Cathy Hutch: Her Musical Journey
Born in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1961, Cathy Hutch’s musical journey began at a young age, inspired by watching the Beatles and the Monkees on television. Her passion for music was evident from the start, as she taught herself to play a Framus guitar she received for Christmas from her parents at the age of nine. Despite her inability to conquer music theory in school, Cathy’s natural talent and determination shone through, as she went on to teach herself other instruments as well.
A pivotal moment in her life came when she first sat at a drum kit at the age of twelve. She had always been fascinated by the drums, and playing them came naturally to her. Joining her high school band in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Cathy honed her skills on the drum kit, and even though she couldn’t read music her dedication and passion for them was undeniable, leading her to become the accomplished musician she is today.
In 1979 she joined Jack and Company as their bass player, but soon switched back to her true calling as a drummer. She started Sound F/X in 1985, which became one of the most popular bands in Northwestern New Brunswick and Maine until she had to leave it in 1990. They were known for playing the hottest Top-40 and Country hits on both sides of the border.
Life took a turn in the 1990s as Cathy faced personal hardships, including her younger daughter’s health issues with Turner Syndrome and severe autism, and the ending of her marriage as Hutch came out as a gay woman. Moving to the city of Fredericton for better services for her daughter, she had no choice but to put her musical endeavours on hold.
After a 16-year hiatus, a vivid dream reignited her passion for music. She sold one of her guitars and invested in new drums, joining several bands, including Tore Down, ERA, and the George Street Blues Project. Her return to the stage was marked by opening for Bonnie Raitt with the latter at a Maximum Blues concert in 2009.
Balancing a full-time job and personal challenges with her disabled daughter, Cathy Hutch turned to her guitar and songwriting during a difficult period in 2007. Her talent – which now included singing – was recognized by industry professionals, leading her to record her debut album “Not Goin’ Back” in Nashville. Her song “I’m In Here”, co-written with her producer, became known globally as the Anthem for Autism.
By 2009, Cathy was juggling multiple bands and promoting her own music. Despite giving up drumming due to time constraints, she occasionally still plays a few songs on them if the opportunity arises. These days, she is more widely known as a note-worthy guitarist and singer. She has opened for country star Carroll Baker; won a New Brunswick Oscar for Autism for “I’m In Here”; and gone on to record two more critically acclaimed albums.
“Free Wheelin” was produced in 2017 by Paul Milner (Trillium House Studio), and Cathy’s third album “A Matter of Perspective” was released in 2024, produced by Danny Bourgeois (Pumpk’n Patch Recording Studio).
Cathy Hutch’s music can be found on all of the usual streaming platforms, though her favourite is Bandcamp. You can purchase her music at cathyhutch.bandcamp.com, or come to one of her shows!