Singer, pianist, and songwriter Katy Kinard isn't content leaving questions unasked... questions that linger in the hearts of many Christians today but often stay inside.
As a seeker, she will tell you she's been all kinds of people: one of childlike, liberated faith; a Pharisee and a legalist; a charismatic and a miracle seeker; what she calls a “near atheist;” a cynic, and a non-denominational scribe. But she's quick to embrace all areas of her journey through her music, asking questions and offering tentative answers that have come through them all.
Katy's influences range from the vocal and lyrical styles of Nichole Nordeman, Jennifer Knapp, and Plumb, to the conversational style of David Wilcox, to the soulful influence of Martina McBride. Spiritual influences include writings of C.S. Lewis, Flannery O' Connor, and Phillip Yancey...and the occasional Veggie Tales video.
Katy lets melody and lyrics take precedence in her songwriting; evident in the way she writes (often alone in her car, without instrumentation). Her songwriting days started at the age of thirteen and even then were about complex issues of spirituality, death, and love...issues she hadn't even experienced but which intrigued her by their profoundness.
Katy's opportunities to perform on stage began with annual talent shows from grade school through high school. Originally an aspiring country music singer, she sang and performed around her hometown of Woodland Park, CO, including three years at summer festivals in downtown Colorado Springs, two years at their New Year's Eve festivals, and twice as a featured artist at the Colorado Music Hall.
College proved a significant change in the direction of her music. At Belmont University in Nashville, TN, Katy was introduced to a wide range of Christian music, and as her spiritual journey deepened, her music reflected those changes. As a contemporary Christian artist, she was chosen to perform for various campus events, including their 2001 ASCAP/BMI/SESAC ethics conference, Martin Luther King Jr. events, and “writers in the round." Katy majored in commercial music and music business, and sang as a member of the Belmont Chorale.
She focused on writing and recording at Belmont, completing two albums in the Belmont studios. She performed at the Grand Ole Opry in backup choirs for artists such as Alan Jackson, Kenny Rogers, and Taylor Sorenson. During her college years and today, Katy plays at Colorado coffee shops and churches, Springspree and other local festivals, the Woodland Park Cultural Center, and the Children’s Ark. In Nashville, she makes the rounds at coffee shops, churches, and clubs such as the Bluebird Cafe, Bongo After Hours, and 12th and Porter.
Katy’s song: “Here,” has had airplay on over 30 radio stations. In 2005, she won a recording artist competition through Embassy Music's Talent Search, taking her place as one of Tennessee's regional winners. The past two summers, she has been a semi-finalist (top 100 chosen) for the Independent Music Awards, judged by TAXI And Billboard Magazine. In addition to Katy’s 2005 album, “Headed Back,” she released her sophomore CD: “You're Still Better” in 2007 and is currently booking tours and playing locally.
Katy's heart is to see people comforted and awakened spiritually and emotionally. But she is quick to say that she also needs awakening, and that her search will continue as long as there are questions.
