Melvin Cullum (a.k.a."Two Gun Pete" hails from DeKalb, Mississippi., born to the proud parents of Otis and Ella Mae Cullum. Cullum was born into a musical inspired family. Both parents possessed a talent for singing. Cullum also has siblings who sing extremely well.
At the ripe old age of 9, he placed second in the talent show at Kellom School. It was from that experience that he found a real passion for music. Performing with Ronnie, Donny, and Dwight Beck, James Cullum and Kenneth Watkins, all under the name of Rivera's. They performed at Sock Hops in the Omaha area. They also performed at Alice's Hole in the Wall Night Club.
Cullum joined Alonso Franklin and Jefferey Walker. They performed as the group called the Sensations, performing at the Allen's Show Case Lounge, on a 6 week booking as the opening act for the Amazers (professional performers). While performing at the Wesley House, a young man (Clifton Davis) approached him and asked him about joining a group called the Duvall's. The group consisted of Hopi Bronson, George Taylor, Clifton Davis and Fred Love.They performed at the Offbeat Lounge and at the Carterlake Ballroom. George Taylor left the group and was replaced by vocalist Carol Rogers and subsequently changed its name to the Show pushers.
The Show pushers began branching out to Gino's Lounge, Travato's and other local establishments. Lacking a masculine flavor in certain songs, Cullum selected the extraordinary talents of Jeffery Walker. The Show pushers performed with Omaha's stellar band called the New Breed, featuring Maurice and Vaughn Chatman, Paul Justice, Billy LOve, Hugo Smith, Herman Franklin, Manita Brown and Sylvester Johnson.
Melvin Cullum, Jeffery Walker, Clifton Davis, Paul Justice, and Fred Love went to Minneapolis, MN and created a band. The Show pushers recruited Mark and Melvin Carter, Bobby Griffo, Jimmy Ransom, Ernie Clark and Doris Johnson, managed at this time by Clarence Whitner and Tony ("Wagon") Hill, who opened the doors to a broader performance base.
The group performed in small venues such as the Docarina Social Club and the Depot. They later opened for such groups as the Chi-Lites, Major Lance, Curtis Maryfield, the Staple Singers, The Whispers and the Soul Children.
The Show pushers split up and all returned to Omaha. Melvin Cullum branched into a solo career, launching his "Two Gun Pete" CD. This CD is intended for all folk, covering a variety of styles. Cullum is an established multi-range vocalist, song writer, producer and performer.
Melvin Cullum has performed with many other Omaha performers, like Bob Bordy, Charles ("Oil Can") Jones, Mark and Mike Nelson, Pat Langdon, Pat Hamilton, Preston and Richie Love, Lommie Washburn, Lamar MacDaniels, Lynn Scott, May Veasley, Hopi Bronson, Terrance Haynes, Jimmy Lipkins and Gary Fowler.
