About That Song: Doug Collins
About That Song #45
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
In the 45th edition of this series, I connected with Doug Collins, a longstanding Twin Cities country artist whose annual music fest is just around the corner. Entering its second year, Twangfest is a one-day festival celebrating some of the best twang-leaning music the Twin Cities has to offer at Palmer’s—one of our most classic and lovable drinking and listening establishments. I wanted to learn more about the music that’s had an impact on Doug’s songwriting.
Doug Collins (third from left) & The Receptionists. Photo credit: Renee Broughten.
Sarah: Hi Doug Collins! Oh, it is always so good to talk about…anything with you, actually, but especially music. A frequent performer around the Midwest with your band, The Receptionists, you are also chief dreamer and organizer behind Twangfest. Presumably you wouldn't organize a music festival if you didn’t have a deep love for song, so I want to talk a bit about the songs that have led you to where you are today.
Do you remember the song that you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Doug: I was a HUGE Beatles fan growing up, so I thought that it would be something by them but honestly, I was always too intimidated by their casual genius to even think that I could learn from them in any way. But “I Will Dare” by the Replacements was the one that had all the elements I loved about the Beatles—great melodies, with heartfelt, slightly funny lyrics. Add to that the fact that they were from the Midwest, and roughly my age, hearing that made me think, if they can do this, then I want to do that too.
Sarah: I’m going to admit that I’m a bad Midwestern music fan, with zero Replacements experience. Your description makes me want to go fix that, STAT. Once you began writing, did you feel like a writer immediately? Was there a song that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter!” moment?’Tell us about that song.
Doug: I had written songs back in the 80s, then dropped out for a few decades, but started up again in the 2010s. I stuttered and stalled, and wrote some things that worked, but weren’t quite there. Then I wrote one called “Davenport IA” and it felt like I hit all the emotional and musical marks I was trying to reach. And I got to rhyme “Iowa” a lot, which was fun and challenging in equal measure.
Sarah: I LOVE that song. As a listener, I would say yeah…you hit the marks. Also, Iowa MIGHT be the most fun state name to sing. A song that you released a few years later—“My Friends”—holds a special place in the hearts of many members of our music community. Can you tell us about that song?
Doug: I can! I was just coming out of a bad time in my life—divorce etc.—and was driving back from visiting family in Iowa, thinking how grateful I was for the people that had got me through that rough patch. Especially how the late great Mad Ripple Hootenanny hosted by Jim Walsh was a spot that had taken me in and basically introduced me to a new life. So I started making up the chorus in my car, and…it became the song.
Doug Collins (third from left) & The Receptionists. Photo credit: Renee Broughten.
Sarah: I’m a fan of long-drive-songwriting; of reflecting with gratitude, of Jim Walsh, and the Hoot. Good work bringing those elements together in such a catchy manner. Over the last few years you’ve been sharing “Sunday Songs” with the world—freshly written songs, on a Sunday. I’ve always had a sense that certain songs feel more appropriate for a Sunday morning than others. Do you remember the first Sunday Song you shared?
Doug: The first song I shared was “Mama’s Shoes,” which was about dealing with the death of my mom. I’ve always shied away from direct emotionalism, which can often feel cheap, and isn’t part of my makeup, so to speak, so I was proud of this one, as it (I thought) skirted sentimentality while touching on what is left after a loss.
Sarah: I felt that way about writing about parenthood—and then eventually I couldn’t avoid it, and wrote a song called “Ends With A Prayer” that I hoped skirted the too-sentimental, while still honoring the tender truth. “Mama’s Shoes” is a beautiful song, friend.
Now—on to Twangfest! It’s back for its second year—congrats! You’re from Iowa, the fest is in Minnesota—Midwest twang tends to be more about our super bright A vowels, than anything drawl-y! But still, musically, we can hang with the twang. Can you tell us a bit about that festival?
Doug: I am always amazed at the number of great musicians/songwriters/bands in the Twin Cities, and felt the need to draw attention to them. Last year was a great start, and so much fun that I wanted to do it again!
Sarah: It’s true—we have a ridiculously robust amount of great musicians in town. Thank you for getting so many of them to hang out on one single night! See you there!
Get your tickets now for Twangfest at Palmer’s on Saturday, May 11, featuring me and Doug and a whole lot of amazing Minnesota artists! Doors are at 3pm and the music starts on the patio at 4pm.
Listen to “Mama’s Shoes”
Too Late At Night Album Credits
Produced by Doug Collins and Rob Genadek
Doug Collins - guitars, vocals
Charlie Varley - bass, vocals
Randy Broughten - steel guitar
Billy Dankert - drums, vocals
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
