Biography
Country vocalist Kathie Baillie built an enduring presence in music well before issuing her debut solo project in 2007. Born in Morristown, NJ, during 1951, she grew up primarily in Orange, CT, where her parents nurtured her early passion for song; by her teenage years she was already taking the stage at neighborhood coffeehouses and school events, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar with folk and singer/songwriter material. In 1973 she crossed paths with singer-guitarist Michael Bonagura, and the pair connected on both personal and creative levels, soon performing together at folk venues before marrying. With friend Alan LeBeouf added to the lineup, they formed the acoustic pop trio Bittersweet, which maintained a steady schedule along the East Coast club circuit and secured a contract through Atlantic’s Big Tree Records imprint while supplementing income via session singing and jingle work that showcased their tight harmonies.
The couple moved to Nashville in 1982 once Baillie secured backup vocal opportunities on country recordings there; after contributing to tracks by Randy Travis, Moe Bandy, and Lynn Anderson, LeBeouf rejoined them, restoring the trio and establishing Bittersweet’s strong local standing. Live performances eventually drew RCA’s attention, leading to a 1985 deal and a name change to Baillie and the Boys. Their initial single, “Oh Heart,” appeared in 1986 and became a hit, keeping the group in regular rotation on country radio throughout the following years. Exhaustive touring prompted LeBeouf’s departure after the 1989 album Turn the Tide, although he rejoined for the independently released The Road That Led Me to You on Synergy Records in 2000.
Baillie began branching into television in 1991 by co-hosting the Music City News Awards broadcast and serving as a recurring host and performer on the Nashville Network’s Yesteryear. While raising her daughter Alyssa Bonagura took precedence in the late ’90s—Alyssa later pursued her own path as a singer and actress—Baillie returned in 2007 with the solo album Love’s Funny That Way, produced by Michael Bonagura and featuring appearances by Vince Gill and Paulette Carlson of Highway 101.
The couple moved to Nashville in 1982 once Baillie secured backup vocal opportunities on country recordings there; after contributing to tracks by Randy Travis, Moe Bandy, and Lynn Anderson, LeBeouf rejoined them, restoring the trio and establishing Bittersweet’s strong local standing. Live performances eventually drew RCA’s attention, leading to a 1985 deal and a name change to Baillie and the Boys. Their initial single, “Oh Heart,” appeared in 1986 and became a hit, keeping the group in regular rotation on country radio throughout the following years. Exhaustive touring prompted LeBeouf’s departure after the 1989 album Turn the Tide, although he rejoined for the independently released The Road That Led Me to You on Synergy Records in 2000.
Baillie began branching into television in 1991 by co-hosting the Music City News Awards broadcast and serving as a recurring host and performer on the Nashville Network’s Yesteryear. While raising her daughter Alyssa Bonagura took precedence in the late ’90s—Alyssa later pursued her own path as a singer and actress—Baillie returned in 2007 with the solo album Love’s Funny That Way, produced by Michael Bonagura and featuring appearances by Vince Gill and Paulette Carlson of Highway 101.
Albums
Singles