About Kate

Meet American Idol contestant, Kate Watson! Kate is a rising star on the country music scene. Proud of her Texas roots, she still calls it “home.”

Kate's music career may have officially started when she was 15 years old, but music has always been at the center of her life since childhood. As the daughter of Christian recording artist and worship leader, Jesse Watson, Kate’s first recording was a song her father penned especially for her called, “Forever I’m Yours.” The tune appeared on Jesse's debut album, What a Hope.

Music is clearly in Kate’s DNA. Her musical mother played drums in the church band introducing Kate to both piano and music theory. The three still work closely together at Lone Star Cowboy Church in Montgomery, Texas, the largest cowboy church in the world and the spiritual home of several country recording artists, most notably Cody Johnson (Reba McEntire’s duet partner) and Jesse Raub, Jr. In fact, their church is where country recording star, Parker McCollum, first heard Kate sing.

“She’s the real deal,” said McCollum. “She has the total package: the voice, the look, and the way she connects with people. I am looking forward to great things from her.” 

You may remember Kate from the 2019 season of American Idol, where she received a standing ovation from Lionel Richie after singing his signature hit, “Hello."

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Her vocal chops are hard-earned: she is a student of renowned vocal coach, Tom McKinney (Beyoncé, Maddie & Tae, Pentatonix).

Kate inspires fans with her results-oriented work ethic and sheer love of people. Her life’s goal is to inspire audiences and provide hope through her songwriting and her live performances. 

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Kate Watson’s latest release, “Red Lipstick and a Cowboy Hat,” is a self-penned autobiographical song about succeeding through adversity. Kate’s family moved quite a bit as she was growing up, and she often found it hard to fit in at school being the perpetual “new kid in town.” But rather than allowing that to hold her back, Kate developed the kind of gritty determination that is bringing her hard-won success in the music business—as she documents in her song, “you really burned me bad, but now I’m risin’ from the ash.” The new single and its accompanying music video are now available on all streaming platforms. 

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Kate Watson and her band tour regularly across Texas and beyond, performing intimate acoustic shows on a wide variety of stages, as well as delivering high-energy, full-band performances for crowds at larger concert venues. 

"If I could only say one thing about Kate Watson, it’s that she will always have you wanting more. From attention-grabbing vocals and the stage presence of a seasoned professional to the obvious passion for her craft and her fans, Kate is one of those artists whose picture will hang in venues that tout ‘We knew her when." 

—Cassidy Reue-Collins, Events & Entertainment Manager 

The Numbers

90K+ passionate followers across social media.

1 Million+ followers on TikTok.

Over 200 Million views on YouTube.