Up and coming Country Star Kate Hasting and her band will be returning to her roots to perform at the New Carlisle Chautauqua’s Summer in the Park concert series this coming weekend, Sunday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. on the amphitheater stage in Smith Park. Kate, a 2006 graduate of Northwestern High School, has been climbing the charts rapidly and just recently was named 2015 Emerging Artist for CMA Fest! She has also been recognized by the National Songwriters International Association as “One to Watch.”
Writing and playing anywhere she could, Kate’s solo project quickly earned her a regional following. It was clear that moving to Nashville was the next step and unknowingly one that led her to former Wisconsin dairy farm worker, Josh Beale. Meeting at a writer’s round, Kate and Josh began to write together. Their similar Midwest upbringings, contrasting writing styles, and magnetic vocal harmonies became building blocks in their decision to form the band. When the two were introduced to drummer Cam Smith, a fellow farm kid from Missouri, “it just made sense, the three of us made one another better,” notes Josh Beale. “With a female lead and fresh sound, I knew the Kate Hasting Band was different than what our peers were doing, and most importantly it allowed us to bring along the amazingly loyal fans that were already listening to Kate’s music,” explains Cam.
“We want to be a part of Country Music any way we can. We work hard because we’re passionate about our fans and the music we make. When I first came down to Nashville, I just took it all in, let parts of it break my heart and wrote songs I didn’t love. Finally, I started taking trips back home and stopped worrying about the Nashville formula or where it would lead. I started writing about the people back home...the people who are actually listening to and buying country music. That has lead us to the music we are making now... these songs are what I’ve spent 10 years trying to say. Someone I know is in every line. And as proud as we are of them, we hope they are just the beginning of what we are capable of,” says Kate with a smile. The K.H.B. tours the Midwest extensively while writing and recording the songs for the next EP, “Ghosts of a Small Town Past I,” slated for release in 2016. Three singles from the album have been released with full length music videos. During the 2015 fall football season, Kate and the band honored her alma mater by producing a music video, “Behind the Bleachers,” filmed on location. More than 300 community residents participated in telling the story!
Chautauqua, the Springfield Foundation, our event sponsor, and all our local supporters our pleased and honored to welcome the Kate Hasting Band back to New Carlisle, and we invites the community to show their support, for one of our own hometown neighbors, by coming out to the park on Sunday, July 10.
All programs are presented without charge, but a free-will collection is received. Invite your family, neighbors and friends to join you, bring a lawn chair, blanket and refreshments and enjoy a pleasant evening in the park. In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved to the New Carlisle Elementary School located at 1203 Kennison Street.
