Welcome to Melvena Kaye's Web Site!

 If it seems as if Melvena Kaye’s performances are full of magic, it is likely due to her upbringing.  Her father was a well known magician, hypnotist and ventriloquist and she began working as a young child as his assistant.  Melvena’s favorite trick was when he would show the empty dollhouse, spin it around and she would pop out.  Born and raised in Kingsport , Tennessee , in Melvena’s words, “When Mama died I was seven years old and it seemed like the death of my childhood in many ways.  Daddy worked hard at a lot of jobs.  My dreams and faith have been my strength from the time I was old enough to make up words and sing them.  That little girl with a heart full of dreams is now a Tennessee Cowgirl, Riding That Old Dusty Trail, Don’t know where I’ll end up, that’s something you just never can tell.”  

Melvena’s first album, “Tennessee Cowgirl” was recorded with musicians Thumbs Carllile, Steve Duncan, Doug Livingston, Chuck Crews, John Noreen, Doug Atwell, Dave Durham, produced by Greg Humphrey.  All ten songs were written by Melvena.  The words to “My Daddy” are all true. Thumbs Carllile wrote the liner notes, “Concerning Melvena Kaye, as far as I’m concerned, she is a budding young singer and writer with a lot more to say down the road and what she has to say may shorten that road.  I think she will write many great songs in the future.  Remember I said that and pay attention.  It would be a pleasure to play guitar on everything she does and I mean that.”  Thumbs Carllile

Melvena performed in “Six Gun Heroes,” a Sunset Carson series of western films.   She sang in “Dawn Of The Western” and “Hollywood Nostalgia Theater” with cowboy rodeo star Sunset Carson.  She also appeared in a commercial for the films. 

Melvena was honored to present cowboy legend, Roy Rogers, with the “California State Senate Award” for Fifty Years in Show Business.  Roy invited Melvena to tour his museum in Victorville , California , where he personally showed her his saddles, costumes, Trigger his horse, Bullet his dog, and other exhibits.  

Melvena received The Bronze Halo Award for her work in pictures, recordings and shows from the California Motion Picture Council, one of the oldest non profit organizations founded in 1936 to promote the best in motion pictures and encourage the production of family oriented films and tv, honoring only the “Best of the Best” performances for outstanding contributions.

Melvena was awarded the Golden Platter Award from the Hollywood Appreciation Society at the Holiday Inn in downtown Burbank , California .  Attending her performance that day, Eddie Dean, Iron Eyes Cody, Jock Mahoney, Mrs. Buck Jones, Mrs. Johnny Bond, Mrs. Jimmy Wakely, Doug Venable, Mike Mazurki, Mrs. Hoot Gibson and many more.  Cowboy star Monte Montana rode his horse into the lobby of the Holiday Inn and lassoed Melvena to everyone’s delight.

Melvena sang for many benefits including the Forte Foundation, Actors and Others For Animals, The Motion Picture Retirement Home, Single Action Shooting Society, Options House and many more.  Melvena opened for Dusty Rogers at the “Colt, End Of Trail” Festival for the “Happy Trails Children’s Foundation” in Norco , California.  

Melvena and Iron Eyes Cody, the famous Indian actor who shed a single tear over the environment in the “Keep America Beautiful” commercials, made many appearances at Humanitarian Events as well as The Kingdom Of the Dancing Stallions.  Iron Eyes Cody presented Melvena with The Iron Eyes Cody Peace Medal.  She was only the third woman in the world to receive the Medal. Iron Eyes etched his signature on her Medal.  Past recipients include President Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul ll, Will Geer, Ben Johnson.

The Chatsworth Centennial Film Fest, sponsored by the Iverson Movie Location Ranch, celebrated their 100th Birthday at the movie ranch where Roy Rogers made his first and last movie.  More than 2000 movies have been filmed there since 1912 including stars such as Gene Autry, Gary Cooper, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Hoot Gibson, Bill Boyd, and many more.  Along with many top stars such as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Melvena was honored to add her handprint, bootprint and signature in the Iverson Movie Ranch Walk Of Fame.

Throughout her career, Melvena worked and sang with many greats.  Melvena made singing appearances with Cliffie Stone, Eddie Dean, performed for the Chuck Wagon Trailers, the Golden Boot Awards Pre-party and After-party,  performed in Virginia City, Nevada, for the 4th of July Celebration,  Big Bear California’s 4th of July Celebration, performed at the world famous Palomino Club, performed for Eddie Dean’s star studded 84th Birthday party, performed at Six Flags Magic Mountain for Radio Station KLAC,  performed for Sunset Carson’s Birthday Celebration, Monte Montana’s Birthday party, performed live on the Mike Mahaney Radio Show, appeared at Travel Town and Calico Ghost Town in California.  Melvena performed at Paramount Movie Ranch.  Private jam sessions with greats Byron Berline, John and George Hickman, Vince Gill, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, and many other players who gathered for the love of the music at Byron’s house in California.  Melvena sang “Wayfaring Stranger” and other great songs while Vince and others sang her harmony and she sang their’s.  So much love of music shared at these sessions.  

Melvena sang at the Banjo Café in Santa Monica , California with many great bluegrass players.  Dustin Hoffman, the actor, was in the audience at one of these shows and he told Melvena he really enjoyed her original song, “You’re Not My First Man” played bluegrass style.  It was the first time the song had been performed bluegrass style.  Melvena enjoyed singing at the original Old Ryman Auditorium, formally “Grand Old Opry House” in Nashville, Tennessee.  

Melvena has appeared in many parades.  She rode Monte Montana ’s buckboard for the Newhall, California 4th of July Parade.  She was chosen Queen of the Hollywood Appreciation Society’s Float in the Hollywood St. Patricks Day parade, as well as Los Angeles St. Patricks Day parade on a float with Sunset Carson.  She was in the Burbank, California parade. Melvena was invited to ride in the Pasadena Tournament of  Roses Parade with the Roy Rogers Equestrian Group. 

Melvena wrote the soundtrack and appeared in a film called “Jolene”.  Melvena was featured in a Sunday comic strip, called “Melvena Kaye, Tennessee Cowgirl,” syndicated out of St Joseph, Missouri.  Melvena wrote a column for Country Western Variety entitled “Melvena’s Hollywood Beat”.  

Melvena appeared in the movie "Ed Wood" with Johnny Depp and in the film "Ruby" with Danny Aiello.

Melvena recently released 11 self penned songs on a cd called “Just One Little Kiss.”  Produced by Grammy Award winning producer, Pete Anderson, best known for producing Dwight Yoakam, Sara Evans, Roy Orbison.  Melvena's cd features award winning musicians: Hargus “Pig” Robbins,  Sara Watkins, Bob Boo Bernstein, Skip Edwards, Paul Eckman, Mike Murphy, Tim Hasler, and Pete Anderson.  Darren Vincent sang harmony.  This cd features “Free,” a sultry blues song.   This cd is a delightful variety of infectious tunes.  From the haunting, “If You Walk” to the driving beat of “Move On Down The Line,” the classic country sound of “If Tears Were Crimes,” a great gospel “Wash Your Hands In The Water” and more.  Both “Tennessee Cowgirl” and “Just One Little Kiss” are available on www.cdbaby.com