The Drifters

In the late '50s and early '60s brothers Mike and Pat Collins, along with their cousin Gene Collins, were influenced by their fathers, collectively known as The Collins Brothers, to carry on a legacy that was brought forth from the hills of Southern Missouri.

In 1974, after performing for several years with their fathers, the cousins decided to step out on their own and The Drifters were born.

\/Veaned on straight, traditional bluegrass, and influenced not only by their dads, but also Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, and other greats, the group began seeking other influential bluegrass stylists like J.D. Crowe, Ricky Skaggs and Doyle Lawson. Incorporating from all of the aforementioned "greats" the Drifters sound began to evolve.

After many long hours of honing their skills, their practicing began to reap honors, as individual and band awards were bestowed upon the group.

In the early '80s, youngest brother Robert Collins joined the band on banjo. The harmonies were now complete with the three brothers and cousin Gene.

In 1985, they entered the prestigious SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Championships held each year in Nashville, Tennessee, and finished second. Returning in 1986, they received first place out of the 52 competing bands.

The group has been fortunate to record the following projects: THE DRIFTERS(1982), SONGS OF PRAISE(1985), HELLO TROUBLE (1986), and LIVE FROM EVERYWHERE (1994).

In 1990, they were asked to take part in the MISSOURI SESSIONS recording project that brought together musicians from the mid-west in a jam session type atmosphere. Proceeds from sales were donated to bluegrass musicians in need. The music on the MISSOURI SESSIONS is truly out of this world as it went into space on one of the NASA shuttle missions.

There have been various personnel changes since The Drifters beginning but the sound remains the same: tight family harmonies and straight-ahead bluegrass. The current band includes: Mike Collins (mandolin/vocals), Pat Collins (bass/vocals), Robert Collins (guitar/vocals), Robby Boone (banjo/vocals), and Gary Brown (fiddle/vocals).