Center hosts country star Kathy Mattea

(Published by Planet JH Weekly)Conservationism and environmentalism are a major focus on veteran country-pop artist Kathy Mattea’s latest Appalachian-inspired release, Calling Me Home, depicting the coal mining industry’s most pressing issues. The West Virginia native has charted sixteen top ten hits since releasing her first album in 1984, and her long list of Female Vocalist of the Year, Grammy Awards and Country Female Artist of the year awards tell the story of a successful artist representing country, bluegrass, folk, and Celtic. Center for the Arts presents Kathy Mattea, 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Center Theater. $40/reserved seating at JHCenterForTheArts.org, or 733-4900.