By Kathy L. Collins
Melissa Brethauer is a hometown girl who is making it big as a singer/songwriter. Brethauer, who is originally from Riverview (graduated from Riverview High School), will return to the area on Saturday, August 10 for a concert at the Nativity Catholic Church Youth Center located at 705 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon. The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.).
Advanced General Admission tickets are $3, and tickets at the door are $3. Space is limited. You can find tickets online at www.nativitysummerconcert.eventbrite.com.
Bethauer plays the guitar and is classically trained on the piano. She released her debut CD, “Waiting” in late 2009. Early in career she performed at events such as Novemberfest, St. Stephens’ Annual Spring Jubilee and Brandon Idol (now called Momentum Festival).
Her first CD was recorded at Crystal Blue Sound Studios (then located in Valrico, now based in Brandon) When “Waiting” was released, she held her CD release party at Music Showcase in Brandon. Brethauer has also performed at local locations including Barnacles, Poblanos, Circles in Apollo Beach, and Sunset Grill at Little Harbor in Ruskin.
Since releasing “Waiting,” she has performed at songwriting festivals, in Nashville and in Las Vegas. “Waiting” is available for download on CDbaby.com; iTunes; Amazon.com; Rhapsody; Spotify; and other online venues. Brethauer is currently working on her second CD.
Brethauer currently resides in Atlanta where she is active with the worship band at her church and volunteers for youth activity programs.
Bruce Wawrzynisk of the Valrico based, Now Hear This, Inc., is Brethauer’s manager. Wawrzynisk said, “Melissa’s talent and her dedication to her music career make managing her not even feel like work.” Wawrynisk added, “It has been so exciting to see her ascent, and her show on August 10th in Brandon is a wonderful opportunity for people in the community to get an up close and personal experience of her music and her passion for what she does.”
For more information on Brethauer, please visit www.melissabrethauer.com of follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
