[118] Recording artist Crissy Collins to speak Oct. 5 at MTSU’s Tucker Theatre

Vocalist behind Beyoncé also to perform with students

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Crissy Collins, the recording artist who is also known for her work with artists including Beyoncé, Kelly Price and Luther Vandross, will speak about her career and music on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. at MTSU’s Tucker Theatre.

Collins, who will perform in Nashville as a background vocalist as part of Beyoncé’s Formation World Tour on Oct. 2, will have a conversation with Beverly Keel, chair of MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry, about working with Beyoncé, Tyler Perry and others. She will also perform several songs with a group of students from MTSU’s recording industry and music departments.

“I've always enjoyed working with people who really want to learn. It's not easy out here in this industry. A little help along the way can benefit anyone,” Collins said.

The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m. A searchable campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap.

“This will be an unforgettable night for our students and the MTSU community,” Keel said. “We are so grateful that Crissy has generously agreed to remain in the area after performing with Beyoncé to share her experience and wisdom with us. We are eager to hear about her own recording and movie career, including her album ‘Faith in Progress,’ as well as her four world tours with Beyoncé.”

A native of Niagara Falls, N.Y., she first pursued a recording industry career with her sister Tomika and Aunt Nora in a group called Collins Sisters and Company, which released the album “He Cares.”  A lifelong praise and worship leader, she got her start at her late grandmother’s church, House of God, in Lockport, N.Y. She continues to work closely with her mother, Evangelist Sandi Collins, who has several ministries based in Atlanta.

Collins has appeared on numerous gospel television shows and performed in many music festivals and stages, where she has worked with artists such as Edwin Hawkins, Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Mary Mary, Dr. Bobby Jones and many others.

She toured with Tyler Perry’s stage play “Madea Goes to Jail,” and her show-stopping rendition of “Yes, Jesus Loves Me” led to big-screen opportunities. She has appeared in Tyler Perry movies such as “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” “Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Daddy’s Little Girls” and “The Family That Preys.”

She has performed in other inspirational stage plays such as “A Good Man Is Hard to Find,” “Where Have All the Good Men Gone” and “Love Should Have Brought You Home.” She also performed the national anthem at the 2010 NBA finals.

Since 2008, Crissy has toured the globe singing background for Beyoncé, including four world tours. She has also performed with artists ranging from Luther Vandross, Kelly Price and Glenn Jones to Little G of Silk, Monica and Gloria Gainer.

Now residing in Atlanta, Collins’ goal is to develop television projects and work on her next album.