Mel Waiters - Rest In Peace

I am so sorry to say that Mel Waiters, 58, passed early this morning after a short battle with cancer. He produced great, life-changing music and was an amazing performer.  I am so thankful that I was able to see him a few times in concert and even had a chance to chat with him.  His passing deeply hurts.

I found the following bio from the Soul Blues Music website (http://www.soulbluesmusic.com/melwaiters.htm):

Southern Soul star Mel Waiters was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, where in 1974 he began his performing career at local teen clubs; after a stint as a radio DJ, he was awarded a government contract to entertain at military bases across the Southwest. With the exception of sax Waiters produced, played and wrote all the material for his first CD release in 1996. The slick "Hit It & Quit It" and "Whatever It Took" gave me his first Southern hits. He followed this up with his second for the Serious Sounds with "Suki Suki Man" that got his biggest song to date with the title track. Waiters was next snatched up by Malaco Records's Waldoxy imprint in 1997 and an even bigger hit was produced by the single "Got My Whiskey" featuring a very polished dance sound he would continue with. Despite increasing popularity up to this point in 1999 he jumped to the top of the Soul/Blues heap with the smash "Hole In The Wall", one of those undeniable hits that guarantee you'll work in the Chitlin Circuit for years to come. The single, which also featured a remix by Bigg Robb, managed to hit Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart at #24 and also gave Mel his first placing on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart (#5) and the Top R & B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #83. Since that time Waiters has scored with a string of similar sounding dance songs about drinking whiskey and partying at the "In The Wall". His most recent disc, "Throwback Days," dented Billboard Top 100 R & B/Hip Hop Albums chart at #93 proving longevity for the artist. Waiters also ran his own label, Britney Records, for a time which roster included legend Latimore. 

Mel, may you rest in peace.  Thank you for the wonderful music that you gave to us.  You will be remembered and will always live in our hearts. My condolences and prayers to your family.
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com