Roots rock songstress Reina Collins has a voice as warm as the color of deeply polished wood and smooth and fiery at the same time - like top shelf tequila. She is an engaging and dynamic performer whose versatility allows her to comfortably cross musical boundaries and perform styles including rock, jazz, folk and country. She has entertained at festivals (Bite of Oregon, Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Northern Rockies Folk Festival, Clearwater Jazz Holiday), ski resorts, weddings, corporate events, and community fundraisers. Her recordings have received international airplay and she has travelled the US finding pleasure and success as a touring musician.
A Florida native, Reina's rambling led her to Southern California, then 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, artists, first-rate partiers and dedicated outdoor enthusiasts.
In 2003, assisted by songwriter-mandolinist-producer, Ben Winship, Reina recorded her roots folk album Kitchen Sink at Henhouse Studio in Victor, Idaho.
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 2007 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 third 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.
Saltwater Soul (2009) is Reina's newest CD, co-written with Nashville songwriter-producer Phil Madeira (Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller) and recorded with members of Emmylou Harris' Red Dirt Boys including legendary pedal steel player Al Perkins. These songs of nature, family, love and lust are beautifully addictive.
Back in the Sunshine State after 20 years, Reina is making a musical splash in the Ft. Lauderdale area.
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