Los Angeles, Leopold arranged for music executives to come see her play. Eventually, she caught the attention of A&M Records, who hired her as a staff songwriter. For two years, Etheridge wrote music for A&M and many of her songs were recorded by mainstream artists. In 1985, Etheridge sent her demo to Olivia Records, a lesbian record label, but was ultimately rejected. She saved the rejection letter, signed by "the women of Olivia", which was later featured in Intimate Portrait, the Lifetime Television documentary of her life.
In 1986, Etheridge was signed by Island Records, but her first album was rejected by the label as being too polished and glossy. Given four days in the studio to re-record, she cut ten tracks which was released as her eponymous debut album.
Etheridge has released ten albums in her career. Three of them have gone multi-platinum: Melissa Etheridge (1988), Yes I Am (1993) and Your Little Secret (1995). Two others went platinum and two more gold.
Etheridge is a Bruce Springsteen fan, and she has covered his songs "Thunder Road" and "Born to Run" during live shows. She is also a fan of the Dave Matthews Band and has expressed interest in collaborating with them.
In 1994, Etheridge played a cover version of "Burning Love" live in Memphis, during the "It's Now Or Never, The Tribute To Elvis".
In October 2004, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with the song Piece of My Heart. Etheridge was praised for her performance, which was considered one of the highlights of the show. Etheridge's bravery was lauded in song in India.Arie's "I Am Not My Hair."[1]
On September 10, 2005, Etheridge participated in ReAct Now: Music & Relief, a telethon in support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. ReAct Now: Music & Relief, part of an ongoing effort by MTV, VH1, CMT, seeks to raise funds for the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and America's Second Harvest. Etheridge introduced a new song specially written for the occasion called "Four Days". The a cappella song included themes and images that were on the news during the aftermath of the hurricane. Other charities she supports include the Dream Foundation and Love Our Children USA.
On November 15, 2005, Etheridge appeared on the Tonight Show to perform her song "I Run For Life", which references her own fight with breast cancer and her determination to overcome it, as well as encourages other breast cancer survivors and their families. After her performance, Jay Leno told her, "Thanks for being a fighter, kiddo".
Etheridge wrote the song "I Need To Wake Up" for the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. The song was released only on the enhanced version of her greatest hits album, The Road Less Traveled.[2] [3]
On 7 July 2007, Etheridge performed at Giants Stadium at the American leg of Live Earth. Etheridge performed the songs "Imagine That" and "What Happens Tomorrow" from The Awakening, Etheridge's tenth album, released on September 25, 2007, as well as the song "I Need To Wake Up" before introducing Al Gore. On December 11 2007, she performed on the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, together with a variety of artists, which was broadcast live to over 100 countries.[4] In addition, she performed at the U.S. 2008 Democratic National Convention on 27 August 2008.
Personal life
Etheridge is famous as a gay rights activist, having come out publicly as a lesbian in January 1993 at the Triangle Ball, a gay/lesbian celebration of President Bill Clinton's first inauguration. She is also a committed advocate for environmental issues and in 2006, she toured the US and Canada using biodiesel.[5]
Etheridge had a long-term partnership with Julie Cypher, which made headlines. During this partnership, Cypher gave birth to two children, Bailey Jean, born February 1997, and Beckett, born November 1998, fathered by sperm donor David Crosby.
In 2000, Cypher began to reconsider her sexuality and on September 19, 2000, Etheridge and Cypher announced they were separating. In 2001, Etheridge documented her breakup with Cypher and other experiences in her memoir The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music. In the book, Etheridge recounts that she was molested by her sister, Jennifer, over five years as a child, and mentions an alleged affair Cypher had with k.d. lang.
In April of 2003, Etheridge became engaged to actress Tammy Lynn Michaels. The two married in Malibu, CA on September 20, 2003. Their wedding was featured on ABC's InStyle Celebrity Weddings.[6]
In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy.
In October 2005, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Etheridge appeared on Dateline NBC with Michaels to discuss her struggle with cancer. By the time of the interview, Etheridge's hair had grown back after being lost during chemotherapy. She said that her partner had been very supportive during her illness. Etheridge also discussed using medicinal marijuana while she was receiving the chemotherapy. [7] She said that the drug improved her mood and increased her appetite. Chemotherapy patients often have difficulty eating because of severe nausea.
In April 2006, Etheridge and Michaels announced that Michaels was pregnant with twins via an anonymous sperm donor. Michaels gave birth to a son, Miller Steven, and a daughter, Johnnie Rose, on October 17, 2006.
In October 2008, five months after the Supreme Court of California overturned the state's ban on same sex marriage, Etheridge announced that she and Michaels are planning to marry but are currently "trying to find the right time... to go down and do it". [8]
In November 2008, in response to the passing of California’s Proposition 8 banning gay marriage, Etheridge announced that she would not pay her state taxes as a sign of civil disobedience. [9]
Awards
At the 20th Annual Juno Awards in 1990, Etheridge won International Entertainer of the Year. [10]
Etheridge has won the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance twice in her career, for the songs "Ain't It Heavy" in 1992, and "Come to My Window" in 1994.[11]
In 1996 she was awarded ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year Award.
