Mitty Collier - The Lady and her Music
68
Early Years
She is known for R&B hit singles such as "I Had A Talk With My Man Last Night" and " I'm Your Part Time Love." Also, from 1961 to 1968 she recorded with Chess Records and at present is a Gospel musician and a church pastor.
Mitty Lene Collier was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 21, 1941. From an early age she showed interest in music, and begun singing in church. When she was older she begun touring with various gospel groups such as the Hayes Ensemble and the Lloyd Reese Singers. Later when she was college age and looking for a way to make money , she performed in the night clubs there in Birmingham, AL.
Chess Records
While visiting family in Chicago, IL, Mitty entered a talent show at the Regal Theater, and won. Consequently, her prize was a spot with Etta James and B.B. King on their tour. As a result of this exposure, Collier caught the attention of Ralph Bass of Chess Records. As a result of this encounter, she was offered a contract with the Chess label.
Starting in 1961 for the next seven years, Mitty recorded more than 14 singles and one album with Chess Records. Although her first record didn't make the chart, her second record "I'm Your Part Time Love" was a hit.This song made it to number twenty on the R&B charts. Collier's next hit was "I Had A Talk With My Man." This song was a secularized gospel song sung by gospel great James Cleveland. In 1966 came her last hit with Chess Records "Sharing You. This hit was number 10 on the R&B charts. Mitty left Chess in 1968, and begun to record for the Peachtree Label in Atlanta, Ga.
Later Years
None of the songs recorded at Peach tree did well commercially, but they were good songs. In 1971 Collier developed problems with her vocal cords, and her secular singing career came to an end.
Following the loss of her voice, she re-devoted her life to her Christian faith. When she recovered her voice, she focused on gospel music. One of the first Albums made was "The Warning" released in 1972. This album featured the song "I Had A Talk With God Last Night." Other albums released included "Hold The Light" released in 1977 and "I Am Love" released in 1987. For her work, Collier received the key to the city of Birmingham in 1987.
Later in 1989 she became an ordained minster there in Chicago. One other award she received was the National Council of Negro Women Woman of Wonder Award presented to her in 2000. To this day Mitty Collier's faith is strong as ever. She continues to run a community out reach started there in Chicago in 1985 called Feed-A-Neighbor; she is a mother, grandmother, minister and a born-again believer.
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This is an artist I am totally unfamiliar with. I am becoming aware of just how many things I don't know. I do know that for both white and black traditions there is often a connection between music and religion.So it doesn't surprise me that she became a minister.
@BkCreative - I know what you mean. I often hear songs I like and didn't know the name of the artist. I am glad you enjoyed the video and the background information too :)
@dahoglund - I understand what you mean. I noticed the common thread of many of the artist is their church background. As always, thank you for your feedback.
Very beautiful voice. Thank you again Coolmon for remembering the artists of the past! She's beautiful!
@Micky Dee - I am glad you enjoyed this article, thanks for your feedback :)
Great music my an exceptional woman. Thanks for this article. Will add Mitty Collier to my favorite songs.
@tracykarl99 - Glad you enjoyed this article, and thanks for your feedback.
Nice job on this hub. It's always nice to learn about singers from the past. I had never heard of either one, they both have very soulful voices. They sing with a lot of emotion, something that lacks in a lot of singers today.
Nice job, enjoyed this hub.
Sage
@Sage Williams - I know what you mean. Seems like back in the 50, 60 and 70's the musical artist sang from the heart more than now. Thank you for your comments as always :)
I like I am Your Part Time Lover. Her songs come from the heart, Beautiful songs and voice, Maita
@prettydarkhorse - It is a pretty song, once again thanks for leaving comments on this article :)
Coolmon - another great tribute to a great artist - cheers
@billyaustindillon - Thank you for your kind words :)
Another good one Coolmon, interesting passion you have. And as I've already said I like this series of hubs about people I don't know, rated up and beautiful. :)
@hypnodude - Thank you for the kind words, and once again thank you for taking time to read my article and leave feedback :)
Great stuff. I love music history and this is certainly a step back in time. Thanks for this.
@suziecat7 - Glad you enjoyed my article, and thanks for leaving your comments :)
Great tribute to Mitty Collier, very well done and pleasureable. Thanks :)
@katiem2 - Glad you enjoyed reading my article :)
Loved reading this, more particularly as I have never heard of Mitty before. Thanks for the introduction.
Love and peace
Tony
@tonymac04 - You are welcome, and thanks for taking time to read my article.
Thanks for sharing your music knowledge again. I enjoy music but it is not an area of my expertise. Thanks, I have learned a lot from your hubs. The video was nice also.
@Truth From Truth - Thanks for leaving your feedback, and its nice to hear from you again :)
I like music very much. Actually I never know about Mitty Collier before. But I think she is very talented and great singer. I really enjoy the video also. Thumbs up for you and I learn much from this hub. As usual, I rate this UP.
prasetio
@prasetio30 - I am glad you enjoyed reading my article :)
Rated awesome cool, How are you, sorry been late in responding and reading, You have a good choice in music talents, Maita
@prettydarkhorse - Its ok Maita I am happy to hear from you. I was starting to wonder if you were ok. It is nice to hear from you again, and I am doing ok thanks for asking :)
I am ok cool, Thanks, Just been so busy, Take care, Maita
@prettydarkhorse - Ok Maita just checking on you take care of yourself :)
nice
@lucky1000 - Thanks for the feedback :)
Coolmon: What a great read! I remember hearing a few of her songs, they're great! It's always great to hear about the artist's history and background. Awesome hub! :)
@MaryRenee - Glad you like it and thanks for your comments :)
Great article and video!
@RunAbstract - Glad you like it and thanks for kind words :)
Thanks so very much for keeping me in the minds of people. My community outreach has nevr been in Birmingham. It has always been and still is in Chicago. It is called Feed-A-Neighbor (FAN) and has been held on the outside since 1985, whether rain, shine, sleet, snow or below zero. It has been a blessing. I was invited to Tokyo, in 2011, went there, came home and recorded a gospel CD/DVD for P-Vine Records there. It was released in July in Japan, Aug in Europe, USA in Sept. It is enttled "I Owe It All To The Word." Check it out on YouTube. Thanks again - really appreciate you.
@Pastor Mitty Collier - Thank you for the up dates on your current activities.I will have to buy a copy of your latest CD. I enjoyed writing this article about your life and its nice to hear from you too :)
Addition Information
- Wikipedia.org - Additional information on Mitty Collier
- Discogs.com - Mitty Collier's Discography
BkCreative Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago
Wow! I loved that song "I Had a Talk With My Man Last Night" - would you believe I had no idea who was singing this - which surprises me because I always tried to keep up.
Thanks so much for all the background as well. Glad to hear she continued on an upward path and found much to enjoy in her life. Rated up of course! And thanks for the video! Whew!