Have you ever heard of beautiful downtown Burbank, California? Well, that’s where I was born on May 10, 1953. I grew up in Van Nuys, in a big house which had 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms! My mom and dad’s names are Dr. Bob and Rose Polito. Before I came along, they already had 4 children. After I was born, they had 4 more! I have mostly happy memories of my childhood. I never had to say, "Mom, there’s no one to play with!" Besides my 8 brothers and sisters, there were all the neighborhood kids. We used to play block-wide games of Hide and Go Seek. We climbed walnut trees, built tree forts, and had walnut throwing wars.

My grandparents were Italian and Irish. One of my fondest memories is of the family parties we used to have at our house. There could be anywhere from 45 to 75 people at these gatherings: aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and my grandparents. The one I remember best was my grandmother, Nana. I tell stories about her when I sing "Hug-a-bug-a-boo" and "Nana". It was a great experience growing up in the midst of such a loving family. We ate lots of good Italian food, too!

I attended St. Elisabeth’s School for 8 years. Those nuns were tough teachers, but they sure gave me a good education. They gave me lots of creative writing assignments, which prepared me well for my songwriting career. I received good moral and religious training, too. I distinctly remember my third grade teacher giving the class advice on behavior that stuck in a corner of my conscience all my life. She said, "Don’t ever do anything that you would be ashamed of, if your parents saw you doing it."

I went to an all-girls Catholic high school. I grew my hair long and got contact lenses. I worked hard and got good grades. I even spent two summers in Mexico, studying the Spanish language, and living with Mexican families. Graduation day came in 1971.

In the early 1970’s, my oldest brother Paul began making guitars in the workshop out back. I loved to listen to him and his friends play these beautiful instruments. Paul taught me how to play a few chords, and my parents bought me my first guitar when I was 16. Though I never had much in the way of formal guitar lessons, I learned from watching people and studying chord diagrams, and I practiced a lot. Writing songs just came along as a part of the natural, creative course of my life.

Tim was preparing to be a pastor, so we lived for a few years in Wilmore, Kentucky, where he attended Asbury Theological Seminary. Then we moved to Lansing, Michigan, where he worked in campus ministry with college students. It was there that our daughter, Teri, was born. Then we moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where we established a campus ministry. There our son Will was born.

After 5 years, we were ready for a change. We moved to Florida and Tim got into the building materials business. I stayed home to nurture my family. I have always enjoyed homemaking. I love to cook, sew, quilt and plant a garden. I have never been bored at home! During these years, I was writing songs, mostly gospel, children’s and family tunes. 

Tim’s career meant several moves for us, but finally he was ready to go back into the ministry. We live in Callahan, Florida, where my husband pastors a small, country church called Friendship Alliance. Moving to the country was a great change for me. At last I had a good amount of time to devote to my music. I began to perform professionally and recorded my first album, Front Burner, in 1993. This was followed by Little Sheep (1994), Armadillo-Songs for Children (1996) and Porch Swing (1997.)  Then I met my current producer, Jamie DeFrates, and recorded my first live album Hug-a-Bug-a-Boo, in 1999. 

 In 2000, I began working with Jamie on Gotta Be a Doer, a collection of children's songs that soar with scriptural concepts, great values and creativity.  In 2000, I also appeared on public television for the first time, was featured on a folk radio program in Tampa, and performed in Nashville. In 2002, I decided to make the Gotta Be a Doer Video, so that kids could learn the actions and dances to the popular Doer songs.  2004 found me and Jamie working together again to produce Florida Family Folksongs. In 2007, we completed my 8th project, "Motivate with Mrs. Kate," a collection of motivational songs that I sing in my public school assembly programs.  You and your kids are going to love it!  It's been fun to see how God is working to move my musical career along.  Surprises hide around every corner! 

I'll admit, my life is really busy!  Being a pastor's wife is a full-time job in itself.  Add in the recording and live performing and it adds up to one very busy life.  But God has blessed me with lots of energy, and I love to use it by blessing people with my music.  So far I have performed in over 200 schools, over 89 libraries, and lots of festivals, senior venues and churches.

Now I am 54 years old, and our children are all grown up. Our daughter, Teri married Keith Newburn in 2004, and together they serve the Lord at Alliance Academy in Quito, Ecuador.  Teri is a high school math teacher and Keith is the school's accountant.  They also serve in ministries to poor kids who live at the city dump, children in the hospital and mountain climbing ministries.  Our son, Will (willcarpenterart.com) married Jackie in 2003.  Will teaches art at Indiana Wesleyan University.  His wife is a homemaker and is expecting our first grandchild in the spring of 2008.  My husband and I have been married for over 33 years. We live in a beautiful home we built called Porch Swing Place.  We love to have company, and children often come over to eat supper with us and enjoy family fellowship.  God has been so good to us. I thank Him for the happy life He has given me. Thanks for reading my biography today!