| Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 28 Jan 2005.
Roberta Drinnen Jones obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 29 Jan 2016.
Kodak singer pursues Nashville music career
KENNETH BURNS
NASHVILLE — You may have heard of Kelsey Cate’s favorite singers: Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn.
“Garth Brooks, even,” Cate said. “I’ve got a big heart for country music.”
Cate grew up listening to their music, and now she is following their example. The 18-year-old is making a go of it in Nashville.
She has just released an album, “Destination,” featuring the songwriting and musicianship of Nashville professionals.
“Destination” features mid-tempo rockers like “Count On,” sad ballads like “Ashes to Dust” and, with “Love or Something Like It,” a classic honky-tonk sound.
“I love country now,” Cate said, referring to the contemporary genre. “But there’s something about classic country that I just love.”
Cate grew up in Kodak and attended Sevier County High School. She is the daughter of Joe and Pam Cate.
She studies voice and business at Belmont University, known for its connections to Nashville’s music industry. In addition to people who work in virtually every area of the business, Belmont has produced stars like Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood.
“I’d always dreamed of coming to Nashville to pursue my music career,” Cate said. “I picked Belmont simply because it’s in Nashville, and it’s in the heart of the country music business. I get to do what I love the most, and that’s country music. I knew I was going to get the training I needed.”
She has wanted to pursue music “ever since I was little,” she said. She sang in the concert choir at Sevier County High, under director Nathan Rhea.
Cate recalled Rhea envisioning her on country’s biggest awards show: “I can’t wait to see you on the CMAs, Kelsey!”
“I said, ‘Mr. Rhea, that’s a long shot, that’s a dream,’” Cate said. “He’s been so supportive. He’s just taught me to be myself, and love country music the way I love country music.”
On Saturday at 2 p.m., Cate will celebrate the release of “Destination” with a party at Swann Plantation, 1708 Old Knoxville Highway in Sevierville. “Everyone’s invited,” Cate said. “I’ll be performing five or six songs off the album.”
Cate also is due to appear Friday on WBIR-Channel 10’s “Live at 5 at 4.” The broadcast starts at 4 p.m.
“I want my story to be told by this album,” Cate said. “I think we did a good job of telling who I am and who I want to be.”
kburns@themountainpress.com
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
CATE, JOSEPH PAUL JONES, PAMELA MICHELLE 1992-11-21
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