The old adage, "big things come in small packages" definitely rings true for the diminutive musical dynamo, Kathryn Grimm. Small in stature but not talent or drive, Kathryn's perseverance has earned her admiration from coast to coast.
Kathryn was born and bred in Seattle, "the most boring place on earth before Grunge," she says. Inspired by her two older sister's record collections, she began singing and playing guitar at age 13. She remembers "I would sing harmonies to Joni Mitchell for hours." Not being much of a guitarist, "I played the same three chords for years," she thought about a career as a studio engineer after high school. She was accepted into the University of Washington's Musical Engineering program and began working part-time in a recording studio. Before Kathryn could finish her degree, the University program was dissolved due to a lack of funding. Growing restless with her job, "I was treated like a chick; besides, I wanted to be the musician, not the one behind the knobs," she decided to pack her bags and head south. After saying goodbye to family and friends, she loaded her giant, gold '65 Bonneville with all her worldly possessions along with three friends hitching a ride and soon arrived in Los Angeles ready to make her mark.
Kathryn settled in Hollywood, an extreme place compared to Seattle, "where life is improvised," she reveals uncannily. She enrolled in a one year musical trade-school, an experience she calls "...a big waste of money. I still played the same three chords when I left." Her real musical education came afterwards, when she began playing in a slew of bands. She recalls, "I eventually learned how to play from the numerous bands I floated in and out of." Kathryn's roller-coaster career as a singer/guitarist was supported by numerous day jobs including everything from waitressing and temp work ("the worst"), to dancing in videos. "I've had more jobs than my 70 year old mother," she exclaims.
Her musical experiences were as diverse as her jobs. In '88, she replaced Rosie Flores as guitarist and main songwriter for the notorious all-female "Screamin' Sirens" (Restless Records), a country-punk band known for their heavy partying and crazy antics. "They thought it was odd that I chose working-out over drinking, but I was just happy to be playing my guitar" she recalls. She soon formed her own band, "Group Therapy," who played the local clubs extensively and in '92, won the L.A. Rock Award for "Best Video." The band featured legendary Columbia Records artist, Jeff Buckley, backing her on guitar and vocals. (After his tragic demise in '97, Kathryn was invited to sing for his Memorial at St. Anne's Church in Brooklyn along with Marianne Faithful and Elvis Costello. She refers to that poignant performance as "the hardest gig of my life.") Kathryn went on to write, perform, and record with such artists as Bo Diddley, Tracy G. (of DIO) and others.
In '97, Kathryn decided to return to school to complete her degree. In 2000, she graduated Cum Laude from California State University, Los Angeles, with a degree in Jazz Studies and in 2002, with a MM in Commercial Music. "I like to finish what I start, no matter how long it takes." Studying jazz extensively during this time led to a newfound love of the style. "My mother is a great jazz singer, but I didn't appreciate it growing up," she reflects. "Now a whole new-world has opened up to me." Kathryn was inspired to record an eight song CD titled "Jazz According to Grimm" featuring original arrangements of her favorite standards.
Aside from performing solo and with her various groups, Kathryn is a private vocal coach, a Bug Music songwriter, a freelance writer and an producer/engineer for hire. "I've now mastered the current digital recording software, coming full circle from my first job in a studio." Her producing talent is apparent on her self engineered CD's, most recently "Kitchen Sink" (www.cdbaby.com/cd/kathryngrimm). Her goals are to continue to hone her teaching skills ("my calling") and to write, record and independently release her own genre of music, enjoying the freedom of creating without the intrusion of a record company. "I like being in charge of my world. I love all music and won't pigeon hole myself into one style so common with major labels. Just call me a rock/jazz/country/blues crossover."
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