My music journey began as a small child singing on stage with my mom and her friend's group, "The Ambassadors". One of my earliest memories was recording my one song (at the age of four) in a Nashville recording studio and then running off to spend the rest of the day playing at Opryland. Growing up, I sang with my mother and grandfather and even learned to sing the shaped notes and lead music at the all day Sunday singings and dinner on the grounds.

I married my high school sweetheart, Paul Hand in 1991. Five years later we had the first of our two precious daughters. Baleigh and McKayla both have grown into beautiful young girls and most likely will be joining me on the stage pretty soon!

In 2003, our family moved to Brandon, Mississippi and I soon was asked to sing with the gospel trio, "Embrace". During my first year with the group we entered the group talent contest at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. We came in second place in the group competition and the Lord immediately began opening doors into many new opportunities. We soon recorded the group's second project and signed with a major record label in Nashville.

Two years prior to joining "Embrace", Paul and I felt that the Lord had called us into some type of ministry and really at that time thought it was a marriage ministry. We then found ourselves busy singing and traveling every weekend with "Embrace". Many times we asked ourselves if we had missed God or ran ahead of Him by joining a music ministry instead of pursuing a marriage ministry. We traveled with "Embrace" for four wonderful years and ended that season of our life at the end of 2006. After much prayer and a desire to share how the devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy Christian marriages, "Hand Ministries" was born in January 2007. Now, along with the pursuit of a solo career, Paul and I are following the Lord's direction in marriage ministry. The Lord has taught us so much through the highs and lows of our marriage and He has given us the desire to teach others how to walk in faith with Christ and how to "Guard Your Marriage" against Satan's attacks.

In addition to all of this fun, I am the National Promotions Director for Zion Music Group of Nashville. Zion Music Group is the record label home for groups such as: The McGrugers, The Dunaways, The Crossmen, David Patillo, Jerry Bennett, The Gardners,Stateline Quartet, Living Sacrifice and many others. And then in my spare time (LOL), I work with Phil Cross and Poet Voices as their scheduling coordinator for all bookings as well as "Hearts In Harmony" events. The "Hearts In Harmony" events are an unbelievable worship experience in which church choirs sing along with Poet Voices and myself....not just your average concert, but more of a church wide worship! Let me know if you are interested!

God Bless!
Melinda

ps--make sure you stop by and visit our websites at:
www.melindahand.com
www.handministries.com