Grammy Award winner Kathy Mattea brings the tour for her latest album, "Calling Me Home," to the Lehigh Valley for a concert, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18, Musikfest Cafe, ArtsQuest Center, SteelStacks, Bethlehem.

As with her 2008 album, "Coal," Mattea concentrates on letting her Appalachian roots show.

"A lot of people responded to the human struggle," Mattea says about listeners' reactions to the "Coal" album. "The album was the history of coal as told through music."

Continuing with her hometown feel of folk and Appalachian music, "Calling Me Home" allows Mattea to further embrace her cultural heritage. The album was set for release Sept. 11.

"With this album, I wanted to highlight Appalachian culture and how it is so attached to the land," says Mattea. "It's more like being an archivist."

Regarding the "Calling Me Home" album, Mattea expresses excitement over the opportunity to have collaborated with artists such as Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless and Tim Eriksen.

The country singer finds it important to allow the song to speak for itself. A special favorite on the album is the track, "Hello, My Name is Coal," written by Larry Cordle.

In addition to her recording career, Mattea is an activist for the Appalachian coal region, especially concerning social and environmental activism. Trained by former vice president Al Gore to present an environmental slideshow, she has evolved the idea and made it her own. The presentation, "My Coal Journey," is a reflection on her coal country heritage.

The background of the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. southside plant is a setting well-suited for the coal-themed songs Mattea will perform at Musikfest Cafe.