Collin Raye is already making the news for a concert that is still a few days away. The 59-year-old will perform a free concert in Utah on Saturday, June 13, signaling that he is ready to return to live shows, even during the coronavirus pandemic, and hoping fellow artists will do the same.
“Hopefully, this concert will inspire similar events in other states around the country as we try to unify and start pushing back against the effects of this pandemic,” Collin previously said about the show. “We will be utilizing the recommended sensible safety precautions, and I’m confident it will be a huge success for small businesses, and hopefully, the country at large.”
Although the concert had to be moved twice, due to public health guidelines, Collin was determined to put on a show, to both encourage fans and give an opportunity for small businesses to set up booths and begin generating income.
While Collin has far too many hits to mention, including more than a dozen that landed in the Top 10, we picked seven of our favorites, which will always stand the test of time in country music.
7. “Little Red Rodeo”
“Little Red Rodeo,” is from Collin’s The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits, released in 1997. Written by Phil Vassar, Charlie Black and Rory Bourke, the song was a great reminder that, while Collin was great at the ballads, he also had the vocal chops to slay an uptempo song as well.
6. “I Can Still Feel You”
Much like “Little Red Rodeo,” “I Can Still Feel You” was uptempo, and really, really catchy. From his 1998 The Walls Came Down record, the song was such a fan-favorite, it stayed at the top of the charts for two weeks.
5. “In This Life”
Collin tapped into his sappy side with “In This Life.” which was also the title track of his sophomore album. The song, which became a mainstay at weddings for years after its release, was a multi-week No. 1 hit on the country charts, and also landed on the Adult Contemporary chart as well.
4. “One Boy, One Girl”
The debut single from Collin’s fourth studio album, I Think About You, “One Boy, One Girl” is the epitome of a great story song. Weaving a romantic tale from infancy to parenthood, few singers could deliver a story as captivating and emotional as Collin did.
3. “I Think About You”
This cleverly-crafted lyric, written by Don Schlitz and Steve Seskin, showed Collin’s first, and most important role, was as a father. With lines like, “Eight years old / Big blue eyes and a heart of gold / When I look at this world / I think about you,” it only made sense that Collin’s then 13-year-old daughter, Brittany, appeared in the video.
2. “Love, Me”
“Love, Me” might be the song Collin is most known for, and with good reason. The song, Collin’s second single and first No. 1 hit, chronicles a love story from young love to dying love, seen through the eyes of a little boy. “Love, Me” was nominated for a CMA Award for Single of the Year.
1. “Little Rock”
Tom Douglas penned “Little Rock” by himself, and it sounds like it was written just for Collin. A story of deep, raw heartache over past failures and ongoing struggles, Collin’s delivery of “Little Rock” is perhaps the best reminder of why he will remain one of the most iconic artists in country music.