Karen Hudson is a singer-songwriter, recording artist, visual artist and author. She performs her urban cowgirl brand of country-rock music, folk and pop with the Karen Hudson River Band, a real live honky-tonk outfit. She has toured nationally, and released 2 recordings. Hudson has enjoyed giving local performances at The Dyckman Farmhouse Museum and The Little Red Lighthouse Festival, and all over Manhattan.

The recipient of an MCAF grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council for the production of “Inwood Coffeehouse,” two ASCAP Plus awards and now, a NoMAA grant for new work in the Performance/Media category for “Compartments: Shedding Light on Dark Places.” The series of constructions, based on the literal and figurative sense of isolation from intense emotions and fear, are being funded by JPMorgan Chase and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. “Each box aims to exorcise my inner demons, and the pain that results. With this series, I’ll give each individual fear a visual context, decorate and illuminate them electrically in unique ways, pay homage to them, and hopefully dispel the pain and move away from them for good. For some peices, I intend to get friends and fans involved in the process by polling them on Facebook. In addition, I will write a song about each piece, or the emotion represented therein, and perform a concert based on the project as a whole.”

Hudson balances her time between creating sculpture and live perfomances. Shows at The Rodeo Bar, Banjo Jim’s, Lakeside Lounge, The Parkside Lounge, The Living Room, CB’s 313 Gallery, Continental, Acme Underground, The Cutting Room, Sidewalk Cafe and Hank’s Saloon, and the Hall of Fame Lounge in Nashville, have been on her performance schedule. The fine folks that back up Hudson, are some of the best twang warriors around. They know what supports the singer, serves the song, and entertain the throngs. Hudson’s silvery vocals, and easy country rock style, part Chryssie Hynde, part Patsy Cline, lay comfortably on a bed of weeping pedal steel.

Karen proudly pours on the twang in her latest independent EP Hudson River View. This six-song offering gives a quick cross-section of life in a city bolstered by resilience and perseverance, love riddled with doubt, and rollicking honky-tonks after all the fussin’ and fightin’ is said and done. Hudson River View features a blend of country, rock, pop, and folk inspired by singers Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Linda Ronstadt, and the song craft of Nick Lowe, the Rolling Stones, Lucinda Williams, the Jayhawks and Wilco. Hudson River View is a tribute to Hudson’s passion for great songs and showcases her growth as an artist.She released the acoustic based “Bittersweet” in 2000, and has had songs placed on Cafe Music Network’s This is Americana compliations.

“The songs that I write are the result of my need for answers to problems that arise while living day to day. My songs are informed by a period in country music that swelled with heartache, affliction and overcoming obstacles in the face of adversity,” says Hudson. Produced by Karen Hudson, and recorded and mixed by engineer Wayne Dorell at the Pigeon Club (Yo La Tengo, Whiskeytown, Health and Happiness Show) in Hoboken, mastered by the masterful Bob Irwin, the Hudson River View kicks off with the first of three original compositions; the quick-witted “I Thought I’d Die” followed by “If You Were Mine” a self-effacing pop tune and the CD’s title song, the ballad “Hudson River Blue.” Closing out the disc are Hudson’s well-crafted renditions of two all-time country favorites; a swinging version of Hank Williams’ classic “Lovesick Blues” and an upbeat, inspired cover of the country classic “Honky Tonk Merry Go Round.” Nicotine is the final, hidden track on the CD. "Nicotine is my best song. So many people can relate to it. Why I chose to bury it, like burying a light under a bushel, I don't know. I guess that's another bad habit of mine! I thought it was a brilliant marketing strategy at the time. Some people do find it by accident though, which is nice!"

Born in Hicksville, NY, it seems ironic that Karen Hudson has a knack for penning alt-country tunes. Yet, the New York City dweller's influences reach far and wide. As a kid, she listened to AM radio, soaking up the sounds of pop, Motown and Philly Soul. The fifth child of a single mother, singing became an outlet for her.Family members called her a ham—she loved getting up and belting out a tune. At five, she performed Little Rascals-style in her neighbor's yard. As a teen, she sang Linda Ronstadt songs for theater auditions, instead of the typical show tunes of the day. Patsy Cline, Warren Zevon, and Nick Lowe fuel her songwriting fire. For Hudson, who is also a visual artist, songwriting is a gratifying experience that is not only a vehicle for her voice, but a platform for compassion for those whose lives have touched her heart.

In addition, she has written and designed an acclaimed songwriting book for kids, Songwriter Journal, published by Tangerine Press/Scholastic, Inc.