Our Story
Amy Melissen and Lee Stivers revisit classic covers and originals in their new album, "Something Tells Me Everything will be Alright." Conjuring beautiful memories from Augusta Heritage Blues and Bluegrass week and a whole era of gigs performed by the band formally known as "Amy M and the Coattail Riders," this album is a celebration of music, memories, friends and love.
Amy Melissen
Amy Melissen is a Singer-Songwriter, Teacher, and general encourager hailing from Eastern Pennsylvania. Amy moved to Pittsburgh in 2007 and has been teaching, performing, and collaborating in Pittsburgh's rich music scene then. With roots in sing-songwriter pop, Amy was introduced to bluegrass and blues by her good friend, Lee Stivers. In 2010 Amy joined forces with Lee and Peter Wright to form the group, Amy M and the Coattail Riders.
Since 2012 Amy has performed mostly solo. Her hauntingly honest lyrics and varied guitar styles fill out her folk-pop originals. Solstice Sessions, her freshman release was released in 2015 and can be found on all major streaming services. Her performances boast an intimate, at-home ambiance and will be sure to tug at your heart strings and send you home with a good dad-joke.
In 2015 Amy took home second place at the WYEP Singer-Songwriter competition and earned the opportunity to perform at WYEP's live-studio. She is a heavy contributor to the Monday night AcoustiCafe Open Mic and has expanded her network and influence through this diverse and supportive community.
In 2023 Amy joined the band Happy Hour Musical Duo with Carrie Knight with the premise of performing happy songs at happy hours. Amy and Carrie perform all of Amy's original music alongside classic 80s-today covers.
Amy now proudly teaches afterschool guitar at the Ellis School in Pittsburgh and to a few private students separately as well. You can find her playing various open mics, solo gigs and Happy Hour Duo gigs in and around Pittsburgh.
For all the links to all the things:
Amys Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amymmhmm
Lee Stivers
Lee took up the mandolin the year she turned forty when a co-worker told her she needed a hobby. That opened a door to a whole new world. A perennial student and performer of mandolin, upright bass and voice, she has done extensive volunteer work within bluegrass music including local festival organizing, band assistance, community booking, and supporting IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass program and alumni activities.
In the past she held positions in several bands such as:
Dos Pesos, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 2023-2025.
Rightly Noted, Washington, Pennsylvania, 2012-2018.
Amy M and the Coattail Riders, California, Pennsylvania, 2010-2012. She also worked with several clients managing and booking in 2016-2017. She has held several Community Service positions in music, such as
Committee member and co-chair at the Leadership Bluegrass Alumni Committee for the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville, TN. She's been a Committee member since 2016 and a co-chair from 2021-2024.
Back in Pennsylvania between the years of 2010-2021 she was a Committee member and music Coordinator for the Whiskey Rebellion Festival for the Bradford House Historical Association in Washington, PA. All of this alongside being the Vice President and music coordinator for the Main Street Farmers Market in Washington, PA from 2009-2015.
During the winter she plays bluegrass with her band The Red Sky Ramblers in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and jams all summer in Portland, Oregon.
Currently you will find Lee jamming and performing with the Red Sky Ramblers, a bluegrass band in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. When in Portlan, she can be seen with the women’s bluegrass band, Beaumont Roses as well as
various other solo and group performances in Portland, Oregon and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico at open mics, festivals, and music venues.
TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH?
Its best to drop us a line via social media or our email. We look forward to hearing from you! Scan the QR code to check our out linktree or use this link
https://linktr.ee/SomethingTellsMe
