Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Pettignano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Melissa , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
There are many things that I do and my brand does that differs from the industry standard. I want to give the audience some background to how I got to making a mark my own respected way. With the grace of God and many others with me.
As a little girl I have always known what I have been destined to do. I always wanted to get into the industry in my respected fields traditional way. Through my faith, hard work, determination, transparency, loyalty, respect, love, etc. At some point I too wanted to own my own company. Both a book publishing / record label. I started out singing in Church, family events, other events, etc. I went to public school up until 10th grade. The last two years of my High School education I was homeschooled.
I also took two college electives in journalism and music engineering. At 18 years old I was sign to Industry Modeling and Talent Studios. I did modeling and was an extra in the major motion picture SpiderMan 3 the movie. I released a book entitled: Suzanne Lantana: A Collection Of Short Stories, Fiction and Non-Fiction. A book to let every young girl and boy know they can make it through anything and the light is as always at the end of the tunnel. As I was growing and learning in life and in business I decided I wanted to own my own company. I was 25 years old when that dream also became reality.
Through a family friend who I can consider as family she helped me. My company titled: MPettignano Enterprises, LLC both a book publishing / record label.
In 2015 I started to get deeper into bringing my music out into the world. Just as my singles were hitting # 1 on many charts, my mom got sick with stage 4
colon cancer. I had a choice, which wasn’t a choice. It was a simple decision. Either put my music on hold be with family or go forward with my career.
I put my music career on hold. My family and I went through a lot. My mom through the grace of our Lord Jesus, two surgeries, chemotherapy, eating healthy, prayers, etc she is cancer free !
I started my career up again, but after learning so much about the industry I just decided I wanted to handle things under my own company. I wanted to, want to continue and will continue to work with great individuals in the industry. In this business many people don’t have artists best interest at heart. While others do. You need to be educated and know the right people to be with. Who wants to see you rise and support you humbly.
When I was 30 years old I was gearing up for the Grammy’s in NYC. I was so excited. My team and I getting everything ready, but I wasn’t feeling well.
As I was scheduled to record in NYC for my recreated version of my # 1 hit single, “Dear Lord Jesus ” I got severely ill. April of 2018 I collapsed in my apartment with my family. I lost the ability to move my legs, eyes went blind, my arms frozen capsulized, couldn’t use restroom on my own, couldn’t feed myself, etc and it was terrifying. For 7 months I was in and out of hospitals. Being tested and no doctor could figure out what was going on. I had always been a believer
in our Lord Jesus, but I was not walking with the Lord the way I should have fully.
I was one foot in and one foot out. I repented to our Lord Jesus crying screaming out to him in my apartment. My mom in the kitchen dining room hearing me. My whole house hearing me. As I repented of my sins asking Lord Jesus to, “Please forgive, I surrender my whole life to You and ONLY you, I will serve You in all that I do and all that I say in every thing please restore me. Make me whole. Make me brand new. I will serve You here on earth, but with You and me for all eternity into everlasting life. Amen.” After ten minutes I began to feel my legs. I had to have my arms broken. I had to relearn everything all over again. All I wanted for Christmas that year was to know what I had. A week or two before Christmas my Dr after more tests was able to diagnose me. I have Parsonage Turner Syndrome.
It affects 1 in every 1000 individuals. I was born breach and also sustained traumatic brain injury at the base of my skull from a car accident in 2012. Which I ended up getting central and peripheral vestibularapathy. So it could of stemmed from one or the other, or both. It is a life long condition, but can go away, but every individual has a different case. I wanted to get back into my music, but I knew it would take time and require a lot of handling of business matters in a different way.
Traditional artists can fly and perform at any moments notice providing no other prior commitment. For an artist such as myself I requires a lot more planning, more strategic outline and has to be done in a different manner, but still gets the same result. Personally, I love it. Why? Because I get to decide what works best. While still being there for those I love and my fans. Just because someone has a health alignment doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to still get your music or writing for example out into the world.
Or still do things that brings you close to your fans. Traditional artists have a more demanding schedule. That isn’t to say an independent artist or others of other fields don’t have demanding schedules. For many they do as well, but I had to create a business around my health in order to not only do God’s will and what I love, but in communicating with my fans and doing the business in a positive way. Some may feel in the traditional world of music if you have a health alignment sometimes they may not want to sign you. Not that they don’t like you or want to, but it’s a business and they do want to generate income.
