Reina Collins Band with:
Jeff Porter - Guitars, Pedal Steel
Nick Foltz - Guitars, Vocals
Jeff Grauzer - Bass
Eric Kotila - Drums & Lovin'
Jazz Trio with:
Jay Seibert - Guitars, Vocals
Jeff Grauzer - Acoustic Bass
Sometimes backed by the Ex's:
Jeff Porter - Guitars
Jeff Koch - Bass
Eric Kotila - Drums & Lovin'
Musicians who played on Austin To Boston:
Hal Gerard - Guitars, Vocals
Tim Ellis - Guitars, Mandolin
Tony Furtado - Acoustic Slide
Paul Brainard - Pedal Steel, Lap Steel
Jeff Porter - Guitar
Jean-Pierre Garau - Piano, Organ
Jamin Swenson - Bass
Mark Evilsizer - Drums
Rob Stroup - Vocals, Percussion
Influences
Some of my favorites (in no particular order):
Patti Smith, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Al Green, Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, Marianne Faithfull, Billie Holiday, Allman Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Dave Alvin, John Hiatt, Willie Nelson, The Who, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Melanie, The Band, Lucinda Williams, James McMurtry, Emmylou Harris, Eliza Gilkyson, Los Lobos, Chris Isaak, The Waterboys, Stax artists, Wilson Pickett, Bill Withers, Dusty Springfield, Southern Rock, Sly Stone, Johnny Cash, Etta James, Dwight Yoakam, Heart, Peter Gabriel, Chaka Khan, Loretta Lynn, Neko Case, Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee Jones, Annie Lennox, Kate Bush, Chrissie Hynde, Guess Who, Santana, Roxy Music, Merle Haggard, Milton Nascimento, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Astrud Gilberto....
It depends on the line up. Could be Heart meets Emmylou Harris. Or Tom Petty teamed up with the Band. Or Los Lobos fronted by Annie Lennox. Or Patti Smith & Chris Isaak's love child. Or...
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, or even solo, 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, Music Industry Consultant
Portland, Oregon
About Reina:
Roots rockin’ songstress Reina G. Collins has sung for her supper for the past twenty years. She spent her first thirty years in sunny, salty Florida. Born in Miami. Grew up in central Florida. Lived most of the 80’s in St. Petersburg. She played in pop rock band Multi Color House and then changed direction toward jazz and Brazilian music with pianist composer Kamau Kenyatta.
She crisscrossed the continent a couple times on solo road trips. Landed in San Diego and then up to Los Angeles in the early 90’s. She got to know the Rocky Mountain region while touring for a year with a shit kickin’ country rock band led by guitar-man-with-a-heart-of-gold, Billy Farmer.
Reina’s rambling led her to Teton Valley, Idaho -- her home from 1996-2005. There she established Driggs’ first retail music shop, Big Hole Music and was fortunate to become part of a community of fine musicians and artists, first rate partiers and dedicated outdoor enthusiasts. Those years were spent playing music with notables such as Greg Creamer, Jeff Newsom, Ben Winship, Ted Wells, David Bundy, Marshall Davis, Jerry Linn, Michael Hurwitz ....
In 2003 assisted by songwriter-mandolinist-producer Ben Winship Reina made her roots folk cd Kitchen Sink.
Following her fall 2005 relocation to Portland Reina had the good fortune to cross paths with songwriter Rob Barteletti. With producer guitarist Terry Robb, they joined forces to record Even If I Fall at Dennis Carter's Falcon Studios. Tony Furtado, Terry Robb and other Portland players provide first class musicianship on this collection of witty, poignant, dark, and yes, even catchy roots country tunes.
Spring '07 found Reina on the road heading south from Portland, Oregon with a map, a tape recorder and a notepad. Her gut told her that a 10,000 mile cross country solo road trip would inspire the stories and experiences -- necessary ingredients -- to shake out a batch of new songs.
Austin To Boston, her 3rd release (2008), takes Reina in more of a roots rock/AAA radio friendly direction. Produced by Rob Stroup of 8 Ball Studio a slew of high caliber Portland musicians contribute tracks. This cd holds the listener with Reina’s originals, tunes by Portland’s Rob Barteletti and Paula Sinclair and gems including Richard Thompson’s ’52 Vincent Black Lightning.
You may have just recently learned about Reina but for two decades she’s been playing honky tonks, bike rallies, five star restaurants, ski resorts, casinos, weddings, community fundraisers, music festivals and any local bar that’ll have her!
Summer 2009 will find Reina in the studio again. She and Nashville songwriter producer Phil Madeira (Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller) have co-written all the material for her 4th album and will start recording in June.
Stay tuned for updates!
Click on the cover below to link to CD Baby where you can hear tracks and purchase Austin to Boston.
HI, Thanks for the friendship! Looking forward to meeting you and please visit my personal "My Space". New live Mp3's and videos. Lots of information about me. Please read my blog message to all Musicians! Looking for a new music adventure!
I liked all the new songs. And I always love your vocals. There are so few true vocalists around anymore.... lotta singers, but few vocalists. I really admire how you make every song you sing just a little bit better.
missing you too, my friend. you have been on my mind a lot lately. thinking of the good times, and wishing you the best where you are...bittersweet indeed.
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ALBERT SCHWEITZER
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD, WE DID IT. ABSINTHE ROSE IS ON ITUNES! HELP US OUT IF YOU GOT 2 BUCKS OR WRITE A REVIEW ON THE ITUNES THAT IS FREE AND IS WELCOMED!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE SONGS!
Take care of each other and thank you
Kimbo Rose Workman and the team from SCREECH OWL RECORDS!
I've been listening to your albums lately, I love your music! Your voice is just gorgeous, you make such beautiful, beautiful music. I hope you'll continue to make your wonderful music for many years to come!! My favorite song right now is off and running! I'm gonna lose my hearing setting the volume so high on my car!
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