| Updated as of 7/26/2010 Thank You! Thanks to everyone for everything! The well wishes, the cards, the prayers, the mass cards, the wonderful food and the friendship! I can't thank Fr. Klasek and everyone at St. Paul's enough for everything done for us. I know my Mom really appreciated it all. My personal thanks to Mark Chappell and his wife Cindy who started the ball rolling with meals on those Mondays... (my dad still talks about those tacos!) But I thank you Mark, for your patience and understanding during this trying time for me. I'll be back to sing for church very soon! (And thanks Carlos, for playing at the service!!) To the wonderful folks at Hospice Compassus who took such compassionate care of my mom with dignity and grace. To Ann & Joe Monteleone, for the visits and the friendship... and even the THOUGHT of tiramisu! :) To Betty Gainous, long time family friend who came to spend time even when it wasn't easy... To Bobby Rae for making mom feel so good by being her friend as well as her hairdresser... to Betty Horton and her husband for coming by... Mom did appreciate that visit... A Big Special Thanks to Tammy and those at Life Care who came to our rescue when we called! You said you would and you did! We can't tell you how much that means... And without our Angel, Ms. Betty Riddell -- we don't know what we would have done without you -- thank you Betty! I'm so touched to have seen my personal friends and loved ones at my Mom's service and at the funeral. Arleen & Dick - you don't know what it means to Dad and I that you could make the trip - Mom loved you like family... Nancy! - What can I say... it means the world that you were there! James! I love you, man! Jane - my fellow girlfriend in arms! Love you too! David! I know you're a busy man these days... thanks for making the time for my mom and my family! My heartfelt gratitude to Shawn Smith for holding me up and helping me through the most difficult song of my life! :) (You too, Audrey!) No words.... ****************************************** The Tullahoma Songwriter's Circle will NOW be meeting FOUR (4) times a month -- every first (1st) FRIDAY, 6 to 8pm, outside the beautiful village of Viola, at the Viola Valley Country Store and Restaurant, at The Celtic Cup Coffee House on Anderson St. in Tullahoma, every second (2nd) FRIDAY evening, 6-9pm; at our original venue - the Sweet Aroma Cafe - every third (3rd) TUESDAY, 6-8pm; and at our brand new venue in Manchester, TN, at THE BREW, Brew's Alley - every last FRIDAY of the month. If you are in the Tullahoma or Manchester area, are a songwriter, or are just someone who wants to listen to some live music, please come by and join us! Our next Circles will be: BREW'S ALLEY on Friday, July 30th, 6-9pm; Viola Valley Country Store and Restaurant on Friday, August 6th, 6-7:45pm; and The Celtic Cup on Friday, August 13th, 6-9pm. We're open to the public!!! No cover!!! Come join us for good music and laughs!!!! ********************************************************** Needless to say -- this has been and continues to be the most difficult time in my life. But I will be back to the Circles and to Church... and to the MS meetings as well. I'm sorry I missed July's meeting, but will meet up with you all in August. Angels are Watching Over Us... Now there's one more! :) God Bless and Keep You, Mom! Kathy |
| Kathy Martin |
Singer ~ Songwriter ~ Guitarist ~ Poet ~ Computer Artist
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Visitors to this site
Her music can add the perfect
touch to any occasion.
"I've played for everything from huge,
outside weddings to a tiny,
hole-in-the-wall bar with a stage cage...
from a wake for a little boy in Northeast
DC to a baby shower in Potomac,
Maryland. I feel as if I've seen it all!"
touch to any occasion.
"I've played for everything from huge,
outside weddings to a tiny,
hole-in-the-wall bar with a stage cage...
from a wake for a little boy in Northeast
DC to a baby shower in Potomac,
Maryland. I feel as if I've seen it all!"
| Click any TSC logo you see or the link on the Menu |
Kathy previously performed
with the band "The River", also
featuring Lou Pfrang, Bobby
Flurie, Bill Bates and
Michael Mayo.
"It's a lot of fun playing with the guys.
