One of the Washington, DC area's top honky-tonk groups, Karen Collins & the Backroads Band play real country music. Their original shuffles, two-steps, and buckle-polishing slow tunes have an authentic vintage sound and the twang continues with a list of covers that range from Hank Williams to Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, with dashes of rockabilly (Wanda Jackson and Chuck Berry) thrown in. The band also performs Karen's original songs written in a classic country style. Karen & Ira Gitlin, the band's lead guitar player. also perform acoustic duo shows.
About the Artist
Karen Collins & The Backroads Band is a DC area honky tonk country band lead by Karen Collins, a coal miner’s daughter from Southwest VA . With Karen on vocals and rhythm guitar, the band features Ira Gitlin (lead guitar & vocals), James Key(bass) and Pat Puglisi (drums & vocals). The band plays DC and Baltimore area clubs. concerts, dances, festivals, weddings, and private parties throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The band has recorded two CDs, "Tail Light Blues" and “No Yodeling on The Radio”. Both recordings feature ten original songs penned by band members and two well chosen covers and have received multiple WAMA (Washington Area Music Association) awards for “Country Vocalist”,“Country Instrumentalist” and “Country Duo/Group” .Karen Collins & The Backroads Band website Karen Collins & The Backroads Band Karen Collins & The Backroads Band website Azalea City Recordings - Karen Collins
Featured Work
Photos


Featured Work: Photos
Karen Collins & The Backroads Band
Backroads Duo - Karen & Ira
Videos
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Blind Sided
Karen Collins & The Backroads Band perform Karen's song "BlindSided" at Hank Dietle's Tavern .Year: 2023 -
Daddy Can I Use the Car
Karen Collins & the Backroads Band - "Daddy Can I Use the Car", Karen's song about being a teenager in the small rural community where she grew up.Year: 2021 -
Got You On My Mind
Backroads Duo - Karen Collins & Ira Gitlin perform "Got You On My Mind" at Edith May's Paradise.Year: 2023
Music/Audio
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See more information about No Yodeling On The Radio
Title cut from Karen Collins & The Backroads CD "No Yodeling on the Radio". Song written by Karen Collins & Arty Hill.
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See more information about She Dreams
"She Dreams" from Karen Collins & The Backroads Band CD "No Yodeling on the Radio" Written by Karen Collins
Booking
Booking Price: $500-$1,000
Minimum Prices :
Karen Collins & the Backroads Band - 4 piece electric honky tonk country band - $1000
Karen Collins & Ira Gitlin - acoustic duo (2 acoustic guitars & vocals country & bluegrass) - $500
Contact : Karen (240) 271-3893 kcollinsmd@gmail.com
We prefer to have the venue provide a sound system and sound person, but we can provide sound if needed.
We are flexible as to where we perform. These would be preferred locations - Montgomery Co : Howard Co : Prince Georges Co : Frederick Co: : Anne Arundel Co : Baltimore City & Baltimore Co : Charles Co : Carroll Co
David Eisner, Institute of Musical Traditions - hometrad@hmtrad.com
Charlie Pilzer, Washington Folk Festival - Charliepilzer@gmail.com