There is poetry in Katy Keenie's story. She was a child in a log home in
Canada when her father, who was struggling to make a living as a horse
trainer, heard George Strait's "The Chair." The song stirred the Texan in him, and he left to establish himself in the Lone Star state before bringing his young
family to join him. Years later, the soul-stirring power of music in her father's life would mark Katy's as well, giving her a dream that persistence and hard
work are now fulfilling. Strait and other country singers formed the backdrop of Katy's home life as the family moved from town to town until they settled permanently in cutting horse country in Weatherford when Katy was a third-grader. The only one in her family who didn't want to ride horses, Katy turned her attention to sports and cheerleading, juggling both with a part-time job at a local Sonic. She worked hard throughout high school to earn a slot on the varsity softball team that went 34-0 and took the state championship her senior year. "I learned what working hard for so many years can get you," she says of the drive that would later jump-start her musical dreams. Katy turned to artists like Faith Hill, Lee Ann Womack and Alison Krauss for inspiration, and a friend convinced her to sign up for a talent contest at her middle school. When some parents turned to her mom and dad afterward and said, "We didn't know your daughter could sing," her parents answered, "We didn't either!" They soon learned, though, as Katy bought a karaoke machine and sang for hours at a time, then began getting gigs at local festivals, in area pageants, at a nearby retirement home--"anywhere I could sing," she says. She went to Tarleton State University, where she earned a degree in business marketing. It was at that point in her life that she became interested in riding horses; it was a way "to get away from everything" and to reach inside herself, something that eventually led her to songwriting. She took part in intramural sports and continued to sing, working at the Stephenville Opry and at the Johnny High Review, and entering more talent competitions. She also began singing the national anthem at baseball games from high schools to the minor league
Fort Worth Cats and at major Fort Worth cutting horse events. She continues to hone her skills as her four-octave range, high-energy stage presence, and unstoppable work ethic win her an ever-expanding circle of fans. A fan herself of Sinatra's phrasing, Strait's song-picking ability, and Lee Ann Womack's vocal purity, she has crafted a style that draws on all that and more.
"I love to wrap myself around a big ballad," she says, "to explore that
feeling, and to sing songs that tell stories."She is also clear about her appreciation for the power of a song. "I see music as inspiring lives and helping people through both difficult and happy times," she says. "I can't imagine a world without music. It helps me through tough situations in my life. At the same time, from my college background and from real-world experience, I understand the business side of music. Ultimately I want a show that's full of energy but contains places where you can really put those ballads across. I want people to know they're coming to the show to have a great time but be inspired too."Katy knows the challenge that lies in front of her.
"My grandfather from Canada said to me, 'this is one of the hardest things you can ever do', and I believe him."But the girl who grew up learning what hard work was on the softball field and then spent years learning her craft at festivals and fairs, is ready for the challenge, and each supportive fan, each encouraging industry professional, spurs her on. "Their positive influlence makes me work harder," she says. "They think I can, so I think I can."
Couple with her talent, it's an attitude destined to take her places.