Approximately 36,000 people listened and cheered as 2005 Oxford High School graduate, Katie Rathburg sang the National Anthem for last Wednesday’s Detroit Tigers Game.
‘It was awesome,? said Rathburg. ‘I was really nervous for probably two days. Then I was able to go out on the field for about 45 minutes and just take in all of the scenery and look at all the ball players. It kind of look like a movie set, so it didn’t really make me that nervous anymore.?
Rathburg grew up on five acres in the small town of Leonard. She began singing age two and joined her first choir in Kindergarten, at Oxford Christian Academy.
‘While in high school I did plays and musicals,? she said. ‘Anything you can think of I’ve done or attempted.?
Originally she wanted to grow up to be a pop singer, but she realized that wasn’t possible due to the natural twang in her singing voice.
‘People try to put on that they can sing country music and they can’t, where mine is totally there and I couldn’t get rid of it even if I wanted to,? she said. ‘I was born to sing Country music I guess.?
Currently Rathburg is taking vocal lesson with four-time Grammy Nominee Kate Hart who was part of the Detroit Women’s Group.
‘She has brought me a long way vocally,? said Rathburg.
Her favorite thing about singing is that allows for an outlet of whatever emotion she is feeling.
‘Stressed or happy, or any emotion it’s where I turn,? she said. ‘I just love standing on that stage and having the crowd cheer.?
Rathburg did try out for American Idol last season in Louisville Kentucky.
‘Unfortunately they weren’t looking for country this year,? she said.
She has also sung for a showcase in Downtown Las Vegas in 2004, she placed in the top seven of the Colgate Country Showdown in 2006. She was the 2006 Strawberry Festival Idol in her hometown of Leonard. While in high school she sang at the Candle Processional, Epcot at Disney World.
‘I do everything I can find,? Rathburg said. ‘Any contest, even karaoke in a local bar I’ll do it just to be able to sing.?
Musical inspirations include Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Chuck Witz and Faith Hill.
‘She’s (Faith Hill) not only a great singer, but a great person I think,? said Rathburg.
She also used to be in a singing group with two of her older sisters Amy, 33 and Rebecca, 28. Rathburg also has two other sisters Lori, 37 and Alyssa, 18. She says she comes from a creative family. Her dad David is a retired school teacher for Lake Orion Schools and her mom Bonnie, currently works at the local Post Office in Leonard.
‘You’re either a teacher or you’re in marketing,? she said. ‘Somehow I decided to take a different path.?
Currently she is dueled enrolled at Wayne State University and Oakland Community College where she wants to get her bachelors degree in Fashion Merchandizing.
Her current goals
Not only is Rathburg into singing and fashion, but she is also into Disney Princesses.
‘I’ve done Cinderella and all the Disney Characters professionally for about three years,? she said.
She used to do them through a company called ‘Kimberella parties,? but once the owner stopped doing it, Rathburg started her own company called ‘Pretty Princesses.? She does it all through word of mouth.
‘I go to birthday parties like any Disney Princess they want me to be and I sing Happy Birthday to them,? she said. ‘It’s cool to see the kid’s reactions when they see a real life princess.?
Rathburg will be doing an internship at Disney World where she will be Cinderella for four months.
She plans on going down to Nashville Tennessee in November to do some recording on new material, but her ultimate goal in music is to become a professional Country Singer and to be able to sing on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville.
Rathburg says she has faith that eventually she’ll get where she wants to go.
‘God put these thoughts in my head to be a singer, so obviously I think he wanted me to do something with it,? she said. There is nothing else that I feel more passionate about.?
For more information check out her myspace music page www.myspace.com/katieleigh123.