Gene Collett

Gene Collett was born January 25, 1935, at Roark, Kentucky, the youngest of three children born to James Farmer Collett and Phronia Shepherd Collett. He was born into a musical family. His father was a country music singer and musician, playing in many country bands.

At an early age Gene recognized his love for music and began performing at the age of twelve. At age sixteen he began singing

professionally at fairs, on riverboats and in churches.

The gospel side of music was his first love and he began writing songs. Two of his early songs, 'Lord of My Life' and 'Jesus is Spoken Here', have been recorded by several groups and singers.

On June 29, 2003, Gene wrote, 'The Ballade of Eric Robert Rudolph' which was released to 1270 radio stations around the country and

inspired the book, 'Eric Rudolph and Me.'