Kathy Mattea

Kathleen Alice Mattea was born on June 21, 1959, in South Charleston, West Virginia. Growing up in Cross Lanes, she developed an early interest in music, performing in church and at school events, and learning guitar. Her musical foundation was deeply influenced by folk and bluegrass genres. After attending West Virginia University, Mattea moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She supported herself by working as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame, a secretary, and a waitress, while also singing on demo tapes for songwriters. Her talent was discovered by Byron Hill, a songwriter, publisher, and record producer, who helped her secure a contract with Mercury Records in 1983. Her self-titled debut album was released in 1984, featuring songs like “Street Talk” and album cuts like “(Back to the) Heartbreak Kid.” Initially, Mattea focused on developing her artistic identity, which blossomed with her subsequent releases.

Mattea’s career experienced a breakthrough with her third album, “Walk the Way the Wind Blows” (1986), which integrated folk and acoustic sounds. This album yielded her first Top 10 country hit, “Love at the Five and Dime.” Her commercial success escalated with “Untasted Honey” (1987), which included her first number-one single, “Goin’ Gone,” followed by the two-week chart-topper “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses.” Mattea cemented her status with her 1989 album, “Willow in the Wind,” which produced two more number-one hits: “Come from the Heart” and “Burnin’ Old Memories.” Her husband, Jon Vezner, co-wrote her Top 10 single “Where’ve You Been.” Throughout the 1990s, Mattea continued to release successful albums and singles, evolving her sound to include Celtic influences and collaborating with artists such as Dolly Parton and Michael McDonald. Beyond her musical impact, Mattea gained recognition for her advocacy work, particularly in AIDS awareness, famously wearing three red ribbons at the Country Music Association Awards in 1992.

In the 2000s, Mattea transitioned to Narada Productions and later to her independent label, Captain Potato, and Sugar Hill Records, exploring contemporary folk, Celtic, and bluegrass styles. She addressed personal themes and social issues, exemplified by her 2008 album “Coal,” a tribute to coal mining communities in her home state, produced by Marty Stuart. After overcoming vocal challenges related to menopause in the mid-2010s, she released “Pretty Bird” in 2018. Her continued relevance in the music industry was underscored by her induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 2025 and her role as the host of West Virginia’s NPR program, “Mountain Stage,” starting in 2021. Mattea’s career is marked by critical acclaim, multiple Grammy and CMA awards, and a consistent commitment to her artistic vision and community engagement.