Who Is CBO? :: CBO Band Bios

Melanie Moos: Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion, Dancer, Producer, Director, Arranger, Choreographer, Leader

Melanie made her stage debut at the ripe old age of 18 months. Being raised in a musical family there was always a show in production or a jam. Her mother, as well as being an accomplished musician, also taught piano. Melanie thinks she learned to play more by osmosis than actual lessons.

As she entered high school she took a great interest in percussion. She discovered the National Percussion Symposium was being held, in Eau Claire, WI, which wasn’t too far from her native, Cassleton, ND. She auditioned and was accepted, giving her the opportunity to study with Carmine Appice, Gary Burton, Greg Freidman, Greg Samuels and Joe Morello.

The next summer she moved to the San Francisco Bay area, and was cast in the College of Marin’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie”, under the direction of James Dunn.

By her senior year in high school she was singing & playing professionally and had joined The Red River Dance and Performing Company. She went to Moorhead State University and Majored in both Theater and Music. After a couple of years she decided she just needed to get out there and start working.

In 1986 She moved to Minneapolis, in search of a band and a bigger market. She was cast at the River Palace as a singer/dancer followed by Summer Stock in the Quad Cities. When she returned to Minneapolis in the fall, she won the role of Rhetta Cupp in “Pump Boys and Dinettes”.

In 1989 she got a gig with a newly formed house band at the Plymouth Place Hotel, called Pizzazz. After a year or so she joined a funk band and toured. All the while, developing a concept for a show band, which eventually became CBO.

When Melanie’s not playing with CBO she’s booking them, and running her company, MJM PRO, Inc. She also works in the recording studio, singing, playing percussion and arranging, for commercials, demos and albums, she’s worked with Diana Pierce and G. B. Leighton. She’s received both singing and arranging credits on several of G. B. Leighton’s recordings.

 Melanie's Resume
 CAT Glee Club