Matthew Patania
Kentucky-based country singer Dustin Collins released “Gone” – the third single in anticipation of his forthcoming album Workin’ Man. Collins describes “Gone,” which he wrote with fellow Kentucky native Kevin Jaggers, as “kind of a heartbreak song, but not. The hook is ‘I’m not drinking because I miss you, I’m just damn glad that you’re gone.'”
Workin’ Man follows Collins’ latest album, It’s Been Awhile, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart. His independent single “Cold Dead Hands” ascended to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart and recently reached over 1 million streams on Spotify.
A portion of proceeds from Workin’ Man will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA. GUMI focuses on providing U.S. veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas and enable them to re-enter society. Veterans may reside without cost to them and heal at their own pace.
Your latest single, “Gone,” is the third single you’ve released in anticipation of your forthcoming album, Workin’ Man. How do you feel this track ties into the overall theme of the record, as well as represents a “storyteller” authenticity and level of transparency, commonly associated with Country music?
Dustin Collins (DC): “I started ‘Workin’ Man’ with the idea to kinda tell some of my life stories on it. I was especially excited about ‘Gone’ because it’s a different take on a drinking breakup song.”
You wrote the track with fellow Kentucky native Kevin Jaggers. Take us into the room, and talk about how it came together. Given the nature of the song, and Kevin being a friend of yours, I’m also curious as to what heartfelt conversation may have taken place that perhaps served as an eye-opener to you both.
DC: “I’m not sure it was a heartfelt conversation as much as it was a night of venting and drinking tequila!”
A portion of the proceeds of Workin’ Man will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA, which provides veterans with the tools they need to help them heal after deployment overseas, and enable them to re-enter society. Talk about what GUMI means to you, and the want to give back through your music.
DC: “I believe anything we can do to help our returned heroes should be done. I love GUMI because they don’t just talk about helping; they are boots on the ground, giving hands up to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for us.“
To produce your upcoming record, you enlisted the help of industry veterans Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire), and Bill McDermott (Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley). What did each bring to the project that allowed the body of work to become one step closer to your end goal? What were you able to take away from having the opportunity to work with such esteemed individuals?
DC: “Working with Buddy and Bill is an opportunity of a lifetime for a guy like me. I grew up listening to their music and the music they have worked on. It’s absolutely amazing. They brought years of hit-making knowledge to the table, and professionalism out of this world!”
Can you give us a tease of what we can expect from the remainder of Workin’ Man?
DC: “A small hint is we are headed back to the studio this winter to record more tracks!”
Beyond the record, and any upcoming releases, what is in the plans for Dustin Collins as we close in on the remaining months of 2022 (music video releases, tour)?
DC: “We have a few more runs to the Midwest and down south before the end of the year. Then we plan on coming out with a bang in 2023!”
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