Singing is a passion for Carthage teen

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Katie Davis, 13, first performed at age 7, and has now appeared at several concerts and events and will travel to Colorado this summer. -Staff photo by Montgomery

May 27, 2004 -- Singing is a hobby for some people, but for Katie Rae Davis of Carthage, singing is her passion.

"I love to sing. I sing in the shower, the car, everywhere," Katie said.

"If she's not talking, she's singing or humming," Lisa, Katie's mom added.

This "God-given" talent was noticed by a local teacher, Rhonda Holson. The teacher approached the youngster after watching Katie perform in a play, and told the 6-year-old that she "had something and she should pursue it."

Katie's first public appearance came at the age of 7, when she performed, Loretta Lynn's "If Your Looking at Me, You're Looking at Country" at the "Hayride" in Carthage.

Another milestone, at age 7 was when Katie sang "Does He Love You" with Carthage native Linda Davis (not related). Davis had recorded the song as a duet with country music star Reba McEntire.

"I got to sing Reba's part," Katie said, but expressed she would love to sing with Reba, who is her favorite singer.

Traditional country is the music of choice for the 13-year-old, but she also mixes in gospel.

On her recently-produced CD, she sings "great oldies, one gospel and one original song." The original song was written by Joseph Baker, also of Carthage. (The CD can be purchased for $10 at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, Carthage, or by contacting the Davis family.)

Another song she enjoys to sing is the national anthem. Once a year for the past four years, she has sung the anthem at a San Antonio Spurs professional basketball game. In 2003 and 2004, she sung the anthem at a San Antonio Rampage game; and once a month she sings the anthem at a Shreveport/Bossier City Mud Bugs game.

Katie also performs at several events including the John Rex Reeves (nephew of country singing legend Jim Reeves) Pickin' Party in Carthage. In 2002, she won the female vocalist of the year award during this event.

In May, she opened for Michael Martin Murphy in two shows, one in Tyler and the other in College Station. Katie was supposed to be accompanied by acoustic guitarist Tony Sheffield, a friend, but when one of Murphy's band members said he knew some of her songs, he asked if he could join them -- which he did. Then, at one of the performances, the entire Michael Martin Murphy Band accompanied the young singer.

"We had a blast," recalled Lisa. "They have asked Katie to go to West Fest, in Colorado, in July." West Fest is a four-day event hosted by Murphy.

"I usually sing about 10 to 12 songs," Katie said about performances, with her favorite song being "Blue Moon of Kentucky."

The musical talent belongs to Katie, but her biggest critic is younger brother Wade.

"He will tell me I was flat," Katie stated.

Lisa added, "Wade goes to sleep during (Katie's) performance, but he can still critique."

Katie added that while watching a recent episode of American Idol, Wade was critiquing the performances -- pointing out mistakes that even Katie hadn't noticed.

Even though Katie has met some of the country music industries living legends, like Ralph Emery and Cindy Walker, her parents Clay and Lisa remarked she is pretty down to earth and is very, very humble.

Katie realizes, "I have to practice to get better. If you really want something you've got to work for it."

Besides singing, the seventh grader at Carthage Junior High is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and cheerleader. She has performed in several local plays including Annie Get Your Gun and Hard Scrabble.

Katie's future plans are to continue singing but as far as college, she knows she will attend Panola College in Carthage.

"I have to have something to fall back on," she commented about furthering her education. And, being only in the seventh grade, she still has a lot of schooling left.

"We are all having fun," Clay concluded.

(For booking information, contact the Davises at 903-639-6600.)