When Katie was faced with picking the title for her first album, it was an easy process coming up with “Hit the Ground Running.” It just seemed appropriate when you look at the path Katie is taking to currently position herself in the spotlight of the music world.

Though the process began years ago when she opted to move to New York to pursue opera of all things, the journey did not really gain momentum until the summer of 2008. In a short 7 months, Katie decided to put music back in the forefront of her life and with that decision, a very powerful wave began moving. Since that day, Katie has signed a management deal, recorded an album, put together a new band and is taking the music scene by storm.

With a soulful voice compared to the likes of Alison Krauss, her music merges a handful of influences and decades of style. With a blend of the 60’s and 70’s rock/folk that her parents raised her on and her own love of country and bluegrass, Katie’s music is a unique addition to the current industry landscape.

Though self described as somewhat shy, Katie has been performing her entire life. It’s clear she’s got creative blood running through her veins. “Singing, acting, writing, creating— it’s all part of me and how I get out of my shell.”  

After performing everywhere and any way she could in her hometown of Enid, Oklahoma, Katie moved to New York City to study music and theater. After growing as an artist in the big city, Katie wanted to return home. – “I missed my friends, those big, gorgeous Oklahoma skies and of course Will,” (now her husband).

While studying at the Oklahoma State University, Katie crafted her writing and performing skills. Though majoring in journalism with a minor in music, her college days were not all work and studying, she was even crowned Miss Oklahoma State University, “I never pictured myself a pageant girl, but it was a great experience and an opportunity to grow on stage-- the scholarship program really helped out as well.”

After graduating from college, Katie married her husband Will and moved out to St. Louis for a year. It was then that Katie quickly discovered her guitar gathering dust and decided it was time to re-focus on her dreams. When she moved back to Oklahoma, she had a notebook full of songs ready to be sung for someone. She reached out for a fellow songwriter, Charlie Rayl in Norman, Oklahoma.  In fact it was a MySpace page that she and Charlie assembled that caught the attention of her current manager, Brad Davis.

After decades of building and managing companies, Brad focused his development experience into Katie’s future and quickly a plan was in place. Almost immediately, they enlisted the help of Cary Pierce to produce Katie’s first CD. Cary, no stranger to the music industry (producer for Graham Colton and Jack Ingram), helped Katie craft her best songs into what later became her debut album “Hit the Ground Running.”

As for the intimidation of such a difficult industry, “I know this business is not for the faint of heart— but I am determined. The team I am surrounded by is incredible, everyone is working so hard, the music is evolving – everything is falling into place. As for how hard the industry is, if it were easy everyone would be doing it, I welcome the challenge!”

Watch Katie’s journey as she “Hits the Ground Running” at Katiemariah.com.
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