In this interview, we spend a few minutes with Chicago-based Americana singer/songwriter Kathy Greenholdt to discuss influences, surviving in the digital era, and her new album The Pilgrim.
Introduce yourself to our readers and describe the style of music you create.
My name is Kathy Greenholdt, and I am a singer-songwriter who lives in Chicago. My music is on the Americana side, and when I write, I delve into topics that have to do with human desires, spirituality, and nature. I just released my sixth album, The Pilgrim. Its songs wrangle with spiritual ideas based on my recent travel-pilgrimages to Spain, Rome, and France, and they also ponder the memory of my sister, Lynn Greenholdt, who loved to travel and lost a battle with breast cancer two years ago. The song I’ve included here is “Now That You’re Gone.”
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing styles? Also, what motivates you to keep creating?
I’m a late-bloomer, and didn’t learn to play guitar or begin writing songs until I was 38. My father, Hank Greenholdt, is a singer, and my husband, Paul Coady, is a rock songwriter and band leader. So I was thinking that I’d like to try to write songs and went to the Old Town School of Folk Music here in Chicago to take guitar lessons. Things just developed from there. And after I had released three albums, I decided to return to the school, this time focusing more on songwriting vs. guitar playing. One of my teachers, singer/songwriter Steve Dawson, later became the producer/arranger of my two most recent albums. In fact, he plays almost all of the instruments, including drums, while I sing.
What was the last song you listened to?
I listen to a lot of local songwriters — I’m lucky to be surrounded by many talented people here in Chicago. My friend Melanie Budd released her new album, Remedy, the same night as I did with a sold-out concert at the Old Town School. That was an amazing night for us, because we both have studied at the school, and then to have the chance to perform there was a significant thing for us. But, I listen to many different kinds of music — classical, rock, folk, and a little jazz/blues.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
When I started a fairly short time ago, there were still a lot of print media outlets devoted to reviewing music. Now, most of that has gone away, and you’re often unsure where to reach out to people who can share your songs with other people.
Do you gig, tour or perform through any live streaming services? Where can music lovers see you perform?
I haven’t tried the live streaming. There are videos on Vimeo and YouTube, however, and some new ones are in the works as we speak.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
The best place to stay in touch with me and hear some of my songs is through my Website, www.KathyGreenholdt.com. Links to social media are there as well.
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
I love writing songs, and music has changed my life in multiple ways. So, for anyone who is thinking of developing new skills or talents a bit later in life, I say go for it.
