Kathy Westmoreland
Encyclopedia
Kathy Westmoreland is an American
singer.
After growing up in Abilene, Texas
, the daughter of a professional singer (father) and a professional dancer (mother), she moved to California
in 1962 with her sisters (professional singers Melody Westmoreland and Christie Westmoreland) and brother Brent (professional drummer/singer). She teamed up with friend and Garden Grove High School
classmate Steve Martin
in a musical comedy act, working together at the Birdcage Theater at Knott's Berry Farm
and playing local coffee houses.
A soprano
, Westmoreland sang musical comedies and opera
, performing oratorio
s and traveling with the Metropolitan Opera National Company by the age of eighteen. Returning to California, she joined the singing group The Sandpipers
, who had a major hit with the song "Guantanamera
." She became a studio session singer, appearing on numerous television shows such as those of Red Skelton
, Tim Conway
and Bobby Darin
. She was one of Jimmy Joyce's singers, Ray Conniff
's singers, Johnny Mann
and many others, including vocals on recording sessions with hundreds of major artists. In 1970 she was hired to sing backup vocals for Elvis Presley
, both in the studio and on stage, where he would introduce her as "the little girl with the beautiful high voice." She continued to perform with Presley until his death in 1977 and sang at his funeral at his request.
In 1987, she published "Elvis and Kathy" that recounted her time with Presley. (ISBN 0-9618622-0-3)
Kathy continues to perform to sold-out crowds, ranging from nightclubs to country-rock-and dinner theaters to fan clubs, and appears in films, TV, radio interviews, and recordings. She is currently contributing to many projects, including Dick Dale
's HBO special, and occasionally performing with her daughter Lindsey, a singer and dancer.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer.
After growing up in Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
, the daughter of a professional singer (father) and a professional dancer (mother), she moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1962 with her sisters (professional singers Melody Westmoreland and Christie Westmoreland) and brother Brent (professional drummer/singer). She teamed up with friend and Garden Grove High School
Garden Grove High School
Garden Grove High School is located in Garden Grove, California. It is a member of the Garden Grove Unified School District.- Overview :The Garden Grove Union High School District was established in 1921 in response to attempts by neighboring school districts to annex the Garden Grove area. GGHS...
classmate Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
in a musical comedy act, working together at the Birdcage Theater at Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm is a theme park in Buena Park, California, now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, and a line of jams, jellies, preserves, and other specialty food, now part of The J. M. Smucker Company based in Placentia, California....
and playing local coffee houses.
A soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
, Westmoreland sang musical comedies and opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, performing oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
s and traveling with the Metropolitan Opera National Company by the age of eighteen. Returning to California, she joined the singing group The Sandpipers
The Sandpipers
The Sandpipers were an American easy listening trio/quartet, who carved a niche in 1960s folk rock. They are best remembered for their cover version of "Guantanamera", which became a transatlantic Top 10 hit in 1966, and their Top 20 hit "Come Saturday Morning" from the soundtrack of the film The...
, who had a major hit with the song "Guantanamera
Guantanamera
"Guantanamera" is perhaps the best known Cuban song and that country's most noted patriotic song.-Music:The music for the song is sometimes attributed to José Fernández Diaz, known as Joseíto Fernández, who claimed to have written it at various dates , and who used it regularly in one of his radio...
." She became a studio session singer, appearing on numerous television shows such as those of Red Skelton
Red Skelton
Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton was an American comedian who is best known as a top radio and television star from 1937 to 1971. Skelton's show business career began in his teens as a circus clown and went on to vaudeville, Broadway, films, radio, TV, night clubs and casinos, all while pursuing...
, Tim Conway
Tim Conway
Thomas Daniel "Tim" Conway is an American comedian and actor, primarily known for his roles in sitcoms, films and television. Conway is best known for his role as the inept second-in-command officer, Ensign Charles Parker, to Lt...
and Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country...
. She was one of Jimmy Joyce's singers, Ray Conniff
Ray Conniff
Joseph Raymond Conniff was an American bandleader and arranger best known for his Ray Conniff Singers during the 1960s.-Biography:...
's singers, Johnny Mann
Johnny Mann
Johnny Mann is an American arranger, composer, conductor, entertainer, and recording artist.-Career:...
and many others, including vocals on recording sessions with hundreds of major artists. In 1970 she was hired to sing backup vocals for Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, both in the studio and on stage, where he would introduce her as "the little girl with the beautiful high voice." She continued to perform with Presley until his death in 1977 and sang at his funeral at his request.
In 1987, she published "Elvis and Kathy" that recounted her time with Presley. (ISBN 0-9618622-0-3)
Kathy continues to perform to sold-out crowds, ranging from nightclubs to country-rock-and dinner theaters to fan clubs, and appears in films, TV, radio interviews, and recordings. She is currently contributing to many projects, including Dick Dale
Dick Dale
Dick Dale is an American surf rock guitarist, known as The King of the Surf Guitar. He experimented with reverberation and made use of custom made Fender amplifiers, including the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier.-Early life:Dale was born in South Boston, Massachusetts and lived in nearby...
's HBO special, and occasionally performing with her daughter Lindsey, a singer and dancer.