User:Gamefreak3333/sandbox

Bio
Born in Fort Campbell, KY to Master Sergeant Jess Watts and mom June, Mel quickly took on the role of an army brat by living in Okinawa Japan until his return to Clarksville, Tennessee during his Junior High years. Mel was never a stranger to music and always had a passion and a calling for it. His mother who is now in her seventies still plays harmonica with a group and it was her dad who instilled that interest by entertaining with his special styling of Appalachian Mountain music on a fiddle in eastern Kentucky. A drum set his Aunt purchased from Gibson Discount Center set it stone Mel’s destiny at age ten. To his parent’s immediate chagrin, down went the peaceful tones of the guitar strings only to be replaced by the pounding of Pearl red sparkle kit. Never discouraging their son’s talents and exploration, his parents quickly banished him to the basement where they built and developed his first studio. It was then the lessons began, although valuable, Mel attributed most of his education to playing along to his massive collection of 45’s covering the spectrum from Mickey Dolenz in the Monkees to Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Once the menial task of reading charts and learning music was mastered, influences like Earl Palmer, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdy, Al Jackson, John Bonham and J.R. Robinson and anything with soul became the routine. While attending junior high and high school Mel made sure to pepper his class schedule with as many music related classes as possible including music history, marching band, choir – where he went all-state, music theory and anything else that was offered. Mel got the fever early on for touring when his High School jazz band began touring with the Star Corporation across Europe visiting such places such as Belgium, Luxemburg, Holland and Germany. Thankful for his parents continued support, Mel was taking on paying jobs as early as 15 at local clubs and bars where he had to get special written permission from the sheriff in order to be on stage. Restricted from leaving his drum throne, Mel would do his schoolwork there while his dad dutifully waited outside in his car until his gig was done. After graduating Northwest High, Mel’s talents awarded him a scholarship to Austin Peay where he continued his music studies focusing on drums and percussion, participation in the Marching band, big band, and choir and percussion ensemble. Away from his studies, he shared his knowledge by teaching others privately and in various band camps. Believing that a degree in teaching would not satisfy his hunger to play, Mel decided to do as much as he could, by answering an ad for the Dave Perkins Band, Mel moved to Nashville to join that urban southern rock band. Touring with several other bands such as Charlie Daniels Band, The Allman brothers, The Outlaws and Leonard Skynnard. Mel found himself relocated to New York until Earl Thomas Conely brought him back to Nashville where Mel began recording and touring with him on 2 of his hit singles Honor Bound and Your Love is on the line. This was also the beginning of his successful session recording reputation. Attracted to sunny shores of California, Mel moved there and was quickly hired to play on several contemporary Christian albums such as Russ Taff and Rob Frazier. Mel found a niche’ in oldies music starting with the Monte Carlos who played with such legends as Del Shannon, Lou Christie, Fabian, Leslie Gore, Little Anthony and more throughout the United States and the Orient., While playing with the progressive country rock band of Jeff Steele in Boy Howdy, Mel caught the interest of the Foss brothers and was asked to play with Zaca Creek on their newly acquired record deal bringing Mel back to Nashville. Mel focused on session work doing massive amounts of showcases and playing with Deana Carter and Mindy Macready, and others keeping him busy in the studio as well as on the road. Adapting to the change in music Mel jumped into the digital age by immersing himself in the new technology even opening a successful online studio in his barn. Not only did his talent there keep him busy he even was asked to utilize his smooth and velvety dulcet tones to participate in voice over work giving him recognition in Monday night Football Ads, Garth Brooks’ Scarecrow, King Biscuit Flower Hour intro and Brad Paisley radio commercials. It was during this time Mel was asked to join the soft rock legends Little River Band with whom he has been touring internationally with for the past five years until the present. Mel’s fire continues to burn brightly and is dedicated to playing music on a world class level, grateful for the opportunity to live his passion and be successful at it, Mel wants to keep the groove and soul alive.

Personal And Family
Mel’s personal life is as full and satisfying as his professional life. Being an only child he kept very close with his parents June and Jess who live currently in Clarksville, TN. Mel married in Nashville in his early 20 and had a son Jesse Kenton Watts. Jesse currently resides in Venice, CA where he has established himself as a successful sound engineer and owner of WATTS AUDIO. Jesse is also an accomplished flamenco guitar player and amazing hand percussionist. Prior to following his quest to California Mel and Jesse’s mother amicably separated to follow their own careers. After only days in Los Angeles, Mel met his soul mate and the love of his life and dated for 3 years….as romantic as it sounds. He was too young to know it…more to follow. Just prior to moving back to Nashville with Zaca Creek, Mel was blessed with Max Michael Watts, Max is currently serving his country as an Army Ranger in Afghanistan and is considered a hero to many, especially Mel. Max also had the music bug with an affinity to big band classics and played drums locally in Nashville clubs with Pogue Mahone. When Max was two, Audrey Lu Watts came into the world and Mel had his baby girl. Although music didn’t embrace Audrey the same way, her creativity was expressed artistically through photography and art. She is now following her interests in beauty school. Mel enjoyed the life of a single dad for most of Max and Audrey’s life hosting video game nights and being concert chauffer. Mel had and awesome balance of a musical career and daddy man.

In 2010 Mel’s life would really come full circle. After leaving California over twenty years ago, he always felt he left something there, felt as if a piece of him was missing. In 2010, he found it; Mel reunited with his soul mate, the true love of his life, Rebecca Joanne Thomas. As wonderful as their relationship was back in the day, Mel had a few years on Rebecca and insisted she pursue her dreams and experience life, they vowed not to call each other and Rebecca kept that promise until some summer two decades later. It was an annoying Face book application on her Blackberry that would seal her fate. She asked her son to remove the application from her phone because she found it annoying and her son insisted she try it and he gave her a picture he found of her and Mel laughing together at Christmas in 87 and said she should look him up. Within five minutes of her messaging him something only he would know along with her phone number, he called and his first words were “Oh my God, I’m still in love with you!” The next statement was, “I’m going to marry you” it was with that she glared at her son and whispered under breath “stalker”. Fortunately, for both of them that wasn’t the case. Coincidently or just another sign of fate, LRB was touring in Orange County California where Rebecca and her son resided within weeks and the rest is romantic history. They immediately re-connected with their strong, emotional and ever present Spiritual connection like no time had passed. They married quickly and Mel now has an additional son Corey Mackenzie Thomas who attends college and works full time and is a computer wizard. Corey takes great pride in the fact he is the catalyst for the Mel and Rebecca reunion in this fairy tale romance. Truth be told, it was Corey and God’s angels. Truly a blessing for everyone!