Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

NUNN ON ONE: MUSIC Kata Hay soars on 'The Voice'
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
by Jerry Nunn, Windy City Times
2016-04-26

This article shared 2750 times since Tue Apr 26, 2016
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


The 10th season of The Voice premiered in February on NBC with judges Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Pharrell Williams and Christina Aguilera.

In a pivotal moment during the blind auditions, Levine turned his chair and contestant Kata Hay jumped on him in excitement. She described Aguilera as her first girl crush then kissed her before ultimately choosing her team.

Hay started the television game early when she was the youngest person to win Star Search at 5 years old. She started a band, Kata & The Blaze, that released two independent albums. The Skiatook, Oklahoma, native has come a long way from performing for years at The Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show in Tennessee. [Editor's note: Hay has since been eliminated from The Voice.]

Windy City Times: Hi, Kata. Where did you name come from?

Kata Hay: It is Native American. It means "hello" in Navajo but is a stage name. My real last name is Huddleston. When I was on Star Search, they never said or spelled it right. At first, my parents didn't know what Kata Hay meant and were worried it was something bad.

I found Kata means "hot" in Lakota Indian, so I am going with that!

WCT: I saw you are from my birthplace: Oklahoma.

KH: Yes, I was born about 20 miles north of Tulsa.

WCT: Then you moved to Nashville with your girlfriend, Savanna?

KH: Actually, after Oklahoma, I moved to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for 10 years and did music theater. I moved to Nashville about a year ago.

WCT: So you were hanging with Dolly Parton in Pigeon Forge?

KH: No; I never actually met Dolly. That was kind of the reason I moved there. We have the same birthday and she is my ultimate. I thought our paths would cross but they didn't. Her niece was my landlord and I was in a band with her band leader but it never happened. Maybe it will because of this!

WCT: Did you meet Gretchen Wilson after performing "Redneck Woman?"

KH: No; I know John Rich who wrote the song with her. My single of it was retweeted by Melissa Etheridge so that was pretty cool. She said it was "rockin.'"

WCT: Did you always want to be a singer?

KH: Yes, I have never wanted to do anything else. My mom said when she was pregnant she would turn on Hank Williams and her stomach would move with the music. Before I could even get out full sentences I was singing songs. By the time I was 2 years old, I was begging to be put on stage. I have been on the stage ever since.

WCT: I read you yodel.

KH: I used to but I don't do it anymore because when you go for belting notes then my voice would break when I don't want it to. I don't want to sound like a boy in puberty. I had to decide if I wanted to be a powerhouse singer or be a good yodeler. I still can yodel but not the championship stuff that I used to do.

WCT: Did you come out of the closet recently?

KH: I was married to a man when I was in Pigeon Forge for 10 years. This is my first relationship with a girl. I was always curious. When my marriage was ending, she was really there for me. We ended up getting together after.

I fall in love with people. I don't even identify myself with any sexuality one way or the other. I was so unhappy in my marriage. As long as I am happy then people, like my family, are happy for me. It has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. Everyone has been pretty accepting.

WCT: Who were big musical influences for you?

KH: Definitely Dolly, and Tanya Tucker. I listened to country music when I was little because that is what my parents listened to and what I was allowed to. I liked Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.

In my teenage years, I started listening to all kinds of music. Even my writing has been influenced by rap and hair metal. The Beatles have been a big band for me for sure. I have a "Let It Be" tattoo.

Brandi Carlile, as of late, is one of my biggest influences. I adore her and she is my favorite. I have seen her perform three times and I am in love with her.

WCT: How were you cast on The Voice?

KH: This was my fifth time auditioning. The casting people called me because I have a YouTube page and after Taylor Swift picked up one of my videos, my numbers jumped really quick. I just never got in front of the judges until this season. Everyone just thinks you roll up and they put you on stage but it's not like that.

I just didn't give up. My mom wanted me to do it. After she passed away this was the first time they had called since then. Half of me didn't want to go through it again and be all built up but the other half knew my mother would want me to do it. So I did and here I am!

WCT: Were you nervous for the blind auditions?

KH: I was really nervous before the doors opened then it turned into excitement. That is why I made such a racket getting up onto the stage. I wanted to do good for momma.

When I got to the last note and no one was turning around then I closed my eyes and started shaking. By the time I got to Adam I had never shook like that my entire life. I didn't think the other two had turned. I wasn't even sure his counted. It was that last second. They had to tell me that Christina and Pharrell had turned around. When I saw Adam turn around I just ran for him because I was so happy.

WCT: What happened to Blake Shelton? He's the country singer, so you would think he would have wanted you on his team.

KH: I know. When I decided to sing "Redneck Woman," I thought I would definitely get Blake. I never thought the other three would turn for that song. He was the only one who didn't.

I think I ended up where I needed to be because I am a country-soul artist. I like to sing Etta James and country it up.

