European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 23, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Kathy Matte ahas own definition of Success by Ron Mckinney staff writer time passed by too quickly for Kathy Mattea to capitalize on her emotional rendition of from a distance from her latest album time passes by. When Mattea recorded Julie cold s song featuring bagpipes and a spontaneously arranged choir in Scotland she was unaware that Bette Midler s version was about to hit the charts. Quot at that Point there was no Way we could release it As a single Quot Mattea said in a Telephone interview last week three hours before she was to take the stage at Riverside Arena in Milwaukee. Midler s hit reached no. 2 on the billboard pop charts and won the song of the year grammy in february. It was widely adopted As a stirring Anthem that called for peace and Unity in a world tormented with War and starvation. With her latest album Mattea has skirted the boundaries of country music tradition and followed her heart to Scotland to work with Dougie Maclean. It was As Mattea puts it her most emotional involvement of any of her albums. A the new musical direction in time passes by was As risky As it was innovative for the two time country music association female vocalist of the year. And from a distance a which she would have geared As the crossover hit Midler had a epitomized both the Joy and anguish she endured in making this album. Quot in a lot of ways that recording is everything a All the risks i took on this album All the inspirations that i had and All the things that i Learned a All wrapped up in three minutes. It  intense for me Quot Mattea said. Despite How meaningful the single was to Mattea she accepted that her version could not be released. Quot there was a Little part of me that was disappointed first and then i thought it does t matter. It really does t matter Quot she said. Quot and i Tell you it s a Blessing to get to sing that song every night it s a powerful piece of material. I think that can let her Midler have the Success with it and go on and i can still be who i am and do it my own Way every . Mattea from Cross lanes w.va., found her Niche in the country music Industry with a Folk and grass roots style a decision she made Early in her career. She is Best known for her hits where be you been and eighteen wheels and a dozen roses both of which garnered single of the year honors from both the country music association and Academy of country music. Mattea readily admits that she lost sleep while making the decision to change her musical direction with her latest album. But the people she trusted advised her to go with her heart. Quot i knew it was t going to sound the same As All my other records Quot she said. Quot i did t know if it would seem like a real natural progression or if people would think that i just jumped off the deep end. Kathy Mattea clutches her award from the country music association As 1989 s female vocalist of the year. Quot it was really important to me to be Able to try to deepen my own relationship with my music Aad after coming Back from this trip to Scotland and feeling so. Inspired by the music i had been  Over there i Felt that i was really at a Crossroads about How i was going to approach making  that was t the first Crossroads Mattea has faced since releasing her first album seven years ago. In 1978,. Mattea dropped out of West Virgina University to move to Nasty the As a 19-year-old hoping to make it As a songwriter. She went to work As a tour guide for the country music Hall of Fame. Quot it was the Only Job i could get Quot she said laughing about it now. V. A a. But while her writing career bogged Down she began recording demos for other songwriters. Quot through the years i got a lot More reaction to my singing than i did to my writing. It just sort of evolved Quot Mattea said. It was then that Mattea reached the first Crossroads of her career. Quot i hit a Point where l Felt like my songwriting needed a couple of years of hard w Ork and my singing needed a couple years of hard work. I Felt like i needed to focus in on one and i did t feel like i could concentrate hard enough if i tried to do both Quot she said. For the songwriting Hores she often looks to her husband Jon Vezner who co wrote when a you be in with Don Henry. Vezner also co wrote three songs on Mattea s latest album including the current no. 7 hit and title release time passes by. The Choice she made to sing turned  into one of country music s biggest stars. It began with her self tilled debut albumin 1984-when she stored three hits. Since then Mattea has had five no. 1 hits and .1 several lop Len smashes but that sin it Ess does t la a her. Quot it s a funny process the charts Quot she said. Quot i mean Tor instance i be had where be you beet ii  really by  my biggest record wont to like no. 1 1 on tin Harts. But it had a huge amount of Impact. Quot so Chart numbers it Art Only mean so much. What really Slicks with me More is tin Way that a a people read i when i play them every . Her country music awards and Broad Apica Tkavc made her a Headliner for the first time this year Mattea s female vocalist of the year honors in 1�?~1b9 and c 0 Quot validated some part of me Way Down inside that did t know if i was going to Stit k  Quot but you Cun Only let it go so far Quot she said. Quot i Don t think it s the right reason to do what you do. So it was something that i tried to really appreciate hut not hold on to real tight . The Frankfurt military Community along with Marlboro music welcomes Back operation desert storm troops with a May 27 memorial Day concert featuring Mattea at the Frankfurt fest Halle a. A German country music act Texas radio will open the show which starts at / 30 p m. Tickets Are on Sale for $5 at All us offices in Germany to u s. Id cardholders Only included As part of the ticket is a pass Lor tree Public transportation in the greater Frankfurt area. All proceeds from ticket sales will Benefit the operation proud return Lund a. May 23, 1991 stripes Magazine