Mel Wynn is the son of Melvin and Ella  Wynn.  His dad worked as an Anthrasite coal miner and his mom had a full time job lovingly raising nine children.  Mel's love of music came early in life when he sang together in the choir with a close neighborhood friend, William "Billy" Brown  at a  little church called Bethal A.M.E.  Church on Washington Street in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Many nights on Billy's front porch, Mel & Billy joined voices in harmony, singing the lastest radio hits together.  Mel played trumpet at W. E. Dorn Grade School, followed by joining the G. A. R. High School marching band again playing trumpet. His close friend Billy played the drums in the band, along with two other good friends, Ray Patsko and Reverand Bob Thomas.   Their love of vocal harmony lead Billy to  join an exciting new rock and roll  group named  Joe Nardone and His All Stars.  Mel joined a four part harmony vocal group called the Shallomars.(They sang a cappella most of the time)   The group consisted of Mel, John "Butch"  Papson, Jack "Jace Burns"  Burneski, and Billy Sternberger.  Mel's songwriting started with a tune for Billy to sing with the All Stars, called "Miracles".  He also wrote several tunes for the Shall0mars, one called "Today, Tomorrow, Forever" .  The Shall0mars vocal sound was much like the sounds of the Skyliners and the Four Lads.  Their harmonies were uplifting and enjoyable to the many who frequented the local high schools and the Forest Hills Inn.         

On the night of the Shallomar's last performance (Butch Papson had to leave the area and the group was disbanding)  Mel met Jerry Sechleer, the lead guitarist for the group called the Rhythm Aces, who were also performing that night.  Jerry offered Mel the opportunity to sing with the band,who at that time had a lovely young girl vocalist named Nancy Endler.  From that night on, The Rhythm Aces With Mel Wynn were born.  Over a twelve year period, Mel  & the Rhythm Aces became one of the hottest bands in demand all over the Northeast coast.  They also had six singles released nationally.  Initially, the Rhythm Aces came together when Jerry Sechleer, Frank Loch and Ned Endler decided to form a band.  They added drummer John Gainard and bass player Dave Pearn.  All the members of the band were residents of Rolling Mill Hill,  the Heights section of Wilkes Barre, PA.  With Ned Endler going off to college and John Gainard entering the military, the band picked up two new members, Ron Ashton, sax player and Angelo Stella, drummer.  With Frank Loch entering college,  a West Pittston musician,  Robert O'Connell,  replaced Frank on keyboard.  For health reasons, Angelo Stella left the group and was replaced by  a Scranton boy by the name of Teddy Maus.  To accomodate the "soul" music seekers, the band added bass player Robert Shumbers and trumpet player Richard Garinger.  Shumbers and Maus were later replaced by Larry Sechleer (Bass guitar and vocals) and Tommy Wynder (drummer).    In the early 70's, Jerry & Larry Sechleer, Bob O'Connell  and Tommy Wynder broke from the group and formed the Leer Brothers, releasing several exciting hits. Mel then put together a group called the Trend with Ronnie Ashton (sax), Charlie Infantino (trombone & bass guitar), Michael Paradise (drums) , and Rick Bauchman (keyboard and vocals). Mel and the Trend went  to Mercury Records in New York and cut "Hit Record" and "That's When The World Really Began".    After a 23 year hiatus, Mel & the Rhythm Aces came together in April 1993  for a much anticipated reunion at the Ramada Inn in Wilkes Barre PA.  A few years later, there was a follow up reunion at the Irem Temple County Club.  The excitement at both reunions was electrifying with a spectacular sell out crowd,  as the group's following of fans had not wained through the years.There was a sense of nostalgia, remembering all the good times that they had danced to the music of Mel Wynn & The Rhythm Aces and The  Trend.