Melanie Doane

Melanie Doane is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and music educator.

Daughter of J. Chalmers Doane, a music educator and member of the Order of Canada, Doane learned many instruments at a young age, including piano, bass guitar, mandolin, guitar, violin.[1] After high school, she studied music at Dalhousie University with the intention of becoming a music teacher. Her career path changed after she received a role in Neptune Theatre’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1986. She was cast regularly in productions at Neptune for two years before moving to Toronto in 1988. Over the next few years Doane played roles in various theatre productions, including Fire! and Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story on Broadway.

In 1993, Doane released the EP Harvest Train independently. Some of the songs drew the attention of Sony Music Canada, and she was signed to the label. She recorded her debut album, Shakespearean Fish in 1996.[1]

Although the album wasn’t a hit on commercial radio, it was noticed by record producer Rick Neigher in Los Angeles. He worked with Doane on the second album, Adam’s Rib (1998). The title song became the album’s first Top 40 hit, followed by “Waiting for the Tide”, “Goliath”, and “Happy Homemaker”. She toured in support of the album for two years with Jann Arden, Great Big Sea, The Philosopher Kings, and Lilith Fair.

In 1999, Doane won the Juno Award for New Artist of the Year.[1] After touring, she left Sony Music Canada. Through a partnership with Ted Dykstra and actor Gary Sinise, she began working on another album with Neigher in Los Angeles. She gave birth and worked as a session musician. She wrote songs with SHeDAISY, starred in the independent film Black Swan, and released the album Melvin Live.

You Are What You Love was released by Actorboy Records and Warner Music Canada. The single “Still Desire You” reached the Top 5 at Canadian radio stations and its accompanying music video reached No. 1 on MuchMoreMusic’s viewer’s choice countdown. During promotion, she gave birth to her second child.