Sunday, March 14, 2010

Who IS the Other Kathy Wade?


I first learned about her from a news clipping in my early 30’s. The caption identified a young African-American woman and two other musicians as The Kathy Wade Trio. A few years later, the mail began arriving – addressed to me, but once I opened it I could see it was meant for her. One letter would praise my recent performance, another would thank me for the interview and photos. One contained my resume, except it was her resume. It was eerie. We had the same name, even the same alma mater – Edglcliff College. But there’s where the similarities ended. I felt guilty reading someone else’s mail. But what could I do? I ‘d reseal and return to the sender with a note: “Wrong Kathy Wade.”

Then the phone calls started. Didn’t I remember Wes? We’d met me at a local club and wouldn’t it be great to get together? Randy had read my bio and wanted to hire me for a gig. Someone had heard me sing with Duke Ellington at the White House and wanted to talk about recording. It didn’t take long to determine these calls were not for me. I had to explain that I was the other Kathy Wade. Did I have her [unlisted] phone number? Sorry, I had to answer.

In my early 40’s I won several Neighborhood Poetry contests and became the Poet Laureate of Walnut Hills. During those years, whenever anyone called for HER, I felt justified in calling myself Kathy Wade the Poet.

Then my big opportunity came. She was performing at a free concert in Eden Park. “I’m going to meet that woman,” I told my husband, “and get her phone number.”

I watched her tease the crowd with a sultry rendition of Summertime, then jazz up a version of Night and Day, and scat her way through a set of Cole Porter favorites before taking a break. She was a powerhouse of energy and smooth soul.

During the intermission I marched right onto the stage. Her manager protested but I flashed my drivers license and insisted: “I’m Kathy Wade.” She looked puzzled when I explained how people were mistaking me for her…we looked nothing alike. I asked her to do me – and herself – a favor and get listed in the phone book. She flashed a nervous smile, but before she could promise me anything intermission was over.

Over the years, I had opened mail from organizations looking forward to my performance, a local radio station hoping I’d do their wine-tasting again, a college excited about having me as their visiting artist. Once I opened an envelope to find a check for appearing at a local event. I picked up the phone and called her. With a check that size, I wanted to deliver it in person. It was a magic meeting…like finding a long lost friend.

Soon after that, my niece from Florida called. She’d lost my number and tried the 411 directory. “I’ve been talking to the other Kathy Wade,” my niece said. “You know what she said? ‘You want Kathy Wade the Writer. I get her calls all the time.’”

That gave me an idea. What if we presented a workshop together and called it Kathy Wade Squared! I could share my insights as a poet, she as a song-writer. Because Women Writing for a Change is a safe circle, this provided the opportunity for both of us to tell our truths in a confidential setting…something not available to public performers. It was a great success. “Let’s do this again!” we both said. Someday I hope we will.

It’s weird having the same name as a local celebrity. Wouldn’t it be simpler to use my given name, Kathleen? Actually, on my Facebook account, I am Kathleen Wade, because I didn’t want the jazz world descending on me. But everywhere else I’m still Kathy Wade the writer.