Blonde, bubbly and bright with faith is Katie Owens. Not unlike many artists before her, the Coal Grove, Ohio, prom queen began her singing career at church. She made her debut at five years old with the song she learned from her mother entitled, ‘Peter, James, and John In A Sailboat’.

“I believe God is my biggest influence in life,” says Katie. “I guess you could kind of say He is like my other half. If it weren't for Him, I wouldn't have the strength to pursue any of the goals that I have had, and will continue to have throughout the many years to come. Singing is a passion and a gift that God has given to me, and I believe that if I continue to use my gift in the right way, and continue to worship God in every event that may come about in my life, I can accomplish anything.”

Citing her grandparents as her biggest fans, Katie says also, “My entire family is my rock and shield, and I love them very much. My mother always used to sing to me as a child. She is basically my ‘event planner’ if it weren't for her, I really wouldn’t know what is going on from day to day. I would consider myself to be a daddy's girl for sure. My father is the person who taught me how to play the guitar, and he also used to sing in church with me.”

Katie enjoyed performing both in church and in school for her fifth grade Christmas show and graduation. “I sang simple Christian songs until the sixth grade, when my English teacher, Rita Allen, suggested I enter the school talent show. She was the lady in charge of the talent show and she had auditions. I showed up for those auditions and sang for her. I sang Martina McBride’s ‘Concrete Angel.’ Her exact words were, ‘You should be out singing in front of people.’ After the talent show, she got me booked at a place called Paul Porter Park. I still sing there to this day.”

“I began writing in fifth grade, but those were just little songs that never got finished. The first song I wrote was called ‘I Never Told Him About The Savior’ when I was 12 years old. I've always loved writing, whether it's writing a story, or writing a song. I guess I just got to a certain age when I realized I could take the sentences I was making, put a little bit of a rhyme to them, and the end result: A country song.”

Katie’s band, entitled Leatherwood, is named after the little country road she lives off of. “I met my drummer Cole Blagg, around a year ago, he is from South Shore Kentucky and he is only 15. Braden Tarr came next, because he was a friend of Cole's and Cole introduced us. He is my Rhythm guitar player and he is 14. Dustin Thompson is my lead, he is 16, and he is probably one of the best lead players I have heard around this area to be the age that he is. My daddy, Rayben Owens, is currently playing bass, until Cole's brother Ben, can learn my music.”

As Katie grew, so did her opportunities. She has opened up for such acts as Loretta Lynn, Little Big Town, Andy Griggs and Kelli Pickler. She has also competed several years in the Colgate Country Showdown.

Now 18, Katie is planning to attend Ohio University Southern Campus in the fall to become an English teacher, grades fourth through eighth, in addition to pursuing a musical career. “I hope to achieve what any singer would like to achieve, success. Success to me isn't necessarily about the money standpoint, although that would be great in the long run. It's mainly about spreading my love and passion for music to the world, and giving them a taste of what I truly love doing. I hope to possibly find a break in the music industry within the next few years, now would be amazing, but I am willing to wait as long as it takes.”