On the "retro rack" is a lady that was trained in singing classical music. Then she hit upon folk music and took up playing the guitar. She would become a major hit maker in the late 80's.

 

Kathy Mattea attended West Virginia University, but quite school and moved to Nashville in 1976. She worked odd jobs while honing in on her songwriting skills.

By 1983 she landed a deal with Mercury Records and the next year had released a couple of albums. Neither one would generate a song that broke the Top 20.

But the third time was the charm. That album "Walk the Way The Wind Blows" produced four Top 10 hits.

The following album in 1987 called "Untasted Honey" would have two Number One hits come off it, "Goin' Gone" and her signature hit, "Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses". That song would win the CMA's single of the year award in 1988.

Mattea would go on to win a Grammy award for her song "Where've You Been" and she would also be named the CMA's Female Vocalist of The Year in 1989 and 1990.

Kathy Mattea on "Rick's Retro Rack".

 

 

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