George Collins – Modern Mystery

George Collins’ new pop rock track “I Got What I Got” is a testament to the joys of gratitude and redemption. With a bluesy swagger reminiscent of Eric Clapton or Steely Dan, Collins draws on his experience as a screenwriter and novelist to craft literate and insightful narratives that are both thought-provoking and boldly vulnerable. The song is the first release from his upcoming sophomore EP, Songs for Grown-Ups.

George’s story is one of perseverance and determination. Having received his first guitar at the age of four, he pursued both guitar and piano throughout his childhood and beyond. However, in his late 20s, he encountered many older musicians who were unhappy with their lack of success and had fallen into toxic patterns with alcohol and drugs. Determined to avoid this fate, George pursued a successful career as an investment consultant and financial executive, but ultimately chose to leave it all behind to nurture his creative world and be a dedicated full-time parent after the birth of his first child in 2012.

“I Got What I Got” is a reflection on the journey of life and the importance of appreciating the good things that come our way. The song was inspired by a night of reminiscing with an old friend about their wild days in Prague in the early 1990s and how far they’ve come with the wonderful wives they married.

George explains: “’I Got What I Got’ is a song of gratitude for returning to life after a long time in the emotionally-barren wilderness, of finding redemption through the love of a perceptive and patient woman.”

The song’s catchy pop hooks, bluesy guitar riffs, and his soulful vocals make for a highly enjoyable listening experience that shows his unmistakable talents as a songwriter and musician and serves as a strong introduction to his upcoming EP.

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George Collins is no stranger to the music industry. Back in his younger years, before committing to the world of high finance, he played in local restaurants and bars in Charlottesville to pay his way through school. He even became a local staple. He also played in an eleven-piece Earth, Wind & Fire-esque band called Common Knowledge which included Carter Beauford and the late LeRoi Moore. Beauford and Moore later became founding members of The Dave Matthews Band. “While backstage with Carter and Dave during their most recent concert in Prague in 2019, I joked that I was in The Dave Matthews Band even before Dave Matthews,” Collins says with a good-natured laugh. “They both burst out laughing, and Dave clicked his beer bottle to mine and said, ‘If anyone ever asks me about that, I will back you up one hundred percent!’”

George is back and better than ever with his upcoming solo EP, It’s Been a Long Time. He just released the pop rock title song “It’s Been a Long Time.” It has a Tom Petty meets U2 in sound and energy with a hint of Fleetwood Mac. In “It’s Been a Long Time,” George showcases his songwriting with lyrics that spew emotion. It’s about a lost love and missed opportunities. It can be taken literally and metaphorically, the sign of a great songwriter.

He sings “Never knew love before, never met no one like you/And I’m always gonna wonder what might have been/World spinning circles now, but there’s one thing I know/It’s gonna be a long, long time till I love that way again.” It can connect with any listener and that’s what makes George Collins’ music so special.

His songs feature instantly hummable melodies; subtle but smart counterpoint; clever chord sequences; ace musicianship; and vocals that ooze soulful rock n’ roll longing. As a lyricist, Collins is a poet, a sage, a storyteller, and an empath. He covers the full-spectrum of emotions and the human experience, and he writes with cinematic detail, visceral vulnerability, and clever turns of phrase.

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