Katherine Kallick

Portrait of a Woman with Dark Hair in a Purple Dress in Acrylic on Paper

1973-77

Katherine Kallick (American, b. 1952) studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1973-1977. Kathy Kallick’s first musical influence was her mother, Dodi. Music historian Larry Ehrlich wrote, “Dodi Kallick’s voice could be as tender as Carter Stanley, as plaintive as Piaf, or as cutting as a straight razor. It could bring sorrow to your heart or a smile to your lips.” Although central to Chicago’s folk scene, Dodi never recorded in a studio. But an uncovered reel-to-reel of radio broadcasts inspired Kathy Kallick to follow her 2002 project, My Mother’s Voice, with an 18-track sequel. On Disc 1, Kathy invited friends to perform the songs she learned from her mother, and Dodi’s voice is heard on Disc 2. The collection’s title track, “What Are They Doing in Heaven Today,” appears on both. She discovered her interest in bluegrass while living in San Francisco, and co-founded the internationally acclaimed group Good Ol' Persons. She has since gone on to release 22 albums.