October 28, 2026

The Minnesota Music Note - Ep 77 - Enter the New Grind with Kat Perkins

What happens when you go from losing your voice to becoming a finalist on NBC’s The Voice, only to discover that the grind of being a musician never really ends? Singer-songwriter Kat Perkins joins the Minnesota Music Note to talk about her incredible journey from a small town in North Dakota to performing on a national stage, and what it takes to keep building a music career long after the spotlight fades. Kat shares how she got her start in music at just five years old, fronted the hard rock band Scarlet Hayes, opened for Bon Jovi, and overcame vocal surgery before landing on Team Adam Levine on The Voice, where she finished in fourth place. She opens up about navigating the pressures of sudden fame, redefining success, balancing original music with the cover gigs that pay the bills, and finding ways to keep live music alive in a world increasingly hooked on social media. Kat also discusses her work inspiring the next generation of musicians through the Rising Star Foundation, her podcast about life after reality television, and why Minneapolis continues to feel like home despite opportunities to pursue music elsewhere. In this episode, we talk about: - Growing up in a musical family in a small North Dakota town - Losing her voice, undergoing vocal surgery, and finding her way back to singing - How a viral video led to her audition for The Voice and a spot on Team Adam Levine - The reality of life after a national television spotlight and learning to redefine success - Why cover gigs often pay the bills while original music remains the passion - How social media is changing attention spans, live performances, and the music industry - Building the next generation of musicians through music camps and the Rising Star Foundation - Kat's podcast, Aftermath: Life After Reality Television, and the stories behind starting over - Why the Twin Cities music scene feels more like a community than a competition Tune in for an honest conversation about the highs, lows, and realities of pursuing music professionally, staying true to yourself, and finding the next opportunity to keep doing what you love. 🚨 Subscribe to the Minnesota Music Note and keep discovering the artists, stories, and music that make Minnesota special. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online