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Anne Marie comes from a strong
musical background that includes many generations of her family. Two of her Aunts
had their own radio show in which they performed together live every week, and Anne marie's
mother is Yvonne Collins, a Four Time Rhode Island CMA Female
Vocalist of the Year, Two Time Entertainer of the Year Winner and a member and
inductee of the Rhode Island CMA Hall of Fame.
At the age of four Yvonne taught Anne Marie how to sing harmony. The first song she learned Harmony
to was "You are My Sunshine". Anne Marie performed in and sang the lead's in many
school plays and concerts, during her childhood. When she turned fourteen,
Anne Marie had joined her first professional Country Band called
"The Tennessee Tradition".Which started her professional career.
Anne Marie's music was greatly influenced by artists such as Tanya Tucker,
Linda Rondstadt, EmmyLou Harris, Patsy Cline, and many more.
In 1979 Anne Marie helped form the group "Desperado" which swept the
1982 Rhode Island CMA Awards. Anne Marie took home the Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Making her
the youngest female to ever win at that time.
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In the mid to late 80's Anne
Marie was the Lead vocalist for the top 40 and oldies band "Tradition". An
experience that Anne Marie feels helped broaden her vocal ability by blending
the other styles of singing with her country background.
Anne Marie had the greatest experience of her career when she joined up with
her mom Yvonne Collins and her band "Country Pipeline". They were known as the
as the Greatest mother + daughter team to hit the local circuit and were
nicknamed "The Massachusetts Judds". Anne Marie and her mom performed
together until her mom retired and moved to Las Vegas in 1993.
One year later after forming her own band, called
"The Silver Dollar Band", Anne Marie received the 1994 Most Promising Female Artist Award from
the Mass Country Music Awards Association(MCMAA). Then in 1999
"The Silver Dollar Band" was Named Most Promising Band of the Year.
From 2000 to 2003 AnneMarie was honored to be a Harmony Vocalist for the
MCMAA All Star (Award Show) Band. While performing throughout the New England
area with "The Silver Dollar Band",and with the Duo "Girls with Guitars"(featuring Anne Marie and
Cis Higgins). 2001 saw another change as Elaine Ellis joined Girls with Guitars,
and the band merged with the Silver Dollar Band under the new name
of Girls with Guitars and Boyz with Toyz. The Girls began working as a three piece
acoustic group and a Five piece band with Boyz with Toyz.
In 2004 The band won the MCMAA 5 piece band of the year award.
In 2005 Health problems forced Cis Higgins into a premature retirement. This resulted in the disbanding of Girls with
Guitars. The remaining band members reformed as The Anne Marie Collins Band. 2005 brought about another career milestone
as Annemarie was honored to receive the 2005 Female Vocalist of the year award at the 27th Annual MCMAA award show. An award she again won in 2006.
In 2007 Anne marie released her first album "after all these Years" which received the 2007 MCMAA award for album of the year.
2008 brought about another change as Anne Marie relocated to South West Virginia where she joined the Southern Alliance band.
Due to personnel commitments of several members New years 2013 Marked the end of the southernalliance band, and the start of a new chapter for Anne Marie.
After a year long search Anne Marie has teamed up with Some of SouthWest Virginias top musicians to form the New Honky Tonk Heart Band.
Check out the schedule page to see where you can catch some of the best music Southwest Virginia has to offer
AnneMarie is currently reviewing songs from several Local and National
songwriters for her first recording project of original songs. Look for updates as things develop.
