Kathy Mae

About Kathy Mae

A strong, supple voice that has often been compared to Ann Wilson, Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, and Billie Holiday; accomplished singer/songwriter, Kathy Mae has an incredible knack for expressing life in song and a style that cannot simply be described in one word. A combination of rock and pop with harmonies reminiscent of the 60's and 70's, Kathy combines old school flair with a contemporary feel. Kathy ads touches of the past, sings in the present, giving the listener honest, heartfelt songs that they will want to listen to today, tomorrow and well into the future.
Singing has always been a passion for Kathy Mae. The youngest of 6 children, Kathy first began performing by singing along with her father in the living room to Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby recordings. A shy child, rather than playing outside with her friends, Kathy would spend hours in her bedroom singing along with the radio. Sunday night dinners, much to her family’s delight, often resulted in little Kathy bursting out in song right at the table.
She began coming out of her shell after her 3rd grade music teacher contacted her mother to inform her that Kathy, who had not had any musical coaching whatsoever, had been singing perfect harmony in class that day. When he asked Kathy how she knew what to sing, she remembers telling him, “I can just hear it in my head.” Even at such a young age, it was already apparent what Kathy’s life passion would be.
Kathy continued developing her unique vocal style in Junior High while singing in the choir. She bought her first acoustic guitar at age 16 and, as she says, “fell in love with it!” Self-taught, Kathy quickly became proficient on the instrument and, not too much later, began playing local coffee houses and smaller venues often collaborating with fellow school musicians/vocalists. To this day, she maintains close relationships with many of them and is grateful for their constant support and encouragement.
Loving the feel of the stage, Kathy Mae soon moved on from her coffee house duo days and quickly into singing lead for local bands, “Tapestry”; “Cathy Comet and the Meteors”; and “Power Play”; playing covers by such artists as Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Linda Ronstadt, and Heart. Audiences were wowed by her accurate cover renditions, but it would be her own originals that would bring her the most satisfaction.
Today, Kathy, who is also quite the poet, devotes much of her time to writing and composing original material. Her recent album “Take it Away” is a compilation of songs she refers to as “the heartbreak of love”...be it the loss of a lover, a child, or a parent suffering from Alzheimer’s. The collection also reveals Kathy’s “fun side” in the lighthearted, little bit naughty, “Dimwit” a catchy and humorous tribute to lovers everywhere who have ever been frustrated by a romantic partner.
Kathy Mae would like to thank her family for always letting her sing regardless of the time, day or night; her friends for their constant encouragement…even in her darkest hours; and the fans who, no matter where she's performed, have always made her feel at home.