What's Up Crossville?

Melissa Ellis, known as The Southern Spitfire, is the dynamic host of the What's Up, Crossville? podcast. An award-winning jazz artist with a career spanning over 30 years, she’s also a seasoned music consultant, digital marketing strategist, producer, music promoter, and published author. Melissa owns The Autumn Agency, specializing in music career and marketing strategy, and leads The Southern Spitfire brand. In addition to her main ventures, she heads two special projects: The Member Berries, a tribute celebrating the music of the 80s and 90s, and HerSTORY, a platform that showcases regional women in music to honor female trailblazers and raise awareness about the support needed for women in the male-dominated music industry.

Melissa holds degrees in Vocal Performance, Theater, Music Therapy, and a Masters in Music Business from Berklee. A proud Crossville resident, she is married to drummer Matt Clyde and is the devoted "frat house" mom to four boys. In her downtime, Melissa enjoys exploring creative arts, doing puzzles, traveling, and indulging in her love for horror, Halloween, and all things autumn.