Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea (born Kathleen Alice Mattea on 21 June 1959) is an American co… Read Full Bio ↴Kathy Mattea (born Kathleen Alice Mattea on 21 June 1959) is an American country music and bluegrass singer. Active since 1984 as a recording artist, she has charted more than 30 singles on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including four that reached No. 1 ("Goin' Gone", "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses", "Come from the Heart", and "Burnin' Old Memories") plus 12 more that charted within the top ten. She is a two-time Grammy Award winner: in 1990 for "Where've You Been", and in 1993 for her Christmas album "Good News".
Mattea 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). "Eighteen Wheels," in late May 1988, became the first single by a solo female to spend multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart since Dolly Parton's "You're the Only One" in August 1979; both singles were on top of that chart for two weeks.
The heart-wrenching "Where've You Been," which Mattea's husband Jon Vezner co-wrote with singer/songwriter Don Henry, reached #2 on the country chart and won her a 1990 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal. Mattea is a repeat winner of the County Music Associations Female Vocalist of the Year, which she won on the success of "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" and "Where've You Been."
The following year, Mattea took part in Voices That Care, a multi-artist project that featured other top names in music for a one-off single to raise money for the allied troops in the Gulf War. The project included fellow country singers Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis. She has also been heavily involved in HIV/AIDS-related charities beginning in the early 1990s, and is often credited with leading the country music community, commonly regarded as the last segment of the entertainment industry to address the AIDS epidemic, to finally do so. She performed with Mary Chapin Carpenter on VH1's very first Save The Music concert, which also starred Bette Midler.
Mattea won another Grammy in 1993 for her gospel-oriented Christmas album Good News. Her first single from the album, "Mary, Did You Know?" went on to be covered by Kenny Rogers with Wynonna, as well as Reba McEntire.
Mattea subsequently moved to MCA and, in 2000, released the ballad-heavy The Innocent Years, a heartfelt tribute to her ailing father. Wanting to explore her taste for Celtic folk, Mattea hopped labels to Narada, for whom she debuted in 2002 with the eclectic Roses.
With her social activism and her taste for songs with introspective lyrics, it has been often said that Mattea owes as much to the traditions of folk music as mainstream country.
Though her recent work has failed to make the country charts, Mattea continued to enjoy a strong following throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s; her albums are critically well received, and she continues to tour and perform. She continues to have strong support from a very active fan club, run by Sue Phelps, whose members refer to themselves as Matteaheads.
Kathy travelled the country presenting Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and speaking to crowds about the importance to fight global warming.
Before leaving Narada she released another album full of differing influences, Right Out Of Nowhere, including a cover of a Stones tune.
Her CD "Coal" released on her own label is a collection of songs about mining and received a nomination for a Grammy. She continues to tour across the US and in early 2008 she made a welcome return to the UK.
In 2018, Mattea announced a new album, Pretty Bird, which was released independently with Tim O'Brien serving as producer.
Mattea 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). "Eighteen Wheels," in late May 1988, became the first single by a solo female to spend multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart since Dolly Parton's "You're the Only One" in August 1979; both singles were on top of that chart for two weeks.
The heart-wrenching "Where've You Been," which Mattea's husband Jon Vezner co-wrote with singer/songwriter Don Henry, reached #2 on the country chart and won her a 1990 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal. Mattea is a repeat winner of the County Music Associations Female Vocalist of the Year, which she won on the success of "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" and "Where've You Been."
The following year, Mattea took part in Voices That Care, a multi-artist project that featured other top names in music for a one-off single to raise money for the allied troops in the Gulf War. The project included fellow country singers Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers and Randy Travis. She has also been heavily involved in HIV/AIDS-related charities beginning in the early 1990s, and is often credited with leading the country music community, commonly regarded as the last segment of the entertainment industry to address the AIDS epidemic, to finally do so. She performed with Mary Chapin Carpenter on VH1's very first Save The Music concert, which also starred Bette Midler.
