Album Notes

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, PROmotion Queen
Portland, Oregon


About Reina:

Roots rockin’ songstress Reina G. Collins has sung for her supper nearly thirty years. Born and raised in sunny, salty Florida -- her songs are inspired by her early years as a Florida Girl. In the 80s, with Natty Moss Bond and Sam Bond, she co-founded 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 recorded her roots folk album 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 melodic collection of witty, poignant, dark 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 session players contribute their talents. This album 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.

Following the 2010 release of her newest album Saltwater Soul co-written and produced by Nashville's Phil Madeira (Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller) Reina has returned to Florida after twenty years on the west coast. She is now based in Ft Lauderdale.