Author Melanie Saxton

author Melanie Saxton

Author Melanie Saxton has co-written three books in the Riverside Blues Series with Brian O’Connor. Book One photo credit: John Keen. All rights reserved. Boot Two photo credit: Carrie Powell. All rights reserved. Book Three photo credit: Diana Davies (with permission of the Smithsonian). All rights reserved.

Three Never-Before-Published Blues Biographies by author Melanie Saxton, co-written with author Brian O’Connor

And I’m pleased to announce that my series of new books, co-authored with Brian O’Connor, will soon be available on Amazon!

The Original Rolling Stone:
The Travelin’ Riverside Blues of Eugene Powell

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The Life and Legend of Mississippi Matilda:
Iconic Blues Songstress of the Delta

America’s Unbeatable Musicians:
The Original Masters of the Mississippi Riverside Blues


Featuring Mississippi Matilda, Eugene Powell, Hacksaw Harney, Ernest “44” Johnson, Little Brother Montgomery, Robert Nighthawk, Richard Hill, the Chatmon Brothers, the Mississippi Sheiks, and other playing partners

As background, bluesman Eugene Powell (1908 – 1998) and his wife Mississippi Matilda (1914 – 1978) achieved something quite spectacular in the 1930s. Yes, in the middle of the Great Depression they recorded with the Mississippi Sheiks and other notable music artists for Bluebird Records.

Now, imagine sharecropping by day and playing by night. Matilda, in particular, labored in the dusty fields under the hot Mississippi sun, pulling her small children behind her on a nine-foot cotton sack. The older children worked the fields as soon as they were old enough. This subsistence living was part and parcel of the caste system of the Deep South, which is detailed in both books.

Most of all, these never-before-told stories are a tribute to several wonderful souls who never received the credit, acclaim, or monetary compensation they deserved … until now.

Learn more on Melanie’s Facebook page and The Riverside Blues Facebook page. Like and follow as the Delta comes alive and the blues play forever.

Other Works by Author Melanie Saxton

Chicken Soup for the Soul Stories

I’ve written hundreds of published articles in local, national and international magazines. But the real thrill is contributing to a book, or better yet, authoring a book.

My story, “Band of Brothers,” was recently published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cat Really Did That? 101 Stories of Miracles, Mischief and Magical Moments (distributed by Simon & Schuster).

You can read more about it and American Humane, the animal rescue nonprofit that benefits from the proceeds, here.

Another one of my stories, “Mom Turned Mentor” was published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul: Mom Knows Best — a 2019 Mother’s Day edition. I have to say, my mom is the wind beneath my wings — a highly educated, highly polished, salt-of-the-earth woman with a LOT of chutzpah! My earliest memories include sitting on her lap in a rocking chair as she read to me. I give her credit for my love of books, my pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in English, and a much-later-in-life master’s degree in digital media.

By the way, my two most current Chicken Soup for the Souls books are My Clever, Curious, Caring Cat featuring my blind tortoiseshell, Bella, and Be You — a testimony to my friendships with amazing neighbors all ages and from all walks of life — married, single, working, retired — who adore animals as much as I do!

It’s a lot of fun documenting the antics of special pets (and humans) who are blessings to me and each other.

Contact book editor and author Melanie Saxton at melaniesaxton@icloud.com for editing services or to start your own project.