Uncommon Ground ^ Melissa Rose Ziemer

Melissa Rose Ziemer
MELISSA ROSE ZIEMER (pronounced Zeemer) made her way to the Windy City via rural Southern Indiana and sunny Southern California. She has based her Independent Recording Career out of Chicago for the past six years as Lead Singer/Collaborative Songwriter/Front woman for the bands Soul Intention, 'GERTRUDE' (Pop/Rock - Voted "Chicago's Favorite Fronted Female Band", www.CDBaby.com/gertrude) and 'THE JULEPS' (Country/RnB/Blues — Critically acclaimed All-Star Chicago Musician Line-up, www.CDBaby.comJuleps2).

In addition to fronting the bands, Ziemer has been performing as a Solo Artist throughout the United States and has toured the UK three times withthe 'Chicago Music Explosion' (http://www.chicagomusicexplosion.com/), where the British Press wrote, "She is only slight, but her voice is deep and powerful with a delightful hint of southern twang. She's quite a talent as a songwriter as well as a singer." (Bristol Evening Post, UK)

Back home in sweet Chicago, Ziemer & Co. have had the honor of sharing the stage with such National Pop/Rock Acts as 10,000 Maniacs, Blues Traveler, & The Samples, as well as Country & Blues greats Jerry Jeff Walker, The Bellamy Brothers, Sonny Landreth, Stephen Bruton& Charlie Robison. She's performed at Chicago's top venues includingthe House of Blues, Parkwest, Double Door, Taste of Chicago, Navy Pier, Schuba's, Martyr's, FitzGerald's, & The Abbey, as well as in the smaller, more intimate rooms such as the Uncommon Ground Cafe, Chicago Cultural Center, Wise Fool's Pub & Elbo Room. Her song "My Better Angel" (co-written with Insider EPIC recording artist and Julep partner Gary Yerkins) was selected for the Sweet Pickle Music compilation CD "Big Fish, Little Fish, VolumeII- Emerging Women In Chicago Music'', which also featured local faves Kelly Hogan and Cathy Richardson (www.sweetpicklemusic.com).

Known for a voice that is able to blend a soulful mix of genres from pop, rock, country, blues and folk, "Ziemer's voice moves comfortably between old school country music (think Loretta Lynn) and aggressive grrrl-rock (think Melissa Etheridge)." (The Liberty Southtown), Ziemer also "knows how to work an audience and has charm to spare" (UR Chicago). Her energetic and crowd involving performances, combined with heartfelt and melodic original songs leave a lasting impression. Writer for Chicago SKYLINE, Paul Barile, recently said it best when he wrote, "Ziemer has a powerful stage presence when performing live. She intermingles solid musicianship with playful sweetness. She can engage an audience without much effort, yet she gives it all she's got every time out."

One of the hardest working women in Chicago music, Ziemer has recorded 3 CD's within 4 years — a full length with each band, and a solo EP. The Gertrude Record and Ziemer's latest "Not All Black & White" EP were both released on her own 'FUNGO Records' and have sold close to 5,000 copies at live performances, through CDBaby.com, and from the trunk of Ziemer's car.

Media exposure includes spins & interviews on radio, 93.1 WXRT, 98.3 WLUW, 105.9 WCKG, as well as TV appearances on CLTV Metromix, WGN Morning News, WGCI's 'Ben Around Town' and various other local and college programs. You might also recognize Ziemer's voice on several TV and radio commercials.

In addition to touring and making music, Miss Ziemer is passionate about raising awareness and funds for charitable causes. Most recently, she has become a Board Member of Musicians United for Peace (www.MusiciansUnitedForPeace.org), and she regularly performs at Benefits to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association & Multiple Sclerosis.

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