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Although not released until 1949, this obscure music Western was in all likelihood produced years before, perhaps as early as 1944. Country & western performers Cal Shrum and His Rhythm Rangers come to the aid of little Jimmy Henshaw (Jimmy Shrum), whose ranch is in danger of being taken over by Mark Simmons (I. Stanford Jolley), the youngster's nefarious guardian. Cal and the band obtain assistance from Marshal Brad (Brad King) and Simmons is soon arrested. The villain, however, manages to escape during a barn dance organized by Cal and his brother Walt. About to be caught by Marshal Brad and his posse, Simmons is killed by his own henchmen. With peace restored, Marshal Brad can contemplate a happier future with young Jimmy's new guardian, lovely Aunt Mattie (Lorraine Mickie). Although produced to showcase Shrum and his band along with such specialty performers as Alta Lee, the Yodeling Rangerette (aka Mrs. Cal Shrum), Trouble at Melody Mesa offered star-billing to Brad King, formerly sidekick Johnny Nelson in five Hopalong Cassidy Westerns. The director, W. Merle Connell, was also a prolific producer of "adults only" burlesque short subjects and helmed sexploitation films such as Test Tube Babies (1948).