Kathleen Fee On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Guernslye Honoré
Be authentic: Know who you are and stay true to your inner voice, and your outer voice will shine through.
As a part of our series about Nashville’s rising stars, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Kathleen Fee.
Embarking on her musical journey at the age of 4, Kathleen Fee has remained steadfast in her commitment to creating captivating and resonant music. Widely recognized as the dynamic frontwoman and driving force behind the renowned New York City Irish band Celtic Cross, Kathleen has recently ventured into the solo realm. Over the past year, she immersed herself in the vibrant musical scene of Nashville, TN, where she crafted her eagerly awaited solo EP, Glitter Gold, scheduled for release in 2024.
As an accomplished singer-songwriter, Kathleen has graced stages and recording studios alongside notable figures such as Black 47, Loving Mary, and Shilelagh Law. Beyond her vocal prowess, Kathleen’s diverse talents extend to acting, modeling, and even championing Irish step dancing on national and international stages. Her songwriting creativity is evident in tracks like “Shores of America,” “Who I Am,” “Those Were The Days,” and “Going Home” on the Shores of America album cementing her status as one of New York’s established songwriters. Notably, she showcased her vibrant spirit in a sassy duet, “Wedding Reel,” with Black 47’s legendary frontman, Larry Kirwan.
Currently dividing her time between the coastal vibes of Montauk, NY, and the musical heart of Nashville, TN, Kathleen recently joined forces with Elisha Hoffman, the founding member of The Loving Mary Band, Steven Tyler’s country band, as well as co-founder of Pumphouse Records, launched with Lee Brice and songwriter Rob Hatch; and two-time Grammy winner, Rebecca Lynn Howard, who has written songs for Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood and has recorded with Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, and more, shaping Kathleen’s solo sound at Curb Studios. Kathleen has worked with exceptional musicians like Chris Autry, Aaron Currie, Justin Weaver, Billy Justineau, and Robert Blare bringing fresh and dynamic sound endeavors.
A force to be reckoned with in both traditional and contemporary music scenes, Kathleen continues to deliver awe-inspiring renditions of the National Anthem at NFL games, including a recent performance at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals game. This marked her second performance for the Steelers, the first being 11 years ago, and her anticipation for returning to Pittsburgh to sing the Star-Spangled Banner remains as fervent as ever. Kathleen has also graced prestigious stages, performing on notable platforms like Fox & Friends, The Fox News Network, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York, PNC Bank Arts Center, The Museum for Television & Radio, New York, and many more.
Kathleen Fee is a multi-faceted artist, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation, and her musical journey continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I grew up in Clifton, NJ, not too far outside of New York City. My family moved back to Ireland for a few years, and even after we moved back to the US, I spent every summer between both my grandparents’ farms in Mayo and Longford. Growing up with Irish parents, I was surrounded by music, stories, and traditions that have had a profound impact on who I am as a person and as a musician. From a young age, I was surrounded by the sounds of traditional Irish music, songs, and story-telling.
My parents immersed my two brothers and me in traditional music, playing Irish instruments like the fiddle, button accordion, and bodhrán. As we grew older, we were influenced by rock and roll and country music, and we began to weave these sounds into our original music, which was a cross between Celtic music and more modern music. “Celtic Cross,” which is what inspired our band’s name. I find that Irish and Country music have a lot of similarities, as both often tell stories in their lyrics and often feature rhythms and tempos that encourage people to get up and dance, whether it’s a spirited jig or lively two-step.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Becoming a singer feels like a natural extension of who I’ve always been. From the earliest memories I have, music was intertwined with my existence. I can vividly recall driving to school with my mom and singing along to melodies on the radio before I could even form coherent sentences. I was able to effortlessly memorize song lyrics and melodies, and singing really shaped and defined me as a person.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
It was a night I’ll never forget — one of those rare moments when the unexpected becomes a magical reality. I was so excited to attend the Mary Black concert at City Winery in NYC. Mary Black has been one of my musical heroes, and little did I know that I was about to become a part of the show in the most unexpected way possible.
I was singing along to every song, and then, in a moment that seemed to defy all logic, Mary turned to the audience and beckoned me to the stage. My heart skipped a beat as I realized she was pointing directly at me, inviting me up to the stage with her. My heart was racing as I made my way to the stage, unsure of what was about to happen but excited by the prospect of sharing the spotlight with one of my musical idols. As I stood beside Mary, she asked me if I knew the words to her next song, and I said, “I sure do… every one of them. I even sing it in D, just like you!” With a nod from Mary, the band launched into a familiar melody, and together, we began to sing. It was a surreal moment that I will never forget.
Can you share with us an interesting story about living in Nashville?
One of the best aspects of splitting my time between New York City and Nashville is the opportunity to experience two vastly different but equally rich musical scenes. New York City has a pulse of energy, and Nashville has a timelessness with unparalleled music talent. I love to bounce into Roberts on Broadway and the other Honky Tonks to listen to music. One of the interesting things I have learned while living in Nashville is that all the bars on Broadway have back entrances through the alley next to the Ryman Auditorium. Most people wait at the main entrance, but if you go to the alley in the back, you can usually get in faster without any lines.
