Michael Melusky’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michael Melusky . Check out our conversation below.

Hi Michael , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I recently won the 2025 Josie Music Award for Musician of the Year – Drums and Percussion. The Singer/Songwriter I work with also won for Country Female Vocalist. We couldn’t help but laugh that we both won but being recognized for our hard work was certainly a proud moment.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Michael Melusky however my friends know me as Squeak. A childhood nickname that has stuck with me. I am the drummer and band leader for award winning Country recording artist Jenny Grace. I also play drums for Aaetheria, a female fronted metal/rock band.
With both I have recorded and toured throughout the US and Europe. We are currently working to release more music and put together a 2026 tour.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
There were four people in my earlier life that really tought me about work, working hard and more importantly, working smart. My first band leader, owners of a music store I worked at, and a good friend who sadly passed last year.
They all showed integrity and a strong work ethic. Work expands to fill the time available, is something they lived by. Infact my boss at the store had a sign that said that on her desk.
I also learned about doing things as efficiently as possible while trying to maximize quality.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Get back up and keep going, just keep going. We all deal with setbacks and disappointments. We all experience failure and loss. It’s easy to stay positive when things are good, when you have everything.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, made bad decisions. I take full responsibility for my life. I could have easily just curled up in a ball and given up. But something always said in my head, get back up and keep going, it will all work out.
I’ve been told by people who are very successful in the music industry; “people who have made it, didn’t give up”. It may never come, but if you give up or quit, it definitely won’t. So, you keep putting that time in.
I think you have to experience the failure and suffering to truly learn. Then you can appreciate success. I still have a long way to go; it’s hasn’t been easy for me but knowing this gives me hope and that is what keeps me going.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
The music industry has its share of fads. Like in life, sometimes they come full circle. It can be challenging to navigate them while trying to retain or develop one’s personal sound or image. One hand you want to stay relevant but not that you are a follower. Working with an original artist, I don’t always watch what the “latest thing” or “flavor of the month”. You run the risk of letting that influence you. Not that taking influence is necessarily a bad thing, but not to the point it shows.
Performing in cover bands, following fads and trends are essential to maintain a certain audience. I found over the years thay to be less satisfying and draining. However that is how that works and I get it.
Foundational shifts I think are a more long term fad. In music you see them more with generations like your Gen X or millennial.
One example would be when Grunge replaced the Hair bands. People like change however the main reason I think is that each generation wants to call something their own. It can be driven by many factors but I think that is it.
I’ve worked with people who love 80’s music that anything after 1989 sucks. Lol.
But I recall when my father who also was a drummer complained about what I was listening to. I realized then that every generation has their music. So I felt for me to stay relevant as a musician, I had to embrace these shifts, like it or not. I thought “internet musicians” or the TikTok or YouTube thing was a fad. People who may not have been connected or on someone’s list, have found a way to get noticed or do their thing. Not without some controversy as some might question legitimacy or state performing to a camera in your basement or bedroom is alot different than to a live audience or with other musicians. Thay might be true, personally my career goals were to play thay stadium to 20,000 people and record records, not to my phone in my basement.
But arguably, there are some pretty amazing players out there.
The retail industry has embraced it. There are many products available for the amature musician from camera’s, interfaces and gear for videos and live streaming online.
Being an online musician is certainly a shift thay I’m trying to embrace and learn. The recording industry has also made a shift with artists. Online presence, social media numbers, streams and followers. labels want to see high numbers before they might even show interest. This has the artist doing a majority of the work. That poses the question to is a lable even viable now?
So it is important to take notice to the fads which will certainly change, and the shifts which may have a longer impact on what you are trying to do. Either way, you need to adapt and overcome.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. There are are behind the scenes, preparation and work that I do, not to mention sacrifices that I make of myself and others that is never seen. I think of my self as an offensive guard or tackle in football. When there is a touchdown, it’s the quarterback, receiver or running back thay gets the praise.
I’m not saying I never receive praise or acknowledgement. It’s the stuff that people don’t see that is the real work. I’ve accepted that role and take personal satisfaction in working hard to be prepared, or to make things happen.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @squeakmelusky
• Facebook: @squeakondrums

Image Credits
Kent Miller