Melissa Etheridge shares experience performing in prisons and recording live album
- Melissa Etheridge fulfilled a career dream by performing for incarcerated women in a new docuseries.
- The singer also recorded the concert for a live album, showcasing her talent and compassion.
- Her initiative aims to connect with and uplift those in prison through the power of music.
In a recent interview with People, Melissa Etheridge, the 63-year-old Breathe hitmaker, expressed her desire to make a significant impact similar to her country music idol, Johnny Cash. Inspired by Cash's performances in prisons during the 1970s, Etheridge has followed suit by performing at correctional facilities near her hometown of Leavenworth, including the Topeka Correctional Facility. Her latest docuseries, "Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken," showcases her journey leading up to these performances, where she sang her latest hit, "I'm Not Broken," dedicated to incarcerated women. Etheridge shared her profound experience of connecting with the inmates and forming meaningful relationships with some of them through letters. Etheridge's docuseries, now available for streaming on Paramount+, captures her fulfilling two career dreams: performing for incarcerated women and recording the concert for a live album. Through her interactions with the inmates, she gained insight into their stories, particularly moved by the fact that many of them were mothers. The emotional depth of their experiences resonated in her music, with Etheridge hoping that her rockin' song would be well-received by her audience. During the live concert featured in the docuseries, Etheridge also touched upon personal tragedies, such as the loss of her son Beckett to opioid addiction. Despite the emotional weight of these moments, Etheridge found solace in the empathy and compassion shown by her band and the audience. Reflecting on her journey of grief and survival, she emphasized the importance of finding eternal comfort and clarity amidst life's challenges. As Etheridge continues to navigate her music career and personal struggles, her commitment to using her platform for meaningful connections and impactful performances remains unwavering. Through her docuseries and live album recording, she aims to inspire others with her message of resilience and worthiness, echoing the sentiments of her song, "I'm Not Broken."