Meet Katherine Dines | Songwriter, Performer and Teaching Artist.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katherine Dines and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea came from writing country and pop songs then getting steered into a completely different direction when a publisher asked if I could write for children. The phrase “Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta” is part of a much longer phrase that has been passed down through my family for 8 generations. That short phrase became the title of my 1st children’s song, the first album, and is now trademarked. The original phrase was probably a “field holler” – a pre-telephone phrase used to call to persons far away.

“Kick-ta-bill-icky-all-uh-guh-lock-sta-hunk-ta-bunk-ta-boo– yoooo-hoooo!”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Songwriting is my art, and supposedly what sets it apart from others is the connection I make with children of all ages through the lyrics, singable melodies and integrated movement.

I am most proud of having been able to perform throughout the country and the world, having won numerous national awards and feeling as if I can reach unreachable and all children through song.

I got to where I am today professionally because I never stopped and don’t plan on it in the near future.

It is easy because I love what I do, but due to the changes in the music industry (streaming, AI and overall excess) it is very difficult and almost impossible for musicians of any kind— let alone family musicians— to maintain financial stability. And many musicians who either struggle at being successful in or have found stardom in other musical genres, enter the children’s musical market thinking it’s “easy.” It might appeal to parents, but may be lacking in content so never really reaches the children. For me it’s been essential to study children and understand their stages of development. Children are so wise, they KNOW what they like, yet their parents force them into liking what THEY AS ADULTS want to hear. Thanks to Spotify and other streaming services, more people can discover your songs and work, yet it requires tens of thousands of streams for the artist to get any money.

Today’s challenges for families are daunting. In some ways and on some levels, life continues to get easier. Yet between financial burdens, diminishing education, environmental concerns and social unrest, there are SO many challenges to overcome. I would say being able to shift and roll with these challenges and changes is the only way to meet them.

So many lessons! Be kind to everyone because you never know who that person is, what they are going through or what lessons they might have to share. Lend a hand, heart or shoulder. Breathe deeply. Work hard. Play harder. Be your best self. Be grateful for as much as you possibly can. Take chances. Dream. Remember your past and all those who help guide your way. This world is astonishing and since you never know what’s going to happen, stay wide-eyed with wonder. Don’t stop believing.

This world is huge and if the whole world were to know of me or my brand, I’d like people to sing, learn, use, and remember some of my songs!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I am a native Denverite and 5-generation Coloradoan, I would drive to Red Rocks, hike around, take in a concert and maybe have dinner at the Fort or take Spotted Goat in Morrison. Pack a picnic and ogle the amazing plants while sauntering through the incredible grounds of Denver Botanic Gardens. Ride a bike ride along Cherry Creek through Glendale and all the way East to Cherry Creek reservoir or West along the Platte River, South to Chatfield Dam or North to Boulder. Buy delicious produce and other items at one of Denver’s Farmer’s Markets in Cherry Creek, U Hills, Pearl Street, etc. Walk or ride south along the Platte River in LoDo and stop in at REI’s flagship and have a burger at My Brother’s Bar or sushi at SaSa. Stop in a shop ir two. Check out the art galleries on Santa Fe. Keep going north for more art, shops and brew pubs in RiNo. Definitely see a play at the DCPA and pop over to Larimer Square for a gander at old Denver, grab a sip or bite at one of my fave Mexican restaurants downtown— Tamayo, Zocalito or La Loma. Do some shopping in Cherry Creek North, Old South Gaylord or Tennyson streets. Check out the Denver Mint, gold-domed Capital Building (climb all the way to the top and see stained glass portraits of Colorado’s 16 “Founding Pioneers” including one of my Great Great Grandfather, Benjamín Eaton), the Museum of Modern Art, Kirkland, the Aquarium, Clyfford Still, Forney Museum of Transportation, Denver Art Museum, or the gorgeous City Park where both the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science are, and definitely go to a 3D film at the IMAX. A baseball game at Coors Field is a blast. Take the train down to the old Union Station that has been revamped with shops and restaurants. Walk all the way around Washington, Cheeseman, Sloan’s Lake or City Park.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to say there is a virtual CROWD of people including: my grandmother, who was the first violinist in the Colorado Springs symphony; my parents who loved to sing and made up new words to familiar songs; my grade school music teacher; my deceased husband who encouraged me to move to Nashville; the NSAI (Nashville Songwriter’s Association International) where I worked for 2 years; numerous Early Childhood educators, classroom teachers and librarians; the Children’s Music Network; The Recording Academy; my peers; and most of all, children of all ages who are the true inspiration for my work.

Website: https://www.hunktabunkta.com

Instagram: @hunktabunkta

Linkedin: @katherinedines

Twitter: @kdines

Facebook: @hunktabunkta

Yelp: kdines

Youtube: Katherinedines

Other: Spotify: Katherine Dines

Image Credits
Photos of me with butterfly and me “floating in sky” -: Katy Tartakoff