Kathy Mattea is an American country, folk, and bluegrass singer-songwriter known for expressive storytelling and a career that bridges mainstream Nashville country with Appalachian roots music. Her breakthrough album Walk the Way the Wind Blows produced “Love at the Five and Dime,” followed by four No. 1 country singles: “Goin’ Gone,” “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” “Come from the Heart,” and “Burnin’ Old Memories.” Her signature recording “Where’ve You Been” earned the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, while the gospel album Good News brought her a second Grammy. Later projects including Coal, Calling Me Home, and Pretty Bird explored Appalachian, folk, and traditional material more deeply, and in 2025 Mattea became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
