Kathy Mattea

Kathy Mattea 2000

Kathy Mattea (born June 21, 1959) is an American country music and bluegrass singer and songwriter. She is known for her distinctive voice and her blend of traditional and contemporary country music. Mattea has released numerous albums and singles, many of which have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Early Life

Kathy Mattea was born in South Charleston, West Virginia, and raised in nearby Cross Lanes, West Virginia. She developed an interest in music at an early age, learning to play the guitar and sing. Mattea attended West Virginia University where she studied engineering, but she left before graduating to pursue a career in music.

Career

Mattea moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1978 to pursue her music career. She worked as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and sang demos for songwriters. Her big break came when she signed with Mercury Records in 1983.

1980s

Mattea's self-titled debut album was released in 1984, followed by From My Heart in 1985. Her third album, Walk the Way the Wind Blows (1986), produced her first Top 10 hit, "Love at the Five and Dime." The album was a commercial success and established her as a rising star in country music.

1990s

In the 1990s, Mattea continued to enjoy success with albums like Willow in the Wind (1989) and Time Passes By (1991). She won two Grammy Awards for her performances on the songs "Where've You Been" and "Battle Hymn of Love." Her music during this period often addressed social issues, including AIDS awareness and environmentalism.

2000s and Beyond

Mattea's later work includes albums such as Coal (2008), which pays tribute to her coal-mining heritage, and Calling Me Home (2012), which focuses on Appalachian themes. She remains active in the music industry, performing and recording new material.

Personal Life

Kathy Mattea is married to songwriter Jon Vezner. The couple has been involved in various charitable activities, including HIV/AIDS awareness and environmental causes.

Discography

• Kathy Mattea (1984)
• From My Heart (1985)
• Walk the Way the Wind Blows (1986)
• Untasted Honey (1987)
• Willow in the Wind (1989)
• Time Passes By (1991)
• Lonesome Standard Time (1992)
• Walking Away a Winner (1994)
• Love Travels (1997)
• The Innocent Years (2000)
• Roses (2002)
• Right Out of Nowhere (2005)
• Coal (2008)
• Calling Me Home (2012)
• Pretty Bird (2018)

Awards and Honors

• Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (1990, 1993)
• Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year (1989, 1990)
• Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist (1989)

See Also

• List of country music performers
• Bluegrass music
• Appalachian music