Hank Spotlight

Kim McAbee was born in Fresno California.  When she was 3 years old, her family moved to Bakersfield where she first met The Late, Great, Buck Owens at the age of 19.  By that time she had been singing on stage for about 6 years having sung "Paper Roses" at the Kern County Fair at the age of 13.   At the age of 25 she entered a talent contest which she laughinly admits she didn't win (She took 3rd) but she was noticed by, and started singing with the Duley Brothers Band. 

Later, Kim was re-introduced to Buck Owens by Jim Shaw, Buck's Keyboard Player and long time Buckaroo, (Who also produced Kim's first CD "Make Believing).  Buck took Kim under his wing and hired Kim as an addition to his upcoming shows.  Owens saw in Kim an extraordinary talent, charm, and charisma.  Kim learned about performing at the side of a "Living Legend".   She performed with Buck and the Buckaroos for over a decade.  During one of their shows, Buck said that Kim didn't wear her pants right to be a "Buckaroo" and he officially declared Kim "The Worlds Only Buckarette".

Kim performed with Buck every Friday and Saturday night at the "Crystal Palace", Buck's Bakersfield night club including the night before he died, March 24th.  Buck passed away in his sleep on March 25th. 

Kim continues to perform there every weekend and has also recorded and released her debut CD, "That's What I'm Talkin' About".  It features "I'll Still Be Waiting For You", "It's Just A Cup Of Coffee" and the song that's currently climbing the charts, "That Ain't Workin' On Me" which is a delightful song about men's excuses, womens intuition, and Kim's sizable "B.S. Detector, Which Is A Long Way From Being Broke"

Kim visited the HANK Studios on February 22nd and gave an interview, performed live on the air and showed off her considerable talent and sense style and humor along with Kyle, her husband and manager, and Sean her very gifted guitar player.  After that Kim, Kyle and Sean drove over to Big Bubba's Bad to the Bone BBQ in Merced and had some food and fun with some lucky HANK-FM listeners where she also performed, signed autographs and had a go round with the mechanical bull!! (Which she won!!)

Kim's Star is on the rise!  Buck called her "The most lovely young talented lady without a Major Record Deal." He said,"When Kim and destiny get in the saddle together, thunder is going to crash and lightning is going to flash and hit records are on the way!"

She's opened for Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Clint Black, Marty Stuart, Neil McCoy, Brad Paisley, Mark Wills, Dwight Yokum, Joe Nichols, Dierks Bently, Collin Raye, and even the Late Keith Whitley.  When asked who she'd like to perform with that she hasn't yet, without hesitation she replied, "Keith Urban".  She's won numerous accolades including being named as "Top Female Vocalist" in Bakersfield and Los Angeles, and her single "Make Believin' was awarded "Single of the Year" by the California Country Music Association.

She has the talent, the sweetness, the class, the charm, and the kind of  adventurous free spirit that endears her to everyone she meets!  With her powerful voice and gentle disposition she has that indisputable "Star Quality" that is so rare in this world and her future looks bright indeed!!

Look for her new CD "That's What I'm Talkin' About"on Soigne' Records in stores near you!  You won't be disappointed!!!