Interview with Melissa Reddick!

Written by Stacey McCarthy

Melissa Reddick, wife of Jaret Reddick of the rock band, Bowling for Soup, took the time to answer some questions for me via MySpace. 

TMSZ- What was in your closet in 1985?

MR- I was in 5th grade and got my first pair of Guess jeans that I wore with jellies or Keds.  I loved leg warmers & Units!

TMSZ- What were your favorite songs and bands from the 80's?

MR- Depeche Mode, Willie Nelson, Tears for Fears (my first concert ever!), The Dead Milkmen (Punk Rock Girl), The Judy’s, Poison & Motley Crue – I would listen to the dedication hour every night on the radio!

TMSZ-  Where did you grow up?

MR- I pretty much grew up in Plano, TX. I went to school there all my life except for Jr. year when I was in Canada and then I came back to graduate in Plano.

TMSZ- What was your major in college?

MR- I was a business marketing major at Texas A&M.

TMSZ- Where did you meet Jaret?

MR- Elise & I first saw BFS in March of 1998 when they opened for Hagfish. We then saw them play for a year before we started hanging out with them in March of 1999. I’m not sure why we didn’t hang out sooner – just timing I guess. One of the few checks Jaret got in the mail for an online tshirt purchase was from me in the summer of 1998 when I bought a tshirt for Elise’s birthday. Strange to think we would be married less than 2 years later! (It is important to note that Elise & I have been friends since we were Freshman at A&M!)

TMSZ- What was your first impression of him?

MR-In the summer of 1998,  BFS played a place in Dallas every Wednesday night & we always went. I, of course thought he was good looking! He seemed very motivated – very business. I was working in a very professional environment at the time, got up early, worked out every day, etc. – I thought there was no way he was like that! I was wrong! Oh, I don’t want to ruin any rockstar myths – I take this all back!

TMSZ- What is a typical night in the Reddick home like?

MR- When Jaret is home, we usually grill something out and the kids play in & out. It is loud & chaotic. We will go for a walk on the kids’ riding toy of choice, which is lately the Barbie Jeep. Jack likes to stand up & hold on to the row bar while Emma drives. Then it is bath time with some reading, playing, dancing, singing, wrestling & tickling. Of course, the evenings have to be topped off with some Rob & Big and the Daily Show! When Jaret is not home, the difference is that we eat out!

TMSZ- You, Elise, and Neeki are all very intelligent, gorgeous, and strong, independent women. How did Jaret, Erik, and Gary get so lucky?

MR- I think they ask themselves that all the time!! Actually, I just believe they are really smart guys!

TMSZ- Many young girls look up to you as a role model. Do you have any words of wisdom or advice to give them?

MR- Oh, I’m not sure I’m a role model, but if I had any advice to give it would be to chart your own path & not your partner’s. This is true whether your partner is at home or traveling. I have my own career and Jaret has his. We do work together on some projects and are involved in each other’s work at times for support but one of us is not living the other’s life. I think the reason the guys are with us (Elise, Annique, & myself) is because we are independent. Sometimes Jaret comes in town and I can’t stop everything – besides he has to work too. This isn’t to say that we don’t make time for us when he is home but we both have our own thing going. When I am on the road, he can’t skip press or sound check to play with me!