It's not all on your shoulders then... and
I love singing harmony. But it's still fun
to play solo, when I get the chance.
with the band "The River", also
featuring Lou Pfrang, Bobby
Flurie, Bill Bates and
Michael Mayo.
"It's a lot of fun playing with the guys.
It's not all on your shoulders then... and
I love singing harmony. But it's still fun
to play solo, when I get the chance.
When asked what her plans for
the future are, Kathy says,
"I think I'm learning how not to make a
ton of plans and just to take things as
they come. Doesn't mean I'm not
always thinking of different things I
might want to do, and I'm still writing... I
hope I'll always be able to do that!"
the future are, Kathy says,
"I think I'm learning how not to make a
ton of plans and just to take things as
they come. Doesn't mean I'm not
always thinking of different things I
might want to do, and I'm still writing... I
hope I'll always be able to do that!"
| Please continue to keep our military personnel in your thoughts and prayers. They are serving their country in these troubled, troubled times. These are our own kids out there... whether or not we know them personally. Please keep them always on your mind! God Bless Everyone! ...yes, the price of glory is high... still paid by the fortunes of war...... |
Kathy Martin is a former Air Force brat, born in Fort Dix, NJ. Singing started in church and school
choirs, leading to wedding work. And that led to her decision to try an open mike night at a local Virginia
restaurant in 1978. Kathy worked the open mike circuit like a job – 4 different places, 4 nights a week – for
about a year and a half. Before she knew it, she’d spent 12 years as a solo artist, playing the clubs and bars
and restaurants all over the area. The last 5 of those 12 years were also spent sitting in with Holly & Lou, a
local duo act – Holly Garber and Lou Pfrang. Jobs together became more frequent and soon they were doing
club gigs, weddings, private parties and New Year’s Eve dates. Also during that time, Kathy did some
recording work for Charlie Barnett (whose band at the time was called The Correctones). He was writing
jingles, and asked Kathy to sing on his demo tapes. Some of those demos became radio commercials,
including a short-lived one for Oldsmobile and one for Banner Glass, which aired off and on for about 2 years
in the Washington/ Baltimore area.
It took about 4 years total, but she was able to release her own cassette tape, entitled “Kathy Martin – NOW”.
The title song, written by Lou Pfrang, was performed with Sanford Markley, another local artist, who did all the
arranging and recording of her original material. The half studio, half live tape was well received, but sold a
little less than 500 copies. “Marketing is everything, you know”, she laughs.
Kathy moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1991. With the live music scene in Vegas almost non-existent at the
time, she kept her foot in the music biz by going to the Karaoke clubs – even made some money that way.
She opened for the “Elvis” act at the El Morocco on the strip (she was the show’s Patsy Cline), and was also
able to start her own open mike night at a tiny place called The Glass Pool. From contacts there, she fell into
more recording work, doing background vocals for some of the “Legends”-type shows in Reno and Laughlin.
When Kathy came back from Las Vegas in 1994, she found that Lou Pfrang was working in a duo with
Ross Firey – they called themselves Riverbend. She started sitting in and, when they found they had a great
trio sound, started playing more and more with the guys as their 3rd part harmony. She also started working
with Lou as the duo Green Lights.
Over the years, Riverbend/Green Lights went through many metamorphoses. The band simply became The
River. As the core of the group, Lou and Kathy worked with many different players, including Bobby Flurie, Bill
Bates, and Michael Mayo.
Kathy learned in 1998 that she has had multiple sclerosis since at least 1991 (more probably since 1985),
and now Type 2 Diabetes has been added to her mix. It’s more difficult for her to play for long periods of
time, but she still likes to sing and play the music she loves when the opportunity presents itself. And
writing… she wants very much to continue to write more songs. She's currently playing and singing music
for masses at St. Paul's Catholic Church with Mark & Carlos every week, and she's one of the founding
members of the Tullahoma Songwriter's Circle that meets monthly to sing and play original music. And
she's branched out into children's books and poetry ventures as well (poetry has been published --- books,
not so much yet...). She’d also love to be able to sing blues and jazz standards at a piano so she wouldn’t
have to concentrate on playing guitar. Who knows... Any players out there?