Mattea won another Grammy in 1993 for her gospel-oriented Christmas album Good News. Her first single from the album, "Mary, Did You Know?" went on to be covered by Kenny Rogers with Wynonna, as well as Reba McEntire.
Mattea subsequently moved to MCA and, in 2000, released the ballad-heavy The Innocent Years, a heartfelt tribute to her ailing father. Wanting to explore her taste for Celtic folk, Mattea hopped labels to Narada, for whom she debuted in 2002 with the eclectic Roses.
With her social activism and her taste for songs with introspective lyrics, it has been often said that Mattea owes as much to the traditions of folk music as mainstream country.
Though her recent work has failed to make the country charts, Mattea continued to enjoy a strong following throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s; her albums are critically well received, and she continues to tour and perform. She continues to have strong support from a very active fan club, run by Sue Phelps, whose members refer to themselves as Matteaheads.
Kathy travelled the country presenting Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and speaking to crowds about the importance to fight global warming.
Before leaving Narada she released another album full of differing influences, Right Out Of Nowhere, including a cover of a Stones tune.
Her CD "Coal" released on her own label is a collection of songs about mining and received a nomination for a Grammy. She continues to tour across the US and in early 2008 she made a welcome return to the UK.
In 2018, Mattea announced a new album, Pretty Bird, which was released independently with Tim O'Brien serving as producer.
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Kathy Mattea Lyrics
33 45 78 I′m spinning like an old turn table Three speeds going nowhe…
455 Rocket Mr. smith had an Oldsmobile Baby blue with wire wheels I too…
A Far Cry I remember the face of an angel A love that was…
A Few Good Things Remain heard a siren late last night, You must have felt me…
Agate Hill Oh, you weary restless heart Peace come to you now Still y…
All Roads To The River I am master and slave I am sunlight and shadow…
Amarillo My baby never was a cheating kind But it wasn't 'cause…
Angels We Have Heard On High Angels we have on heard high Sweetly singing ore the plains …
Another Man You'd better sit down I've got something to confess to you I…
As Long As I Have A Heart Surprise goodbyes and tears unanswered Promises that fall …
Ashes In The Wind Written by - Jon Vezner The first time I met Davey…
Asking Us To Dance There's a full moon up and rising, And there's a whisper…
Baby King Baby King Baby King You got to get ready for…
Back Up Grinnin' Again There's a little love left in my heart And it's lookin'…
Ball And Chain I got a ball and chain, hanging around my heart You…
Beautiful Fool Martin Luther, who did you think that you were? Appointed by…
BFD It ain't his fault that she went A.W.O.L 'Cause he tried…
Black Lung/ Coal He's hard more hard luck Than most men could stand The min…
Black Waters I come from the mountains, Kentucky's my home Where the wil…
Blue Diamond Mines I remember the ways in the by gone days When we…
Brightest And Best Hail the blest morn, when the great Mediator Down from the…
Burnin I used to love him; that ain't no lie We had…
Callin I heard a voice last night in my sleep I dreamed…
Calling Me Home An old friend lay on his dying bed Held my hand…
Chocolate on My Tongue Sittin' on the front porch, ice cream in my hand Meltin'…
Christ Child (Adapted and Arranged by Dougie MacLean and Kathy Mattea) (T…
Christ Child's Lullaby (Larry BooneGene NelsonPaul Nelson) I used to love him that …
Christ Child's Lullabye (Adapted and Arranged by Dougie MacLean and Kathy Mattea) (T…
Christ Child’s Lullaby (Larry BooneGene NelsonPaul Nelson) I used to love him that …
Christmas Collage Oh come, oh come Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mou…
Clown In Your Rodeo Hey there little cactus flower your ways are sharper than…
Coal Tattoo Travelin' on down that coal town road Listen to my rubber…
Come From The Heart My daddy told me when I was a young girl A…
Coming of the Roads Now that our mountain is growing With people hungry for weal…
Dark as a Dungeon Oh, come all you young fellers, young and so fine Seek…
