We are super excited to introduce you all to our first ever Happening Kid, eleven year old Melody J.
Melody is an aspiring singer with an amazing voice, adorable personality and sweetness that makes you instantly want to get to know her and hear more from her. Local residents and relatives of Melody posted this video of her performing the hit song “When I’m Gone” by Anna Kendrick from the movie Pitch Perfect, using only a plastic cup from her parent’s Philadelphia themed restaurant and her stellar voice. After seeing this video we knew we had to share Melody and her talent with our happening readers.
Although Melody does not currently live in the city of Philadelphia, her family used to be long time residents and many of her relatives still live locally. What we really thought made Melody a great candidate as a Happening Kid, was not only was she super talented but she also works very hard at her parent’s restaurant Taste of Philly, located in her hometown in Virginia, serving up Philly’s favorite foods to travelers and hungry guests.
We were lucky enough to interview Melody and learn more about her ties to Philadelphia and how she became such a talented, happening kid.
PH: have such a great singing voice Melody. Do you participate in any choirs, band, or other musical extra curricular, or is it more of a hobby?
M: It’s more of a hobby but I would love to be a singer!
PH: I am also a big fan of Pitch Perfect the movie and the song “When I’m Gone”. What made you want to learn the song?
M: All my friends wanted me to do it, so I taught myself. Then I posted it to YouTube and Facebook so they could see it.
PH: How long did it take you to master the cup? I imagine it takes coordination, do you play any musical instruments as well?
M: It took me about 30 minutes to learn the beat of the song one day. I learned the lyrics to the song by the second day and put it all together. I never took any music lessons but I am interested in learning the guitar.
PH: Do you plan to do more musically as you grow up?
M: Yes! I love music and would love to continue to do music and learn more about it. My Mom did name me Melody 🙂 Plus my mom used to be a DJ, my sister Mandy and my mom sing, and my brother Jeffrey writes music.
Check out this amazing MP3 version Melody recorded of “When I’m Gone” with her brother Jeffrey playing guitar.
PH: Have you ever been to Philadelphia? What’s your favorite thing about the city/ or what would you like to see/do the most if you were to visit?
M: Yes I have been there before and my family is all from there. I love the big buildings and shopping malls! I’ve also been to the Franklin Institute and really loved it! The row homes are really cool too. There are a lot of things I want to go see, like the Liberty Bell, the Zoo, and a concert…my town is very small.
PH: I see you work at your family’s restaurant, A Taste of Philly. What’s your favorite “Philly Food”?
M: Yes, I love working here. We really get our rolls and steaks from Philadelphia. I love water ice, cheese steaks and pizza.
PH: Cheese steaks are so iconic to Philly, Do you like being able to share a piece of Philadelphia with locals and tourists in your hometown?
M: Oh I love telling people from my small hometown about Philadelphia and it’s really good food and they love it here too. We are the only place around here that has a REAL Philly cheese steak and they all think they are awesome! People always tell me they are happy we opened Taste of Philly.
My Aunt Cathy and Aunt Jeannie live in Philadelphia and Philadelphia people talk different and I like that too.
Melody and her cousin Kayleigh
PH: Do you participate in any clubs, teams, charities, etc in your area? I would love to hear how you like to spend your free time.
M: I love spending time with my nieces and nephews, I have 11 of them and 3 more on the way. I love being outdoors, swimming, riding my bike jumping on the trampoline and I go to cheerleading and gymnastics too.
Next time you’re headed south stop by A Taste of Philly in Doran, VA and say hi to Melody. If you’re lucky you may even convince her to perform “When I’m Gone” live for you!
A special note from Melody’s Mom:
“If ya like us on our Facebook page you can read all the awesome things people write about Melody. One woman made me cry. I am so proud of Melody because our customers say she is a very inspiring child and people can learn a lot from Melody’s work habits; and how she’s such a good hard worker and enjoys taking care of her customers. Now they come in just to ask her to do that cup song. Lol.”
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