Born and raised in Pikesville suburb of Baltimore, Karen’s singing career reportedly began on a dare when a friend persuaded her to get up on the stage and sing. The club owner liked her style and hired her to perform at the club. From the early days at Longfellow’s, she quickly became a local club favorite. Karen went on to develop a loyal following in the Baltimore and D.C. areas.
A self-taught guitarist singer-songwriter, Karen was influenced by Joni Mitchell, Michael Franks, Ricki Lee Jones, and the likes of other jazzy/folk artists. Karen’s pursuit of a career as a school gym teacher was put on hold as her natural musical talent surfaced and her popularity grew throughout the local clubs. Locally she could be seen at Papillon, and Cocao Lane in Ellicott City, Lake Kittamaqundi concerts, Bixby’s in Towson, the Pub, the Ox Bow Inn (Severna Park), Poor House Pub (D.C.)…
In 1977 she released her first single, an original titled “The Music Keeps Me Going.”
Her first full length album “The Lion in Me” was released in 1981 consisting of all original songs written from 1977-1981. Karen created her own label and financed the entire project. “I formed my own label in the early 80’s as a result of hearing one too many times from labels, that my sound was not commercial enough… It was the best thing I ever did for myself and my career. This way, I can produce and distribute music with integrity at my own pace, regardless of trends in the ‘biz.’ Also, I’m the boss.”
Through 1998 Karen released six independent albums that featured studio work by local as well as nationally known artists including drummers/percussionists Marv Simmons, Paul Wilson, Tony Sweet, Mike Aubin, Chester Thompson, Leonard ‘Doc’ Gibbs Jr., Steve Bloom, and Eric Darken, bass guitarists Gary Waugh, and Scott Chambers, keyboardists Bob Butta, David Astri, and Tom Reynolds, electric guitarists Richard Roeder (also provided bass, piano, synthesizer and percussion), Carl Filipiak, Denny Jiosa, bass guitarist Drew Gress, lyricon Paul Soroka, saxophone Glenn Cashman, accordion John Schock, flute Dudley Biddison, Tim Eyermann, cello David Shumway, vocalist Jesse Kaye…
In 1981 she formed an all-originals group named the Karen Goldberg Band with Gary Waugh (bass ex-Majestics), Jerry Kirkendahl (keyboards ex-Proxy…), and Paul Wilson (drums ex-Joy). They performed at the Songwriters Showcase on July 13, 1981 at the Cellar Door. The group did outdoor festivals, Artscape, Annapolis waterfront…
A single in 1982 featured songs “Secrets” b/w “Pain,” both sides written by Tony Sciuto and Sam Egorin. Her song “90 Miles From Cuba” (from her 1992 album “Slipping Through the Cracks’) was included on the WTMD 89.7 FM comp “Best of The Breeze Volume 2.”
Her 1998 CD “Treading Water” recorded in Nashville is described as “a unique blend of contemporary folk with a splash of subtle jazz shadings, featuring Karen on acoustic guitar and vocal, Genesis drummer Chester Thompson, and some of Nashville’s top studio musicians.”
“A superb writer, composer, instrumentalist, sound engineer who avoids preaching and instead makes her points with wit, sympathy, and humor… Sultry voice and emotive lyrics of a Joni Mitchell with the charismatic sass of a Rickie Lee Jones.” (Baltimore Sun).
Karen continued to perform locally in the ‘00s including lakefront shows at Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia, Reisterstown Festivals… while also teaching music.
That first nudge back in 1973 culminated into a successful career with six nationally distributed albums, hundreds of concerts and tours throughout the U.S. and worldwide, while sharing stages with artists such as 10,000 Maniacs, The B52’s, Randy Newman, Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Richie Havens, and many, many others.
Karen Goldberg discography:
1977 Secant 7 The Music Keeps Me Going / No Fool Like an Old Fool
1981(LP) Corbett 001 The Lion in Me
1982 Corbett 5507 Secrets / Pain
1988(LP) Corbett 002 High Contrast
1989(CD) Corbett 003 Solo
1992(CD) Corbett 004 Slipping Thru the Cracks
1994(CD) Corbett 005 Secrecy
1998(CD) Corbett 006 Treading Water
