Some things in music, and in life, just feel right.
Melonie Cannon was quite literally born into music. The daughter of a massively successful producer and songwriter, it wasn’t uncommon for Cannon to be surrounded by many of the best artists in the world on any given day.
One of those artists was Vern Gosdin, who spent many a day at Cannon’s dinner table. When they weren’t enjoying their meals, Gosdin was encouraging Cannon to pursue music and showing her the ropes of singing harmonies. She’s taken those teachings to massive heights over the last few decades, singing with everybody from George Jones to Reba McEntire, and has been a staple in Jamey Johnson’s band for many years.
Most recently, Cannon took those teachings and paid tribute to the man, “The Voice,” himself, releasing A Tribute to Vern Gosdin, her first solo release in 15 years, which also enlists performances from some of the biggest names in music, from Willie Nelson to Vince Gill to Alison Krauss.
We chatted with Cannon all about the album, Vern’s influence, releasing music again and more!
Pro Country: Your father, Buddy Cannon, is a massively successful producer and songwriter in his own right. When did you begin to catch the music bug yourself and see that it was a path you wanted to pursue with your life?
Melonie Cannon: I used to go with my mom to take daddy to meet the bus when he was heading out on the road. I would cry and beg to go with him because I wanted to be where he was at all times. I had no idea where they were going or what they were doing, but I wanted to go because I felt like they were my place in the world; somewhere among them. It wasn’t till I was older that I realized part of my little five year-old gypsy spirit inherently knew there was music at the end of the bus ride. I just wanted to be where my daddy and all his cool friends were, which was always where the music was being played. So as long as I have memories, I knew in my soul that music was a part of my very being, because I was always just like my daddy and his friends.
PC: When you were a teenager, Vern Gosdin took you under his wing and encouraged your singing. What was it like for you to have the backing of one of the most renowned voices in country music in your corner and to have him show that belief in your talent?
MC: The craziest part about Vern being around is that, in my house, it wasn’t that strange to have the best of the best singers and songwriters in the world sitting at dinner with us. Vern was just one of daddy’s friends. I believe I was about 11 when Vern told my daddy that they needed to pull me into their daily singing they already were doing, and that trio: daddy, Vern and me, created the singer I still am today. As the years went by, I realized just how magical those moments were, and just how lucky I was to be taught to sing harmony by “The Voice” himself. And he didn’t just teach me to sing a part. He taught me what harmony meant and how harmony is the most important part when it comes to the sound of the vocals. They move and change and are as alive as any other part of a song. I am a harmony singer deep in my soul because of Vern and my daddy taking that time to show me what harmony means, not just what it is.
PC: Your new album, A Tribute to Vern Gosdin, is your first release since your 2008 solo album, And The Wheels Turn. Why did you feel 2023 was the right time to step back out to the forefront, and as release day was approaching, what emotions were you feeling as you were set to present solo music for the first time in 15 years?
MC: I love singing. I’m singing even when I’m not recording. That will never change. I’ve spent the better part of the last couple decades singing with other people, which is what I love to do more than anything. It’s emotional to release this record because it is so close to my heart BECAUSE of my relationship and mentorship from Vern, and after all these years, getting to work with my daddy in this capacity still, that’s an undefinable emotion. So, there’s a lot of my heart in this record. These songs are a part of my musical being. I’m really thankful everyone finally gets to hear it.
PC: When recording an album full of Vern Gosdin songs, is there a level of pressure you felt when you were recording the songs or prior to the album’s release to do the songs justice?
MC: With a Vern Gosdin song, the best way to mess it up is to change it. These words and melodies and harmonies and all the phrasing; it wasn’t on accident. It was all perfectly done and the best way to honor THAT is to do exactly like Vern did.
PC: You released our favorite Vern Gosdin song, “Is It Rainin’ At Your House” earlier this year as the lead single from the album. Why did you and your team feel that “Is It Rainin’ At Your House” was the song you wanted to introduce the project with?
MC: Daddy and I talked about what songs should start the actual record itself. We decided it had to be the saddest song ever, because how the hell else do you start a Vern record than by making people cry! His specialty. I’ve also always loved it so much too that it just seemed like the right choice.
PC: “Way Down Deep,” which features Doyle Lawson and Jamey Johnson, is quickly approaching 30,000 streams on Spotify alone. How encouraging has the response to “Way Down Deep” been out of the gate, and how nice has it been to tangibly be able to see the response it’s received?
MC: Gosh, I didn’t even know it had that many already! [laughs]. I’ll say this, having Jamey AND Doyle Lawson on one song: how freaking cool is THAT?! Some things you could never imagine, but that’s what great producers like my daddy do. They hear things we can’t yet and make it happen. Daddy and Doyle go way back. Vern actually took daddy to his Vern & Doyle Lawson show over 40 years ago I believe. And Jamey and I have been singing together since he rolled into town; going on somewhere around 23-24 years. So there’s a lot of years of friendship represented on this one song, to say the least.
PC: A Tribute to Vern Gosdin features performances by several legendary musicians, including Willie Nelson, Vince Gill and Allison Krauss, among others. What did it mean to you to have so many talented artists be so willing to contribute to the project and pay homage to an artist who has meant so much to your career?
MC: I’ll never understand how I get to do such cool stuff. I’ve been able to stand on stages and sing with the best singers ever born. When I started the process of this record, there are so many artists that are my friends that love Vern and all these songs as much as I do. I thought it would make it even more special to invite a few of them to help out on some of it. I had no idea they would say yes, but it’s an honor of a lifetime to have them all on here with me.
PC: Vern Gosdin’s longtime guitar player, Mike Baker, as well as his harmony singer, Curtis Wright, are featured on the album as well. How important was it to have their presence on the album as they were such an integral part of Vern’s performances?
MC: Mike and Curtis are characters that have been in the movie I call my life since I can remember. They are who I wanted to be when I grew up, because if I was like them, I’d just get to be cool and play music forever! Truthfully, doing it without them would not have felt complete. They are a part of the music that wove my musical spirit, just like daddy and Vern.
PC: Your father served as co-producer on the album as well. As someone who worked so closely with Vern in his career, how important was your father’s guidance on the album?
MC: My daddy has always been my biggest supporter, harshest critic, first hero and who I look to and trust completely in my music. His guidance since I was barely double digits is why I am the singer I am today. Because of what he taught me: to be able to cut your gig or someone else will, I can stand up next to any singer and sing with confidence. He taught me that being in tune matters. Every time I sing, even if he’s nowhere around, I sing to make him proud.
PC: This is certainly a loaded question, but after releasing a Vern Gosdin tribute album, we feel we have to ask it: what is your favorite Vern Gosdin song?
MC: Of this bunch I just released, it’s the one called “Is It That Time Again,” which is not one Vern ever released. He wrote it with my daddy and Dean Dillon. I think Vern would have loved my cut of it. It’s everything I love about simple, real music.
PC: With A Tribute to Vern Gosdin now out into the world, what do you have planned for the rest of 2023 and beyond?
MC: I’m gonna plant some flowers at my new house. Sing on some records for my friends. Laugh with my family. I’m going to focus on enjoying life and all the music that comes with it. Lord knows, where I go, music is bound to follow.
*All images by Alan Messer*
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