Born and raised a native of Coram, LI, New York, Kathy's mother Patty Bonhote was a singer guitar player in a Long Island based Country/Western band back in the 1950's and 60's. Pat died tragically in an auto accident but her voice and the sounds of the music remained with Kathy all her life.

She came upon Buddy Merriam & Back Roads in 2001 and became good friends, picked up her guitar and pressed on learning all she could about the history & players of the music. A sudden absence of a guitar player in the band brought her on board in 2006 & 2007, appeared as a special guest on Buddy's latest CD "Live at the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall" and now Kathy has taken a place in this season's lineup.

She is strongly influenced by Buddy's original tunes, Bill Monroe, Flat & Scruggs and Hazel Dickens.