Story and Photos by Glenda S. Paradee
Kathy Mattea performed 2 sold out shows at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) on June 27, 2025.
Mattea hit the stage to a roaring thunderous round of applause! She wore a beautiful black and white jacket with a black blouse, black pants and black sparkling boots. She looked gorgeous.
Mattea started her show singing L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore, a Jean Richie song that was penned in 1965. The fiddle player in Mattea's band even made his fiddle sound like a train in this song. So cool.
Mattea then sang the Darrell Scott tune You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive. Both of these tunes are about coal miners, and both are off Mattea's 2008 COAL CD. Great songs.
Mattea said it's always a joy to sing an old song that she loves to sing every night. She said this next song is a sing-along song, which is like a window to a connection with her audience. Mattea then sang her 1986 song Love at the Five and Dime, which is a song penned by Nanci Griffith and is off of Mattea's CD, Walk the Way the Wind Blows. This was Mattea's first top 10 hit. I just love the lyrics:
...So Eddie ran off with the bass man's wife
Oh, but he was back by June, singin' a different tune
And sportin' Miss Rita back by his side...
Mattea mentioned that someone once mentioned to her that the song is their whole life in 2 1/2 minutes.
Next Mattea and her band performed a beautiful instrumental with Kathy even playing a tin whistle, which was awesome, as an introduction to one of Mattea's biggest hits, Goin Gone, which was her first single released in 1987 from her Untasted Honey album. Mattea said old songs are like my old friends. This wonderful song was written by Pat Alger, Bill Dale, and Fred Koller.
Mattea mentioned to the audience that it is very thirsty here in Arizona, and she had to take a drink of water. Mattea then performed her song Untold Stories which is also off her Untasted Honey album. The song was written by her longtime friend Tim O'Brien. This song had great solos by Kathy's band members playing standup bass, guitar, and fiddle. They did an awesome job. Mattea had to drink some more water after the song, and she told the audience that she is going to Minnesota for the month of July where there is actually water all around. That got a big laugh from the whole audience.
Mattea next sang a very moving and beautiful song called Mercy Now, which was written by Mary Gauthier. Mattea said she is glad she can sing that song every night. This is song is off of Mattea's latest CD Pretty Bird. This song really reaches out with such a message of empathy. It is like a prayer. Mattea sang it so beautifully.
Mattea then sang a new song titled, My Kind. I just love the lyrics in this song so much... whatever floats your boat. After singing both of these songs, Mattea exclaimed out to the audience, Mercy & Kindness!
Mattea next performed her big hit titled Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses. Before the song she said for all of the audience to sing along. She said she knows it's hot out, but we are in air conditioning, so just cut loose and sing along. It was a great moment in her show to have a singing connection with the audience. Mattea's band added a cool bluegrass sounding ending that Mattea said that is how Del McCoury would play it.
Mattea then said this is another song about singing, and then she sang her 1989 hit Come From The Heart, which is another great song.
Mattea then said, this is my new favorite song, and then sang the very beautiful The Green Side of the Grass, which was written by her husband, Jon Vezner. It is one of my most favorite songs too. It actually brought tears to my eyes. It has a beautiful message.
Mattea then sang a country-gospel song I Can't Stand Up Alone, a song off her Pretty Bird CD and written by Martha Carson. It is another great song. I just love the lyrics:
Oh, you can't stand up all by yourself
You can't stand up alone
You need the touch of a mighty hand
You can't stand up alone
Mattea next sang her masterpiece song Where've You Been. This is a very beautiful song that was also written by her husband, Jon Vezner and Don Henry, that is a true story about Jon's grandparents. You could have heard a pin drop as Kathy sang this song. It was a very beautiful moment during her show. She then told the real story to the audience.
Mattea then said this is a song about a love story between a woman and her automobile. She then sang her hit song 455 Rocket. She also sang a request from the audience, Harley.
Mattea then came out for her encore, and she said she had a friend in the audience and that it was her friend's birthday. She then asked the audience to sing Happy Birthday with her for her friend. The whole audience sang along. Kathy did a regular version, a reggae version, a bluegrass version, and a jazz version of Happy Birthday. It was a hoot and a great moment of the show. Kathy's friend stood up and danced during the song. It was awesome!
For the last song of the night, Mattea performed the beautiful Bobbi Gentry tune, Ode To Billie Joe. Kathy recorded this on her Pretty Bird CD. It's another great song. Kathy then left the stage to a thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Mattea's band was amazing! Mattea played great acoustic guitar on every song, and her band members are Fred Carpenter on fiddle and mandolin, David Spicher on standup bass and Tim May plays acoustic guitar. They all played their hearts out. Her road manager is Don London.
Both of these Kathy Mattea shows were amazing! Kathy gave her heart and soul in every song. She really enjoys performing, and you can feel it in every song. She is also very humorous between songs. She gives credit to all the song writers. She also tells many stories throughout her performances. During her show, you can really feel all the emotions, you laugh, you cry, you have a connection, you just feel. That is what music is all about. And that is what Kathy Mattea does, she makes you feel. That is why she is my most favorite singer, ever.
For concert dates and more information about Kathy, go to her website: https://www.mattea.com
THANKS FOR THE MUSIC, KATHY!
