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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
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the youngest female to ever win at that time. 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
acousticgroup and a Five piece band with Boyz with Toyz.
In 2004 The band won the MCMAA 5 piece band of the year award.
2005 has brought another change as Health problems have forced
Cis Higgins into a premature retirement. This has resulted in the disbanding of Girls with
Guitars. The remaining band members have now reformed as The Anne Marie Collins
Band. Check out the schedule page to
see where you can catch some of the best music New england has to offer. 2005 Has 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.
AnneMarie is currently reviewing songs from several Local and National
songwriters for her first recording project. Look for updates as things develop.
