The Reno music scene has many late bloomers, musicians who started when they were well out of their teen years. Kat Heart is one of those locals who began playing guitar and writing songs in her late 20s—and it took a significant life change to begin her musical life.
Heart, now 41, was born in South Lake Tahoe and lived in Gardnerville for most of her youth. After living in Lima, Ohio, for a decade, she returned to Gardnerville in 2012 after a divorce. She also decided to teach herself guitar and write songs as part of this major crossroads in her life.
“The day I left Ohio, I bought a used black Yamaha acoustic for $100,” Heart said. “I jumped on a plane to visit my family (in Gardnerville) and sort my life out, and I went to the open mic at Genoa Bar (and Saloon), and that was the first time I played guitar and sang for people. I never knew that I had a voice or that anyone would want to listen to it. I used to say, ‘I can sing on key, but you don’t want to hear it.’”…