Kathy Mattea

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She was born in South Charleston, West Virginia because it had the nearest hospital to her parents’ home in Cross Lanes, where she grew up, graduating from nearby Nitro High School. In 1976, while in college, she joined the bluegrass band Pennsboro, and two years later dropped out of school to move to Nashville. She worked as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame, did backup vocal work for Bobby Goldsboro … , and sang demos for several Nashville songwriters and publishers including Nashville songwriter/producer Byron Hill, who brought her to the attention of Frank Jones (then head of Mercury Records), who signed her to her first record deal in 1983.
Mattea’s third album, 1986’s folky Walk the Way the Wind Blows, proved to be her breakthrough both critically and commercially. Her cover of Nanci Griffith’s “Love at the Five and Dime” was her first major hit, reaching #3 (and in addition, earned Griffith notice as a songwriter); and the album produced three other top ten songs: “Walk the Way the Wind Blows” (#10), “You’re the Power (#5), and “Train of Memories” (#6).
Further hit songs include her first #1, “Goin’ Gone”; the truck-driving song “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” (1988); “Come From the Heart” and “Burnin’ Old Memories” (both #1 hits in 1989); “She Came From Fort Worth” (1990); “Lonesome Standard Time” (1992); “Walking Away a Winner” (1994); “Nobody’s Gonna Rain on Our Parade” (1994); “Maybe She’s Human” (1994); and “455 Rocket” (1997).
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  • Lonesome Standard Time
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  • Joy For Christmas Day
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  • A Collection Of Hits
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  • EfEmeril

    I heard a new (old) song from her today... makes me want to listen to all of her stuff.

    March 2012

  • bet18

    Thank you Kathy, you are a gift !

    November 2010

  • bet18

    Not only does she have such a strong, straight from the heart voice, but man oh man.......she knows how to deliver HUH?

    November 2010

  • donjon1212

    GREAT!

    June 2009

  • BluesRok

    Feel free to check and join the Country Artist of the Week group. Members vote for their favorite country artists to become the group's "Country Artist of the Week".

    March 2009

  • Leuchtenburg1

    Wonderful singer,

    December 2008

  • sct-esq

    Saw her at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in August (2008) playing a workshop with Jean Ritchie. I had the sense that it was an historic moment, since Mattea sings so many of Jean Ritchie's songs. Ritchie is probably in her 80s and isn't going to be touring and performing forever. Historic or not, it is an event that I won't soon forget, despite the 25+ Philly Folk Fests that I've attended. The cuts of her "Coal" album I've heard are outstanding. I've got to order the CD one of these days. soon. Kathy Mattea is an extraordinary performer & songwriter & I was thrilled to rediscover her at the Philly Folk Fest. — Scott, Philadelphia PA

    September 2008

  • morrissimo

    Extraordinary. Wade in the Water is phenomenal -- unbelievable west coasting tune :)

    April 2008
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