Biography

Back in 1981 a petite blue eyed blonde from Victoria's Gippsland area picked up a microphone for the first time and began belting out country music.

The 14 year old showed plenty of potential. Less than a year later she won the inaugural Snowy River Talent Quest and Melinda Johnstone - The Girl From Snowy River, was on her way.

Melinda released her first single in 1982 "Rocky Top/All I Have To Do Is Dream". A Custom Release, this was followed by her first album titled "The Girl From Snowy River" which contains 12 original songs on the Bunyip label.

In 1987 Melinda signed a major recording contract with the then Bunyip Records (now Pinewood Records) in Sydney, the first album from this contract was released in 1988, titled "The Power Of Music".

The first single released from "The Power Of Music" album in early 1989 was "Worth The Wait For Gold" and reached #2 on the Australian Country Playlist. This was followed by another single lifted from "The Power Of Music" album, "Hitch A Ride" and it reached #4 in late 1989.

With over 40 TV appearances between 1983 and 1990, tours to New Zealand, four to Tasmania, as well as countless appearances at Country Music Festivals across Australia, Melinda then took time out from her busy schedule to have a family and it was not until 1995 that we saw the release of her next album "Changes", which as the title suggests was a move away from her more traditional country roots towards pop country.

Melinda has established herself as Pinewood Records' Number One female artist. But she is much more. She is a polished, versatile artist who is one of this country's leading female performers, is a pleasure to work with, a pleasure to know and a pleasure to hear.