Kathy Mattea and Her Fans

Throughout her career, Kathy Mattea has always had a band of loyal, supportive fans. A notable event happend in the summer of 1995: an automated, computer mailing list was begun by Michael Blackmore, a fan in the Boston area. The creation of this list, known as Kathy's Clowns, was a red-letter development, in that it allowed daily, non-stop communication between fans. Still going strong, the List brings together fans of all types-- men, women, young people, Americans, Canadian, and those across the pond. There is tremendous diversity on all levels..... the one commonality is the computer.

Over time friendships developed and the logical extension of that was the concept of "travelling Matteaheads". There have been many occasions where fans gathered for road trips as short as a couple of days and as lengthy as a week and a half.... The two that stand out in my mind are the S.O.O.D. Tour (1998) and Kathy in the Rockies (2000). I have some familiarity with these tours because I played a part in the organization of them.

In 1998, the idea of getting a bunch of fans together after Fan Fair and hitting several concerts as a group was born. This trip happened to fall on Kathy's 39th birthday. We sent a invitation out through the List and soon had a sizable group interested in attending one, several or all of the shows: Atlanta, Wheeling (WV), Lewisburg (WV), Lexington (KY), Ashland (KY), and North Adams (MA). The acronym SOOD stood for Summer Of Our Dreams, a reference to one of the tunes on her 1991 CD, Time Passes By.

Group tickets were bought for several tables at the wonderful Chastain Park in Atlanta. There had been a ferocious storm there the day of the show and electricity was lost. We weren't even sure the show would go on. Kathy appeared there on a co-bill with Pam Tillis. It was a wonderful, outdoor symphony-backed performance by both ladies and we all had a lot of fun...

Next stop was Jamboree USA in Wheeling, WV. After a very long overnight trip, the little caravan pulled into WV. There we enjoyed a concert/radio broadcast at the Capitol Theatre. We continued on the next day to Lewisburg, WV in what would prove to be the "jewel in the crown" of the SOOD Tour. Knowing that this concert, held on her birthday would be special, we decided to see if we could work together with the road manager, Marc Dottore, and have a small gathering to "surprise" her after the show. A cake was made, resembling a vinyl 33 record. We met in a gallery on the first floor of the wonderful Carnegie Hall (the OTHER Carnegie Hall). A surprised Kathy found 20-25 fans awaiting her with cameras flashing, a bad rendition of Happy Birthday, and lots of gifts. The SOOD Tour will probably be remembered as the first "event" of its kind and I think that everyone who participated has some really fond memories.

The other large gathering, known as Kathy in the Rockies, occured very recently. In February 2000, Kathy came to Utah for symphony performances on three nights (2 in Salt Lake City and one in Ogden). As I live in Utah, it seemed natural to invite everyone to "come on out". That is exactly what happened. Close to 40 people attended those concerts, most flying in from every corner of the United States. We occupied a floor of a nearby hotel, ate together, snowmobiled, skied, and in general had a ball.... The concerts--and the company were wonderful!!

I'm sure as Time Passes By, there will be more "tours". We've also had occasion to meet at Fan Fair at an event known as Matteastock... Begun by yours truly in 1996, Matteastock was an attempt to help fans get to know each other. This year (June 2000) will mark the 5th anniversary of Matteastock. Some sixty fans are planning to gather at the famous Bluebird Cafe and hear Don Henry perform at this private party. The little band of Kathyfans has outgrown hotel and meeting rooms. Hopefully, Fan Fair AND Matteastock will continue on into the 2000's for many years to come....

In conclusion, I think it's fair to say that fans of Kathy Mattea are a sociable, diverse and fun group to be a part of. Anyone is welcome to take part--anytime. News of these gatherings will appear in Kathy's Clowns well before the "event" and more than anything we enjoy meeting new people.... Please feel free to join us!!

You can join the list on Kathy Mattea's web site at www.mattea.com

What the Fans Say about Kathy Mattea and Her Music

"Kathy's music helps me remember who I am and keeps me honest with myself and life." Vito

"Kathy's music is the balm for my tired or weary or broken heart, it's the wind in my sails when life is in the doldrums, it's the air in my tires when it's time to take a spin somewhere new, it's my best friend at a birthday party and there isn't a care in the world. It's perfect, any time, any place."
Peggy

"When I hear Kathy's voice, a smile comes to my face."
Susan

"What Kathy's music means to me is a safe harbor of love, compassion and sanity in a world filled with rage and hatred."
Karen G. Sprinkle

"Words can't express what Kathy and her music means to me. She is a gift from God. I am inspired by her not only for her music but for what she is as a human being. She is a loving, caring, honest, spirtual person and I know she has made me a better person. She has been my best friend in a world of uncertainty and confusion. She has been a shining light in my life. I thank God every day for bringing her into my life. I am proud to even know her. Like two of your new songs say-You took my heart out of the blue and I have always loved you! Thank you Kathy!"
Glenda S. Paradee

Dear Kathy, Thank you for being so willing to give so much of your heart and soul to your fans. It truly does mean more than words could possibly say. Your latest offering, "The Innocent Years" has enabled us to sit back and reflect on what is truly important in life. We, your fans, are definitely the ones "Walking Away Winners" for having you and your music in our lives. "God has truly blessed us with you."
Cathy Gleisberg

"When I get stressed, I pop in a Kathy CD or tape and I'm automatically on my own island. She was my first pick when I started listening to country music, and 7 years later, she's the main and pretty much, the only one." Kathy, thanks for makeing me "chill". It's made the trips over life's bumps a lot smoother.
Tammy Scott

"Kathy Mattea is real. Her music deals with real issues, and gives hope of another tomorrow. She sings of tough times, but always ends on a positive note. She leaves me feeling energized and proud of who I am."
Tina Ruble

"What Kathy means to me in one word: EVERYTHING. Kathy inspires me and brightens my every day. In addition to her prodigious talent, her personal beauty as a human being and her absolute integrity and dignity, shines through in her singing. I count myself blessed to know her."
Jim Fuller

Kathy with Glenda S. Paradee

"A lot of entertainers can make me laugh. A few can make me cry. Kathy has the rare gift to be able to make me do both, and become a better person for it."
Jim Robinson

"I probably could write a whole paper about how Kathy's music has affected me, because Kathy's music touches each of us on a personal level. All of us have our own 'Kathy stories' -- the remembrance of the first time Kathy touched our souls. Those stories are so special for each of us. I've loved sitting around after a Kathy concert and listening to other's recollections of their own Kathy epiphanies. I guess because I come from a place where the 'healing arts' are procticed, I marvel at the healing properties of Kathy's music! I've told Kathy a bunch of times that I feel her music has helped heal many more people than my meager efforts ever will. There are so many of us that relate to that aspect of her artistry, including me. She has helped me recover from some of life's struggles. Her music is so positive, when I find myself becoming so negative! She has become my angel--my saving grace when a lot of life seems unbearable."
Dick

Photo by Rene Scheiderer

To join the Kathy Mattea Fan Club write:

Kathy Mattea Fan Club
P.O. Box 158482
Nashville, TN 37215

On June 13, Kathy will have her Annual Kathy Mattea Fan Club Party in Nashville, TN. So join the fan club and you can attend too.

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