A lifetime of dedicated faith, boundless enthusiasm and true passion for the art of music, have led Melvin Fromm Jr. into a sonic whirlwind of creativity, imagination and inspiration. From his hometown in Lancaster County, PA, he began to write, produce & record his own stunning & stylistic instrumental songs in mid 2015 and soon found his highly-adaptable talents were suited to many facets of music found all the way around the globe. With an impressive 200+ countries putting Melvin’s songs on the radio – it became clear that music-fans from all over the world were truly connecting to his rhythms & melodies. As his growth continues so does his fan base which continues to support his every move. Today Melvin’s new music is done by top musicians with a long list of credits that include studio and stage performing with Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry, Sugarland, Big & Rich, Lonestar, Toby Keith, Kenny Rogers, SheDaisy, Shania Twain, legendary blues artist Tracy Nelson, blues singer John Hyatt, Jazz artists Oliver Gannon, Tony Banks, Rosemary Clooney, Bryan Adams hit song “Summer Of 69”, Grammy winner Shelby Lynne “Tears, Lies and Alibis” album, Alicia Keys, Grammy nomination musician that worked with The Dixie Chicks, Grateful Dead, Nickel Creek, Justin Timberlake, Jewel. Elton John, Jessica Simpson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, BB King, Sting, Janet Jackson, Kenny G, Mariah Carey, Aerosmith, Boyz II Men, with more musicians and credits being added very soon. Aug. 2019 World Class Music catalog picks up over 500 new songs of Melvin’s to be place in the fast growing video game world.
Hear Composer Melvin Fromm Jr.’s music @
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1XYMiKMdf9wQKfhvhUCeMk?si=pyl4MMCKQma7g5kvN8al3Q
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I was dating my wife and wrote a country song called “What I Feel” and had it demo’d out by a pro music team and a lot of people really liked it so I started to send the song out to overseas radio and a radio station in Canada picked up my music and played a lot of it and helped me get airplay in other countries also. The people in Nashville were a big influence to me at the start of my music also.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
Well I can’t really compare myself to any other music artist as I am told I’m different by the way I make music and the many styles of music I make nowadays from techno, dance to jazz and country, etc.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
Yes, my uncle Bill Tait had cancer who was like a brother to me passed away in Jan. 8, 1998 and I wrote a song about him called “Heart Of A Hero.” Most difficult thing I had to endure on my path in music is having Fibromyalgia as the pain makes me have some bad days but I still keep going and I keep working on music as I refuse to sit on the sidelines of life and feel sorry for myself as God helps me get passed days like this.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Well I go in the studio and say I’m making a techno song so I may have some ideas on what I may use to make the song and come up with chords and start messing around until I have a song started and keep working it until I have a song I like and ready to release.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
Well I just kept working hard making the best music I can and I have had a lot of offers about my music but it’s about finding the right offer not to give up your music rights. I have got noticed because of lots of music online in many places. I would rather stay independent because there is so many offers you can get into to help your music if you do your homework. Truly there is a whole new world in music then just the traditional music industry model you have to work hard and do your homework to find it.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
Yes, I have landed with the right record label in May 2018 thanks to the grace of God and my music is doing well. Also Aug. 2019 world class music catalog picks up over 500 new songs of mine and many more under review to be place in the fast growing video game world as they know the ins and outs of the video game world and shopping songs to major video game people. If you have interest in pursuing a music career, work hard everyday to get better in music, do your homework and never give up.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
The internet can truly open up a whole new world in your music and help bring a lot of offers to you if you work hard, do your homework, and personally for me I lean very hard on God to help me every step of the way in my life everyday because in my case without God this would have never been in my life. If you’re not on the internet as an artist chances are very hard to make things go in your music and be found by someone that can help open doors in your music.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
Well for me I really don’t care what kind of label people may put on me as it’s not what people think it’s what God thinks of you and if God has favor on your life and talent, you’re going to go a long way or at least that’s what I’d like to think. Well I started out country music now I’m a composer of all styles today so a sell-out maybe but I’m at peace with it.
9.) What are the positives and negatives of the music industry? What is it about the music industry that makes some artists push forward? What do you think makes some artists quit?
