‘I needed to find my way back to my music. And that is exactly what I’ve done’.Catherine King is a women in pursuit of her dream. She took a 20 year detour. We can relate to that, can’t we? Many of us have taken detours, gotten caught up in life…laid our passion aside…today we would like you to meet a woman who is back on track, meet Catherine King: Folk/Country Singer. (Catherine’s clarification for me: Folk music is traditional and music of the “folks” …country to me is of a certain region..)
Catherine, we are so delighted you have agreed to share your dreams with us all. Firstly, please tell us a little about your background, family education travels dreams etc
Well, I’m the youngest of 3 children; I have an older brother and sister. I grew up in Massachusetts, first in Rockland, then moving to Cape Cod at age 12. I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston where I earned my Bachelors degree in Music Education. I just recently earned my Masters in Public Administration from Suffolk University in Boston, 20 yrs later. I’ve always been interested in local government and thought that if I can’t be a full-time musician, maybe I’ll run for office.
I haven’t travelled much, mostly around the east coast of the US, and up to Canada. My mother’s side of the family is from Newfoundland, and I’ve been there a couple of times visiting family. They are the reason I went back to playing and writing music.
I went to Newfoundland to learn more about my family, and discovered our musical heritage. My mother is a Doyle, and the Doyles of Petty Harbour are a very musical bunch. I felt at home there immediately, and fell in love with the place and the people. I didn’t want to leave, and that happens every time I go there. It was after a night of singing with my family there that I realized what had been missing in my life. I’d stopped making music almost 20 yrs earlier, when I got married and started raising my family. Then my father died, which was a huge blow to me. I found that I had lost my desire to play my guitar or sing or do anything musical after that loss. I was miserable for years, not even realizing why. There was a huge void in my life, and I didn’t know what it was until that trip to Newfoundland. Once I started singing and playing and writing again…I felt whole again. Now that I’m back to making music, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I’ll never stop now, no matter what. I didn’t get back into it with the idea of starting a new career, really. I just wanted to sing again and regain that balance in my life, because singing and writing makes me happy. But the way it’s taken off, I’m open to any and all possibilities. If I was meant to make a living making music, that’s great. If I’m meant to just do it because it makes me happy and others enjoy listening, then that’s cool too. All I know is, I’m going to keep going.
When did you 1st start wanting to be a singer and songwriter?
I remember at age 5, hearing Elvis, and wanting to be him. I’ve always been into music, since I can remember, and always loved to sing. I never had any idea if I was any good, however, until someone overheard me when I was about 12. No one else in my immediate family sang, so I had no idea I could sing at all.
I used to write a lot as a kid. When I was about 10 yrs old, I wanted to be a writer—a novelist, or reporter, journalist…any kind of writer. I wrote poetry and an emotional outlet. I didn’t start writing songs until later, at around age 15, when I started playing guitar.
What is your greatest achievement so far?
That’s easy—my 3 sons. They are my life. If you mean as a singer/songwriter…I’d have to say it’s been setting a goal and going after it. Often I’ve said I wanted to do something, but then never did it. Last year I decided, after a trip to Newfoundland, to start writing songs and performing again. I gave myself until Spring of 2011. So when spring came, I got out there and started playing at open mic nights in local pubs. Then gigs started rolling in, and people started asking where they could buy my cd….it sort of snowballed from there. I never expected it to go that way, but it’s really taken off.
At a Gig, or when you say you have one, what is the most common question asked of you?
Hmm…”what kind of music do you play?” is probably most often asked. I never really know what to say to that. Folk doesn’t really cover it…singer/songwriter is vague…maybe contemporary folk or indie folk?
Do love the hunt or the result most? ie the journey or the destination?
In my case, right now, it’s the journey, for sure. I’m not even sure what the final destination is yet. But I’m having a grand time along the way.
Now Catherine, These are the famous 10 Questions from ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ slightly adapted.
1. What is your favourite word? Yes
2. What is your least favourite word? NO
3. What excites you? The prospect of being a successful musician (full-time)
4. What bores you? Waiting for things to happen
5. What sound do you love? Acoustic guitar
6. What sound do you hate? Yelling (anger)
7. What do you love doing most? Singing
8. What profession would you not like to do? Doctor or nurse
9. Chocolate or not chocolate? Chocolate of course!!
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? “well, it took you long enough, but you finally figured out what you were meant to do with your life”
Catherine, thanks for talking with us. We wish you all the best and look forward to your 1st ever YouTube. Let us know when it is done and we will feature it.
LISTEN TO CATHERINE SING (bottom left of her site)
NOW BECOME A FAN AT REVERBERATION
©Catherine King 2012
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Here is where to find Catherine….
