Colleen Raye
Colleen Raye is an accomplished singer, actress and entertainer. A native of Wisconsin, Colleen began her singing career at age 15 performing in her brother's band, "The Tradewinds". One of 7 children, Colleen is from a very music-oriented family and she carried on the tradition by going to college and majoring in music. While in college she performed in musicals, operettas, concert choirs, jazz bands, madrigals and vocal jazz groups. At the age of 19, Colleen performed with the Lovell Ives Jazz Quintet in Green Bay where she met Peter Polzak, an accomplished jazz pianist, and established herself as a jazz vocalist.
After winning the "Horace Heidt Jr." talent contest in St. Paul, MN, at 19, Colleen began performing with the "Donnie Sanders Show", a nationally touring night club act. Soon after, Colleen met Steve Grimm, a former "New Christy Minstral" and international performer. They combined their talents to create "The Steve Grimm and Colleen Raye Show", a successful night club show band. During the eighteen years they were together, they were highly acclaimed. Not only a professional relationship - Colleen and Steve married and had 4 children. All of them are successful musicians in their own rights, Trey ZehrGrimm, Jennifer Grimm, Reed Grimm, and Sophia Grimm. The children performed with Steve and Colleen on special occasions at first and then more regularly until the couple seperated. Soon after, Colleen and Steve went their seperate ways. Colleen developed a stage show of Patsy Cline music and several other formats, and has forged her own music career.
Colleen has traveled the country performing on stages ranging from the Tropicana in Atlantic City and Las Vegas to the Oklahoma and North Dakota State Fairs. Recently Colleen created a new musical Revue, “The Girl Singers of the Hit Parade”.
Colleen has a natural freshness, joined with her superior singing talent, energy and charisma. Whether performing the music of Patsy Cline, jazz standards or a cabaret show, Colleen captivates audiences with ease.
Below is a list of clubs and corporate events Colleen has performed in:
Club and Theater Performances
Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI
Tropicana, Las Vegas
Mystic Lake Casino, MN
T.B. Sheldon Theatre, MN
Caesars A.C.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Chula Vista Resort, WI
Tulsa State Fair
St. Croix Casino, WI
Lyric Arts Theater, MN
Mabel Tainter Theatre, WI
North Dakota State Fair
Vino In The Valley, WI
Baldwin Center For the Performing Arts, WI
TourCo Bus Tours
Heartland Bus Tours
Hastings Concert Series, MN
Log House Pioneer Days, MN
Treasure Island Casino
Stage Door Players, WI
UW LaCrosse Vocal Jazz Fest
Drake Hotel, Chicago
St. James Hotel, MN
Bay Mills Casino, MI
Royal River Casino, SD
Downtowner Woodfire Grill, MN
The Dakota, MPLS
Rossi's, MPLS
Fortune Bay Casino, MN
Little Log House Antique Show, MN
Medina Entertainment Center, MN
TJ Maxwell's, MN
Terlizzo's, MN
Orpheum Theater, IL
Paddy Ryan's, WI
Nova Wine Bar, WI
Kilkarney Hills, WI
WestWind Restaurant, WI
Riversides, WI
Chickadee Cottage, MN
Virginian Supper Club
Pierce County Fair, WI
Corporate and Private Functions
Chrysler
A.C. Masterlock
Pepsi America
Honeywell
3M
Ford Motor Company
Petroleum Marketers
AFSME
Health East
MN Independent Bankers
Rowdy Redhat Rumble
SSG Corp.
Wisconsin Special Olympics
Minnesota Special Olympics
Red Wing Shoe
Associated Anesthesiologists
Niro
Norex
Junior Achievement
Jaycees
Ellsworth and Prescott Chambers
Ellsworth Creamery
Western WI Bankers Association
Trinity Catholic School
1st National Bank
Red Wing Manufacturers Asso c.
Hastings Hospital
Wayzata Book Club
Jewish Community Center, MN
Television and Radio
"America Swings" with Horace Heidt LA
Showcase MN, KARE 11
A.M. Philadelphia
Good Company - Minneapolis
Joe Franklin- New York
WJON - Bob Hughes/St. Cloud, MN
Spectrum West, WPR
KWNG -Tom Hughes/Red Wing, MN
A.M. Las Vegas
P.M. Magazine - Pa
"Rainee After Dark", Nashville
Songwriter's Showcase, MN
Colleen Raye is also a successful jingle and song writer.
Her credits include...
Wisconsin Special Olympic Theme
"Touch the Sky"
A New Country Musical
"HeartSongs"
Atlantic City Theme Song
"Atlantic City, It's All Here"
Tulsa State Fair Theme
"Good Times Again"
St. Paul
"Winter Carnival Waltz"
"The Girl Singer" from
The Gril Singers of the Hit Parade