It has been an interesting blend with me and Christina. We get along great. I couldn't be happier. What is meant to be is meant to be and I feel like me and Christina definitely were.

WCT: What does Christina Aguilera smell like?

KH: She always smells amazing, like lavender. She is not real perfume-y but has a heavy lavender smell. She does smell really good. She told me I smell good, too.

WCT: Has she heard your acoustic version of "Ain't No Other Man" on YouTube?

KH: I don't know if she has heard that or not. It has never been brought up. I almost took it down when I got on the show because it has been awhile. But then I thought it would be cool that she saw I did it so long ago and was a fan.

I have always been a huge fan and I have every album. She is one of the best vocalists of our time. It is definitely an honor.

WCT: What have you learned from being on The Voice?

KH: I have grown so much as a singer and a performer. I have found my confidence again. I was probably over confident as a child then I stopped performing for three years. I went through depression and life changes. I ended up singing at a karaoke bar.

The main thing Christina has taught me is to be okay with myself, to sing things the way I want to sing it and not the way other people would want me to sing it. I have learned to utilize my voice in ways I never thought I could.

I have met so many great people too and made the best friends of my life from this experience. We are a big family and I always hashtag everything TheVoiceFamily because this is one of the best things to come out of this.

WCT: Do you plan on touring?

KH: Yes, that is the plan. I want to get some original music out there. I want to find out where most of the people who enjoy the show live and hit those cities. That is definitely what I want to do.


This article shared 2750 times since Tue Apr 26, 2016
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18
- Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'P-Valley,' Wendy Williams, Luke Evans, 'Queer Eye,' 'Transition' 2024-03-15
- Lady Gaga came to the defense of Dylan Mulvaney after a post with the trans influencer/activist for International Women's Day received hateful responses, People Magazine noted. On Instagram, Gaga stated, "It's appalling to me that a ...


Gay News

House-music festival on Aug. 30-Sept. 1; icons, Idris Elba to be part of it 2024-03-13
- The ARC Music Festival—an event celebrating house music—will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Chicago's Union Park, per WGN-TV. This will mark the fourth year that the festival will celebrate the genre at Union Park—less than ...


Gay News

COBRAH slithers into Chicago and brings Feminine Energy 2024-03-08
- COBRAH snaked her way into Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., for two nights March 7 and 8 for her Succubus Tour. This Swedish-born talent has a way with naughty words and ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Jinkx Monsoon, Xavier Dolan, 'Frida,' Lena Waithe, out singer 2024-03-08
- Two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is headed back to the New York stage, joining off-Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey beginning April 2, according to Playbill. The casting makes Monsoon the first drag ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret 2024-03-05
- Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

THEATER 'R & J' puts a female, queer spin on Shakespeare 2024-03-05
- Romeo and Juliet is the theatrical gift that keeps on giving. It's been reworked for the masses numerous times, whether in direct adaptations or musicals such as West Side Story. Shakespeare's plotline points have even inspired ...


Gay News

THEATER When growth is paramount: Jim Corti helps fuel Aurora theater expansion 2024-03-01
- Out actor/director/choreographer Jim Corti made his Broadway debut in 1974, in the ensemble of Leonard Bernstein's musical Candide. Director Harold Prince's acclaimed Tony Award-winning revival is often cited as a ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer actors, icons duet, Hunter Schafer, Oscars, Elizabeth Taylor 2024-03-01
- Queer actor Kal Penn is set to star in Trust Me, I'm a Doctor—a film that chronicles the final days of actress/model Anna Nicole Smith, whose overdose death in 2007 at age 39 sparked a tabloid ...


Gay News

'Always Olivia' celebrates Olivia Newton-John at Raue Center 2024-02-26
- From a press release: Always Olivia, a tribute to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John comes to Raue Center in Crystal Lake on Saturday, May ...


Gay News

Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams's violin stylings help COH mark Black History Month 2024-02-23
- As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., presented a solo jazz performance by violinist Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams on Feb. 21. The two-hour long performance presented a showcase ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Kristen Stewart, Rock Hudson, Talia Keys, 'True Detective,' Marvel comic 2024-02-23
- At the Berlin Film Festival, Kristen Stewart defended her photo shoot for a Rolling Stone magazine cover that went viral and divided audiences on social-media platforms, per The Hollywood Reporter. "The existence of a female body ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical 2024-02-19
- Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...


Gay News

REFLECTIONS: An Evening of original music with the Jeannie Tanner Quartet 2024-02-19
--From a press release - REFLECTIONS will be a night of feel-good, upbeat original music written by Jeannie Tanner. Songs range from jazz, to pop, to soulful R&B. Jeannie's music can be heard in many television shows and movies, with recordings ...


Gay News

Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret Valentine's Day Feb. 17 2024-02-16
--From a press release - Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret puts their own spin on Valentine's Day with a show celebrating things done and sacrificed for love - not just romantic love, but love for pets, friends, family and art. Join the ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.