At age 55, Buddy Melton decided to make a major change in his life, which resulted in his recent departure from Haywood County bluegrass juggernaut Balsam Range. 

“It feels weird. It’s been something I’ve put a lot of effort into. And I didn’t think I’d necessarily be the one [to leave],” Melton said. “I thought I might be the last one standing. But, life changes, things happen as you go along and you refocus.”

Since its inception in 2007, Balsam Range has become one of the most popular and decorated acts in modern bluegrass music, including the following International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) honors: “Entertainer of the Year” (2014, 2018), “Album of the Year” (2013, 2017), “Song of the Year” (2011, 2015) and “Vocal Group of the Year” (2014, 2015), with Melton also named “Male Vocalist of the Year” (2014, 2018).

And though Melton and his former bandmates are parting on friendly terms, he felt deep within himself that it was time to step aside. Beyond an unrelenting touring schedule for the better part of two decades, Melton also runs a 250-acre farm and is a full-time engineer for a private regional firm.

“I don’t make changes quickly and I’m trying to decide what’s best for me moving forward. Eighteen years is a long time for anything, particularly in the music business. I’m so very proud of that. It’s emotional,” Melton said. “Like anything you leave behind, you spend some time questioning the decision. Then, you look forward and you start diving into other opportunities, start thinking, opening your mind to other possibilities and what you want to do with your time. And that’s exciting.”

In an exclusive interview with The Smoky Mountain News, Melton reflects on his tenure with a powerhouse band that was formed by happenstance during a casual pickin’-n-grinnin’ session in a small Canton kitchen and what role music will now play in his life, onstage and off.

Smoky Mountain News: Obviously people change, bands change and life continues on. But, why did you feel this was the time to bow out?

Buddy Melton: I’ve been talking with the guys about this for a while. For years and years, I’ve had a full-time job and Balsam Range turned into basically a full-time music career. We were out every weekend, constantly touring, playing all the major festivals. We were doing it hard, working it hard and did that for a long, long time. And you just keep going with it.

Then, when COVID hit, we were off the road for over a year and a half with no live shows. We stayed active, recording and doing some virtual things, but it changed the lifestyle for the first time ever. I was home and able to do other things and slowed down the pace of life. When we started back, it just never did feel the same, honestly.

You [again] start missing the opportunities to do other things with family and friends. So, you start questioning yourself, “Why are you burning the candle at both ends?”

[During COVID], I was doing a lot more recording, and I loved being home recording, just being more artistic and the time to be more creative. When you’re on the road, it’s not always creative — it turns into just a hassle. I still love playing live and always will.

SMN: And questioning also, “Is the sacrifice worth it?”

BM: Yeah. And I wouldn’t change anything at that level [of performing]. To be great at it and to really get the maximum, you have to sacrifice something. No matter what the career path is, you’re sacrificing something else. And everybody sacrifices. Not just the guys in the van traveling to the show, the family sacrifice, the kids sacrifice time. There’s always sacrifices to be made on both sides of the family equation.

But, I wouldn’t change it. I mean, without those sacrifices, without that hard work, we would’ve never achieved what we achieved. And I’m so proud of that. We’ve had such a major impact on people’s life through the music and positive songs, getting to play shows I never thought I’d ever play.

And so, what else is there to do? There’s always something else to do, but I just feel like we’ve achieved a lot. And there was a lot of sacrifice to make that happen. I don’t regret it. But, there comes a time when you have to start realizing that to do other things, you’re going to have to sacrifice being a part of the band — you just can’t do everything.

SMN: What role will music play in your life now? I would surmise you’re probably getting some phone calls now from other musicians to play here and there.

BM: I’ve gotten quite a bit [of phone calls] for both live and recording music over the last few weeks. Music has always been a part of who I am and always will be. [Singer-songwriter] Milan Miller and I have [Melton & Miller]. We’ve been doing our own music going back over 30 years. I have been collaborating. Creating music will never change. We’ve got a bunch of projects in the works for other people and ourselves.

The whole commitment level to this decision is staying true to yourself. It’s about balance. This lifestyle change is to be able to do other things and I need to protect that. I’ll probably [play a handful of] really great events through the year, then the rest of the time stay home, create music, go fishing, hiking and camping — things that I have not always been able to do.

SMN: When you think about that journey of 18 years with Balsam Range, what’s been your biggest takeaway of that chapter of your life?

BM: It’s crazy to think back on. And [the band] wasn’t intended. Like a lot of things, the best things happen when you least expect it, when you’re not looking for it. And the next thing you know, you realize that you got to be part of something incredible and special that I guess supposed to happen.

And I can’t put it into words how special it feels to look back on that and know that we represented Haywood County. We were all from Haywood County and we took our heritage around the world. We were so proud and our music had that regional vibe about it. And every year, it’s kept growing.

But, most importantly, [it’s] the impact that we’ve had on people’s lives. Music is such a powerful thing, that it reaches people in ways that spoken word can’t always get to them. A song can touch the heart a lot quicker. So many people have reached out about how our music got them through some difficult times and it meant so much to them — that’s probably the most meaningful thing for me.

To know that I had some positive impact with the gifts that I was given and using your talents. We all have talents and they’re all different. When you’re using them properly, it feels like you’re doing things for the right reason when you’re using your talents for the positive of other people — that’s what I’m most proud of.