“It’s never too late” ~ Brandi Carlile and Elton John
“I’m late, but I’m here right now” ~ Billy Joel
Our first Album Release Event at Factory Underground in Norwalk, CT
Friday, October 16, 2026
Released January, 2026
It’s been a fruitful year: creating the music, recording, mixing, and mastering the album. Releasing a few singles. Realizing how little I know about promotion/marketing/social media, and diving in to educate myself. Making mistakes in the great wide open.
Starts and stops. Detours, dohs, and surprises.
What do we have now? Our best work to date: a double album of music we couldn’t be prouder of.
What will it take for us to share this with the community at large? It’s time to release two EPs, on vinyl and streaming, followed by the double-album vinyl and digital, with bonus tracks.
Phase Two: This is where you come in.
This is my second Ask.
Will you join me? Let me tell you about it…
To share the music with the world and grow our community, we ask for your support today.
Phase 2 budget is $24,000.
The total budget to launch the full project is just over $81,000.
Thanks to last year's generous contributions, we reached 38% of our ask, which directly funded much of Phase 1.
As a teaching artist for over 25 years, inspiring and mentoring students through my training program “For the Love of Music," I’ve been able to support my family and keep the dream alive of giving back through song and story. Now, I’m asking for your support to join the journey and help bring this project to public release and live engagement.
The Project*:
An original soundtrack of music, an offering that highlights the power of storytelling through song: music as medicine. Our debut double album will be released first as a series of singles, starting in spring ‘26.
Vinyl Press releases of “Side A” (end of 2026) and “Side B” early 2027. Exclusive double album on vinyl with 2 bonus tracks for supporters who made this project possible!
A book that has evolved from a cathartic draft into an outpouring of relatability for those in the midst of struggle; a reference for their supporters, mental health practitioners/post-grad students, and clergy/spiritual counsel of any denomination.
Theatrical concerts to share the music and story live with audience engagement.
*You may be wondering: a book with a soundtrack? Before 2020, industry folks told me, “You can’t do that.” Since 2020, these trailblazers have included Brandi Carlile, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, and James Patterson.
When we heard back from Stevie Nicks’ trusted team, we were absolutely beside ourselves with excitement to receive an encouraging “Yes!” to our personal request to record and release her previously unreleased original version of this beautiful song.
Wild Heart (by Stevie Nicks)
Our July 2026 release, as seen in this 1979/1980 home video, has been a pinch-ourselves highlight.
iTunes link above
Streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, YouTube Music, & All Major Platforms
Here’s how you can support the Launch:
Specific Need Sponsorship
This makes a HUGE impact on the production team, band, and the overall project
$1,400 - $8,800 range (select what fits your preference)
Select sponsorship of one or more identified outstanding line items
Receive a signed gift from our Merch store
Friend Support
Custom Sponsorship $10 - $999
Give what you can. Every bit helps!
Contribute through Zelle to cover the fee or add the fee
Guardian Angel
Sponsorship Gift of $1,000 or more
Producer credit for $10,000 or more
Private concert from the band for $20,000 or more
Signed gifts from our Merch store
Liner notes acknowledgment in the album
Community Partner
Host/Sponsor an event
Introductions with potential funders/related industry folks
Album Release Parties
Grants for Artists/Musicians/Authors:
Introductions to foundation/grant source contact
Introduction to potential book editor/publisher
(Message Kate with your ideas!)
* Payments via ZELLE are direct bank-to-bank transfers and cost us nothing.
If you’d like to use Zelle, my cell phone or personal email is registered, or message my contact page.
Credit cards charge a 2.9% to 3.2% fee per transaction.
We’re grateful for your continued belief in our project, no matter how you support us.
November 23, 2024, the guys and me, in the afterglow of our sold-out reunion concert in Colorado
What’s happening now…
Over the last two decades, the incredible musicians in my band, my brothers-in-music - Mark Mollica (top), Dan Asher (right), and Chris Johnson (left) - have skillfully brought the songs to life with attentive creativity, finding the sweet spot every time. I bring the lyrics and melody to Mark, and he works his magic. Together we shape the songs, and Mark directs the band as a whole. Our years together have only deepened this collaborative process and our attunement with each other. I cannot put into words my gratitude for this collaboration, nor can I fully express how amazingly talented and dedicated these guys are.
