Musician and activist Melissa Etheridge was born in Leavenworth, Kansas and began playing piano and guitar as a teenager. After relocating to Los Angeles, it wasn’t long before her impressive talents were discovered when Island Records founder Chris Blackwell caught a performance and signed Etheridge to the label in 1986.

In November 2002, Etheridge will release a two-disc concert film DVD of her personal and successful 2001 “Live … and Alone” tour. The DVD will also feature two new recordings, “Alive”, which will be heard at the end credits on the film version (in theatres September) and “The Weakness In Me” that is an outstanding version of the Joan Armatrading song, produced and arranged by Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Elton John).

Etheridge released her self-titled debut album in 1988, which featured the hits “Like The Way I Do” and “Bring Me Some Water.” Her 1992 album Never Enough, won the rocker a Grammy Award for the track, “Ain’t It Heavy.” The next year, Etheridge released Yes I Am, featuring "I'm The Only One" and “Come To My Window”, which earned her a second Grammy. Your Little Secret and Breakdown followed in 1995 and 1999, respectively. In 2001, Etheridge released her most recent album, Skin, as well as the New York Times best-selling autobiography, The Truth Is…My Life and Times, which is now available in paperback.

The formidable star uses her fame by tirelessly supporting numerous causes. She has worked with the Human Rights Campaign, LA Shanti, several children and breast cancer organizations and is an outspoken advocate for various gay and lesbian organizations.

Along with her two Grammy Awards, Etheridge was honored with the ASCAP “Songwriter of the Year” award in 1996.