Coming off his highly-acclaimed album It’s Been Awhile which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers South Central Albums chart and included his No. 1 on the Billboard Singles Sales chart independent single “Cold Dead Hands” – Dustin Collins is ready to release his latest single “Workin’ Man” today, May 6. The Kentucky native and Army Veteran co-wrote the single with legendary songwriter Steve Bogard (whose 10 No. 1 hits include George Strait’s “Carrying Your Love with Me” and “Carried Away,”) “Workin’ Man” is also the title track of his new album set to drop this year.
We recently caught up with Dustin to talk about the new album and single, his songwriting and his work with GUMI helping fellow Veterans.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
DC: I’m a songwriter and artist from central Kentucky, and I have been playing music my whole life.
CN: You have been surrounded by music from a young age, as your father was a musician. How did that experience so early in life guide your decision on a career in music?
DC: At first, I had very little interest in a music career, but I think the more I wrote, the more I became obsessed with the idea of writing more songs and eventually moving to Nashville.
CN: Which artists have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
DC: Tracy Lawrence has got be my all time influence, but Jason Aldean has really had an impact on the way we do our shows.
CN: Following the success of your debut album “It’s Been Awhile” and your independent single “Cold Dead Hands,” you are set to release your new single “Workin’ Man” on May 6th. What was the inspiration behind the song?
DC: It’s a funny story actually. I wrote “Workin’ Man” originally as a podcast theme song for a friend of mine who was working as a media guy for an Ag company. It’s just about what it’s like around my neck of the woods.
CN: The single is also the title track of your upcoming album, which was produced by Buddy Cannon and Bill McDermott. What was it like to work with two industry legends?
DC: It’s completely unreal. Bill has always had my back since I started, but bringing Buddy in on the project really lit a fire in me and the whole team.
CN: What was one thing you walked away from the production of this album that you didn’t know before after working with Buddy and Billy?
DC: I learned how big drum sounds can change the whole song. He’s pretty particular about the rhythms.
CN: There is also a duet on the album featuring the lovely Ashton Shepherd. How did you go about asking Ashton if she’d record “Probably Shoulda”?
DC: Well, we had been sending songs back and forth trying to come up with a co-write. I had mentioned we were about to start production on the album and asked if she wanted to do something. She replied back “yes” like three seconds later with this song that wasn’t a duet that I had written. So, we sat down and are wrote it with my friends Sherrie Austin and Will Rambeaux. It just came to life after that.
CN: `Probably Shoulda” is one of several songs on that album that you wrote. Can you take us through your songwriting process?
DC: A lot of times, I just get a hook stuck in my head and have to wrestle it out. Then once I get a good song together, I’ll take it to a co-writer buddy and polish it up, scrap it or just start over.
CN: Some of the songs were written a while back. How did you go about picking the songs for this album?
DC: I had the whole pandemic with nothing to do but write and listen to tunes, so when it came time to record, I picked my favorites and started cutting.
CN: Every bit of this album is very personal to you, and shows how far you have come as an artist. How important was it for you to release this album ?
DC: After the pandemic shutdown, especially after our last record did so well, I felt that for me to continue my career this album was 100 percent a must.
CN: As a Veteran, do you find songwriting to be a cathartic tool? How has it helped you?
DC: Absolutely, just as a person it is cathartic. It really is an amazing gift to be able to let it all out.
CN: A portion of the proceeds from both the single and album will benefit GUMI (Glad You Made It) Camp USA, a non-profit that 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. How did you get connected with GUMI and choose to donate proceeds to them?
DC: My manager Mike Kraski made an introduction and told me what GUMI was about. I Instantly fell in love with what they were doing and how they were helping. Not only helping, but providing actual shelter to homeless and sick vets.
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
DC: It would be Jason Aldean or Tracy Lawrence. Easiest question yet!
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
DC: Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney at the Louisville Motor Speed Way.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
DC: Southern. It’s more than a location. I believe being southern is a way of life, a language and a culture, and it means a whole lot to me.
CN: Where can fans find you on the road this year?
DC: We are actively touring nationwide so be sure to check www.dustincollinsofficial.com for tour dates.
Mark your calendars: Dustin Collins will be taking over our Instagram this June!
Be sure check our IG for a date announcement and tune in!
To stream or download “Workin’ Man” click here.
For more information on Dustin Collins, follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information on GUMI (Glad You Made it), visit gumicampusa.com.