Cathy Dresden Brings Solo Show to Don't Tell Mama

Cathy Dresden, Manhattan's big hearted songbird (as played by Joe Hartman) will take the stage at Don't Tell Mama, October 16th at 7PM in her performance "Cathy Dresden: An Old Fashioned Girl", a musical trip back to the 1950s. The concert is directed by Daniel Adams, and features Michael Hicks on piano, accordion, and additional vocals. For reservations call (212) 757-0788, or book online at http://donttellmamanyc.com/shows/main/cathy-dresden-10-16.

Cathy is one of a long line of big hearted, wholesome girl singers of the 50's, but with a twist. Hartman, Cathy's creator says "I was inspired to create Cathy as a way to embody and pay tribute to the great female vocalists I loved as a kid. I was the only one in my grade who idolized Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney, and Patsy Cline." Like those ladies, Cathy uses humor, heart, and her positive outlook to see through life's challenges and to convey the essence of the songs she sings. "To me, the best entertainers really put their guts out on that stage, and men are too 'cool' for that. People forget what tremendous courage it takes to be vulnerable."

Born in the tiny town of Booneville, Arkansas, population 63, Cathy grew up singing with her sisters at their local church, but first came to America's attention through her appearances on everyone's favorite televised talent show, "Tony Polanko's Nationwide Hour of Power". Her full throated voice and gentle demeanor endeared her to viewers across the country and made her a three-time winner eligible to compete in the Grand Prize Championship". While Cathy did not take home the ultimate prize of $2,000 (losing to siamese triplette plate spinners) the resulting exposure jumpstarted her singing career and allowed her to embark on her "Butterchurn Tour" of the dairy states. But while she considers America's farmer's the "true backbone of this great country", this former small town girl is thrilled to be in Manhattan, singing and swinging the hits of the great songsmiths like Harold Arlen, The Gershwins, and Cole Porter.

Hartman is proud to be the conduit through which Cathy Dresden comes to life, and pleased to be bringing her from his former home in Austin, Texas, to a New York audience. Though developed in an acting class in L.A, Cathy premiered in Austin, and became the breakaway hit of his self-penned one-man show Overwhelming Underdogs. She has since starred in her own show, was the inspiration for a Christmas show, and has since made appearances at numerous benefits, special events and night spots, warbling and belting out pop standards of the mid-twentieth century.

The show debuted at the Metropolitan Room to a packed house, with luminaries like legendary performer and writer Charles Busch, and Broadway's Melissa van Der Schyff in attendance, and Hartman is excited to be bringing it back. "People seem to relate to Cathy. She's a bit of an underdog, a small town girl who moved to the city after she'd already been married and had two children. She's already 'lived', and she continues plugging away, unashamedly wearing her heart on her sleeve.There are a lot of us out here like that."

The performance is Monday, October 16th, at Don't Tell Mana, and seating begins at 6:30 for the 7PM show. Tickets are $20 with a two drink minimum food and beverage purchase, and reservations can be made at http://donttellmamanyc.com/shows/main/cathy-dresden-10-16. Don't Tell Mama is a cash only venue.