CRS 2018 with Laura: Dustin Collins
Related Stories
CMA Fest 2018 with Missy: Dustin Collins
Being an entertainer in 2018 is somewhat different from ever, due in part to the “political correctness” you are expected to uphold with every comment you make, every lyric you sing as well as every belief you may have on any given topic. We, as a society, have become so touchy on certain issues that it can be difficult for an artist to come up with a song they really believe in and not be worried that someone is going to take offense or objection to what they have to say.
Dustin Collins, however, stays true to what country music has always been known for, the attitude of “say what you mean and mean what you say”.
During our interview during CRS 2018, Collins shares the story of his chart-topping single, "Cold Dead Hands" and how this song has taken off with a life of its own. Listen as he discusses the impact this song has made from individual gun owners to the National Rifle Association. Collins is not shy about sharing his beliefs on the Second Amendment Right To Bear Arms topic and his stance is very clear.
Collins grew up around music and in and out of recording studios with his father who was also a musician and at that time he thought the whole thing was boring. Fast-forward to early high school and throw in a parking lot with Collins and some friends covering "3AM" by Matchbox Twenty, topped off with a crowd of kids singing along and that is a recipe for any teenager to get hooked. Collins spent a lot of time learning to play the guitar and singing his favorite songs by the likes of Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson and Hank Williams, Jr., which started him on the path he is still traveling today.
Watch our full interview to learn more about Collins and what he has coming up in the near future. Also, be sure to follow him on all social media platforms to stay up to date on when the new album is being released and where you can see him at a venue near you.
On a personal note, I have known Collins for several years and I have had the opportunity to watch him play in dive-bars with ten people, to a packed wall-to-wall venue with industry staples to a label showcase in Nashville where he shared his new music to those there by invitation only. As a music lover, a music snob, so to speak, this is definitely his best material to date. The songs, themselves, are lyrically genius, containing exactly what every music fan wants. There is something for everyone, from ballads to good ole' bonfire, beer drinking, party songs, Collins delivers them all with strong, deliberate vocals that will make you want to turn it up and keep them on repeat.
I am so very proud of you, my friend, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
About Laura Lou
JournalistBeginning about age 13, music always been my “safe place”, my “escape”, it became a part of who I am. My background includes being a photographer/journalist for newspapers, magazines and radio stations and more recently I have been an artist manager. What I continue to strive to learn is, what is important to the fans/readers? I find that the answer is always that they want to feel close to the artist they are supporting. The human contact that we all need is something that I want to deliver to anyone that happens to read something I write or see a photograph I shoot. It is important to me to provide that experience, because I am, after all, still always a “fan” and that giddy 13-year-old girl is simply amazed! I never imagined that my passion and love for music would lead me where I am today! I use the hashtag #iamtheluckiestgirliknow because I cannot believe how blessed I am! I’m excited to see “what happens next” and take you all along with me! This is going to be amazing…