choirs, leading to wedding work. And that led to her decision to try an open mike night at a local Virginia
restaurant in 1978. Kathy worked the open mike circuit like a job – 4 different places, 4 nights a week – for
about a year and a half. Before she knew it, she’d spent 12 years as a solo artist, playing the clubs and bars
and restaurants all over the area. The last 5 of those 12 years were also spent sitting in with Holly & Lou, a
local duo act – Holly Garber and Lou Pfrang. Jobs together became more frequent and soon they were doing
club gigs, weddings, private parties and New Year’s Eve dates. Also during that time, Kathy did some
recording work for Charlie Barnett (whose band at the time was called The Correctones). He was writing
jingles, and asked Kathy to sing on his demo tapes. Some of those demos became radio commercials,
including a short-lived one for Oldsmobile and one for Banner Glass, which aired off and on for about 2 years
in the Washington/ Baltimore area.
It took about 4 years total, but she was able to release her own cassette tape, entitled “Kathy Martin – NOW”.
The title song, written by Lou Pfrang, was performed with Sanford Markley, another local artist, who did all the
arranging and recording of her original material. The half studio, half live tape was well received, but sold a
little less than 500 copies. “Marketing is everything, you know”, she laughs.
Kathy moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1991. With the live music scene in Vegas almost non-existent at the
time, she kept her foot in the music biz by going to the Karaoke clubs – even made some money that way.
She opened for the “Elvis” act at the El Morocco on the strip (she was the show’s Patsy Cline), and was also
able to start her own open mike night at a tiny place called The Glass Pool. From contacts there, she fell into
more recording work, doing background vocals for some of the “Legends”-type shows in Reno and Laughlin.
When Kathy came back from Las Vegas in 1994, she found that Lou Pfrang was working in a duo with
Ross Firey – they called themselves Riverbend. She started sitting in and, when they found they had a great
trio sound, started playing more and more with the guys as their 3rd part harmony. She also started working
with Lou as the duo Green Lights.
Over the years, Riverbend/Green Lights went through many metamorphoses. The band simply became The
River. As the core of the group, Lou and Kathy worked with many different players, including Bobby Flurie, Bill
Bates, and Michael Mayo.
Kathy learned in 1998 that she has had multiple sclerosis since at least 1991 (more probably since 1985),
and now Type 2 Diabetes has been added to her mix. It’s more difficult for her to play for long periods of
time, but she still likes to sing and play the music she loves when the opportunity presents itself. And
writing… she wants very much to continue to write more songs. She's currently playing and singing music
for masses at St. Paul's Catholic Church with Mark & Carlos every week, and she's one of the founding
members of the Tullahoma Songwriter's Circle that meets monthly to sing and play original music. And
she's branched out into children's books and poetry ventures as well (poetry has been published --- books,
not so much yet...). She’d also love to be able to sing blues and jazz standards at a piano so she wouldn’t
have to concentrate on playing guitar. Who knows... Any players out there?
| If you would be interested in finding out more about the rising Diabetes epedemic in the US, please click on the butterfly icon below labeled DB and it will take you to the American Diabetes Association Website. |
| If you would be interested in finding out more about Multiple Sclerosis, please click on the butterfly icon below labeled for MS and it will take you to the NMSS Website. |
MS
DB
| If you'd be interested in learning more about what we with MS deal with every day, here's a really interesting page on the NMSS site. It's called "The Faces of MS" |
My story is under
"Facing MS with Attitude"
"Facing MS with Attitude"
| Article not available |
| Bangkok, Thailand, 1969 |
Washington Post, 1998
| Riverbend Publicity Photo, 1996 |
Cape Gazette, 1996
Reston-Herndon Folk
Club Showcase, 2004
Club Showcase, 2004
Favorites...
What Artists Were Your Biggest Influences in Music?
