- From Haywood County, North Carolina.
- Began playing fiddle while in college (Western Carolina University).
- 1995, played with a gospel group called Rock Springs Reunion. Marc Pruett (formerly with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder) was also in this band.
- After Rock Springs Reunion, worked with a country band called Jubal Foster (named for a moonshiner in an Andy Griffith episode).
- 2007, released a self-titled solo project with guest musicians Tony Rice, Marc Pruett, Adam Steffey, Tim Surrett and others.
- 2008, formed Balsam Range with Marc Pruett and Tim Surrett.
- 2012, was seriously injured in a freak farm accident when he was kicked in the face while loading cattle. He required facial reconstruction surgery from which he quickly recovered. He was back on stage performing with Balsam Range a month later.
- 2014, won the IBMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
- 2016, released a duet album with songwriter Milan Miller “Secrets, Dreams and Pretty Things” (no label).
Melton, Buddy
