National Anthem Queen

Kim Dugger Attwater Cues up Sporting Events with Powerful Voice

Written by John Huthmacher

She wasn’t actually born a coal miner’s daughter like singer Loretta Lynn, but the mere fact she has familial ties to a coal-mining town isn’t lost on Wichita singer/actress Kim Dugger Attwater.

A professional singer, musician and actor who has made a career out of showcasing her diamond voice, the former Miss Kansas believes it was the musical talents inherited from her grandmother, Oma Dugger, a native of coal-mining haven Harlan, Kentucky, that graced her with the ability to excel in numerous professional musical pursuits. Those have included stints with several rock bands, lead roles in multiple musical theater productions, big-band singing in Dallas, jingles sung for national commercial campaigns, and performance work in Nashville and Branson.

A child prodigy who began singing and playing piano at age 4, it was those inherent abilities that opened doors for her both professionally and at home, where playing piano and singing afterdinner songs with her father, Paul, provided a clear path around doing the dishes – an out frowned upon by her three older brothers.

“God gives each of us gifts,” she said. “My gift is singing and I love it. It was my major in college and my hobby, and I’m glad I’ve been able to use the gifts I’ve been given.” A native of Wichita, Attwater performed her first vocal solo at age 7 at First Bible Baptist Church in Wichita.

Among her live musical performances were shows at the Crown Uptown Theatre, Forum Theater, Music Theater of Wichita, and Shoji Tabuchi Theatre in Branson, where she served in roles as musical director and assistant director. Her performance resume includes concerts with Tuxedo Junction, a 20-piece bigband ensemble based in Dallas, and regional touring rock band experiences with Annie Up and Three Ring Circus.

“My major in college was classical, but that isn’t my favorite style to sing,” she said. “Brought up in the church, I love to sing gospel, country, rock, and musical theater.” Her musical career has taken a back seat during the past year while she helps care for her parents, Paul (now deceased) and Marilyn. She also serves on the Friends University board while co-heading its $12 million capital campaign for her alma mater.

She continues to perform at special events and college athletic games around Wichita, ducking in the occasional appearance at professional sporting events. In April, she returned to Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium to perform the national anthem during the Royals season-opening homestand, reprising her first national anthem appearance there in 1991 while wearing her Miss Kansas crown. “I swell up with pride every time I sing our national anthem,” she said.

Upcoming anthem performances on her docket include May 2 at the Wichita State–Kansas State baseball game, and June 22 at Riverfront Stadium for the Wichita Wind Surge vs. Arkansas game.

Supported in her craft by her husband, Paul Attwater, and four grown stepsons, her biggest fans may be her mother, who encourages her to record an album, and Maggie, her golden retriever who seldom misses the opportunity to join her in song during home rehearsals. “I have to stop singing because I’m laughing so hard,” she said. “I don’t know if she loves it or hates it, but she sits or lays beside the piano and chimes in.”

Kim continues to look forward to new opportunities to sing, whether before live audiences or recording some of her favorite songs. She’s motivated by sharing her voice whenever possible and by encouraging young people to explore their own musical talent. “I was honored to sing the national anthem again for the Royals, and my fingers are crossed that they will ask me back again.”

Agritourism is all about finding the roots that connect us all.