We have written in the past about Kate Lee, a talented young singer, fiddler and songwriter from New York. Kate has just now turned 16 and continues to impress audiences throughout the northeastern US and beyond with her poise and ability. The Bluegrass Blog is especially interested in the development of young grassers, and we thought it might be fun to have Kate share some of her experiences as a teen musician with our readers. She promises to send us ongoing reports as her schedule allows.

In my last letter, titled The Holy Grail, I told you a little bit about myself, my music, and how I fulfilled one of my dreams by meeting Alison Krauss while performing in Nashville last April. My band, No Strings Attached, and I have been very busy with touring, and recording new material. In addition to that, I just got back from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I attended a performance work shop. The time I spent at Berklee reinforced what I have learned about music, particularly bluegrass music.

Chapter 2 – Less Is More!

Most of us have grown up with the statement, “less is more.” As I learn and grow musically – remember I’m sixteen – I am coming to understand that concept more and more. My dad and my band members, who are older and often wiser than me, have always stressed that, although I should set challenging goals, I should not over complicate those goals by trying to perform music that I am either not ready for or that does not display my strengths. That’s not always easy advice to follow for a kid who wants to perform like Alison Krauss or fiddle like Stuart Duncan!

Throughout my school years, I have witnessed students performing music that is far beyond their abilities, especially in the area of vocals. Few ten-year-olds can sing like Barbara Streisand or Ella Fitzgerald. Singing songs beyond one’s ability and/or age is not only detrimental to one’s reputation.  Doing so is also unhealthy for one’s voice, especially if his or her voice is developing. Whenever I see or hear a young singer performing these difficult songs, I thank my band and my dad for their sound advice.

While I was at Berklee, I performed at a few of the college’s gigs. I chose some bluegrass and folk style songs. Both the staff and the students really enjoyed my selections. They weren’t the most difficult tunes to play or sing, but they harnessed what I like to call, my voice’s “sweet spots.” Every voice has unique gifts and unique boundaries, and I’ve worked hard to discover mine. It is absolutely crucial for a singer to discover his gifts and boundaries himself, as no other person can do so for him.

Because of my personal vocal awareness, I am able to let the song be the star! (more…)

We have written in the past about Kate Lee, a talented young singer, fiddler and songwriter from New York. Kate has just now turned 16 and continues to impress audiences throughout the northeastern US and beyond with her poise and ability. The Bluegrass Blog is especially interested in the development of young grassers, and we thought it might be fun to have Kate share some of her experiences as a teen musician with our readers. She promises to send us ongoing reports as her schedule allows.

I’m Kate Lee with No Strings Attached and this is my story, or at least some of it. It is better described as a small chapter from a book being written as I navigate this world of music. I will try to keep it brief, but it will be difficult, as there are already many great stories to tell. I say already because I have only been involved in music since I was nine in Fourth Grade, about seven years. It feels much longer because there have been so many rehearsals, performances, television and radio concerts, music and music writing contests, touring and uncounted hours of individual practicing. My stories will, I hope, be interesting as they are told through the eyes and memories of a teenager.

Chapter 1 – The Holy Grail

Actually it’s more like chapter 3 or 4 (I know I always have to be different) because I am going to start my story with some fairly recent events.

My friend and first guitarist, Jack Metzger once told my dad and I, after hearing we were going to write our own songs, that original material is the “Holy Grail” within the music industry. That has proven to be the truest, most valuable statement that anyone has ever told my dad and me.

Musically, everything changed in a very positive way the day after we wrote our first song. 20 Paces was written three years ago, and in a round about way it propelled Kate Lee with No Strings Attached into the “Big Leagues.” Soon we would be opening and sharing the stage with the likes of Rhonda Vincent, Nothin’ Fancy, Jay Unger, and The Grascals, as well as meetings with Gordon Lightfoot, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs, and ultimately Alison Krauss. The rest of this chapter or story will be devoted to how I got to meet and spend an evening with Ms. Alison Krauss. (more…)

We make a special effort here on The Bluegrass Blog to avoid choosing or promoting stories based on our personal likes and dislikes, or putting them forward based on anything but news judgment.

Like any rule, of course, there are a few exceptions and one of ours is an intent to bring attention to deserving artists who may not be well known, especially younger ones.

So, when we received the following message by email not long ago, I couldn’t help but follow up.

Hi I’m a 15 year old singer/songwriter, fiddler. I have opened for Rhonda Vincent, Jay Unger. I will open for the Grascals in Gettysburg in Aug. I performed at the Bluebird Cafe, The Commodore and and Tootsies. I have a new CD out in Feb.

The message came from Kate Lee who lives near Rochester, NY. I found music of striking maturity from this young woman, with the sort of understated emotion in her voice that comes rarely this early in life. In her mid teens, she has her own group, No Strings Attached, and has recorded two CDs, including songs she has written.

At school, Kate studies and performs classical music, singing in the select choir and playing with the orchestra. She is also a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and keeps a busy schedule of shows with her band. As a sophomore, she maintains high honor roll with distinction, and hopes to continue to study music in college – if she isn’t signed to a recording contract.

“I really love Bluegrass music because it is such a pure sound. Voice and instrument becomes one! It does not have to be fancy to be wonderful. In fact, it’s great because it is not bogged down with any extra bells and whistles. I really like a lot of different music, like classical and some country.

It helps my fiddling to have classical training as my tone and pitch must be precise in orchestra. There is no faking it. This makes my fiddling much cleaner sounding. I love to sing and am now receiving voice training as well. My vocals, like my fiddle is based on a ‘pure, simple’ sound without a lot of fancy ornamentation. I think Alison Krauss has the perfect voice. She is the standard for all singers!” (more…)