Photo by: Crissy Musick Photography

Singer/songwriter Kate Boytek hit the stage for the first time at the tender age of five at her local country fair talent show. Singing opportunities were few and far between in Kate’s tiny hometown of Logan, West Virginia, nestled deep in the Appalachian coalfields. Kate sang at dozens of local charity events, directed her church choir, and eventually attracted the attention of Vic Gabany, West Virginia native and legendary Grand Ole Opry and Bradley’s Barn audio engineer. With Vic’s help and guidance from her late musical director and drummer Scotty Hawkins (Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks), Boytek pursued her dream in Nashville and appeared with country hitmakers Tyler Farr, Eric Paslay, Trick Pony, and others. But like a sad country song, Kate’s goals of a life in music were turned upside down when she was forced to walk away from her dreams for almost a decade.

Now a wiser and more seasoned artist, Kate Boytek has re-emerged with a songwriting style that is both fresh and contemporary yet echoes classic singer-songwriters from the 1970s. Boytek’s upcoming debut album will include tracks written by Kate along with veteran songsmiths, including Britton Cameron (Lonestar, Sister Hazel), Kim McLean (Loretta Lynn, Trisha Yearwood, and Tim McGraw), and Brian Carper (Aaron Lewis). With career guidance from veteran music executives Bernard Porter (Jason Aldean) and Burke Allen (America’s Got Talent Winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.), a treasure chest of first-class songs, and a personality that shines through like few others, Kate Boytek’s career, like the title of one of her new songs, is poised to go anywhere. And we’ll be watching.

In 2023, Kate filmed her first video in Charleston.

CWV Q&A

What is your favorite thing about Charleston?

My favorite thing about Charleston, West Virginia, is the consistent momentum forward and strong sense of community.

In my experience, it’s rare to find cities that carry a strong presence of a “close knit/small town vibe” similar to what everyone seeks and usually finds in smaller rural towns.

Charleston has found a way to combine that convenient, exciting, ever-growing city life while maintaining the friendly hometown feel.

This is definitely at the top of my list of things to love about my home state capital.

Favorite CWV restaurant?

Photo by: Crissy Musick Photography

Being the foodie that I am, this is definitely a tough question! I could literally name a dozen favorite restaurants off the top of my head, but to name only a few for the sake of having a novel-like answer for this question, here we go!!

• Soho’s
• Lola’s
• Black Sheep
• Laury’s
• Adelphia
• Bricks and Barrels
• Caffe Romeo & Rock City Cake Company (dessert!)

Favorite CWV shop?

Ok, let me narrow this down, although there are many more I could name!

• Eggplant
• Ooh La Lucy
• Charlie Boutique
• Taylor Books
• I also love the Capitol Market

I could go on and on!!!

Favorite CWV venue to see, or preform, live music?

I love to perform at Sam’s Uptown Cafe and of course at Charleston’s beautiful Haddad Riverfront Park.

Favorite CWV memory?

I’ve been coming to Charleston almost every weekend since I was a kid and I have some wonderful memories in this city, aside from performing in Charleston and seeing my first concert at the Charleston Coliseum, the memories that stand out the most are my birthdays. Growing up, my mom would let me pick one friend to go with me and we would spend the whole day shopping at the Charleston Town Center, then follow it up with a local restaurant of my choice and lastly end the birthday celebration with a movie night at Marquee Cinemas at South Ridge. I wouldn’t trade my memories in this city for anything.

What do you wish others would know about Charleston?

My hope is that everyone looking to explore a new area of West Virginia would come to Charleston and see first hand what I’ve been so fortunate to grow up with, from the unique one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants, to the people that have infused this city with kindness and friendship, it’s truly one big wonderful community and definitely worth a stop on your bucket list cities!