TPFF 2007 performer: Karen Collins of the Backroads Band

Performer Preview

Karen Collins of the Backroads Band

Field Stage 4:00pm

Karen Collins & the Backroads Band

How would you describe your music?

Honky-tonk country music. Songs from the heyday of country music (1940s-1960s) plus original songs written in that early country style.

What are some of your influences?

Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Hazel Dickens, Hank Williams, Webb Pierce

2. What does playing music mean to you?

Playing for an audience who are listening & dancing is a real pleasure. We like it when the audience interacts with us, sometimes by dancing, but sometimes by just letting us know they are attentive and are enjoying the music.

3. How did you first get involved with the Takoma Park Folk Festival?

I first played at the TPFF in the late 70s with an old-time band, "Hambone Sweets"

4. What does playing in the Festival mean to you or what do you like best about it?

I live in Takoma Park and love being a part of the Takoma Park community. For me as a musician, being part of the festival here in my home town is a wonderful experience and a tie to being part of this special community.

5. Do you have any special memories from your involvement with the Festival? Any particular hopes for the upcoming Festival?

I have played at the festival many times, with the old time band "Hambone Sweets,. my Cajun band "Squeeze Bayou" and the acoustic quartet "Blue Moon Cowgirls". I am glad to play this year with my newest group "The Backroads Band". Lenore Robinson was fond of Cajun dancing and Squeeze Bayou. I have many fond memories of playing for the Cajun dance workshops at the festival. Those workshops have a diverse range of participants - from kids to older folks. The TPFF always has an interesting variety of top notch musicians at the festival and I hope that will continue.

For more info on the Backroads Band visit backroads.karencollins.net.