Can you share with us a few of the best parts of living in Nashville? We’d love to hear some specific examples or stories about that.
The best part about living in Nashville is undoubtedly the thrill of never knowing who you might encounter on any given day. One moment, you could be chatting with a local singer-songwriter at your favorite coffee shop, and the next, you might find yourself sharing a few drinks and songs with a rising star like Marcus King.
Meeting Marcus King was truly a serendipitous moment, one that could only have happened in a city like Nashville. I happened to tip my hat and say hello to him and his wife, Briley, which led to a great conversation and a fun night. I was struck not only by his incredible talent but also by his humility and genuine passion for music. Despite his rising fame, he remained down-to-earth and approachable. In a city where talent is everywhere you turn, chance encounters like these are not just a possibility but a regular occurrence. Living in Nashville means living at the intersection of dreams and reality. It’s a city where the lines between fan and artist, friend and stranger, blur effortlessly, uniting us in a shared love for music and the shared experience of living here. And it’s moments like these — chance meetings with talented musicians like Marcus King — that remind me why Nashville is like no other.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
So, picture this: I’m up on stage, ready to rock the crowd, and I’ve got my trusty friend on piano backing me up. Everything’s going great until… I completely blank out. Yep, the words? Gone. The melody? There is nowhere to be found. But hey, the show must go on, right? Instead of panicking, I decided to roll with it. So there I am, making up lyrics on the spot, while my friend on piano is just staring at me like, “What on earth are you doing?” But being the trooper he is, he jumps right in and starts riffing along with my nonsensical gibberish.
Before we know it, we’ve completely transformed the song into this totally different, improvised piece, and you know what? The audience loved it! I am sure I would never be able to repeat what we did. I even had someone ask me where to download the version of the song. So yeah, the moral of the story is: Just keep smiling because sometimes forgetting the words can lead to the most epic musical adventures. And hey, who needs rehearsal when you’ve got spontaneity, right?
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I found myself at a gathering surrounded by Nashville musician friends, and I couldn’t help but share some of the songs I’d been recording with my band, Celtic Cross. One particular track caught the attention of Elisha Hoffman from The Loving Mary Band, and we had a great conversation that would soon change the course of my musical journey. So, fast forward four months, and I crossed paths with Elisha and his wife, Rebecca Lynn Howard, at an event. Totally taken by surprise, Elisha expressed interest in me immersing myself in songwriting and recording and discovering my voice as a solo artist. He envisioned a new chapter, Kathleen Fee 2.0, ready to be written, recorded, and shared with the world. The writing sessions that followed were nothing short of magical, fueled by creativity and collaboration. Rebecca, inspired by the music we were creating, joined forces with Elisha to co-produce my EP, infusing it with her beautiful voice, harmonies, and unique talents and perspectives.
Writing alongside incredibly talented musicians like Josh Matheny, Dove Rosenblatt, and Rachel Thibodeau was a dream come true. I am also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to record with Chris Autry on bass, Billy Justineau on keys, Justin Weaver and Aaron Currie on guitars, and Robert Blair on drums.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I just shot the video for “Glitter Gold” this week in Adams, Tennessee. The single is being released on February 16th, and the video will be released on March 1st. I am super excited to share it.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . Visualize success: I am a big believer in manifesting things in your life. Before I go on stage, I literally visualize the show sounding great and being the best performance I can give.
2 . Get uncomfortable: I think it is very important to get outside your comfort zone. Growth happens when you push yourself beyond your familiar boundaries.
3 . Don’t be afraid to fail: Not everything is going to go perfectly all the time. You are always going to be faced with setbacks and roadblocks. Don’t let fear stop you from trying again and pushing through.
4 . Be authentic: Know who you are and stay true to your inner voice, and your outer voice will shine through.
5 . Work Hard: Nothing good comes easy because everyone would be doing it if it did.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
I like to stay organized, and I am a big “list maker.” I will take a sheet of paper and write down everything that I need to accomplish, then prioritize the list into ABCD and number everything in order of importance. This really helps me to be organized and not overwhelmed. I think setting realistic time frames is also very important so that you don’t overdo it and burn out.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I think bringing more awareness to mental health issues within the music community could be a positive movement. So many people suffer from mental health issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, and insecurity about themselves. My title track, “Glitter Gold,” is a deeply personal song about the journey of facing inner battles and living up to societal expectations. So many of us grapple with our own aspirations, challenges, and the societal pressures that come with them.
We have the power of music to promote more awareness and support for mental health issues.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Life is like a beautiful melody; only the lyrics are up to you to write.” — Unknown
I will go back to my advice on manifesting and believing in yourself and what you want to happen in your life. Your mind is a powerful tool, capable of unlocking pathways to success.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I would really like to meet Kim Richey. Her music really inspired much of the sound I wanted for my solo EP. Her music is a blend of country, Americana, and folk, with amazing storytelling as well.
How can our readers follow you online?
https://www.instagram.com/kathleenfeemusic/
https://www.facebook.com/kathleen.veseyfee/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
