Melody Guy

“The greatest leaders are ones whose names are never known. Let's change that. Bill Gates? ADHD ? Einstein? Autistic ? Charles Darwin, the father of the evolutionary theory? Freakin' autistic. Everyone has things they're good at and everyone could be trained on them for a profession. Everyone can learn to be greater than their predecessors. No matter how much
of a “freak” you're considered, you're going to be great if you hone your skills. Social skills may fail, but that just makes the mind stronger! Keep working at it and you'll see that it's not that bad. I'm living proof of that! I started college at 16 because I got my GED, just as my son would later. I rejected the norm because I, too, am on the autistic spectrum. I have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). “Conventional learning” (whatever that is) doesn't work for me. Nonetheless, I'm a success.
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““ ... By far and away, the hardest hitting song written by Guy must surely be the outstanding ‘Mistakes Like Me.’ On this, Melody’s voice is little more than a whisper at times as she recounts the outpouring of a young boy’s anxieties as he comes to realize that through his simplicity, the fact that he is not as clever as others.
 “He struggles with so many things which others of his age can handle effortlessly, all of which have led adults to regard him as a ‘special case,’ leaving him to question what kind of a man he will grow up to be. The subject matter is serious. There is no anger, no condemnation, and the listener is left feeling somewhat humbled and perhaps a little ashamed when they think of other little boys they perhaps know personally who suffer the same anxieties, yet whom they too often tend to overlook or ignore. “A quite incredible composition delivered perfectly and one which is certain to hit home most forcefully.” Laura Bethell, Maverick AAG Publishing Limited; HYPERLINK "http://www.maverick-country.com" www.maverick-country.com ”

““From hearing the story of where the song came from, I would have to say it’s a great piece of art and it’s a shame the world has not got to share the blessing that comes with hearing this song. “I have a grandson who fits this lyric -- he is a champ with a few issues, but he is here and he is a blast to be with. I am a big supporter of “Choose Life.” In God’s eyes,
these are little saints. They will not be judged for they will meet him sinless and unarmed with conviction. It’s a great song. Thanks.” ”

““You've heard the saying, ‘God doesn't make any junk.’ Well, you can only
learn to understand that when you live with a special needs child. When you have a special needs child that you've been blessed with, you know ‘Mistakes Like Me’ is truly not the way it is but it is the way that our special needs children and adults can be looked at. Let’s just do better then that for them and with them.” ”

““Melody Guy deeply touched my heart with ‘Mistakes Like Me.’ Her passionate plea on behalf of special needs children gives a voice to everyone who has ever been given a derogatory label because they don't seem to fit in.“As the husband of a Special Education teacher, I was especially moved by Melody Guy, sang with her dad in bars, beauty contests, McDonalds and festivals starting at age 9. She stopped playing for 10 years while she was married to her first ex-husband. Every day she prayed she could just be good at something.Then a after listening to Mary Chapin Carpenter's song 'He thinks he'll keep her. She decided to go out on her own, a single mom with 3 small children and give her dreams a chance. The first gig she made 450$ at a coffee house in Concord California, then she was featured in the local newspaper 4 times in the first year. A friend told her about a conference for songwriters, she attended the conference and ended up with a publishing and record deal that got her to Nashville TN. That record deal didn't work out but Melody kept going on her own. She moved to be closer in Oregon where she opened for many major artists coming through town. in 2004 she attended the Taxi road rally in Los Angeles and played the open mic in front of 2000 or more people with a borrowed guitar and no hotel room to stay in Melody sang Mistakes Like Me a song she wrote with Tom Kimmel, the song was inspired by her son who has Aspergers symptoms and was teased and put down in school by a few other students but also the teachers. Melody had similar problems in school and life that made her feel less than and so different that it was to hard to get through school. When she was done singing the song Melody's work. She has made an eloquent statement
 that badly needs to be heard.” ”

““When I heard Melody sing ‘Mistakes Like Me’ for the first time, it was impossible to hold back the tears. This is one of the most touching songs I've ever heard in my whole career. “I've met so many unfortunate children during my career and I wish I could have handed each one a copy of ‘Mistakes Like Me’ to listen to. Hopefully one day the world will be able to hear this song, as it truly deserves to be heard!”
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