“Reina Collins brings a lifetime of living and loving to her big voiced, big hearted performance. Whether fronting a down home ensemble or strutting it up with her big rock act, Collins evokes comparisons to a charismatic chorus of brethren. From the edgy humanity of Patti Smith to the cool western suave of Chris Isaak to the introspective songwriting of Carole King, Collins’ talent is deep and broad enough to recall all of these, while laying claim to a sound that is uniquely her own.”
Lisa Lepine, ProMOTION Queen, Portland, Oregon
Led by her gypsy spirit, Reina moved from her native Florida to Southern California in ’91 and within a few years was itching for the road again. Touring the Rockies in a country rock band, her eyes were opened to the majesty of the Teton mountains. She landed in Teton Valley, Idaho where she established the town’s first retail music shop, Big Hole Music. For 10 years she lived at the foot of the Tetons and played mountain jam rock and bluegrass folk. Her debut Kitchen Sink (2003) was recorded at Hen House Studio in Victor, Idaho. During those years she performed at the Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival and Northern Rockies Folk Festival.In 2005 Reina relocated to Portland, Oregon. Collaborating with songwriter Rob Barteletti and guitarist producer Terry Robb, Even If I Fall (2006) features multi-instrumentalist Tony Furtado on this collection of witty, poignant, dark roots country tunes.The tunes written for Austin To Boston (2008) were inspired by Reina’s 10,000-mile cross country solo road trip taken the previous year. This record holds the listener with Reina’s tunes and road themed covers like James McMurtry’s “Off and Running” and World Party’s “Message In the Box”. Reina’s version of Richard Thompson’s “’52 Vincent Black Lightning” is a favorite on Portland’s KINK.FM Sunday morning music show. Her fourth release, Saltwater Soul (2010), was co-written and recorded with Phil Madeira (Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller) and features members of Emmylou’s band including legendary pedal steel player, Al Perkins (Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Brothers).
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