Positives about the music industry is there are some great people that will help you from radio dj’s to people that will take you under their wing and show you the ropes all about music from A to Z at least that’s what happened to me as I was always myself and willing to learn as I really knew nothing when I first started out in music. The negatives in the music industry are so many bad music deals people try to offer you to line their pockets off of your hard work and music as it’s hard to find good music deals that are fair for you. What makes some artists keep pushing forward in the music industry at least for me I let my music speak for itself trying to get better each time I make it and I feel with the grace of God the right people will find it and the right offers will find me as that has happen to me over the past 2 years with God’s help. What makes some artists quit I feel they want fame over night and they feel they are going to be the next big star as they miss the point; you have to let your music do the talking while trying to get better in your music making. If you truly have talent in your music the right people will find you with hard work.
10.) With so many people online who are expressing their opinions on any and everything under the sun, how do you know when to take something as constructive criticism or when to see it as trolling?
Well I know everyone is not going to like my music and that’s okay with me as I do my best each time I make new music and everyone that has had a part in making it feels it’s where we want it to be; that’s all we can do. I really don’t get wrapped up in people expressing their opinions that much online because not everyone in life is going to like you and it’s not worth the time as I would rather put the time into my music trying to make it better with other music peoples’ input I’m working with to make it the best we can and then I put it in God’s hands to see what can happen.
11.) Most, if not, all musicians have those who have influenced their work in one way or another, but how important do you think having a mentor is?
I think it’s great to have a mentor in music as I feel I had a lot helping me learn all about music along the way as I knew nothing about music but so many have helped me learn and I am thankful for each one of them in my life. As I think back to the start of my music until now I am truly amazed by all that I have learned by so many great people and the grace of God.
12.) In your opinion, what do you think the future of the music industry looks like? What trends do you see staying or going? What trends do you see possibly emerging and why?
Well I feel the big record labels control in the music industry is going to be a thing of the past as things are changing with the streaming services and the big fight to treat every artist fairly with a new deal reached last year and more deals trying to be worked out in the works. It’s time for the people that make music to all be treated fairly and I think we are truly starting to head that way now. Well one of the biggest shifts I have just learned in the music industry is the video game industry as it’s the biggest growing industry in the world and yes it needs music and they love indie artists to work with as God has put me right in the middle of this all over the past few months. There is a new video game arena being built in Philly PA for $50 million for their pro video game team as there is a lot of big name people getting involved in the video game industry. That’s why as an artist don’t ever sell yourself short and think one way as you never know what can happen by making really good music and working hard and for me really trusting God.
13.) Since we’re in a world of instant gratification nowadays, what would you say to the musicians out there who want instant recognition but don’t necessarily want to put in the hard work? How much of an investment is needed in order to truly see some sort of success?
Well if you want to just make music to release it you can as there are so many places online you can upload and share your music if that’s what you wish to do. Well instant recognition and not really hard work….good luck there are so many like that in music as to be honest you have to earn your due time to recognition is what I have learned as a world class music catalog for video games would never even take the time to hear my music if I didn’t work hard and built myself up over the years with my music and they had something to read and hear my music at the top of its game at this point in my music. Well there are many investment levels you can do for your music but it comes down to the hard work you have to do as how many people release music and think doing nothing people will find it well maybe millions of people. Success at least for me takes more than a price tag to make it happen.
14.) What advice would you share with other artists who are trying to create something unique?
Go for it be different don’t be like everyone else because their are people looking for different sounding music but don’t take it personally if someone thinks your music is not good, too off the wall, or never going to make it with that music. Since I landed with the video game world I’m open and free to make all kinds of unique music that they keep wanting to shop around but I don’t release this music to my record label since they may reject it and that’s okay with me as I truly understand that. People may say no way but God can say I got something big for you like me in the video game world as when I got an email to send some music I thought no way I don’t think my music is for video games but I trusted God and I sent my Spotify link and they loved it. Now they even love my unique music even more as it’s right up the alley for video games. To me I have to say wow God is truly amazing. Always have lots of hope and don’t ever give up in your music. Good luck & God Bless!
15.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
Well I never thought about my music in video games but my hard work and God’s grace really has opened the door to this and I see myself well known in the video game world for music and so many video game people wanting to work with me of course with God’s favor only for this to happen also.