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Kevin Collins
Music is a great part of the life of Kevin Collins. Being raised in a musical family, music was an
everyday event! His grandmother, Agnes (Tobin) Collins of Ship Cove, Placentia Bay, would
have been the start of the music link in the Collins’ family. Kevin’s father, Tony Collins, carried on
the family tradition for his lifetime, and now Kevin continues to offer music lovers his best!
Biography
Kevin started singing at the tender age of six and started publicly performing at age 13.
Kevin is very proud of the fact that his grandfather,
Charles Collins, a resident of Bond’s Path, Placentia
was a mail carrier for a number of years. To some this
may not seem a great accomplishment, however,
Charles Collins delivered mail from Placentia to
Patrick’s Cove on the Cape Shore by horse and buggy
for a distance of 15 miles year ‘round during the late
1930's and early 1940's.
Long time friends always take pleasure in sharing
stories of Charles Collins with Kevin and share the
hardship stories of how many of the old-times earned
their living. While Mr. Collins must have loved the
beauty of the scenery, I am sure he endured many a
cold, blustery day on the winding hills of the Cape
Shore Road.
Speaking of the hardships of our ancestors, Mr. Collins
died in 1949, leaving behind a wife and 12 children. A story is often told of how a visitor once said
to Mrs. Agnes Collins that she should put all the children in an orphanage if she was to survive, but
her exact reply was, “if this ship sinks, I will go down with her “. Mrs. Agnes Collins has and will
always play a very important role in the life of Kevin Collins.
Spending majority of his childhood days at his grandmothers has caused Kevin to have great
respect for his grandmother and seniors. Kevin often attributes his safety while traveling and having
“a watchful eye over him” to the prayers of the his senior fans. One of Kevin’s releases entitled,
“My Old Homestead” was lovingly dedicated to his grandmother! On a trip to Boston, with his
grandmother, Kevin, eight years of age, performed on stage with Leroy Van Dyke and received a
standing ovation.
Tony Collins, Kevin’s father, sang country music for 25 years. He died instantly July l, 1990 of a
major heart attack. People we love always remain alive in our memories.
Being from a family of four brothers and one sister, all having great musical abilities. Kevin’s mom,
Margaret (Downey) Collins, Colinet, NF, though not noted for her musical abilities, provides
many mouth-watering meals to give her crowd the energy to sing and play.
Kevin married Roseanne (Pomeroy) Collins from Great Paradise, Placentia Bay in 1984.
Although married sixteen years, the Collins’ only addition has been an orange cat named “Lou”.
Roseanne’s family resettled to Placentia under the “resettlement program” in 1967. Families of
resettled communities were promised work and a better life, however, in some cases this did not
happen. Many returned to the places they left to once again earn their living from the Newfoundland
fishery, Roseanne’s mom, Patricia Browne, Pomeroy, and dad being one of those families.
Unfortunately, on April 19 1984 Roseanne’s dad, Loyola Pomeroy, drowned while setting lobster
pots.
Kevin and Roseanne count it a privilege to be a part of Newfoundland and its rich heritage. They
feel that a great price has been paid by our ancestors for the rich heritage that we possess, and they
are testaments to the strong binding love between Newfoundlanders near and far.
Newfoundland and its people have been a very treasured part of the Collins’ life and they continue
to sing the praises of Newfoundland everywhere they go.
Many relatives and friends have left Newfoundland to obtain work but both Kevin and Roseanne
put their best foot forward in keeping Newfoundland alive in the hearts and lives of everyone they
meet.
Kevin has three Irish/Newfoundland releases, as well as three Country CD’s to his credit. A new
Newfoundland/Irish release entitled, “The Hills of Home” is scheduled to be hit the airwaves the
end of August 2000.
“Sawyer Hill Productions,” a 32 track digital recording studio owned and operated by Kevin
Collins is making its own mark in the music history of Newfoundland. This studio has been recently
up-dated with state-of-the-art digital equipment that boasts wonderful production quality. Kevin
has been extremely busy recording other artists as well as completing his own releases.
Kevin has made some great musical accomplishments, some
of the high points being:
· Being spotlighted on a CBC national telecast, “Country
Sessions" in 1980
· Was featured in a CBC music documentary while in
Nashville, TN in 1992. Kevin met such stars as: Vince Gill,
Reba McIntyre, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Doug Stone,
The Kentucky Headhunters, Marie Osmond, Billy Walker,
Jack Greene, Kitty Wells, Roy Acuff, Stonewall Jackson,
Conway Twitty, and many more.
· In 1992, Kevin obtained the honor of being voted by the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador as “Best Solo
Artist” in Newfoundland and Labrador.
· In 1993, Kevin has the pleasure of being the “opening act”
for Canada’s number one female country artist, Michelle Wright.
· In 1994, Kevin recorded his second country album entitled, “Follow The Wind” in Nashville, TN
with Grammy award winner Al Delorey. This album gained him a nomination as “Best Country
Artist” at the East Coast Music Awards.
· In 1996, Kevin once again traveled to Nashville, TN, where he completed his sixth CD. This new
country CD was entitled, “Wildfire”. Kevin had some of the best musicians and Grammy award
winners in Nashville help him out on this project. Brent Mason on guitar, Sonny Garrish on steel,
Rob Hajacos on fiddle and Terry McMillan on percussion. These musicians have also backed such
stars as: Alan Jackson, Sammy Kershaw, George Strait, Vince Gill and many other top entertainers.
· Kevin has been featured on numerous live television and radio shows across Canada, USA and
Europe.
· It has been a real treat for Kevin to have his music plays on radio stations in Ireland, as he dearly
loves Irish music.
· Kevin toured Canada from Newfoundland to British Colombia from 1994 to 1998.
· Although, Kevin has received real good pay for many performances, he reminds us that his major
satisfaction has been obtained from non-paying jobs, such as work for Seniors and other charity
events.
Kevin’s motto is, “Newfoundland is a place where hospitality and friendship is NOT a
business but a way of life”. He believes in playing his part to make this world a better place to
live and plans on giving life his best!
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All Prices are in Canadian Dollars