Billy Joel
I was and still am in awe of his songwriting talent, not to mention the piano playing AND he could sing it seemed
like everything! I knew every one of his songs by heart and for about 8 years when I was able, I went to every
concert I possibly could. He's an amazing artist who is still going strong!
Barbra Striesand
I saw her in "Funny Girl" on a 2-story high theatre screen in Bangkok, Thailand, and said WOW! I want to be able
to sing like that! I used to practice in the mirror with a hairbrush for a mike, belting out "Don't tell me not to live,
just sit and putter" at the top of my lungs along with her record. (Yes, that's right people. I said record!) :) She's
the ultimate "voice" to aspire to. And I always tried to match her note for note. I'm sure that's what helped me
gain what range I ended up with later in my career.
Glen Campbell
When we returned from Thailand, it was 1970, and there was a lot of strangeness going on in the Washington DC
area. I stayed in a lot and TV was my friend. So Glen Campbell became my friend, with his Goodtime Hour. He
doesn't know it, but he taught me to pick the guitar. I used to watch him every week and that's how I learned to do
it. Friends helped me with bar chords and things later, but my original "picking style" came from Mr. C.
Thanks, Glen!
Bette Midler
She helped me appreciate what Rock & Roll really, really was. I didn't REALLY get it until I saw her performance in
"The Rose". Everything changed for me after that. The light bulb went on! I got it.
Linda Ronstadt
Maybe my biggest influence in the '70's because I could sing all her material since we had such similar ranges and
I loved everything she seemed to choose to cover; from Smokey Robinson to Willie Nelson to Warren Zevon - she
did it all. And I wanted to do that. Plus it didn't hurt that The Eagles were her back-up band! :)
Billy Joel
I was and still am in awe of his songwriting talent, not to mention the piano playing AND he could sing it seemed
like everything! I knew every one of his songs by heart and for about 8 years when I was able, I went to every
concert I possibly could. He's an amazing artist who is still going strong!
Barbra Striesand
I saw her in "Funny Girl" on a 2-story high theatre screen in Bangkok, Thailand, and said WOW! I want to be able
to sing like that! I used to practice in the mirror with a hairbrush for a mike, belting out "Don't tell me not to live,
just sit and putter" at the top of my lungs along with her record. (Yes, that's right people. I said record!) :) She's
the ultimate "voice" to aspire to. And I always tried to match her note for note. I'm sure that's what helped me
gain what range I ended up with later in my career.
Glen Campbell
When we returned from Thailand, it was 1970, and there was a lot of strangeness going on in the Washington DC
area. I stayed in a lot and TV was my friend. So Glen Campbell became my friend, with his Goodtime Hour. He
doesn't know it, but he taught me to pick the guitar. I used to watch him every week and that's how I learned to do
it. Friends helped me with bar chords and things later, but my original "picking style" came from Mr. C.
Thanks, Glen!
Bette Midler
She helped me appreciate what Rock & Roll really, really was. I didn't REALLY get it until I saw her performance in
"The Rose". Everything changed for me after that. The light bulb went on! I got it.
Linda Ronstadt
Maybe my biggest influence in the '70's because I could sing all her material since we had such similar ranges and
I loved everything she seemed to choose to cover; from Smokey Robinson to Willie Nelson to Warren Zevon - she
did it all. And I wanted to do that. Plus it didn't hurt that The Eagles were her back-up band! :)
What's in the CD player lately?
Been feeling nostalgic... listening to Sanford & Lena Markley's "Shadows on the Light" CD. It
just sounds so great... and a little like home to me! :)
Also been listening to a lot of Eva Cassidy lately... such a beautiful voice....
Been feeling nostalgic... listening to Sanford & Lena Markley's "Shadows on the Light" CD. It
just sounds so great... and a little like home to me! :)
Also been listening to a lot of Eva Cassidy lately... such a beautiful voice....
Seen any good movies?
My sister turned me onto Netflix so I can watch online as well as get DVDs in the mail. I saw a
movie written and starring Craig Ferguson called I'll Be There. I liked it very much.... of
course, I like Craig Ferguson, and I loved the music in the movie! :) I've seen a bunch ...
more than I can name... plus -- I get to see a ton of old things that I love -- like old Addams
Family TV shows and stuff... but movies? I just saw something called Echelon Conspiracy
that was really good.... This will be a very cool diversion for me............
