Listening to Kathie Baillie sing is an intimate experience. She can break your heart, make you want to get up and dance, and at times, inspire and comfort you. No matter what type of song, Kathie Baillie sings with a passion and purity uniquely her own. Articulate and evocative, Kathie's voice has an emotional depth that brings the lyrics to life. Kathie Baillie is not merely an interpreter of song; she inhabits it. Whether lamenting a lost love, reflecting on a life past, or even kicking her man to the curb, Kathie imbues her music with a believability that few others can equal. Praised by critics and admired by her peers, Kathie Baillie is an extraordinary singer-songwriter who has "become" and she will become a part of your life.
Born in New Jersey, raised in Connecticut and Delaware, Kathie's
musical talents were nurtured by her parents, Jim and Kay Baillie.
While still in her teens, Kathie began performing at school functions
and local cafés, playing acoustic guitar and singing covers of Judy
Collins, Joan Baez and Bonnie Raitt. Influenced by both the folk music
scene and the confessional songwriting styles of Joni Mitchell, James
Taylor and Tim Harden, Kathie developed her own naturally heartfelt
sound.
In the early 1970s, Kathie, future husband Michael Bonagura, and his
longtime school friend, Alan LeBeouf, formed the acoustic trio,
Bittersweet. Known for their close harmonies and Kathie's luminous
voice, the trio toured extensively up and down the East Coast, and
performed before sold-out audiences at legendary NYC clubs (The
Bottom Line, Folk City, Trax). They released their first single "Please
Don't Tell Me Goodnight" under the Big Tree Records/Atlantic imprint
in 1975. In addition to their live shows, the group recorded a number
of jingles for Burger King and provided background vocals for acts as
diverse as the Ramones.
In 1981, Kathie recorded with Ed Bruce in a Nashville studio to provide
background harmony vocals on the song "My First Taste of Texas".
The song became a number one record from the 1982 MCA release and
gave Kathie her first taste of Nashville. Kathie and Michael moved to
Music City (1982) where they gained recognition as session singers
and songwriters. They sang background on projects for Moe Bandy,
Dan Seals, Lynn Anderson, Randy Travis and more.
PART OF HER HISTORY
KATHIE BAILLIE OF BAILLIE AND THE BOYS
"Whether you are a performing artist or a housewife, the more you do what you do, that"s how you become who you are. Believe in what you do, or you won't ever "become".
LeBeouf eventually joined the two in Nashville and, after a successful live audition, the trio was signed by RCA Records in 1985 as Baillie and the Boys. The reunited group recorded and released their first single entitled "Oh Heart" which became the group's first top ten hit and their trademark song. They followed with five more albums to score a total of 10 BillBoard Top 10 country hits-many of which were co-written by Kathie-and were recognized with awards and nominations from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country
Music and the TNN/Music City News Awards. In 1991, Kathie co-hosted the nationally televised Music City News Awards Show with legendary Nashville performers Ray Stevens and Jimmy Dean. She was also a co-host and a regular performer on The Nashville Network's Yesteryear show for two consecutive seasons.
KATHIE BAILLIE
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SOLO ARTIST
The transition from lead singer to solo artist has actually been a natural
evolution for Kathie. "I had been asked for years-even before Baillie and The Boys was signed-to consider a solo project. Somehow, the timing just never seemed right. I had plenty of original music and certainly was used to performing as a solo act, life just always seemed to get in the way. Now the time feels right". "My life consists of my family, my friends, my faith and my music".
LOVE'S FUNNY THAT WAY is a collection of songs about love in all its forms;
romantic love, maternal love, undependable love and even love of the Lord.
The project itself was a labor of love Kathie shared with husband, Michael,
and daughter, Alyssa. Kathie co-wrote four of the songs with Michael and
four with other renowned writers. The final cut on the CD entitled "Come to
Me," was written by Kathie and the talented Alyssa. "I don't just think of an 'idea' and write a song. I like to write songs thatare stories and they're often about things that I've been through. I think that's what my fans relate to. Because I draw from my life experience, there's an honesty about my songs -I can't force it. I've had people write me letters and e-mails telling me how a certain song said exactly what they were feeling or going through at a particular time. A writer can't ask for
much more than that!"
LOVE'S FUNNY THAT WAY is a CD that is sure to please both long-time fans
and those who may be discovering Kathie Baillie for the first time. Her
crystalline voice is stronger than ever and she uses all of its nuances to
create a sound that is ageless. LOVE'S FUNNY THAT WAY is real music by a
gifted singer-songwriter backed by some of the most talented musicians in
Nashville. "There are two things in life that are meant to be shared -love and music. I have been blessed to be able to share both".
"We had a lot of fun recording this album and I think that's what really shines through. "Love's Funny That Way" and "All Fall Down," are just really fun to sing -they're both 'get up and move' songs".
This CD has something for everyone - from the up-tempo title cut, to Kathie's signature ballads, to the hard-driving "All Fall Down," which features Michael's classic electric guitar work. "What I enjoyed most about recording this project was the freedom to select and record songs just because I liked them. There really was no preconceived theme for the album and no 'suits' looking over my shoulder. After so many years in the business, I really felt like I didn't have to impress anyone. I could just feel the lyrics and be the messenger which is something you really can't do as part of a group. With the Boys, it was always more important to match my vocals to the others for that perfect harmony. This time, I could just close my eyes and get lost in the in the words I was singing. The harmonies were not even considered until after I had finished my vocals".
For those of you who already know and love Kathie Baillie, get ready for a special treat. Her first solo project, LOVE'S FUNNY THAT WAY, is the perfect showcase for Kathie's vocal versatility. From the care with which the songs were selected to the skillful production by Michael Bonagura, LOVE'S FUNNY THAT WAY was created with obvious pride. "I'm really proud of this CD and I think it explores my full vocal range. But believe me, there's much more to come!" A simplistic blend of pop and country with a splash of bluegrass appeal, the CD is contemporary and real with an unpretentious acoustic composition that is sure to be embraced worldwide. For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of hearing Kathie Baillie, this CD is the perfect introduction. From the rousing hook of the CD's title song to the inspirational, "Come To Me," Kathie Baillie will lead you on an emotional journey you'll want to take again and again.
K. ATwood katwood@mcnmm.com 615.771.1295
Aspirion Records Group, Inc. 1200 Division St., Ste. 206 Nashville, TN 37203-4000
