Phil Melick is the owner and shopkeeper of Elk City Records, a record shop located in the historic Elk City district of Charleston, WV. Phil was born and raised in central Ohio. He attended Miami University where he met his wife, Susie, who is a Charleston native. Following their graduation in 1980, the two married and Susie worked while Phil attended law school at Ohio State. The couple moved to Charleston, WV in 1983 after Phil joined a large law firm and the two moved into their current house in 1984.

Deciding to retire from full-time law practice in 2016, Phil and his wife followed a passion and love for music and records by establishing Elk City Records, which opened its doors in March 2017 in the Elk City district, which also happens to be Susie's childhood neighborhood. As a testament to their love of music, Phil and his wife have also been season ticket holders to the WV Symphony Orchestra since 1984, and Phil still plays the euphonium with a brass quintet and has previously done so with various community groups, including the Mountain State Brass Band.

Phil and his wife have two daughters and sons-in-law, and one grandson, who reside in Boston and Chicago metro areas.