My sister turned me onto Netflix so I can watch online as well as get DVDs in the mail. I saw a
movie written and starring Craig Ferguson called I'll Be There. I liked it very much.... of
course, I like Craig Ferguson, and I loved the music in the movie! :) I've seen a bunch ...
more than I can name... plus -- I get to see a ton of old things that I love -- like old Addams
Family TV shows and stuff... but movies? I just saw something called Echelon Conspiracy
that was really good.... This will be a very cool diversion for me............
What are you watching on TV?
Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, White Collar and Bones. And then our old standbys that we can
watch anytime.... CSI-NY, NCIS, The Mentalist, House... to name just a few... :)
But my obsessions are the Design Shows on HGTV!!!! Color Splash is my VERY favorite!
I LOVE David and Danielle! But anytime I can, I try to watch Deserving Design, Rate My
Space, Design on a Dime, Get it Sold.... I LOVE the before & after!!!! :) :) :) And House
Hunters... I like to guess which ones they'll decide on (and dream what it would be like to
have that kind of money!!!!!) :)
Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, White Collar and Bones. And then our old standbys that we can
watch anytime.... CSI-NY, NCIS, The Mentalist, House... to name just a few... :)
But my obsessions are the Design Shows on HGTV!!!! Color Splash is my VERY favorite!
I LOVE David and Danielle! But anytime I can, I try to watch Deserving Design, Rate My
Space, Design on a Dime, Get it Sold.... I LOVE the before & after!!!! :) :) :) And House
Hunters... I like to guess which ones they'll decide on (and dream what it would be like to
have that kind of money!!!!!) :)
What are you reading these days?
Been reading a lot of Janet Evanovich these days... :) Love her!!! :) :) :)
Been reading a lot of Janet Evanovich these days... :) Love her!!! :) :) :)
If you want more information on Oral
Cancer and what you can do, click
on the Oral Cancer Foundation logo
to go to their website.
Cancer and what you can do, click
on the Oral Cancer Foundation logo
to go to their website.
Click this ribbon
to go to The
Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer
Foundation
website.
to go to The
Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer
Foundation
website.
Click the hat at
right to go to
another cool
website:
http://www.check
yourboobies.org/
right to go to
another cool
website:
http://www.check
yourboobies.org/
| The Battle This is dedicated to anyone out there battling with the dreaded Big C, whether it's breast cancer or any other kind, like my sister did with oral cancer and now my mom with liver cancer. In the last statistics I saw, 1 in 33 breast cancer patients loses their fight. That's hopeful for the 32, but we need more help for the one we're losing... click on the ribbon at right if you'd like to find out how you can help. |
| Pretty in Pink |
| Ringlets |
| These are some other items from the "Art Gallery". If you want to take your life in your own hands and peruse the rest of the collections, click on the flower pot above. :) |
| Feng Shui Geo |
| Thanks for the visit - come back again anytime! |
| Welcome to My Website! www.kathymartinmusic.com Any comments or problems with this site, please contact the Webmaster on this link. |
Biography
Kathy's Art Appreciation & Poetry Corner |
| This started out as a joke, but has become fun and even sometimes inspirational! I won't win any awards, but we sometimes get some laughs with the art and now I've found a place to post my poetry! If you want to peruse the "Art Gallery" click on the flower pot above and it will take you to the entire collection -- but at your own risk! I take no responsibility!!! :) And to browse through "Poet's Pantry" click on the tea cup! |
Press/Articles
| June 9th at the Jackson Civic Center.. We were there! Check it out! Click on the thumbnails: GO GREEN COFFEE COUNTY! |
Kathy Martin's singing style is reminiscent of Patsy Cline with the soul of Mahalia Jackson. Whether it's singing
covers or her own original compositions, Kathy wows her audiences with a heartfelt delivery that comes from deep
within and has folks asking for more. If I'd been a car, then the first time I heard Kathy Martin sing she'd have blown
my doors off. Kathy is a woman who sings with such deep down feeling… that I can't help but feel she's singing just
for me.
