Ruthie Collins is the kind of lady who wears her finest floral dress to her favorite dive bar. She’s not afraid to drink wine from a box or top shelf whiskey from a mason jar. She’s a classic Southern songstress with a vintage airstream embracing the modern world.
Raised on a farm in Fredonia, NY, Collins fell in love with country music at a young age. Her mother, a church organist, celebrated her natural affinity and introduced her to a variety of instruments, starting with piano and the violin. As a promising vocalist and multi-instrumentalist looking for a bigger pond, she left home to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Post-graduation, Collins accepted a position as musical director for a church in San Antonio. It was a comfortable, pleasant path, but she couldn’t ignore the call from within to pursue a career as a singer songwriter in Nashville. With a few vintage suitcases and a hand-me-down Martin to her name, she moved to Music City to pay her dues. Years of writing by day and waitressing by night paid off when she was signed to Curb Records.
With time to focus on her craft, one of Collins favorite hobbies, DIY renovations, became more than just a way to unwind. Her creativity and ability to turn any home (or airstream!) into the finest shabby chic farmhouse did not go unnoticed. Her DIY video series helped her land a role as host of A&E’s Home.Made, a show that offers viewers quick, affordable ways to repurpose vintage products into adorably functional décor.
Following the success of her first EP and her unique version of “Ramblin’ Man,” Collins began touring the US, performing for receptive crowds at Stagecoach, SummerFest, Watershed, and CMA Fest to name a few. Along the way, she’s earned critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, The LA Times, and was named one of CMT’s Next Women of County. Having completed a full-length album set to be released in early fall, she’s ready to share a heartfelt collection of songs that catalogs her personal struggles with relationships and coming into her own.
Throughout her career, Collins stays unapologetically herself, regardless of what’s #trending. “Whether it’s something that’s timeless or something brand new that aspires to that, I am drawn to things that speak of permanence. And that’s how I feel about my music – the upright bass and bluegrass instrumentation modernized and brought into the present day,” Collins says.
From her flea market lace curtains to her obsession with shiplap, she forges her own path, marrying DIY projects and vintage frocks with modern country music. Ruthie’s sound mirrors her lifestyle – an approach that celebrates the work of legendary women like Dolly and Emmy Lou in a contemporary way that fits seamlessly into your Instagram feed.
