“Follow your heart” is a phrase Colleen Rae lives by. On March 1, 2006 Colleen Rae’s debut album What You Need Is Me was released. Produced by Louis Sedmak, the 10 – song CD featured brilliant selections by established writers such as Byron Hill, Duane Steele, Cyril Rawson, and Naoise Sheridan (best know for co-writing the recent Kenny Chesney hit “Young”).
“My goal was to record a traditional country CD, songs with strong messages, lively up tempo pieces for my fans to dance to and modern enough that country radio would embrace it.”
To date Colleen Rae’s album has yielded six nationally and internationally charted singles. The title track reached #1 on Alberta radio station CFCW’s Top Canadian Singles. And "Let's Get Lost" was a 5 day champion on Big Earl, winning against Keith Urban, due to her loyal fan’s numerous calls. Colleen Rae’s recent release "Family" is warming hearts across Canada.
Colleen Rae is a natural on stage. Six years ago, Colleen joined the band Cornerstone, teaming up with seasoned musicians Wayne Bellerose (lead guitar), Del Cocks (bass) and Randy Busby (drums). Their uniqueness and versatility have captured audiences throughout Western Canada. Rae’s high-energy live show was noted by Premier Ed Stelmach during her performance at the 2007 CFR Round-up Breakfast “She sure has a wonderful voice, very powerful; we really enjoyed her singing, so much energy!.” Colleen Rae and Cornerstone shared the stage with Corb Lund, Adam Gregory, Clay Walker, Julian Austin, and Charlie Major. Canadian icon Dan Aykroyd took the time to join the band on stage while he was in Colleen Rae’s hometown Edmonton.
2007 was an outstanding year for Colleen Rae and Cornerstone. They were nominated for a TIMA (Toronto Independent Music Awards) for The Best Out-Of-Province category. Colleen Rae was personally recognized when she was voted Top 10 nominee for Independent Female Vocalist Award by the CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association). Rae's hard work was also acknowledged with a nomination for OUTSTANDING COUNTRY RECORDING OF THE YEAR for her debut CD What You Need Is Me by the WCMA (Western Canadian Music Awards).
Colleen Rae is a member of ARIA, CCMA, SAC, and many other music organizations. Her love of “the business” began at age six when Colleen staged shows in the family basement. She’d have homemade posters lining the stairway, and she’d sell popcorn and Kool-Aid to her audiences. Later, with the family’s purchase of an electric garage door opener, Colleen took her act to another level and an even bigger venue as the neighbourhood crowded into lawn chairs set up in the driveway. She is proud to be an independent recording artist. “I am totally hands-on with my career. From deciding when and where I will perform to the types of songs I sing, I feel I am being true to what is in my heart.”
Music has always been in Colleen’s life. Whether it was family jams around a kitchen table or performing in the Choir, Colleen was always singing. Colleen Rae is a classically trained vocalist. Colleen completed Royal Conservatory of Toronto Piano achieving First Class Honors and she is self taught on guitar. In the early years Colleen Rae performed a tribute to Connie Smith, and was a part of the trio Rocky Mountain Roses. Colleen recalls her love of performing starting as early as elementary school. “I’d ask the principle if I could sing during the monthly assemblies and I would sing songs by Reba, Madonna and Tiffany.”
Rae is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, and an entertainer. Colleen Rae is currently creating material for an upcoming project. She describes a song about adoption, “Do I Have Your Eyes”, as her favorite among her original compositions. She recently pitched her original song "Do I Have Your Eyes" to country music's hottest couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill while meeting them on their Soul2Soul tour in Oregon.
Her determination to succeed in the music industry is second only to her natural talent. Soon Colleen Rae will be a household name.
The Early Years