SCOTT COLLINS

Singer songwriter Scott Collins knows the value of storytelling. And fans in Austin and beyond are listening to his brand of well-crafted Americana, so much in fact, that the Austin Mayor declared January 31st “Scott Collins Day” in 2019. The artist is also a KUTX favorite, and the tastemaker radio station described his songs as “filled to the brim with poignant emotions, deeply personal storytelling and honest-to-God wisdom,” where Austin City Limits Executive Producer Terry Lickona observes that his songs “sound authentic, yet very modern. (They) stay with you, and that’s a good sign.” For Collins’ latest album, he teamed up again with Grammy-nominated producer Chris “Frenchie” Smith (Built To Spill, Dandy Warhols, Jet) to create the well received And All This Happened EP. For Collins’ 9th career release he took the reigns and brought in his live/touring band for the recording which was all done in just three days. There was a lot of evolution on this recording. One example of that growth and depth in songwriting is the track “Run Away (For Now),” written a little over a decade ago and brought to life with a fun americana and classic rock feel. Scott quotes, “I’ve had a career long dream of getting saxophone into one of my songs and this was the perfect chance to do it.” The song is about a true moment in Collins’ life where he had the choice to run or stay, but you have to listen to find out. The EP’s polished and rich production showcases Collin’s lyrics and dedication to in-depth songwriting. Also, the four songs are rather eclectic to exemplify Collins’ versatility in writing and truth to his inspirations. When he isn’t performing, Collins was the man behind Chicken Run Studios, which he founded in 2015 and was designed by Oscar and Grammy-winning engineer and producer Chet Himes (Christopher Cross, Carole king, Marcia Ball). The tireless artist also teaches and mentors children in the foster care system through Kids In A New Groove, in addition to volunteering with Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and the SIMS Foundation, which provides behavioral and mental health services for musicians and others in the industry. “I personally feel I lived my dream the first show l ever played,” Collins explains. “I felt it on stage. In that moment I told myself ‘now it’s only about hard work and paying it forward.”