Beginning in 1959,[1] first at his home in Midland, Texas, and then in Nashville, Tennessee, Melson teamed up with Roy Orbison, who had just joined Monument Records,[1] with whom he would soon write a string of hits.
Melson recognized the potential in Orbison's voice, encouraging the singer to explore its power through their first collaboration, "Only the Lonely."
[2] His last hit collaboration with Orbison came in 1963 with the writing of "Blue Bayou," although some of their cooperative efforts would be recorded in later years.
Over the years, Melson continued to perform at rockabilly and nostalgia festivals, and in 2002 he was inducted into the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tennessee.
In August 2014, Melson released a triple-A sided single "Last Goodbye" / "Fields of Gold" / "Girl Back on Blue Bayou" with Australian artist Damien Leith.