Women of the Tampa Bay music scene - Reina Collins profile.
Welcome to the 3rd edition of the “Women of the Tampa Bay Music Scene” editorial series, dedicated solely to honoring the talented females who work in the Tampa Bay music scene, both on stage & behind the scenes. Each article in the "Women of the Tampa Bay Music Scene" editorial series will profile a different female, giving fans a chance to learn more about their respective backgrounds.
Today’s article profiles Reina Collins, a veteran singer / songwriter of the Tampa Bay area.
Profile - Reina Collins:
Roots rock singer / songwriter Reina Collins is back in Tampa Bay after 20 years in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains. Her voice has been described as warm as the color of deeply polished wood and smooth and fiery at the same time – like top shelf tequila. She is a dynamic and engaging performer. On her fourth release "Saltwater Soul" (2010) Reina sings of nature, family, love and lust. Co-written with Phil Madeira (Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller) the album was recorded in Nashville with members of Emmylou’s band including legendary pedal steel player Al Perkins (Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Brothers).
“Reina Collins brings a lifetime of living and loving to her big voiced, big hearted performance. Whether fronting a down home ensemble or 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, Bite of Oregon Festival Talent Coordinator, Portland, Oregon.
St. Petersburg based in the ‘80s, Reina was a founding member of pop rock outfit Multi Color House with Natty Moss Bond and Sam Bond. She was also a frequent guest vocalist with Tampa’s jazz stylist Fred Johnson, composer keyboardist Kamau Kenyatta and percussionist Gumbi Ortiz.
Led by her gypsy spirit Reina moved to Southern California in ’91 and within a few years was itching for the road again. Touring for a year in a country rock band throughout the Rockies opened her eyes 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 with Bo Hog Grind and Hayden’s Wheel. Her bluegrass folk flavored debut album "Kitchen Sink" (2003) was recorded at Hen House Studio in Victor, Idaho.
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 moves in a more roots rock/AAA radio friendly direction and holds the listener with Reina’s originals as well as road themed covers like James McMurtry’s "Off and Running" and World Party’s "Put The 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.
Scenes and characters are discovered by travelling many roads. Crossing musical boundaries and forging new friendships also contribute to the hearty, earthy stew Reina’s music represents. And the journey continues….
Keith's quick review:
I was first made aware of Reina back in 1989 or 1990 when her band at the time, Multi Color House, performed at the “Decade Of Hope - Human Rights Now” concert at Seminole High School. Though it is amazing where Reina’s career took her from their, it is definitely not surprising! Reina has one of those soulful voices that is simply hard to forget.
Reina Collins can currently be heard performing with the Tampa Bay band, Blue Cypress.
*To read the previous articles in the “Women Of The Tampa Bay Music Scene” editorial series, click on the following links:
- Introduction article - published March 8th, 2011.
- Leslie Redman of Twisted Logic - published March 13th, 2011.
- Heather Forgét of D. Bailey Management - March 14th, 2011.
*If you are a female musician, band manager, booking agent, etc. in the Tampa Bay area, and would like to be included in the “Women Of The Tampa Bay Music Scene” editorial series, you can submit your bio and promo pics to Keith Wilkins at kampublishing@aol.com.
Keith Wilkins was the "2010 Most Read Examiner Columnist" in the St. Petersburg (Tampa Bay) market. All articles published in the St. Petersburg Live Music Bar Scene column are written by Keith Wilkins, and are under copyright laws. Articles cannot be re-printed, re-posted, or re-produced in whole without written consent by the author (Keith Wilkins), KAM Music Publishing, or Examiner.com. Partial re-printing, re-posting, or re-producing with a link back to the original article is permitted. For consent, questions, or comments, please email Keith Wilkins c/o Amy Joyner at: kampublishing@aol.com.
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Want to learn more about Examiner.com Columnist Keith Wilkins? Read part 1 & part 2 of an interview with Keith Wilkins that was published in the San Antonio Single Parenting Examiner Column on October 4th & October 6th, 2010.
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