Kathleen Edwards keeps growing Kathleen Edwards has worked hard to nurture her music career since she was a teenager. It seems only natural then that her other passion is gardening. The Canadian singer-songwriter, who turned 30 last summer, will play songs from her three critically acclaimed albums Monday night at the 20th Century. It's the third date of a six-week tour with guitarist Jim Bryson, a different way of performing for Edwards, who usually fronts a band for her repertoire that includes rockers such as "Back to Me" and ballads like "Old Time Sake." "I don't work a 9-to-5 job where I can come home and do some gardening after work," she says. "It's either all touring or all gardening. I've been working hard in the yard, so I think this will be a good year for the garden." If it blossoms as well as Edwards' music career has since she released "Failer" in 2003, there will be an explosion of color in Ontario this summer. Her latest, aptly titled "Asking for Flowers," was voted No. 14 among local listeners on WNKU-FM's Top 89 of the year. In addition to striking a chord with common folks, Edwards has some high-profile fans, including Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers (Tench has played on the last two albums), Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and David Letterman. Edwards tells a story about a 13-hour bus ride to New York for 'The Late Show" after a snowstorm closed the city's airports. "I got there about 11 a.m. for a sound check, then came back to tape the show at 5," she recalls. "After the show, we played at the Canal Room that night. I had been up for more than 24 hours at that point, and I was having hallucinations by the time the night was over." Hallucinations seem to be a small price to remain in Letterman's good graces, though. "I've never sat down and had a conversation with David Letterman," Edwards says, explaining the host doesn't usually chat with guests before the show. "But I've heard through other people that he is a fan." It's safe to say that if he has invited Edwards to appear four times, Letterman is fond of her music. Just imagine if the program featured gardening segments, too. Bill Thompson Cincinnati.com				Album reviews Feature articles Interviews Show reviews