Americana Highways is hosting this video premiere of the title track of Jamie Collins’ new album Enjoy Life. The album was produced by; Jamie Collins, mixed and mastered by Eddie Day at Creekside Recording Studio in Cana, Virginia. Album photos are courtesy of Morgan Williams Photography, with cover art by Fiddlin’ Nita’s Design.
“Enjoy Life” is Brett Morris on bass, Martha Spencer on clawhammer banjo and harmony vocals, Liam Purcell on dobro, Mallory Blackwood on harmony vocals, Meade Richter on fiddle, Ralph McGee on mandolin, and Jamie Collins on guitar and vocals.
The video was created by Jake Dwyer of Shape Studios in Jonesborough Tennessee. Opening a song with clear plucked strings is always a winning approach, and then as the song opens into gratitude for coming back home again with lots of mountain music support you’re hooked. “Don’t it feel good to be back home with the one I love?” Sometimes simplifying things to the basic foundations is the thing to do, and Jamie Collins’ songs will put you there.
“Enjoy Life” is a song about my philosophy on everyday special moments that are here and gone so quickly. The song is about where my heart is, and as they say, “home is where the heart is.” “Enjoy Life” is about being grateful for the simple things, and what is important to me such as; God, family, community, music, and peace. The video showcases some aspects in my life like my Hometown of Bristol, TN, and the family jewelry business that my dad, Tony Collins who was also a renowned acoustic musician, ran for 30 years, as well as just having some fun and playing music with my friends. I grew up working in the store, and downtown Bristol holds a very special place in my heart. My brother now owns the business on State Street. My mom, whom I am so thankful for, is featured in the video with my brother in the store, helping to carry on our father’s legacy. I know that I am carrying on our family’s legacy through my music and teaching. I wanted to showcase the cultural significance that Bristol has in Country Music with special locations downtown such as the museum, the 1927 Bristol Sessions Mural with images of The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and Ralph Peer, and the Bristol sign and train station.
The video shows me having fun with a few hometown friends, one of which is Matt Smile at his studio in downtown Bristol, VA called Audioasis. The first recordings of the album began at his house studio in Bristol. My longtime friends Hannah Bibee and musician Ella Patrick are also in the video. Hannah and Ella are two strong females that live in Bristol and they are both involved in the music.
I also wanted viewers to see me spending time with my family. You’ll see my niece and nephew in the video, pictures of family members like my Aunt Carol and Grandaddy Collins who we lost in the past year, and band members Martha Spencer and Brett Morris while we are “Back porch pickin’ ‘. In the porch pickin’ scene we are joined by Lucas Pasley on the fiddle, our dear friend whom we have co-written with, Evelyn Wagoner, and traditional buck dancing by Mason Winfree. I am extremely thankful for my musical journey that I have been on thus far. I feel that I am a part of something beautiful, and I want to share that experience with others. Music was passed down to me.
I was raised going to music festivals and fiddlers conventions with my family. I love teaching and passing on traditional music to the next generation through performing, and teaching with Junior Appalachian Musicians. I wanted viewers to get to know who I am as a person and artist in the video. Special thanks to everyone that has been involved in the process and completion of my album and the video premier for the title track. I am really looking forward to the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion that will be this weekend, September 9-11. The festival honors the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, and it is a homecoming. The Blue Ridge Girls will be performing on the Lauderdale Stage and at Theatre Bristol Stage this year. I will also be playing a set with Abingdon, VA native Kelsey Rae at The State Street Stage. I hope that what I am a part of will help to inspire others in finding their passion in life, and loving who they are. Jake did a great job of capturing those sentiments for me in the video.You can follow Jamie Collins Music on Facebook and visit http://www.TheBlueRidgeGirls.com to see our upcoming dates and releases. I hope to see you at a show, and I hope you enjoy my music. — Jamie Collins
You can order the album through Bandcamp and it is also available on itunes
https://jamiecollins1.bandcamp.com/releases
Jamie will be performing at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion this coming weekend with her trio The Blue Ridge Girls.