Melissa
@melissamarquais
6Following
6Followers
USA
Joined Oct 10, 2004
My late grandfather, Ernest G. Schweikert was a composer in the 1950's. Together, he and Lyricist Frank Reardon wrote for the likes of Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Perry Como, Carmen McCrae, The Four Aces, Dinah Shore, etc. Together they wrote the music for the Broadway musical, "Rumple" which starred Eddie Foy Jr. and Elliott Gould; best known for his role in the hit TV series, MASH.
My Grandfather and Frank were no strangers to success, having had their music recorded by some of the world greatest Artists of that time, but both writers suffered terribly at the hands of the Publishers they were associated with. Neither of them ever saw a dime for all of their hard work.
My Grandfather, who passed away right before my fifth birthday, threw away every musical composition he had ever written in the trash and never spoke of it again. Frank, passed away in 1995 with his heart still broken from his trials in the music business.
Having made a promise to my grandmother the night before she unexpectedly passed away, that I would find the lost musical compositions of my late grandfather, I started on a journey that has forever changed my life and touched my heart. Both of these incredibly talented men left behind some of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard in my life and in doing so, they also left behind a very special piece of each of them, something that I am deeply honored to share with all of you.
My Music
Artist
Need A Coffee Break??
Jun 22, 2012
I am so excited to finally be able to share with everyone some of the lost musical compositions of my late Grandfather, Ernest G. Schweikert and his Co-Writer and dear friend, Frank Reardon. These two men wrote music that was recorded by some of the most legendary Artists of their time and never saw a penny! My Grandfather was so devastated by what the Publishers did to him that long before I was ever born, he took all of his music and threw it away. He never talked about it again. He died right before my 5th birthday and I didn't know anything about him until I was 26 years old and had just moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. I made a promise to my Grandmother that I would find my Grandfathers music and the next day she unexpectedly passed away. As you can imagine, there was nothing more important to me than seeing that promise through. Today, I am so proud to be able to say that I not only fulfilled that promise, but I went to battle against the Publishers who had wronged my Grandfather and Frank, rescinded the rights to all of their work and recorded an album of songs they wrote together that I fell in love with. I hope that you will take a moment to listen to these songs that I have worked so hard to be able to share with you!!!
You can buy COFFEE on iTunes?
Jun 22, 2012
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/coffee-in-connecticut/id537411260
New Album "Coffee In Connecticut"
Jun 18, 2012
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I am so excited to finally be able to share with everyone some of the lost musical compositions of my late Grandfather, Ernest G. Schweikert and his Co-Writer and dear friend, Frank Reardon. These two men wrote music that was recorded by some of the most legendary Artists of their time and never saw a penny! My Grandfather was so devastated by what the Publishers did to him that long before I was ever born, he took all of his music and threw it away. He never talked about it again. He died right before my 5th birthday and I didn't know anything about him until I was 26 years old and had just moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. I made a promise to my Grandmother that I would find my Grandfathers music and the next day she unexpectedly passed away. As you can imagine, there was nothing more important to me than seeing that promise through. Today, I am so proud to be able to say that I not only fulfilled that promise, but I went to battle against the Publishers who had wronged my Grandfather and Frank, rescinded the rights to all of their work and recorded an album of songs they wrote together that I fell in love with. I hope that you will take a moment to listen to these songs that I have worked so hard to be able to share with you!!!
Coffee in Connecticut. You have a very distinctive style to your vocal performance that connects with the listener. Wonderfully done.