Melissa Etheridge
Born: Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas, May 29, 1961
Melissa Etheridge was born to John Dewey and Elizabeth (Williamson) Etheridge in Leavenworth, Kansas, the second of two daughters. Her father was a high school social studies and psychology teacher and coach; her mother was a computer consultant and homemaker. Melissa expressed interest in music and performing at an early age. John bought Melissa’s first guitar when she was eight. Eager to learn the instrument, she took lessons and devoted time to practice. Soon, she was writing songs, expressing her feelings through the lyrics. She performed in a talent content when she was 11, with a debut of her song, “Lonely as a Child.” She attended the city high school where her father taught and coached. Known to friends as Missy and Missy Lou, she performed in school stage productions and with a local rock band, playing in area venues, and accompanied singers at weddings and events on her guitar. She graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1979.
Etheridge was accepted to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, playing regularly at area restaurants and coffee houses. Three semesters later, she decided to pursue a professional career in music. Playing at area venues, she was able to make connections with music industry professionals and was signed by Island Records in 1986. Her contract included writing songs for motion pictures. Her song, "I Wanna Go Home," was included on the soundtrack for Weeds (1986).
Her debut album, Melissa Etheridge (1988), included the popular single, "Bring Me Some Water," which was nominated for a Grammy Award. He second album, Brave and Crazy (1989), received a second Grammy nomination. The third album, Never Enough (1992), earned her first Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female, with the single, Ain't It Heavy," in 1992. She received another Grammy for best female rock vocal performance for “Come to My Window” in 1994. She received an Academy Award for her song "I Need to Wake Up," featured in the motion picture An Inconvenient Truth (2006).
The residents at the Topeka Correctional Facility joined Etheridge in a two-part docu-series recorded live and released on Paramount+ in 2024. Etheridge wrote and performed an original song as part of the project.
Etheridge was recognized for her contributions to music and advocacy for Kansas with the Governor's Arts Award on March 13, 2025. Governor Laura Kelly cited Etheridge's global impact through her music and dedication to "Kansas values of hard work, self-reliance and kindness."
Entry: Etheridge, Melissa
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: May 2012
Date Modified: June 2025
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