For me. I say, “That’s okay because I can still do the business and everything a traditional business would do, just differently. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
I hope more traditional companies take notice of that. I have been called a rare gem in the business. Many don’t understand how I could have reached such heights with not being signed to a major label. I always tell everyone, “It is by the grace of our Lord Jesus, my hard work and determination, knowing this business, having the right people, support of my family, friends, fans. etc.” So I tell you all never ever say never, trust your instinct and don’t ever listen to the negativity. What you are destined to do will as always happen. When God calls you nothing is ever impossible. You can do it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For all your readers who perhaps never heard of me before I like to introduce myself.
My name is Melissa Pettignano. I am Award Winning in both the Literary and Entertainment Industry.
I spread the Great News of our Lord Jesus / Recording Artist / Songwriter / Author / Inspirational Speaker /
Humanitarian.
CEO / Founder / Owner MPettignano Enterprises, LLC both a book publishing / record label.
Proud Member and Voting Member of N.A.M.A Native American Music Awards, The Gospel Music Association, The Recording Academy, ISSA International Singers Songwriters Association, etc.
I got into this business from an early age. I always knew what I was destined to do. I have been surrounded by talented artists and musicians on both sides of my family. From my mom and dad’s side. Performing in Church, going to major events, watching, learning, and growing in my craft. Never ever to be or sound like anyone else, to be authentically me, but learning from the best.
What I am most humbly proud of is the support and love I get. I love helping those in need the best way I can. I always say, “If I can help one life that to me is true success.” One of the Blessings is I get to help many lives and many have changed and been saved because I was able to help as a vessel to our Lord Jesus in doing HIS will.
I am humbly thankful for all my accomplishments, but I am excited with the work I create how it helps another soul. Whether it’s my books, my music, anything
I do it is for Lord Jesus and my brothers and sisters around the world. To make an impact is a Blessing.
I recently won ISSA International Singer Songwriters Association USA Female Songwriter of the Year Silver 2024 I want to thank Tamanie Dove, Rick, the team, ISSA family for all your support and love.
I recently nominated for the Josie Music Awards Artist of the Year on Christian / Gospel / Inspirational category, Vocalist of the Year on Christian / Gospel / Inspirational category, and Song of the Year on the Gospel / Female category 2024. I want to thank Tinamarie and Josie Passantino – Boone, my JMA family for all your support and love.
I recently won InterContinental Music Awards Gospel / Contemporary Christian Best of America 2024
I recently won World Songwriting Awards for my # 1 hit single, ” It’s All For You ” Best Gospel Song Summer 2024
https://songwritingawards.wordpress.com
You can follow me at https://melissapettignano.com
https://Facebook.com/MelissaPettignano
https://Facebook.com/MelissaPettignanoMusic
https://Twitter.com/SingerAuthor01
https://Instagram.com/MissyP01
My work is available everywhere.
My music is on every streaming platform
I am currently working on 2 new Christmas singles and another new single.
Christmas singles to be released Oct 2025 and new Christian single April 30th 2024.
Please follow for all the exciting news.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What helped me build my reputation within my market is # 1 relying on my Lord Jesus, having a strong support system, working with like minded individuals who are on the exact same page, but each offering something new, different and excitingly unique to not just help me in my music or writing career, but even in their own careers. We all learning and growing from each other and with each other. In this business being authentic, respectful, loyal, honest, etc gets you very far.
Short cuts, dishonesty, not being true to yourself or others won’t. An individual will NOT succeed or thrive. Or at least for long. Anything done in the dark as always comes to light.
As always do what is of Light. Do what is of real truth.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The story I can share from my journey that illustrates my resiliency is when I got severely ill in April 2018.
How this showcases my resiliency is I didn’t take no for an answer. I wanted to know and I wanted to be a testimony. I wanted others who may or are suffering to know that with God you’re NOT ever alone. You can be at your lowest most darkest point and God is still there. No matter what God has a purpose for each of us. It was through this and our Lord Jesus I got to see and learn my real true strength. It didn’t come by me alone.
Many questioned if I could do it. If I could make my comeback. Others knew I could. I knew through our Lord Jesus I not only could, but I would and will.
You can overcome anything just trust and God shows the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melissapettignano.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/MissyP01
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/MelissaPettignano
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-pettignano-13050822
- Twitter: https://Twitter.com/SingerAuthor01
- Other: I am on Youtube, Soundcloud I have two. My newest one I am starting to add all my music too.
Image Credits
Photo credits : Photographer Alena, Photographer Award Winning Stephanie Willoughby of Little Love Stories Photography, Designed photos by: Gino Caporale and his beautiful wife, Eric Copeland with Creative Soul Records in Association with Word Entertainment, Melissa Pettignano, Josie Music Awards photo taken by best friend and sister in our Lord Jesus Danielle Alexander, ISSA photo taken by: Tom Martinelli