Reporter: Kate, when did you start singing?

 Kate: My earliest memory of singing is when I was in grade school and church as a little girl.

 Reporter: Do you remember the first song that you wrote?

 Kate: Yes, it was called the "28 Blues". I sang it at an open mike at the Ice House in Pasadena. I was scared stiff!

 Reporter: When did you begin writing gospel music?

 Kate: After I became a Christian in 1972. I was so filled with my love for Jesus Christ that I wrote a song called "Sitting on a Hillside". The chorus goes, "Oh Jesus Christ, it feels so nice to know that You love me".

 Reporter: How do you actually write a song?

 Kate: Usually I get a melody and chorus lyrics running through my brain. I just keep on singing it and then grab a piece of paper and begin writing the words down as they pop into my brain. If I get stuck, I use a rhyming dictionary. Then I’ll grab my guitar and work out the chords. The songs are in my heart and they have to come out at the appointed time. Finally the song goes in the "cooker" for awhile. I sing it a lot and rewrite parts that I think could be better.

Reporter: Do you believe that anyone can write a song?

 Kate: I don’t know! I’d say give it a try and see if you can! I do believe that the songwriting talent is a gift from God, and I thank Him for every song He gives to me.

 Reporter: How many songs have you written in the past 30 years?

 Kate: I wish I knew. Someday I ought to count them. Probably 200-300?

 Reporter: Where do you get your ideas for your folk songs?

 Kate: Usually from experiences in my life. For instance, I wrote "Lima Beans," "Homemade Bread" and "Ode to Leftovers" while I was cooking in the kitchen.

 Reporter: What about your gospel songs?

Kate: I read the Bible every day. Often I will get an idea for a song while I am reading God’s Word. For example, "The Sluggard Song" is composed of all the scriptures I could find in the Book of Proverbs about lazy people. I had a lot of fun writing that song, and it’s a blast to sing.

 Reporter: Did you have a hard time making the transition from a gospel artist to a folk artist?

 Kate: Yes, I did. At first, I thought God would be pleased mostly with the gospel songs, and that the folk songs were second rate, because they weren’t about Him. I still believe that praising God is the best thing I can do with my mouth. But I now firmly believe that God likes folk songs, too, and that I can sing them for His glory, as well as gospel songs.

Reporter: Is there anything you don’t like about performing your songs?

Kate: Sometimes people have very straight faces and won’t smile or respond in any way to what I am doing. But I don’t let that bother me anymore. I have had many of those kind of people come up to me after a show and tell me they really liked my music.

Reporter: You put a lot of energy into your performances. Do you ever get tired of singing?

Kate: Sometimes I think "Armadillo" is going to get old, since I have sung it hundreds of times. But then I realize that it may be brand new to the people in my audience. So I always try to give it my best shot.

Reporter: Do you ever get scared singing in front of people?

Kate: Not really, not any more. I am a people person. I love performing. I love to make people happy and make them think. Getting my audience involved and singing along is very important to me. I always hope that God’s love will shine through me in every song I sing.

Return to Home Page     Return to Mrs. Kate Info Page      Head to Album Shop

Email Mrs. Kate