In 2001, she won the Gibson Guitar Award for Best Rock Guitarist: Female. [12]
In 2006, at the 17th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, Etheridge received GLAAD's Stephen F. Kolzak Award, honoring openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professionals who have made a significant difference in promoting equal rights.[13] In addition, she was awarded as Outstanding Music Artist for Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled.
On February 25, 2007, Etheridge received the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "I Need to Wake Up", the theme song to the Al Gore-moderated, Academy Award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth. The award was presented by Queen Latifah and John Travolta.
Discography
References
- ^ Gail Mitchell (October 6, 2006). "India.Arie's 'Hair' Regrows With Pink". Billboard.com.
- ^ MelissaEtheridge.com - Melissa
- ^ MelissaEtheridge.com - Melissa
- ^ "Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2007". nobelpeaceprize.org. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
- ^ Celebrities | Biodiesel Resource
- ^ http://www.afterellen.com/People/TammyLynnMichaels.html
- ^ NBC Dateline interview, aired 10/16/05. Transcript available at http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9673481/page/2/.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Melissa Etheridge Refuses to Pay Taxes Over Gay-Marriage Ban" TV Guide. November 8, 2008. Retrieved on November 12, 2008.
- ^ The Envelope - LA Times
- ^ GRAMMY Winners Search
- ^ Gibson Guitar Awards: "And the Winner Is ..." (NY Rock)
- ^ GLAAD: Charlize Theron, Melissa Etheridge, "Transamerica," "The L Word," Honored at 17th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by Absolut Vodka in Los Angeles
External links
- Melissa Etheridge @ Island Records
- Melissa Etheridge Information Network
- Melissa Etheridge at the Internet Movie Database
- 60 Minutes II Interview (June 30, 2000) with Charlie Rose
- CNN interview (May 24, 2003)
- CBS Early Show interview (October 26, 2005) (includes video)
- CMT.com: Melissa Etheridge: Biography
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Just Stand Up (Studio Version)
ariah Carey(Junior), Beyoncé(Daniel), Mary J. Blige(Diego), Rihanna(Luan), Fergie(Celo), Sheryl Crow(Elias), Melissa Etheridge(Laio), Natasha Bedingdield(Pedro), Miley Cyrus(Gabriel), Leona Lewis(André), Carrie Underwood(Thiago), Keyshia Cole(Juninho), Leann Rimes(Lipe), Ashanti(Felipe) e Ciara(Cavi
Author: Liaspcd
Keywords: parody
Added: November 19, 2008
Melissa Etheridge-AC It's Christmas Time CONFETTI
Melissa Etheridge-AC It's Christmas Time CONFETTI
Author: studduk1
Keywords: rock
Added: November 19, 2008
Melissa Etheridge -AC Have Yourself a Merry Christmas
Melissa Etheridge -AC Have Yourself a Merry Christmas
Author: studduk1
Keywords: rock
Added: November 19, 2008
Sam Harris: Proposition 8, After the Aftermath of Injustice. Obama-Biden Plan.
MORE INFO ► http://change.gov/agenda/civil_rights_agenda "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -- Martin Luther King, Jr. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden Support for the LGBT Community "While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect." -- Barack Obama, June 1, 2007 The Obama-Biden Plan ► Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law. ► Fight Workplace Discrimination: Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. ► Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights: Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights. ► Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples. ► Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals. ► Expand Adoption Rights: Barack Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not. ► Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, Barack Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. Obama will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. Obama also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS. He will continue to speak out on this issue as president. FULL REPORT: http://change.gov/agenda/civil_rights_agenda/ ... ► http://SamTUNES.net ► http://MySpace.com/SamHarrisMusic ► http://SamHarris.com LEGAL & BUSINESS CONTACT: http://SamHarris.com/contact.htm © All videos property of Sam Harris --
Author: SamHarrisCOM
Keywords: barack obama on GAY marriage proposition 8. gay prop .8 Keith Olbermann marry married adoption pride law civil union equal rights laws legal election change same-sex donny and marie osmond osmonds support group supporters protestors equality tv discrimination hate the extra rally voting Barack Obama no yes Proposition eight arnold schwarzenegger senator diane feinstein senate government lesbian congress mormon sam harris wedding same sex california protest melissa etheridge taxes mitt romney
Added: November 18, 2008
No on Prop 8 (Stockton Rallys)
A video I made using pictures from a couple different rallys here in Stockton. Most of the photos I took, but the last three, I think, were taken by somebody else. I hope it's okay to use them. This is the first video I ever made on Windows MovieMaker, so I hope people like it. The song is I Want to Be in Love by Melissa Etheridge. I thought it fit, plus I just really love that song lol.
Author: KristinDaBomb
Keywords: LGBT Prop No on Prop8 Civil Rights Justice Love
Added: November 18, 2008