Biography
Kathy Kallick, born September 19, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois, is a highly respected American bluegrass singer, guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader whose career has spanned more than four decades. Raised in a musically supportive family, she began performing by singing harmony with her mother and was influenced early on by the vibrant Chicago folk scene, drawing inspiration from artists like John Prine, Steve Goodman, and Tom Dundee. After moving to California in the mid-1970s and earning a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, Kallick immersed herself in the West Coast acoustic music community, where she discovered bluegrass and began to develop her distinctive style blending traditional and contemporary roots music.[1][4][6][7]
Kallick co-founded the groundbreaking Good Ol' Persons in 1975, a band notable for its eclectic sound and for challenging gender norms in bluegrass by featuring women in prominent roles. Over 20 years, the group became a fixture of the California bluegrass scene, influencing countless musicians with their innovative approach. After the Good Ol' Persons, Kallick established herself as a solo artist and later formed the Kathy Kallick Band, whose members have included some of the top acoustic musicians in the country. Her career includes over 23 albums, a Grammy Award, two IBMA Awards, and a Lifetime Membership from the California Bluegrass Association. Kallick is celebrated for her soulful vocals, inventive songwriting, and commitment to both tradition and exploration within the bluegrass and Americana genres.[2][3][5][8]
Throughout her career, Kallick has also contributed to children's music, collaborated widely, and taught at workshops and festivals, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential figures in West Coast bluegrass. Her music continues to resonate with audiences for its emotional depth, technical virtuosity, and the sense of community it fosters.
Fun Facts
- Kathy Kallick's first bluegrass band, the Good Ol' Persons, was originally formed for a single gig but became a major force in West Coast bluegrass for over 20 years.[6]
- She has released children's music albums, including 'What Do You Dream About,' showcasing her versatility beyond bluegrass.[1]
- Kallick is one of the few bluegrass artists to win both a Grammy and multiple International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards.[2][3]
- She initially switched from fingerpicking to flatpicking guitar after accompanying old-time fiddler Michael Drayton, which shaped her instrumental style.[4]
Associated Acts
- Good Ol' Persons
- Kathy Kallick Band - original
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- John Prine - Chicago songwriter whose work inspired Kallick's early songwriting and performance style. (General influence from Prine's folk repertoire.) [1970s]
- Steve Goodman - Another Chicago folk artist who influenced Kallick's approach to songwriting and acoustic music. (General influence from Goodman's performances and songs.) [1970s]
- Tom Dundee - Chicago folk scene peer and inspiration for Kallick's early music. (General influence from Dundee's songwriting.) [1970s]
Key Collaborators
- Laurie Lewis - Co-founder and duo partner in Good Ol' Persons; frequent collaborator on various projects. (Good Ol' Persons albums, duo performances.) [1975–present]
- Good Ol' Persons - Co-founded and performed with this influential bluegrass band for over two decades. (Multiple albums and live performances.) [1975–mid-1990s]
- Kathy Kallick Band members (Tom Bekeny, Annie Staninec, Greg Booth, Cary Black) - Core band members in her eponymous band, contributing to recordings and tours. (Albums such as 'Between the Hollow and the Highrise,' 'Time,' and 'Foxhounds.') [1996–present]
Artists Influenced
- Numerous West Coast bluegrass musicians - Kallick's pioneering role in the Good Ol' Persons and her leadership in the California bluegrass scene have inspired a generation of musicians, especially women. (Influence seen in the work of later California bluegrass bands and artists.) [1980s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Love & Trouble | 2025-05-16 | Album |
| Laurie & Kathy Sing Songs of Vern & Ray | 2014-08-05 | Album |
| Together | 1995-01-01 | Album |
| Use A Napkin | 1995 | Album |
| My Mother's Voice | 2014-12-01 | Album |
| Cut to the Chase | 2014-03-15 | Album |
| Count Your Blessings | 2011-09-13 | Album |
| Matters Of The Heart | 2006-01-01 | Album |
| My Mother's Voice | 2003-01-13 | Album |
| Call Me A Taxi | 1996 | Album |
| Together | 1995-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Use a Napkin (Not Your Mom) (The Greatest Bluesgrass Fiddlers)
- Champagne Blues (Julia Belle: The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Vol. 2)
- Anywhere The Wind Blows (Anywhere The Wind Blows)
- Used To Be (True Life Blues: The Songs Of Bill Monroe)
- True Life Blues (True Life Blues: The Songs Of Bill Monroe)
- Anywhere The Wind Blows (Love & Trouble)
- Ring The Bells At Midnight (Tinsel Tunes - More Holiday Treats From Sugar Hill)
- Just Like Rain (O Sister! The Women's Bluegrass Collection)
- Use A Napkin (Not Your Mom) (Use A Napkin)
- My Old Kentucky Home (Laurie & Kathy Sing Songs of Vern & Ray)