Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojo's will become the first act ever to take the stage at Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) on November 30, 2008 at 7:30pm. The local Zydeco Blues group will be the opening act for the "Bull Durham Winter Blues Concert" starring blues legend B.B. King.

"We are thrilled to present a talented act that will compliment B.B. King so well," said Dianne Pledger, president and CEO of the St. Joseph's Historic Foundation. Pledger, working in collaboration with DPAC, recognized Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojo's as one of the most prestigious acts on the North Carolina regional Blues circuit.

Bob Klaus, general manager of DPAC states, "The Hayti Heritage Center and Ms. Pledger's reputation and expertise in the blues community has offered a terrific asset with the addition of this booking to our grand opening program. We anticipate this to be just the beginning of many more local partnerships and opportunities for local and regional talent to be featured at DPAC."

Roy "Mel" Melton knows what it's like to cook onstage and off. Nicknamed "The Zydeco Chef" by his former bandmate and friend, C.J. Chenier, Melton has been enjoying the success of two careers for over twenty years, one as a singer, songwriter and harmonica player, and the other as a professional gourmet chef and food consultant. According to Melton, "The food and music of Acadiana have always been inseparable for me."

A North Carolina native from Gastonia, Mel went to Lafayette, Louisiana in the summer of 1969 to visit a college friend and play a little music before going back to UNC. His plans changed when he became totally immersed in the rich culture and physical beauty of southwest Louisiana. He moved permanently to Lafayette at the end of the summer and began playing in a band he co-founded with Sonny Landreth, the Louisiana slide guitar playing superstar.

To help support his new musical career, Mel took a series of jobs in the best Cajun restaurants in the city and discovered a new talent and another part of Cajun lifestyle: Louisiana cooking. Over the next few years he honed his musical and cooking skills, eventually becoming a well-known Cajun chef, opening Papa Mojo's Roadhouse in Durham.

Papa Mojo's Roadhouse features Melton's renowned Cajun recipes, appearances with his own band, and other live Cajun/Zydeco musical acts from around the southeast. Melton recently won three "Best Dish in N.C." awards at the State Fair. Bobby Flay of the Food Network presented him with the award.

At the same time, he was becoming known as a singer and harmonica player specializing in a Zydeco style of harp playing that is his trademark. Mel has opened shows for a number of legendary musicians including: Ray Charles, B.B. King, Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dave Edmonds, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. He's back in the spotlight, cooking on stage with his band, The Wicked Mojo's.

"I am honored for my band and I to be the opening act for B.B. King at the grand opening of the Durham Performing Arts Center," said Melton, of Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojo's and chef partner of Papa Mojo's Roadhouse. "This new venue is not only important to local musicians and Durham businesses, but to everyone in the Triangle."

Ticket prices for the First Annual "Bull Durham Winter Blues Concert" starring B.B. King range from $38 to $68. Tickets are on sale now for this legendary concert through the Durham Performing Arts Center box office at 919-680-ARTS (2787) and online at www.DPACnc.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including Macy's and Lowes Foods. This notable blues event is sponsored in part by the St. Joseph Historical Foundation.

DPAC will present numerous performances during the Grand Opening Month including Harry Connick Jr., Kenny Rogers, John Legend, and more. DPAC will also annually present the SunTrust Broadway Series featuring a lineup of show stopping Broadway touring engagements. With the support of SunTrust, DPAC is poised to become one of the preeminent Broadway Series in America.