Biography

Somber, understated, and at times darkly humorous, Wisconsin native Melissa Kay McCarthy (not to be confused with Melissa McCarthy, the actress) is a folk/country singer-songwriter known for her detailed lyrical ability. Influenced by the works of Reba McEntire and Lori McKenna, McCarthy weaves her stories over sparse, unassuming instrumentation, often accompanied by a lone acoustic guitar. 

For 22 years, McCarthy has been writing and performing, releasing two independent albums along the way. Her first official release, “When I’m Gone”, arrived in 2007, featuring a collection of original, home-recorded material. Her follow-up album “Live at Corner Coffee” came out a year later, taped during a performance at Corner Coffee in Minneapolis, MN. 

After a 12-year hiatus, Melissa Kay McCarthy released her first studio album in July 2022. Drawing inspiration from Mary Gauthier’s charity work with Songwriting with Soldiers, McCarthy hopes her music can someday be used to help addiction and mental health patients in the same way.

Press Photos

Sam Tang - Bloombox House Concerts

Winona Daily News

Video

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Previous Events & Venues

Acoustic Cafe (Winona, MN) 
Acoustic Cafe (Eau Claire, WI) 
Corner Coffee (Minneapolis, MN) 
KVIK Radio (Decorah, IA) 
Bloombox House Concerts (Bloomington, IL) 
Malarkey's (Wausau, WI) 
The Trempealeau Hotel (Trempealeau, WI) 
Limericks (Wausau, WI) 
Caffeine Cafe (Nashville, TN) 
Caribou Coffee (Minneapolis, MN) 
Wausau Festival of Arts (Wausau, WI) 
Canadian Honker (Rochester, MN) 
 


 

New Moon Cafe (Oshkosh, WI)  
Widespot (Stockholm, WI)  
Starbucks (La Crosse, WI)  
Suicide Prevention Summit Awareness Event (La Crosse, WI) 
Popcorn Tavern (La Crosse, WI)  
Mugshots (WSU - Winona, MN)  
Mill Pond Market (Eleva, WI)  
Blue Heron (Winona, MN)  
Midwest Music Festival (Winona, MN)  
Post Town Winery (Rochester, MN)  
2nd Moon Coffee Cafe (Minneapolis, MN)  
Four Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant (La Crosse, WI)                           UW-Stout (Menomonie, WI) 

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