“Many call Kitty Wells ‘The Queen of Country Music’ – Karen Collins is the 21st Century’s Kitty Wells” –Jonathan Strong (The Spider)
I first saw Karen Collins when she and others shared a bill with Martí Brom on a Washington Area Music Association (“WAMA”) sponsored Patsy Cline/Emmylou Harris tribute in Washington, D.C.’s Carter Barron Amphitheater. While I had come to see Martí, I took note of the Appalachian authenticity in Karen’s voice. That authenticity continued to strike me every time I saw her perform. When I approached her about recording for Ripsaw, I learned that, as a coal miner’s daughter from Bluefield (both Virginia and West Virginia) her authenticity is genuine. Now living in suburban Maryland, more information about Karen is at www.karencollins.net. Karen recorded two songs for Ripsaw with her Backwoods Band in October 2013. Both were released in May 2014 on Volume 4 of “The Best of Ripsaw Records” series by Germany’s Part Records. YouTube links to the songs are below:
“Same Old Passions” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IMWNO25pcs
“Guess What?” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQeLXEZdcq4
In addition to her Backwoods Band, Karen works frequently with The Blue Moon Cowgirls, featuring the high lonesome sound of three part harmonies, and Squeeze Bayou, a popular Washington, D.C. area Cajun dance band.
Karen is a multiple award winner, both for her performances and her songwriting. WAMA nominated her for the Country Vocalist of the Year nine times as she won three times (2012, 2013, & 2014). WAMA nominated her and The Backwoods Band and Country Group of the Year nine times and she and the Boys won three times (2013, 2014, & 2015). She has been recognized by many songwriting associations also.
What They Say About Karen Collins:
“First thing you notice about Collins is not so much her voice as her delivery – pure, authentic honky tonk. … A gen-u-ine Virginia coalminer’s daughter, Collins, with that slightly gaunt Appalachian look, fronts a Washington, DC, band … that plays classic country.”
3rd Coast Music
“Karen Collins & the Backwoods Band …[are] Washington DC-based honky tonkers … rooted in the late 1940s through the late 1960s. … Western Virginia native Karen Collins sings in a mountain primitive country-ish voice that’s a cross between Kitty Wells and Dolly Parton. ”
Driftwood Magazine
“It doesn’t get any more country than Karen Collins. She offers straight ahead country in the style of the classics with twangy guitars, emotional pedal steel and a cry in her voice.”
Sing Out
“Karen has one of those voices perfect for Country music, lots of character and a little bit of an edge.”
Blue Suede News
