Colleen-unplugged

I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC Canada, then moved to Revelstoke, BC (wilderness), then Toronto, Ontario and Area for 10 years and for the past 18 years, Nelson, BC Canada. I just became a permanent resident of Plummer, Idaho where I live with my new husband.

I've been playing guitar and hand-drumming since I was 9 years old and started fiddling around with the piano in my 20's. I'm self-taught on both instruments and I don't read music.

My first professional recordings were done at "Bullfrog Recording Studios" in Vancouver, BC. I did a 5 song demo of my own and was hired to sing lyrics on 3 original songs for a British and Japanese songwriting team that were visiting the studio from England.

I was once accepted into the Kootney Professional Music Program in Nelson, BC, (1992) but instead ended up travelling with the theatre productions "Les Miserables" and "Phantom of the Opera" across Canada while home schooling my children. My former spouse was the sound engineer. I've done a couple other tours with blues and rock bands and worked as a massage therapist at a couple of big shows.

I've always been a fan of the blues and soft uppity rock and I've worked with other musicians and performers as a manager, booking agent and tour organizer. I've worked a couple outdoor music festivals, once as a spotlight operator and the other as the "bookie money man" who got to pay everyone.

My influences started with "House of the Rising Sun" and progressed through Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Woody Guthrie, Cat Stevens, John Prine, John Denver, Paul Simon, Phoebe Snow, a little Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor and Heart, then on into some Sarah MacLachlan, Willy Nelson, Celtic Ballads, a few originals .... a little blues, a lot of folk. I now really enjoy people like Elvis Costello, KD Lang, Johnny Cash, Alannis Morissette, Holly Cole, Bonnie Raite, Susan Tedeschi, Dave Matthews Band, Tony Bennett and many others.

The first half of my adult working life starting in 1985 I as an ER/ICU Nurse which then progressed to an encampment medic/first aid, and health options consultant; Prior to Nursing I worked as a singer, correspondence education clerk, printer, chef assistant, glad garbage bag salesman and veterinarian assistant.

My first marriage ended in 1996, but produced 3 fantastic kids (all good musicians, with multiple talents). My second marriage began last year to a fine, good man from Plummer, Idaho.

Now it's time to return to my first love, singing and playing guitar and piano, writing songs, putting together a band and performing at local clubs, events, festivals and possibly some touring.

For the past 12 years I've been strumming the strings around the campfire with a wonderful assortment of very talented musicians. We've done some awesome music and have a fan base at the yearly "Rabbitstick" event in Rexburg, Idaho where we contribute to the evening entertainment of 200 + people who come to learn about "Stone Age Lifeskills". My last "paid" gig was at the Dog & Duck Pub in Calgary, Alberta CANADA for St. Patrick's Day 2003.

I've been working up some tunes and I'll be looking for some backup musicians in the near future. You'll all be hearing from me shortly!