I have a great love of melody. This love started quietly and gradually at age 7 when I heard "The Yellow Rose Of Texas" for the first time. I instantly liked it. The melody
just sounded so sweet to me and that's what I loved. Another song from my childhood that had the same effect was "Santa Lucia".
As I songwriter I always let the melody predominate. I like to write melodies that stand on their own and sound good with just a vocal and acoustic guitar.