Down On The Corner Early in the evening, just about supper time Over by the…
Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses Charlie's got a gold watch Don't seem like a whole…
Emmanuel Emmanuel, Emmanuel A child is born A child is born Sing glor…
Evenin' Evening, every night you come and you find me And you…
Every Love Every love is different Every love's the same Every love h…
Forgive And Forget I'm tired, so tired, it's time to give it up I've…
From A Distance From a distance the world looks blue and green, And…
Further And Further Away I can see the place where I came from I can…
God Ain't No Stained Glass Window There's so much I don't know There's so much I don't…
Goin There's a lighthouse in the harbor Giving guidance…
Grand Canyon I've seen you calm the waters raging in the rivers…
Green Rolling Hills [Chorus] Oh the green rolling hills of West Virginia Are the…
Harley There was a motorcycle mama and her man With a wind-burnt…
He Moves Through the Fair My young love said to me, 'My mother won't mind, And…
Here's Hopin' By the way you watch the sunset, I can tell Soon…
Hills Of Alabam' (Claire Lynch/Mark Fair) Tomorrow brings another town We'll …
Holy Now When I was a girl, each week On Sunday, we would…
Hurt Some I got a few words For all you women out there If…
I Can't Stand up Alone One of these days I'm gonna take a vacation To a…
I Have Always Loved You I have always been on the outside Looking inside 'till I…
I Hope You Time after time, I've turned away from you When all I…
I Wear Your Love The things I've collected, bought or selected. The clutter t…
I Will Who knows how long I've loved you? You know I love…
I'll Take Care Of You If this life should lead you down a lonely road And…
I'm Alright After all was said and done There was nothin' left to…
I'm On Your Side (Jim Lauderdale) People tell you what I need Is a lesson in…
If That I can't believe she had the nerve To show her face…
Junkyard Saw a movie where a guy kills another guy twice Don't…
Last Night I Dreamed Of Loving You Last night I dreamed of loving you, Your skin so soft,…
Late In The Day Late in the day when shadows start to play On my…
Lawrence Jones Well the night is as thick as silence You can't cut…
Leaving West Virginia (Kathy Mattea) Well, I'm leaving West Virginia in the mornin…
Life As We Knew It The keys in the mailbox the you-Haul is loaded This is…
Like A Hurricane A little bit south of West Virginia The miles go by…
Listen To The Radio I am leaving Mississippi in the evening rain Well those Delt…
Lonely At The Bottom (Mike Dowling/Jan Dowling) We were buddies once upon a time …
Lonesome Standard Time Do you feel a kindred spirit To the sound of pourin'…
Love Every love is different Every love's the same Every love h…
Love At The Five & Dime Rita was sixteen years, hazel eyes and chestnut hair She rea…
Love At The Five And Dine Rita was sixteen years, hazel eyes and chestnut hair …
Love Chooses You Love comes unbidden, can't be forbidden It takes you and…
Love Travels So I stand here and gaze across the ocean Knowin' that…
Love's Not Through With Me Yet I have seen the young girls cry Thinking love has passed…
Love's Not Through With You Yet The winner takes all, It's the thrill of one more kill, The…
Mary Did You Know Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy Would someday walk…
Mary, Did You Know Mary did you know that your baby boy would some…
Maybe She She gets up an hour before she really wants to Gets…
Mercy Now My father could use a little mercy now The fruits of…
My Last Word I'm tired of this dance, we just go 'round in…
Nobody Well there's a blue moon hangin' in a small town…
Nothing But A Child Once upon a time In a far off land Wise men saw…
Now Is the Cool of the Day And my Lord, He said unto me Do you like my…
O Come All Ye Faithful O Come All Ye Faithful Joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O…
October Song The leaves are falling, silhouetted by the sunset Brushed ac…
Patiently Waiting Well nothing new has passed this way in a long…
Pretty Bird Fly away you little pretty bird Fly fly away Fly away little…
Quarter Moon When everything you own Will fit in a paper sack And no…
Ready For The Storm Oh, the waves crash in and the tide pulls out It's…
Red Winged Blackbird Oh cant you see that pretty little bird Singing with all…