From April to September 2025, we wrote songs, composed/arranged parts, and maximized rehearsal time in New York and Connecticut.
Fourteen tracks, 12 original and 2 riveting cover songs, were recorded and mixed from October to December 2025 at the Clubhouse Studio under the artist-of-an-engineer, Paul Antonell.
Thanks to Nick Forster and James Tuttle at E-Town Studios in Boulder, CO, for squeezing me in to finish the vocals at the last minute! It was a joyous birthday gift.
From December 29, 2025, through January 30, 2026, we brought our mixes to AirShow Mastering Lab in Boulder, CO, where Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer David Glasser brilliantly mastered them for high-def international release.
Dec. 1, 2025: Release of Kate’s EP, “Go in Love,” from the book soundtrack, produced by Tom Salta and Kate over about a decade. Some of the tracks are from a charity album Tom and Kate co-wrote for a large-scale NGO (non-governmental organization) in India supporting medical needs and children in need of families/homes/critical resources. The album was released exclusively in India and Australia, with 100% of the proceeds going to the organization.
Ongoing 2026 - Spring 2027:
Friday, October 16, 2026: Album release concert at Factory Underground
“Courage & Good Trouble” released on MLK Day, Jan. 19, 2026
“Fine Wine” released May 2026
“Wild Heart” released July 23, 2026
“Pay Attention” releasing October, 2026
“Moonchasers’ Daughter” (album title track) releasing October 2026
Release select singles from the album through Symphonic Distribution on JNMD Creative label (done!)
Secured legal rights/licensing to release 12 original and 2 cover songs (done!)
Secure a book editor/publisher to partner with and fine-tune the book (Search in on)
Editing and more footage for a mini-documentary about the project
Spring 2027: Boulder, Colorado Album release event (TBA)
Expansion of Katehope.com website as a home base for samples from the book, soundtrack, bookings for public engagement, and more
Photoshoots/editing for press packs, website, and promotion
Universal Themes that created the book and music
~ the power of influence ~ pain and Hope
~ vulnerability and resilience ~ family
~ faith and spirituality ~ humor!
~ love and loss ~ disconnect and reunion
~ the medicinal impact of music and creative process on the healing journey
August 2025 - A toast as we wrap up marathon workshop/rehearsal summer sessions
(left to right) Dan, Kate, Chris, Mark
This album, Go in Love, has been in the works for about a decade. The first 6 songs released as part of the soundtrack to my upcoming book.
Recorded in CT with producer/composer/musician Tom Salta, engineer John McVey at Coupe Studios, Boulder, CO, and an independent recording studio in Chicago. The title track features Mark Mollica (guitar), Dan Asher (bass), Hazel Miller (backing vocals), Coco Brown (backing vocals), Robert Johnson, III (backing vocals), Eric Moon (Hammond B3).
Personal stories are shared like an extended hand to those in relatable situations, offering a sense of connection and comfort. For those in support roles such as family, friends, community, and mental health practitioners, there are meaningful opportunities for learning and reflection.
Some of you have witnessed parts of this story. Some of you have understandably wondered or been confused (I would have been to!) And, you remained a support.
I invite you to be part of this actualization.
Lengthy, painful challenges juxtaposed with the compassion and love of those who cheered me on from the sidelines led me to this place: healed enough, ready to shine a light on others, and not giving up on Hope, no matter how hard it can be.
Thank you for your love and support, and for helping make this dream come true.
Love,
Kate
“I’m like a bottle of fine wine, been on the shelf a long time, thought I was gonna lose my mind and be sadly wasted. Oh, I am better than moonshine, than what you find at the Five-and-Dime, happens to be that now’s the right time to uncork my little bottle of fine wine.”
Lyrics from Fine Wine released 5/21/26 ~Kate Hope
Professional photos by Liv Berger, The Headshot Gal and Chase Pierson, Studio C, NY Video and photos by Miles and Eli