Music Style Southern Rock

Artist History Playing live, in fact, is where Cravin' Melon is at its best, so it's only fitting that the bio tells the story of the fans, as much as the band. From the fanatical FRC (Front Row Club) to newly indoctrinated "melonheads", the age range of faithful followers spans 3 generations. Instantly addicting, fun-loving melodies battered up with swaggering southern charm is the classic recipe for a down-home party with Cravin' Melon as the congenial hosts! Soaring on the vocals of lead singer Doug Jones, Guitarist Jimbo Chapman, bassist Rob Clay and Drummer Gary Greene crank out the perfect blend of horsepower and hug-the-road handling to make every show a special event!Formed on New Years Day in 1994 as a combining of members from Doghouse and The Next Move, Cravin' Melon was born. With only a few months of gigs under their belts, they signed to Carolina producer Dick Hodgin's M-80 Management company and embarked on a rigorous tourschedule through the Southeast that would last two years. On the strength of the band's energetic performances, Cravin' Melon sold over 20,000 copies of their indy release, "Where I Wanna Be". With word on the street about the live shows, and the band's obvious presence of this "new fad" called "the internet", it wasn't long before the major labels came calling. In 1996 the band inked a deal with Mercury and in Jan, 1997 released its debut , "Red Clay Harvest". Constant touring coupled with the major-label release more than tripled their sales base. The next two years saw them emerging as a southern power-house, headlining the star-rich Jim Valvano celebrity V-Jam, and pocketing the 1998 South Carolina Band of the Year Award. Previous recipients includeJames Brown and Hootie And The Blowfish. Mercury then released "Squeeze Me", a plate-full of hearty live renditions of fan-faves recorded at the House Of Blues. One listen to "Come Undone," and the southern anthem, "Sweet Tea" and it becomes clear that Cravin' Melon has no problem getting the fans' attention and keeping it. The seven tracks are filled with a perfect balance of rock muscle and spunky jams. The EP is a real treat for fans who are already "Melonheads" and the perfect introduction for new fans just getting acquainted with the band. Bassist Rob Clay makes his Melon recording debut, (replacing the original bassist) as do a number of unrecorded fave's from the band's live shows like "Land Of Oz," and the heart-felt remake of Hoyt Axton's "Never Been To Spain." Squeeze Me captures Cravin' Melon one night in America, but it's perfect balance of southern rock and infectious Carolina grooves is an example of Cravin' Melon at its crowd pleasing best.Corporate takeovers, mergers and general depression in the music industry led to the band's exit from Mercury in addition to losing the original drummer. Undaunted, the band turned to Hootie's percussionist, Gary Greene, for the beat, and resumed their relentless touring schedule. The match was an instant success as fans were awed at the energy level. In December, 1999, the band entered a small studio in Columbia SC to begin tracking what has now become their most definitive collaboration, "The Great Procrastinator". This 12 song disc slated for release in June, 2000, showcases true Cravin' Melon. Inspirational songs coupled with unbelievable vocals paying homage to southern pop/rock!!

Group Members Jimbo Chapman, Doug Jones, Rob Clay, Gary Green

Albums Cravin' Melon, Where I Wanna Be, Red Clay Harvest, Squeeze Me, The Great Procrastinator

Press Reviews Cravin Melon - Parke Puterbaugh The sweet, soulful sounds of Cravin' Melon filled the Carolina Theatre on Friday night, entertaining a sparse but jubilant throng of loyal fans. The South Carolina foursome, who can pack houses across the South (they're a favorite at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach), only had a few hundred turn out to hear them on a balmy spring night in the good ol' Gate City. Here's what you missed: three very good bands playing their hearts out for twelve bucks, all doing original material as if live rock and roll still mattered (which it does, at least to some of us). Cravin' Melon previewed material from their forthcoming album, "The Great Procrastinator," and it looks to be a hot one - maybe even a little more freewheeling and harder-rocking than its predecessor, "Red Clay Harvest," which is itself a minor classic of rootsy Southern rock. Performing on a candle-lit stage in the acoustically resplendent old theater, Cravin' Melon radiated the kind of beaming confidence you'd expect of a veteran band that's confident in their material and themselves. Having replaced their rhythm section in the last year and added an organist whose work on the Hammond B-3 ups the Southern-soul ante, they are hitting on all cylinders. Doug Jones again acquitted himself as a distinctive pop-soul singer, fully capable of holding his own alongside the Southern-bred likes of Darius Rucker (of Hootie and the Blowfish) and Don Dixon. Guitarist Jimbo Chapman was a one-man arsenal of skintight country-tinged rock licks who also proved capable of left-field surprises, such as the flamenco flourishes on "Never Been to Spain" and the corkscrew riffing of "The Great Procrastinator." Jones set the casual tone during the first number, telling the crowd, "Y'all feel free to come on down here and join us." With that, most folks left their seats and jammed the orchestra pit in front of the stage. Instead of a stuffy, formal concert, the show instantly became something closer to a frat party or club gig. Such Cravin' Melon favorites as "Come Undone," "Blossom," and "Sweet Tea" brought out a friendly, feel-good tone, demonstrating the almost familial bond between the band and their fans. Newer songs like "Silk Sunflowers," "Beautiful Thing" and "Tied to the Wheel" showed that the best is yet to come.

Location Greenville, SC - USA

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