Biography

Christian Collin is a singer, songwriter and guitarist devoted to blues and American roots music. Based in Chicago, Collin was born in the Detroit area to a musical family. His father sang and played guitar and was a radio promoter for Paramount Records and road manager for Bob Seger. At an early age, Christian was immersed in the sounds of Motown, classic rock n’ roll and the many variants of American roots music. Musicians gathered at the family home and their singing and guitar playing made a lasting impression on Christian as a child. His parents took him to see Little Feat shortly before the passing of Lowell George in 1979 and that concert profoundly influenced Christian. Christian’s final singular moment of musical inspiration occurred when he first heard Stevie Ray Vaughan on the radio in the early 80’s. He began playing guitar at age 13 and has never looked back. Having honed his musical chops playing bars and roadhouses across the Midwest for the last fifteen years, he is a seasoned bandleader whose dynamic performances leave audiences consistently impressed.
Christian’s strong songwriting, soulful vocals and exceptional musicianship create a musical stew that excites and inspires. Collin’s voice has been described by David Caddell, a music reviewer for The Local, as “city-grit soulful and as honest as the lyrics he sings.” As Robert Noll, exclaimed, “heartfelt lyrics and a guitar that can testify!” During adolescence Robert was Christian’s guitar teacher who previously played with Albert Collins and Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows. Favoring Fender Strats, Telecasters, and a Gibson Les Paul Junior, Collin’s guitar playing is powerful and passionate, yet melodic and refined. Collin’s primary influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Lowell George of Little Feat, along with classic blues and rock n’ roll icons Albert King, Albert Collins, Magic Sam, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. And while these influences may be evident in his music, Christian is obviously his own man and has created a sound infused with originality.
Collin was previously the front man for Molasses for over ten years, a blues rock band that performed regionally and recorded two critically acclaimed albums. In 2012, he released his first full length solo album entitled “American Art,” that received substantial radio airplay. Drawing from his nearly two decades of experience playing blues and rock n’ roll, Christian is now primed to take his music to the next level with his album entitled “Spirit of the Blues.”
With this latest release, Collin pays homage to his blues heroes while leaving a musical mark all his own. Having written all of the songs on the album, Christian is backed by his longtime road band, featuring Alex Evans on bass and Chris Morrow on drums. He is joined by notable guest musicians Billy Branch and Mathew Skoller on harmonica and Johnny Iguana on piano and organ. Rounding out the package is Pete Galanis from Howard and the White Boys on slide guitar, Jen Williams on background vocals and Rodney Brown and his crew playing horns.
George Seedorff, former president of the Detroit Blues Society and an active music blogger had this to say about Christian Collin’s album “Spirit of the Blues”: “Christian Collin makes the grade with breathtaking precision on his latest album “Spirit of the Blues.” Rock with an explosive blues flare is what Christian has always delivered. This time out Collin rocks it up with a selection of soul blues from Jackson, Mississippi, tied end-to-end with Memphis style R&B, all wrapped up in hard-as-steel rockin' lead guitar and slide the way it was done in Beaumont, Texas, by the great Johnny Winter some 50 years ago.
It's clear that Christian Collin has paid his dues. With a red hot crew of back-up singers, a tightly tooled band, and lots of tasty harp playing, Collin has combined razor sharp guitar licks right out of the west side of Chicago, into something new. Serve it up with some tasty ribs and sauce and you are ready for a mighty fine barbeque. All of this is really no coincidence at all---it's the side of the street that rock 'n' roll came from in the first place.
That along with songs that make the cut every time out, “Spirit of the Blues” should raise more than a few eyebrows. There's a rarely achieved sense of authenticity on this album that screams out the best in "American Music," the kind that's placed on a pedestal around the world, from Europe to the Pacific Rim.
Just take a listen to this premier collection of blues and rock that Christian Collin has so masterfully managed to cook up on “Spirit of the Blues.” With screaming guitar work, killer vocals, catchy hooks and lyrics that stick in your head, this is how blues can really rock when it's done right.”
The album begins with “One and Only,” a high octane funky rock and blues number that showcases the musical dynamism of the Christian Collin Band. The opening cut is followed by “Player’s Game,” a catchy rockin’ blues shuffle documenting the trivial sexual pursuits of a big city womanizer. Next up is “A Woman Like You,” a fun southern blues rocker with honky-tonk piano and Chuck Berry style guitar playing, reminiscent of the Georgia Satellites. The song is a comical story about a woman that a guy brings home to his mother. The woman eventually dumps the guy just as his mother had warned him. The next number is “Dance the Blues Away,” an old school bluesy rock n’ roll song that evokes a 1950’s sock hop, and featuring a Stevie Ray Vaughan style guitar solo. Slowing down the pace is “Without You” a slow and sensual R&B ballad that sounds like it was written by Bill Withers. A strong, funky bass groove supports the soulful and pleading vocals for maximum emotional effect.
The title track “Spirit of the Blues” comes next. A very personal song for Christian, it is an iconic slow blues anthem that describes how the blues has inspired him and encourages others to find their musical inspiration. Sung with conviction, the song showcases his passionate and technically proficient guitar playing. Shifting gears, “Highway Song” is an upbeat blues shuffle featuring the interplay of Christian’s lead guitar and Mathew Skoller’s talented harmonica playing. “Blues for You” is a soulful and slinky blues shuffle with an interesting twist-it’s a duet featuring the beautiful vocal stylings of Jen Williams. Shifting gears again, the album moves on to “Dead Man Walking,” a unique and bluesy dirge about a lonely and desperate man contemplating his own demise, possibly through suicide. Having a dark, ethereal vibe and hypnotic rhythm, it’s the only song on the album that features Christian’s eary and atmospheric slide guitar playing.
Picking up the pace again, is the up tempo southern rock and blues boogie “Old 109.” A testament to the virtues of personal independence and non-conformity, the song features adrenaline fueled harmonica and lead guitar evoking the sounds and stylings of 1970’s Johnny Winter. Following that raucous number is “The River (Unplugged),” a modern take on old school acoustic blues featuring Billy Branch on harmonica. The album ends with “Forever Friends,” an emotionally charged soul ballad about two lovers going their separate ways, both with heavy hearts. With tasty Jimi Hendrix meets Steve Cropper inspired guitar licks, it’s the only song to feature a horn section, and is reminiscent of the classic 60’s Stax era and is an apt ending to the album.
With the impressive release of “Spirit of the Blues,” Christian Collin tips his hat to the rich legacy of America’s musical forefathers while aiming to leave his mark as a contemporary Bluesman.

Christian Collin has shared the stage with Lindsey Alexander, A.C. Reed, Sugar Blue, Larry McCray, Lucky Peterson, Anthony Gomes, Rockin’ Johnny, Rodney Brown, Billy Branch, Johnny Drummer, Donia Oxford, Bobby Dixon, Bernard Reed, Sam Cockrell, Toronzo Cannon, Vincent Hayes, Matthew Skoller and many others.

For more information log onto www.ChristianCollin.com.