On the Fringe

What artists' careers have encompassed the Countrypolitan style, either substantially or "On The Fringe?"
A different artist will be featured every month in this new series of articles.

Kathy Mattea


	Click on thumbnail image for enlarged photo. Photos borrowed from Kathy Mattea's Official Website				Kathy Mattea is a CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and has won two Grammy Awards. Kathy's career has so far produced 16 Top 10 country hits, including four which have reached the No.1 spot. Whilst Kathy is not generally recognized as a `countrypolitan' singer, it should be acknowledged that some of her earlier work was in that style. Her debut self-titled album was almost exclusively in that style, with her delivery similar to that of the excellent Canadian `countrypolitan' artist, Anne Murray. Kathleen Alice Mattea was born in South Charleston, West Virginia on June 21, 1959. Kathy first became involved in music in junior high school, during which time she attended operatic voice training lessons and learned guitar. She performed at both school and church socials. On her progression to West Virginia University, where she studied engineering, Kathy developed a liking for folk and bluegrass music. In 1976, she joined Pennsboro, a group playing this style of music and, after a couple of years, decided to seek her fortune in Nashville. Starting work in Nashville as a waitress, Kathy secured a job at the Country Music Hall of Fame as a tour guide before gaining employment singing commercials, demos and jingles. Her considerable talents were recognized in due course, as she won a part in The Bobby Goldsboro Roadshow in 1982. In 1983, Kathy secured a contract with Mercury Records/ Polygram and, in 1984, recorded her very first album: `Kathy Mattea'. The album was almost exclusively `countrypolitan'. Four tracks made the charts: `Street Talk', `Someone Is Falling In Love', `That's Easy For You To Say', and `You've Got A Soft Place To Fall'. Other `countrypolitan' tracks on the album included: `Takin' The Givin' Away', `You Know That I Do', `Full Time Love' and `Somewhere Down The Road'. Kathy released her second album, `From My Heart', in 1985; three tracks made the charts. However, in 1986, her third album, `Walk The Way The Wind Blows', established Kathy's success. Four tracks from the album made the Top 10 on the country charts. They were: `Love At The Five and Dime' (Kathy's first Top 10 hit), `Train of Memories', and `You're The Power', as well as the title track. Kathy's next album, `Untasted Honey', released in 1987, produced No.1 hits `18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses' and `Goin' Home'. `Goin' Home' was Kathy's first No.1 hit, while `18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses' won the 1988 Single of the Year with both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association, and was the Academy of Country Music's Song of the Year. The success continued for Kathy Mattea. She won Female Vocalist of the Year with both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association in 1989, and was again chosen as the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year in 1990 . The hits kept flowing. `Battle Hymn of Love' from `Untasted Honey' made the Top 10. The `Willow In The Wind' album provided two more No.1 hits for Kathy, `Where've You Been' and `Come From The Heart'. Furthermore, Kathy won the 1990 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her rendition of `Where've You Been' which, incidentally, was written by her husband, Jon Vezner. So the success of the song was a real `family affair'. `Where've You Been' was also chosen as the Song of the Year by both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Additionally, `Willow In The Wind' became Kathy's first gold album. Without doubt, the years 1989 and 1990 were real halcyon years for Kathy Mattea. Kathy's success continued in the 90's. Kathy won a Grammy in the Gospel category for her `Good News' Christmas album in 1993; her album `A Collection of Hits' had sold platinum in 1990, and her single `Walking Away A Winner' was a top five hit in 1994. Moreover, Kathy released further albums during this period: `Time Passes By' in 1991 and `Lonesome Standard Time' in 1992. Kathy had moved to Scotland in the early '90's and her quest to expand her boundaries and the influence of Celtic music had led to the recording of `Time Passes By.' However, by the mid 90's, Kathy's frustration at the way the country music scene was developing led to some self-doubt. Kathy believed new country music focused too much on songs with less than satisfactory lyrics often sung by much younger and generally more scantily clad female artists. Nevertheless, Kathy persevered and the result was the album `Love Travels' (1997). The album included the major hit `455 Rocket', which also won the CMA Video of the Year. `Love Travels' won the Country Album of the Year at the 1998 Nashville Music Awards, with another track from the album, `I'm On Your Side', claiming the Nashville Music Video of the Year Award. In 2000, Kathy recorded `The Innocent Years', on which a number of the songs related to her life experiences. Kathy's parents were both ill. Her father was battling cancer and the songs on the album reflect some of Kathy's emotion. Kathy has since dedicated herself to fund raising for various causes, including the fight against cancer and AIDS awareness. A number of Kathy's friends were victims of that disease. Actually, Kathy's work in raising public awareness to the effect of these diseases led to her being awarded the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award at the 2001 Country Weekly Music Awards. The charities that Kathy supports are listed on the fact sheet on her site: http://www.mattea.com By 2001, Kathy had moved to Narada Records, as she felt that Narada was less inclined toward `New Country' and showed a greater appreciation for her folk and acoustic style. Kathy's 2000 Christmas special `Kathy Mattea: Sounds of the Season' has been nominated for an Emmy Award. This year Kathy is working on her first album for Narada/Virgin Records which is due for release around May. Kathy Mattea: expert in many of the sub genres of country/folk music. A career highlighted by many successes: on disc, on stage and on television. A career most definitely encompassing `countrypolitan' music `On The Fringe'. *Written by Michael D'Arcy. February 2002, Countrypolitan.com.* Find Kahty Mattea's Music. Visit Kathy Mattea's Official Website.

See who else has been "On The Fringe." Find past articles in our Archives.

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