Kathy's song, "The Same Mary" recently won the overall Grand Prize in the 8th Annual Great American Song Contest!
Listen to it at the top of the page, if you like...(scroll to end for full list of pats-on-the-back).
“Folk Medicine”
Maybe that’s the best way to describe Kathy Hussey’s music. Let’s just say there’s no better elixir to counteract the occasional ills of the songwriting scene -- the preoccupied navel-gazing, the world-saving, and the love-lost-lamenting -- than a healthy dose of Kathy’s insightful and inspiring songs.
Where some cling to tired cliches, she invigorates the listener, spinning stories that are fresh and involving, and delivering them onstage with charm and abundant personality. Her songs channel others, giving voice to the abandoned dog, the child within a 90-year-old woman, the French ice cream vendor, the earth itself. She knows the important light isn’t the spotlight on the singer, but the one shed on the truth.
Kathy comes from everywhere, tapping into her four-corners-of-the-country upbringing and her self-described “wonder-lust” to turn out a wide range of compelling characters. And why not? Her own story is compelling. One of identical twins, adopted at birth. A hopscotch childhood, always the “new kid.” The high school for rodeo hopefuls. The college commune. The bartending. Every stop full of new things and people to try to figure out.
Kathy’s songs come to life, because she's immersed in it. She’s a trail guide, a horsewoman, a tie-dye teacher and a leader of songwriting workshops for kids. She connects with the things that connect us all, and the proof is in the accolades. Critical raves for her three self-released albums. Festival performance honors at Kerrville, Telluride and Suwannee. Songwriting awards from Mountain Stage Newsongs, American Songwriter Magazine, Just Plain Folks, and the Grand Prize from the 2006 Great American Song Contest for “The Same Mary.”
“Folk medicine.” Hmm, could be. Consider the evidence. Endorsed by the wisdom of the elders. Natural, with a finger on the human pulse. Stimulates the brain and examines the heart. Dispensed with care and humor, often enough on a house (concert) call.
Sure looks like the prescription from here. Whatever you want to call it, the doctor says that Kathy Hussey’s music is mighty good for what ails you.
Progressive acoustic folk music --- intelligent and refreshingly free of cliche and self-indulgent introspection.
Kathy's songs have been described as paintings; imagery and characters abound in her lyrics, and they have been known to inspire people to action - quit their job, rescue a stray dog, end a relationship. As a child, she moved every couple years with her family...since then, her entire life has been one long nomadic odyssey. Not great for putting down roots, but perfect for cultivating the sense of wonder and the powers of observation that make her a such an effective storyteller.
She has released 3 critically acclaimed CDs that feature her pop-tinged-alterna-folk-bluegrassy-hip-hop sound, and she has been a finalist or a winner in many major songwriting competitions: Kerrville New Folk, Telluride Troubadour, Mountain Stage, Suwannee Springfest and others. (full list of accolades below)
She is the Director of Camp Summersong (Nashville’s songwriting camp for kids), and travels the country performing and teaching songwriting workshops for kids and adults. In Nashville, she is well-known for her 16-year stint as host of the city’s most innovative weekly songwriter gathering at Wilhagans on Sunday Nights. Kathy has recently signed with Sharp Objects Music in Nashville who will be representing her catalogue of songs to redording artists, film and television.
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GRAND PRIZE - 8th Annual Great American Song Contest ("The Same Mary")
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2006 Just Plain Folks Awards:
• Best Lyric - WINNER ("The Same Mary")
• Americana Song of the Year - 6th place ("The Same Mary")
• Americana Album of the Year - nominee (Moments of Wonder)
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2006 Finalist
Telluride Troubadour Competition
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2006 4th place
American Songwriter Magazine Lyric Contest
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2006 Semi-Finalist
Independent Music World Series, Southeast
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2005 Grand Prize
Gum Tree Songwriters Festival
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2005 2nd place
Suwannee Springfest Song Contest
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2005 Honorable Mention
Rocky Mountain Folks Fest
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2004 Finalist
Gum Tree Songwriters Festival
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2003 Winner
Kerrville New Folk Competition
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2003 5th place
Mountain Stage Newsongs Contest
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2002 Finalist
Kerrville New Folk Competition
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You don't realize how much I love my privacy. I only started a MySpace page when I was laid up in a neck brace. I don't want everyone in the world in my business.
You kids have fun over there in Facebook. I'll be right here. Unless I'm at Kerrville, of course.
Looking over my little group of friends, I imagine a summer evening, magnolia blossoms scenting the air, a large porch, red wine (or what have you), and stimulating conversation.
bucky habanero requests your presence at his debut at zanies 25 feb. wed. 7:30, and on march 22 he'll be the headline he may need your vocal accompiament on that "toy" song...remember?
Hey stranger! What a small world. That had to mean you went to a practically all girl highschool right? Jody has told me multiple high school stories and of the 8 guys that went to your school...of COURSE he claims to have been the stud. =)
It's good to hear from you. Let me know when you're in nashville again and we can grab a coffee or something.
