Meiko

Here it is from her own mouth... or keyboard... This is where it all began for Meiko.

"I grew up in Roberta, Georgia (pop. 808)...

I'd have to say my biggest influence is my dad. He played guitar and sang for me ever since I was a baby. His music was the only thing I ever listened to as a kid.

And...Whoever bought me that Mariah Carey tape "Emotions" did me a huge favor... I would practice singing to her every day. I owe my lucky ear to my dad and that tape.

The first time I sang in public was at an all black Southern Baptist church on Christmas eve when I was 8. For some reason I decided to sing "White Christmas..." I just recently realized the humor in that -- but luckily at the time, everyone thought it was cute...

Soon after, I started singing in talent shows and would do the National Anthem for opening day of little league baseball.

I would always act like i could play my dads Gibson -- 'till he was getting pissed that I kept knocking it around...So he bought me my very own guitar when I was 13. As soon as i learned a new chord -- i wrote a new song...And thats pretty much how it goes."