By Mary-Justine Lanyon
There are few people in this world who know what they want to do as a child and then are able to follow through on that plan.
Lake Arrowhead resident Colin Reid is one such fortunate person.
Reid, who was born in Victoria, Canada, and grew up in Vancouver and a suburb of Toronto, started playing piano at the age of 5. “I wanted to start playing earlier,” he said, “but my father wanted me to wait.” His father, David, is a pianist and a lawyer.
He attended the University of British Columbia, where he earned a BA in history. But, he said, “I’ve always been a musician. The music program at UBC was more classical. I wanted jazz and contemporary.”
At the age of 27, Reid moved to Los Angeles to attend classes at the Musicians Institute. “They hired me as soon as they could after graduation,” he said. He has degrees in guitar and voice as well as a certificate in audio engineering.
Reid has taught primarily vocals and guitar at the Musicians Institute for the past 10 years. During the pandemic, his classes went online.
Reid and his wife, Crista, were living in a less-than-desirable area of Los Angeles, where they were both working from home because of the lockdown, “so we took the leap and moved up here,” Reid said. He had been visiting his friend Shannon Bizzy on the mountain. “She was very positive about my moving up here,” Reid said.
Reid and Bizzy had played together in Los Angeles and have continued that partnership on the mountain. “I play with Shannon frequently,” Reid said. “We have done a number of gigs as a duo.” The two both harmonize and take turns singing lead.
The two formed a trio – Plaid to the Bone – with Adam Hurlbut on drums.
Musician Colin Reid has added Jetties Waterfront Kitchen + Drink to his list of venues where he plays. (Photo by Mary-Justine Lanyon)
Reid has played everything from jazz to heavy metal. “I only play stuff I like,” he said. “Lately it’s been a lot of 90s stuff – it seems to go over well.”
Diners at restaurants across the mountain – from Crestline to Green Valley Lake – have been treated to Reid’s music as they enjoy their meals. Every week he seems to add yet another venue where his music can be heard.
In addition to covering bands and songs he likes, Reid also plays his original tunes. His music is available on Spotify.
He is currently giving private lessons in voice, guitar and piano, mainly online. Reid said he primarily teaches college-age students. “I have taught young kids before – it depends on the student and whether they are serious.”
Speaking of young children, the Reids have a young son, Gavin, who is about 22 months old. “He’s playing the drums,” Reid said. “The trick with young kids is not to push it on them.” They have a keyboard and hope to get a piano at some point.
The Reids have just marked their two-year anniversary on the mountain. “Snowmageddon didn’t scare us off,” he said. “I’m from Canada so I’ve been around snow but this was more than I ever had to deal with. We didn’t have a snow blower so we had to dig out by hand.
“We had a newborn and were running out of formula. Our neighbor is a first responder and brought us some. Our neighbors really helped one another with food and supplies.”
The experience was a new one for Crista, who grew up in Huntington Beach. The couple met in Los Angeles.
“We hope to be up here a long time,” Reid said. “We want to raise Gavin up here. Everyone has been very welcoming. Coming from Los Angeles, that was a surprise, a nice change.”
When he’s not playing at a local venue or down the hill, Reid enjoys riding his motorcycle and hiking with their two dogs, a German shepherd and a terrier-chihuahua mix, around Lake Arrowhead and out by the Pinnacles.
Reid has toured the U.S. with different bands, toured Europe and, of course, plays in Canada when he goes home to visit. Watch for his posts on Facebook to see where you can catch him playing. Plaid to the Bone will be playing at The Stockade on July 28 and as part of the summer concert series at Lake Gregory on Aug. 2. Reid frequently plays at the Lakefront Tap Room, Sunsets Island Bar & Grill and Jetties Waterfront Kitchen + Drink in Lake Arrowhead Village as well as at Black Dog Social Club in Green Valley Lake. He also performs at the Running Springs farmers market; watch for him there on Aug. 24.
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