Karen from Annapolis, MD
Kathy’s music is like medicine for my ears.
Vince from Cumberland, RI
I always enjoy Kathy's songs, but the thing I think I like best is that they tell interesting stories. "The story behind the
song" is one of the most entertaining parts of listening to Kathy.
Sara from Tullahoma, TN
My description of (Kathy) would be "awesome voice, awesome delivery".
Kathleen from Vienna, VA
covers or her own original compositions, Kathy wows her audiences with a heartfelt delivery that comes from deep
within and has folks asking for more. If I'd been a car, then the first time I heard Kathy Martin sing she'd have blown
my doors off. Kathy is a woman who sings with such deep down feeling… that I can't help but feel she's singing just
for me.
Karen from Annapolis, MD
Kathy’s music is like medicine for my ears.
Vince from Cumberland, RI
I always enjoy Kathy's songs, but the thing I think I like best is that they tell interesting stories. "The story behind the
song" is one of the most entertaining parts of listening to Kathy.
Sara from Tullahoma, TN
My description of (Kathy) would be "awesome voice, awesome delivery".
Kathleen from Vienna, VA
How would you describe Kathy's music?
Tullahoma News, 2007
| Click the link below to join Garth Brooks through the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to donate today! |
| Shamrock Fields |
Sign the petition! Insurance companies are forcing women who have to have
mastectomies to leave the hospital before they are really ready. Allow them their 2 days for
heavens sake! The doctors and nurses know they need it! Make Congress force the insurance
companies to stop their tyranny. It will take you 1 minute, and it's free. Just click the link or
the banner to the left! And thank you!!!
mastectomies to leave the hospital before they are really ready. Allow them their 2 days for
heavens sake! The doctors and nurses know they need it! Make Congress force the insurance
companies to stop their tyranny. It will take you 1 minute, and it's free. Just click the link or
the banner to the left! And thank you!!!
Click on the butterfly to go
back to the top of the page
back to the top of the page
| Tullahoma News, Aug 20, 2008 |
| July |
Check out the Photos page for other shots of Kathy and more...
| If you'd like to add a quote here... one Kathy would be able to use on a future CD project, send it to her by email at kmmartin_7@yahoo.com |
Tullahoma News,
May 13, 2009
May 13, 2009
My mom if fighting liver cancer... there were no real symptoms to
speak of, except she was having "gall bladder problems". They
decided to remove her gall bladder due to stones, and found a
small mass on her liver... biopsy and then scan led to the
discovery of a massive inoperable tumor. There are a lot of
stories like this... Here is a link to info about Liver Cancer:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/liver/page8
speak of, except she was having "gall bladder problems". They
decided to remove her gall bladder due to stones, and found a
small mass on her liver... biopsy and then scan led to the
discovery of a massive inoperable tumor. There are a lot of
stories like this... Here is a link to info about Liver Cancer:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/liver/page8
It was believed that my mom's liver cancer may have started in
her pancreas... by the time it was found, it was moot. But
pancreatic cancer is aggressive. Here is a link to information
about pancreatic cancer support:
http://www.pancan.org/
her pancreas... by the time it was found, it was moot. But
pancreatic cancer is aggressive. Here is a link to information
about pancreatic cancer support:
http://www.pancan.org/
| Purple Pain |
Click on the
thumbnail above
for the latest music
at THE BREW
thumbnail above
for the latest music
at THE BREW
| In Loving Memory of ELIZABETH ANN MARTIN September 18, 1933 July 11, 2010 Hail Mary, Full of Grace The Lord is With You Blessed are you among Women And blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus Holy Mary, Mother of God Pray for us sinners Now, and at the hour of our death Amen *** You were stronger than you thought And much braver than you showed We love you so very much And we want the world to know From your loving family |
It's Us!!!
Check it Out!!
Check it Out!!