Melonie Daniels

The masterful vocal ability of Melonie Daniels has been beautiful music to the ears of many people since she was the tender age of three.  Since this young age, Melonie has taken her God-given gifts and enhanced them by learning form the best in church and school choirs.  Melonie furthered her formal education at Five Towns Gospel Choir and as the assistant director of the school chorus under the direction of Beth Goodrich.

Melonie has taken her diverse musical styles and graced many recording for major artists and groups.  Among these artists are Superstar Mariah Carey for whom Melonie is a lead background vocalist and coordinator of the background choirs.  C+C Music Factory, Aretha Franklin, Ann Nesby, Sound of Blackness, Frankie Knuckles, Adeva, Trey Lorenz, and Chris Jasper are also a few of the artists and groups who have utilized Melonie's gifts.

Not only is this impelling singer an asset in the studio, but Melonie is also a powerful stage performer as well.  Miss Daniels has perfected her gospel style for the past seven years in her gospel group, The Love, Joy and Peace Singers.  With this group, Melonie has won second prize in the McDonald's Gospel fest at Carnegie Hall.  The Love, Joy and Peace Singers have also opened for great gospel music acts including Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Lawrence Matthews, O'Landa Draper, John P. Kee, Daryl Coley, Karen Clark-Sheard, and a host of others.

Melonie's musical path has led her to vocal artistry in venues as the 1992 Grammy Awards, The Arsenio Hall Show, Top of the Pops, Mariah Carey's Christmas Special, Thanksgiving Special MTV's Unplugged, the Fall/Winter Tour 1993, and the Late Show with David Letterman, Melonie has also performed live with George Michael, Noel Pointer, the Clark Sisters, and Mavis Staples.

With all her accomplishments, Melonie yet remains humbled and thankful for the great gift she was so freely given.

It's been said by many that words couldn't possibly describe the angelic tones that emit from Melonie Daniels.  Once you hear a few notes form this phenomenal singer you are sure to be left speechless.

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Born in the Bronx in 1955, Knuckles listened to a lot of jazz as a child, thanks to his sister's record collection. He studied commercial art and costume design before taking his first job as a DJ in 1971. Several years later, he hooked up with childhood friend Larry Levan and the two began working at Nicky Siano's New York club, the Gallery. Levan later moved to the Continental Baths, and Knuckles worked at another club for several months before rejoining Levan. Again, Levan left -- this time to set up his own club, the Soho Place -- and Knuckles continued on until the Continental Baths was closed. A group of entrepreneurs initially approached Levan about becoming the DJ at a club they were starting in Chicago; instead of abandoning the interest in his own club, he declined but suggested his friend Frankie Knuckles.

Knuckles moved to Chicago in 1977 and began DJing at the Warehouse, spinning Salsoul and Philadelphia Int'l records in front of a crowd unused to the New York DJing style, which included beat-mixing and the addition of percussion fills (from a separate turntable) to spruce up the sound of traditional soul. In 1983, Knuckles opened his own club, the Power Plant. While Ron Hardy was entrancing a largely gay, uptown crowd at the Music Box, Knuckles introduced the sound to many of the Southside producers who made waves during the 1980s: Marshall Jefferson, Larry Heard, Adonis, Steve "Silk" Hurley and at least half a dozen others.

After more than 15 years spinning vinyl, Frankie Knuckles began recording as well, debuting with several singles released on the seminal Trax Records. Such efforts as "Your Love," "Baby Wants to Ride," "You Got the Love" and "Angel" (most credited to Knuckles though vocalist Jamie Principle undoubtedly exercised some influence) were among the best tracks released in the Chicago house explosion of the mid-'80s. Knuckles also recorded for Danica ("Let the Music Use You") and worked with younger producers like Marshall Jefferson as well as future Fingers, Inc. vocalist Robert Owens. Just as Chicago house began spreading worldwide during 1986-87 though, Knuckles returned to New York. He formed Def Mix Productions with David Morales (one of the other major names in house music) and began working on house treatments for the biggest pop stars of the 1980s and '90s, including Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Inner City and En Vogue.

Despite the popularity of house in the international arena, the godfather of the music waited several years before the major labels came calling for something other than a remix. Finally, Virgin signed him to an artist contract in 1991 and released his debut album Beyond the Mix. The singles "The Whistle Song," "Rainfalls" and "Workout" moved up the dance charts, though the album failed to connect with pop or R&B fans. Knuckles continued to produce singles and remix tracks, while his second album Welcome to the Real World was released in 1995. -- John Bush, All Music Guide

                         Lyrics

Verse I
No one knows just what tomorrow may bring
People may not see the vision you're seeing
But don't you worry
About their negativity
You've gotta be strong
Keep on holdin' on

Chorus
Don't you ever give up
'Cause you're gonna make it
Just as long as you try

Don't you ever give up
'Cause you're gonna make it
Lift your head to the sky

Verse II
I know sometimes it may seem to be too hard
And when you try to do right everything turns out wrong
But the dreams that you dream
And if no one else believes
They'll come true someday
Just as long as you keep the faith

Repeat Chorus
Repeat Chorus

Bridge
Sometimes dark clouds may block your sunshine
But that's when you make your dreams become your guiding light

Refrain
Don't give up (Ad Libs)

Publishing Credits
Lyrics By:  Duane Harden

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