Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Bollea Rowe.
Hi Melissa , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was young, I didn’t know any better I thought we all made up songs in our head and created music. As I got older I realized that wasn’t the case. Not everyone hears lyric and melody naturally. By the time I was a teenager I had gotten paid to write my first two songs professionally for a local cable children’s show called Nu Nu & Company. I don’t think they are still around today but that experience is etched in my mind because it was exciting, it was real and I actually got paid to write songs.
From that point forward, through many hiccups, hurdles in life and learning curves, I finally made my way to Nashville, Tennessee from my hometown of Tampa, Florida. I continued to hone in on my craft while working in the industry and have never looked back. I started Rhyme Partners Music Publishing in 2013 and we continue to grow. I am still in awe of my journey and feel exceptionally blessed everyday.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, absolutely not. Is there ever a smooth road in life? Lol, if there is, I’m all for it however the many obstacles and challenges I have faced in my career taught me a lot about fear and courage. I remember moving to Nashville and thinking “Ok, no matter what job I take, it has to be in the music industry.” Months and months later running low on cash and opportunities, I was desperate to take any job I could to get by but I was also very distraught. It took years to finally get to Nashville and I didn’t want to waste any more time doing anything outside of the music business.
One day, I was on my way to my first day of work at PF Changs on West End Ave in Nashville, I remember crying in my car on the way there. When I came upon the restaurant there were roadblocks and fire trucks everywhere. The Kitchen had caught on fire and the restaurant was closed. Umm, I was in shock. While somewhere in my psyche I was relieved, I was also depending on that money. Once I confirmed I would not be starting work I went home and sat on the couch wondering what I was going to do. The very next day I got a phone call from a temp agency I had applied with, I was offered a three day position at GAC- Great American Country the video network owned by Scripps Network on music row. I turned that three day assignment into the next few years of my life. Never give up.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
All these years later, I have worked with a lot of artists. Many of my songs and collaborations with them have turned into single releases, album cuts and even national radio ad campaigns for nationwide brands. I love what I do. Writing songs is just as natural and easy as breathing for me. However, I am also very passionate about making a difference in this world. I love to champion young artists and songwriters.
At Rhyme Partners, we put together entire teams of people to assist artist with campaigns to release music, grow their careers and bring visibility to the uniquely beautiful talent they are. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am not only a performing songwriter, but I am also a business owner so I have the unique perspective of being on both sides of the spectrum. I know what it’s like to have a dream in your heart and not know how to navigate that dream. I know what it’s like to own a business and have to work creatively and cultivate professional relationships to keep going. These days there are so many ways to be creative, we don’t all fit into the same mold. It’s fun to come up with new opportunities for our clients.
What I am most proud of is the work I’ve done with “Speak Life End Bullying, The Musical.” Speak Life Creative Arts Co. desired to take their anti-bullying musical to film with its own original songs. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to oversee the entire process from writing the music for multiple genres, to choosing some of the most talented artist/writers and producers to work alongside with. I cannot imagine a bigger honor than knowing that the music and lyrics I had a hand in creating, is touching the lives of millions of students in schools nationwide and around the world. I am incredibly humbled and quite honestly, grateful to the entire team for entrusting Rhyme Partners with such an important project. Music really can save a life.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk, I am known to be a risk taker that’s for sure. I’ll share this without being too specific because the specifics don’t matter as much as the message here in my opinion. There have been many times in my career when I have stared at the ceiling all night wondering if I was making the right decision or biting off more than I could chew. Over and over in my mind fear and courage would battle it out. Ultimately what I have experienced was that my courage was stronger than my fear. It’s important to impress that in my experience, fear is always present so it’s the desire for whatever it is your are considering taking a risk on that has to be greater and if it is, you’ll probably be ok. If it’s not, maybe that risk is not for you.
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@rhymepartners.net
- Website: www.RhymePartners.net
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/RhymePartners
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RhymePartners
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/RhymePartners
