Prescription Drug Abuse

Country Singer Melonie Cannon Opens Up About Prescription Drug Addiction

Nashville-based bluegrass musician Melonie Cannon has opened up about her recent battle with prescription drug abuse, which reached its lowest point around the same time as the release of October 2008 album, “And the Wheels Turn.” The album’s first single, “I Call it Gone,” was already a huge success, and the album also contained a hit duet with country legend Willie Nelson. But despite her success, Cannon was in a dark place.

"I was in a dark hole and I didn’t even know it,” Cannon admitted. “I became isolated from family and friends. In just a couple of years, I went from being on prescribed medications to being addicted to prescription medications. It felt like there was no way out because no one would understand what I was going through. Prescription drug addiction has become a huge problem in this country, and I’m not ashamed to talk about it,” she said.

She continued: "But with the help of my daddy, mom, and husband, I gathered the courage to check into a residential rehab facility," she continued. "I’ll never forget how alone I had been feeling for such a long time. But to my complete surprise, I had 14 visitors on my first Sunday in treatment! Just when I thought I didn’t have anybody, I had EVERYBODY and they were all still pulling for me and loved me no matter what!"

The daughter of record producer Buddy Cannon, who has also struggled with addiction, Cannon admits that she will always be fighting to stay clean. "I realize I will always struggle with an addictive personality," she said. "Since I grew up the child of an addict/alcoholic, chaos was the only thing I knew! But instead of trying to point my finger at my dad, he has now become my inspiration to live right each day. He tried to help me for so long, but one day, he just stopped looking at me. That was the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with. But today I am working closely with him again and we are talking about our next record. I was so scared we would never work together again! But God stepped in and I stepped up!"

Rural Rhythm Records, her record label, is issuing a special free download of "Send A Little Love," another song from the album produced by Ronnie Bowman and Buddy Cannon. "I feel like singing those lyrics to everyone…..’and let it shine, just like the sun. Let it pour on down on everyone.’ That is how I feel—like the sun is shining down again! I love life and I’m so happy to be a part of each and every day," Cannon said of the song.

She continued, "I am looking forward to getting back to touring next year and supporting this album that is so dear to my heart."