Karen is a native Virginian from Northern VA and has lived in the Richmond area for many years.  She spent 31 years working full time in the area of psychological services and special education.  She is currently retired from public service and devotes the majority of her time to music.

Karen's first performance was at the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C at the age of 17 where her group won a contest to perform at a regular show.  She began a serious music career as a solo singer songwriter at the age of 40 and continues to do solo performances, shows with Barry and Lynn Trott under the band name "Fireside"" or shows with other local artists as a duet (Doug Austin, Joshua Bearman, and Jackie Frost ).  She refers to the talented local artists who sit in with her for certain performances as the "Fireside Pickers". 

Karen plays the acoustic guitar, bass and mandolin.  The new CD, Still Be Mine  has 9 original songs written by Karen and 3 cover tunes.  Barry's solo vocal on Ain't Misbehaving showcases a 1929 jazz swing song written by Andy Razaf.