Kathy Mattea Invited To Join Opry - A Legendary First Class Career

Kathy Mattea has always been one of my all-time favorite voices and people in Country Music.  I became a fan when I played her early hits on the radio like ‘Walk The Way The Wind Blows’ ‘Love At The Five And Dime’ and ‘Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses’.  I became an even bigger fan playing quality hits like ‘Come From The Heart’ ‘Time Passes By’ and ‘Where’ve You Been’.  Through the years, I’ve watched her become one of Country Music’s best ambassadors on TV and Radio shows, educating the world on the history and greatness of our genre. 

I was delighted to hear of her invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry as an official member.  The four-time CMA Award winner has often been a guest, but now she will join the prestigious wall of members, alongside the greatest performers in Country Music.  Many fans are surprised it took this long, but sometimes Grand Ole Opry membership, career obligations and artist commitment take time to line-up just right. 

Kathy Mattea’s talent is the upper echelon of Music standards. Moreover, her kind, compassionate and supportive personality has made her a beacon of hope and encouragement for the diverse group of musicians trying to make their way in Nashville- and the fans, from all walks of life, that support the art.

In addition to her Grammy Winning performances and hits like ‘Standing Knee Deep In A River’ ‘She Came From Fort Worth’ and ‘The Battle Hymn Of Love’ (with Tim O’Brien), Mattea continues to release new music that reaches fans of all genres and moves lives in a better direction with songs like ‘Turn Off The News (Build A Garden)’ ‘Mercy Now’ ‘Pretty Bird’ and the album ‘Coal’ (dedicated to the West Virginia Coal Miners).  

Kathy Mattea is a precious gem in our Country Music genre, and we are lucky to have her!  Next up, her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame?  

I was honored to have Kathy Mattea in my ‘Close Up’ series in Upstate NY- and to date, still one of our best guests! Mattea not only delivered a flawless performance, with stellar musicians- she captivated the audience sharing a bit of Country Music history with eloquence and grace- as you would expect from this first class performer. Click Here for more ‘Close Up’ Concert Information. 

Kathy Mattea Fun Facts

• A consultant and major contributor to Ken Burns’ award- winning PBS documentary Country Music.
• Worked as a Tour Guide at the Country Music  Hall of Fame and Museum.
• After a mining disaster in her home state killed twelve miners in 2006, she came out with the album Coal (produced by Marty Stuart).  In her words, it served as a tribute, “to my place and my people.”
• Sang on demo tapes for songwriters pitching their tunes around Nashville. Kathy stated on Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary “I was one of those people that, if you’d written a song that was on the pop side of country music and a song that was on the real traditional side of country music, you’d call me. I could come and sing both of them.”
• Host of the ‘Mountain Stage’ Radio Show on NPR.  The program showcases artists in Roots, Americana, Country, and Bluegrass.  The platform provides independent artists a great opportunity to share their talents nationwide.
• The first Country Music artist to wear a red AIDS ribbon, in support of HIV Awareness, at a CMA Awards show. According to Rolling Stone: “Perhaps the first to publicly show her support was 1989 and 1990 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Kathy Mattea. In 1992, Mattea defied the staunchly conservative organization when they instructed CMA Awards performers and presenters to wear a green ribbon to signify support for environmental causes during the live telecast rather than the ubiquitous red ribbon that supported the advancement of AIDS research. Mattea not only displayed three red ribbons, she revealed the names of the three friends who had died from the disease and in whose honor she wore the symbols.” Read More

Click For Kevin’s Tribute to Jeannie Seely