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Singer/songwriter Melissa Ferrick emerged in 1994 as part of a group of new female alternative singer/songwriters, much in the vein of Liz Phair. Raised in Ipswich, MA, she began singing in coffeehouses after dropping out of college and eventually wound up in Boston. Her major breakthrough arrived one night when she replaced Morrissey's opening act less than an hour before showtime. Ferrick's performance impressed Morrissey, who invited her to open for him during the rest of the tour. The tour earned her a small cult following, as well as a contract with Atlantic Records. She released her debut album, Massive Blur, in 1994 to good reviews; the critical reception for her stripped-down second album, Willing to Wait, earned even stronger acclaim. Even so, Atlantic dropped her in 1995, prompting Ferrick to go indie by signing with W.A.R.?, a Colorado-based company. She remained with W.A.R.? over the course of several albums -- including Everything I Need, Freedom, and the concert recordi...