Known for her blend of traditional and folk tunes, Kathy Mattea is one of the most respected female country singers of her era. After performing in a number of bands throughout her high school and university days, Mattea eventually embarked solo career after securing her first recording deal with Mercury Records at the age of twenty four. Working her way towards becoming a successful music artist, she released her debut eponymous album Kathy Mattea in 1983. Since then, she has gone on to release seventeen full-length albums and over forty singlesーmost of which have charted. To date, the country singer has achieved a total of seventeen top ten singles, including some of her classic hits Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses, Come from the Heart and Goin’ Gone.Kathleen Alice "Kathy" Mattea is an American country music and bluegrass performer who often brings folk, Celtic, and traditional country sounds to her music.