Red-Winged Blackbird [Chorus: ] Oh can't you see that pretty little bird Sing wit…
Right Outta Nowhere A Midwest morning October snowfall She packed her Chevrole…
Rock Me on the Water Oh people, look around you The signs are everywhere You'…
Rocket Mr. smith had an Oldsmobile Baby blue with wire wheels I too…
Seeds Sometimes I stop on my way home And watch the children…
Sending Me Angels I walked down to the river Stood on the shore Seems like…
She Came From Fort Worth CHORUS: She came from Fort Worth (but)…
Sing Mary Sing Mary had a baby Born in a manger Mary what to do Mary…
Slow Boat Wouldn't it be nice if we could take a trip? May…
Somebody Talkin' About Jesus Everywhere I Go Everywhere I Go, My Lord Everywhere I Go …
Song For The Life (Rodney Crowell) I don't drink as much as I used to Lately…
St. Teresa She down on the corner, just a little crime When…
Standing Knee Deep In A River Friends I could count on, I could count on one…
Straw Against The Chill In a town of David, not so near to spring,…
Street Talk Street talk has it you've been down town bragging That you'v…
Summer Of My Dreams In the shade of this old tree, In the summer of…
That There was a gentleman I knew A stroke held his wife…
That's Easy For You To Say When you moved out this mornin' without any warnin' You sai…
That's The Deal There was a gentleman I knew A stroke held his wife…
The Battle Hymn Of Love I will pledge my heart To the love we share Through the…
The Bridge Sometimes I wonder what's the right thing Maybe you could l…
The Cape Eight years old with a floursack cape Tied all around his…
The End Of The Line Love isn't easy Nobody said it would be We hurt each other…
The Innocent Years I need to go down and wash my face Deep in…
The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore When I was a curly headed baby My daddy sat me…
The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore When I was a curly headed baby My daddy sat me…
The Maple's Lament When I was alive the birds would nest upon my…
The Slender Threads That Bind Us Here The dawn of youth, the twilight years The tender light we…
The Southern Soldier Boy Bob Roebuck is my sweetheart's name He's off to the wars…
The Star Just another homeless family Hoping for a stranger's charit…
The Streets Of Your Town There's a red Ford pickup following me headlights off too…
The Wood Thrush's Song I walked down the hall where the woods used to…
There's A New Kid In Town We're lookin' for the King The new Messiah We're followin' t…
They Are the Roses A song for you this evening, and it's not to…
This Love Will Carry It's a thin line that leads us and keeps us…
Till I Turn To You Time after time, I've turned away from you When all I…
Time Passes By Dreams drift away like leaves on the water They roll down…
Train Of Memories Every time you come around I hear that lonesome sound Ooh, t…
Trouble With Angels Look at me, look at you Laugh at them, yeah, we…
True North He called as soon as he hit New York City The…
Trust Me I know she hurt you It's clear to see The scar runs…
Untasted Honey I'll be leaving when the sun is on the rise I…
Unto Us A Child Is Born For unto us, a child is born Unto us, a Son…
Untold Stories All those untold stories All those silent lies We'll never k…
Vacant Chair We shall meet, but we shall miss him There will be…
Walk The Way The Wind Blows Up along the hallway Down along the stairs I can see the…
Walking Away A Winner Anytime love is on the table The stakes are high And…
West Virginia Mine Disaster Oh say, did you see him, it was early this…
West Virginia My Home West Virginia, oh my home West Virginia, where I belong In t…
What A Wonderful Beginning Oh a man named John The Baptist Had been hearlding the…
What Could Have Been There was someone I used to love A long, long time…
Where've You Been Claire had all but given up, When she and Edwin fell…
Who's Gonna Know On the top of my desk mid the clutter and…
Whole Lotta Holes Hey look there's a hole in my floorboard What's that there'…
Willow In The Wind We've got a strong love And it's a life-long love Me and…
You Plant Your Fields My father said some things you learn Only by doing, when…
You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive In the deep dark hills of Eastern Kentucky That's the place…
You're The Power Shining like a beacon through the darkest night You're the o…