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Local Music Scene SC

Early years.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the BiLo Center.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the BiLo Center.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration with Doug Jones.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration with Jimbo Chapman.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration with Rob Clay.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration with Chad Barger.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Greer, SC 4th of July Celebration with Gary Greene.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Boat House with Doug Jones.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Boat House with Jimbo Chapman.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Boat House with Rob Clay.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Boat House with Chad Barger.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live at the Boat House with Gary Greene.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live with Rob Clay.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live with Jimbo Chapman and Doug Jones.

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live with Chad Barger.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live .

Local Music Scene SC

Performing live with Gary Greene.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at the Lincoln Theatre.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at the Lincoln Theatre.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at the Lincoln Theatre.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest with Doug Jones.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest with Jimbo Chapman.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest with Rob Clay.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest with Chad Barger.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Myrtle Beach Oktober Fest with Gary Greene.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Doug Jones. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Doug Jones. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Doug Jones. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Jimbo Chapman. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Jimbo Chapman. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Jimbo Chapman. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Rob Clay. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Rob Clay. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Rob Clay. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Gary Greene. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Gary Greene. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Winthrop Lake 2010 with Gary Greene. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Doug Jones and Jimbo Chapman. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Rob Clay and Gary Greene. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Doug Jones. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Doug Jones. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Doug Jones. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Doug Jones and Jimbo Chapman. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Jimbo Chapman. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Jimbo Chapman. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Rob Clay. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Rob Clay. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Rob Clay. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Gary Greene. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Gary Greene. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live with Gary Greene. Photo by Darlene Moore.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Players Sports Bar and Club.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Players Sports Bar and Club.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live at Players Sports Bar and Club.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live in Charlotte, NC 2018.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live in Charlotte, NC 2018.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon performing live in Charlotte, NC 2018.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon early promo photo with Doug Jones, J.J. Bowers, Jimbo Chapman, and Rick Reames.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon early promo photo with Jimbo Chapman, Doug Jones, Rob Clay, and Gary Greene.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon promo photo with Gary Greene, Doug Jones, Jimbo Chapman, Rob Clay, and Chad Barger.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon promo photo.

Local Music Scene SC

Seahawk Arts & Entertainment article 1995.

Local Music Scene SC
Local Music Scene SC

Show poster for Cravin' Melon and the Blue Dogs.

Local Music Scene SC

Show poster for Steel Hands Brewery 2019.

Local Music Scene SC

Show poster for Steel Hands Brewery.

Local Music Scene SC

Show poster for the Firmament benefit show for soldiers songs and voices 2019.

Local Music Scene SC

Show poster for Windjammer concert 2019.

Local Music Scene SC

Show poster for Greenville, SC performance.

Local Music Scene SC

Cravin' Melon promo pack.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 EP release "Cravin' Melon" CD front cover.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 EP release "Cravin' Melon" CD inside page 1.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 EP release "Cravin' Melon" CD inside page 2.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 EP release "Cravin' Melon" CD inside page 3.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 EP release "Cravin' Melon" CD caddy rear cover.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 EP release "Cravin' Melon" CD face.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 release "Where I Wanna' Be" CD front cover.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 release "Where I Wanna' Be" CD inside pages 1 and 2.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 release "Where I Wanna' Be" CD inside page 3.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 release "Where I Wanna' Be" CD caddy rear cover.

Local Music Scene SC

1995 release "Where I Wanna' Be" CD face.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" CD front cover.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" inside page 1.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" inside page 2.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" inside page 3.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" inside page 4.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" inside page 5.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" inside page 6.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" inside page 7.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" CD caddy rear cover.

Local Music Scene SC

1997 release "Red Clay Harvest" CD face.

Local Music Scene SC

1998 release "Squeeze Me"CD front cover.

Local Music Scene SC

1998 release "Squeeze Me"CD caddy rear cover.

Local Music Scene SC

2000 release "The Great Procrastinator" CD front cover.

Local Music Scene SC

2000 release "The Great Procrastinator" CD caddy rear cover.

Cravin’ Melon was an exceptional band, that’s about the best way to put it. The musicians were hands down some of the finest this state has produced, the band was a tight – well oiled machine and the evidence is in the “Home Grown Rock series” film footage I have included on this page, (take some time and watch it). The energy and professionalism that reflects in their live performance is a testimony to the dedication of craft and form, the songs are well written and each one carries the unique stamp of Doug Jones wonderful voice adding flavor and texture to their sound.

 

For me the biggest regret concerning Cravin’ Melon is that they did not have the opportunity to release more material – much more! As I sit here and type I can’t get their song “The Great Procrastinator” out of my head and that is the highest compliment I can give. My thanks to Jimbo Chapman, Doug Jones, and Rick Reames for their time and valuable input into putting this together and to Danielle Howle for connecting us.

Cravin' Melon was formed at Clemson University in 1994 after the dissolution of two other local South Carolina bands. Vocalist Doug Jones and bassist J.J. Bowers previously teamed as the duo Doghouse, while guitarist Jimbo Chapman and drummer Rick Reames were both alumni of the Next Move band.

 

The band gained popularity on the regional live scene, Cravin' Melon soon issued a self-titled five-song demo EP which sold out after only a handful of live appearances; the full-length Where I Wanna’ Be followed in early 1995, and was a major hit on local radio. They signed to Mercury Records and released Red Clay Harvest in 1997. The album spawned a minor radio hit, "Come Undone", which peaked at #37 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. The band's style and geographical roots prompted frequent comparisons to contemporaries and tour mates Hootie & the Blowfish and Edwin McCain.

 

After their 1998 live EP release Squeeze Me, the band was let go from their label and recorded a final LP in 2000 titled The Great Procrastinator recorded with new bassist Rob Clay, new drummer Gary Greene, and new keyboardist Chad Barger before breaking up on May 19, 2001; a double live CD of one of their last performances unofficially titled Cat’s Cradle was planned but never saw a release.

 

Lead singer Doug Jones released a solo album in 2007 titled Doug Jones Everybody, Doug Jones. He continues to perform live throughout the southeast. Jimbo Chapman and drummer Rick Reames currently perform with the reformed Next Move band. Cravin’ Melon got back together in 2008 for a reunion tour, which was well received leading to a number of reunion performances up to present date. The current band line up consists of original members Jimbo ChapmanDoug Jones with Chad Barger returning on keyboards and the new additions of Kerry Brooks on bass and Tim Hanley on drums. 

Current Members:

Doug Jones – Vocals, Guitar

Jimbo Chapman – Guitar, Vocals

Chad Barger – Keyboards, Vocals

Kerry Brooks – Bass

Tim Haney - Drums

 

Past Members:

Rick Reames – Drums, Vocals

JJ Bowers – Bass, Vocals

Rob Clay – Bass, Vocals

Gary Greene – Drums, Vocals

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