Back in the early ’90s, singer-songwriter Cathy Kreger proved to be one of the most popular artists to perform at the newly created UU Coffeehouse in Waterville. In fact, I ended up interviewing her and reviewing her albums several times back then, so when I got word she was coming back for a show on Saturday, Sept. 12, I just knew I had to reconnect with this talented lady. A phone interview was arranged that found me calling her at home in New York … New York?

Kreger: I’m on Long Island which is New York, yeah.

Q: Are you doing much musically speaking nowadays?

Kreger: I do a few shows a month — whether they be benefits, concerts or an occasional gig at a club — but not as much the way I used to do the bar scene. I’m not really into that. But I do special shows and showcases and benefits for different organizations and original shows, things like that.

Q: Are you still keeping your hand in at songwriting?

Kreger: Ah, occasionally, but right now not so much because we’re gearing up for that radio show that I told you about which has songs that have been written by my business partner, who has pretty much put together the show — written the skits and some songs — so I’m singing some of his music, as well, and some of my own.

Advertisement

Q: Oh, that’s right, you did mention the Café Racer Radio Hour (www.caferacerradio.com) when we were setting this chat up. How long has it been since you’ve performed up in Maine?

Kreger: Officially, I don’t really know that.

Q: OK, but we can safely say that it’s been quite a while?

Kreger: Oh, yeah. Jerry Saint Amand is really the person who was keen on inviting me back again and pushing so that I would do it. You know, it’s not really easy to leave because I also have a pet-sitting business that I started 16 years ago to stabilize my finances. I was looking at that as a helper career, but it’s sort of taken over. So I got pretty busy with that instead of it being just a part-time thing. I love working with the animals and I’ve learned a lot. It’s a lot of fun.

Q: Now, on to the show you’ve got coming up in Waterville at the UU Coffeehouse. What can folks expect from your performance there?

Kreger: I’m coming up to do original songs from my four CDs. I did cover a few songs on my last album — “Pure Imagination” — some fun songs like “Ode to Billie Joe.” It’s a fun album and it has a lot of special effects on it, as well as what I do on guitar. So I’m coming up there to promote that album as well as a lot of the things that everybody’s not heard in a while.

Advertisement

Q: That will please a lot of the folks who will be coming out to see you.

Kreger: That’s good to hear. So what I’d like to do — I don’t know if you’d do this — but could your article have my Facebook address (www.facebook.com/cathy.kreger) and my website (www.cathykreger.com)? Those are the ways for people to get in touch with me leading up to the show. If they have questions they can hit me up on the Facebook page pretty instantly. Is there anything else that you’d like to ask me?

Q: Is there anything, you’d like to pass on to the readers of this article?

Kreger: Yes, please let them know that I’m excited to be coming up to Maine. I always spent summers in Maine as a kid. My parents would drop us off at the grandparents’ house, and it was such great fun every summer being in Maine. So I’m just looking forward to the show, even though it will technically be September. I love the weather and the clean air in Maine. I’m so looking forward to getting out of New York and coming up there to the kind people and the slightly slower pace than what I’m used to down here. I definitely welcome that.

Lucky Clark has spent more than 45 years writing about good music and the people who make it. He can be reached at luckyc@myfairpoint.net if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.