Texas country artist Holly Tucker has been around all aspects of music while growing up; singing, performing, recording and writing. Eight years ago, she auditioned for The Voice, earning a rare 4-chair turn during her blind audition, and has been kicking her career into high gear in the States and worldwide since. In addition to her incredible vocals, Holly has the ability to write songs that connect with vivid lyrics and word play that show just how incredible of a writer she is. Her latest release “Rose In The Red Dirt,” is one of those songs and premiering exclusively on The Country Note today.
We caught up with Holly to talk about her musical journey and, the Ladies of Country who have inspired her, the new single, and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
HT: I’m Holly Tucker, Texas Country artist from Waco. I’ve been singing pretty much my whole life, grew up with a very musical family and started singing at an early age. I got on stage for the first time at age 7, and began performing on stages around Texas consistently when I was about 11 years old. Soon after, I started recording and writing my own music, and by the time I got to high school, I was singing and performing every chance I got outside of school responsibilities. When I was 19, I auditioned for Season 4 of The Voice, got a 4-chair-turn at my blind audition, and chose Team Blake Shelton, where he took me all the way to the Top 6 that season. Since then, I’ve been writing, recording, singing, and performing full-time, mainly in Texas, but all around the world.
CN: You are one of the limited few to have a four chair turn during your blind audition on The Voice? What was going through your mind when that happened?
HT: First of all, during the audition process, the producers give the contestants major encouragements like, “all you need is one chair to turn and you’re in”, and “keep singing til the very last note because you never know what might catch the coaches’ attention”, so all of us were keeping our hopes realistic in that sense! So when it came time for me to audition, I was just hoping for one. I believe I sang one note and had 2 chairs turn for me. I was freaking out inwardly, and trying to keep it together outwardly while still performing the song to the best of my ability! I was excited and overjoyed, for sure.
CN: During Season 4, Team Blake was packed with talent! You were teammates/competing along with Danielle Bradbery and The Swon Brothers – what was that experience like?
HT: That was one great thing about our season – yes, we were all competing against each other, but it wasn’t ever catty or toxic, at least not that I experienced. A lot of us have stayed good friends after the show and will get to catch up from time to time, even those of us on different teams.
CN: What lessons did you learn during that competition that have helped you in your career?
HT: I went into the show as a shy 19-year-old, very hopeful, but intimidated by how people would judge me or what negative things they might have to say about me. Blake was a great coach for me because he himself has made an art out of not caring what other people think and just getting up on stage and having a blast. He instilled that in me as well. Once I got that concept in my head, performing was a lot more enjoyable for me, both on the show and since.
CN: Growing up in the 90s, you were inspired by some of country music’s greatest female artists. Which Ladies of Country have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
HT: That’s a long list! The very first CD I ever owned was Jamie O’Neal’s, so she was a big one for me. But really, all of them have had a huge impact on me – Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Deana Carter, Jo Dee Messina, Terri Clark, and the list goes on and on. They were all so strong and beautiful and had the whole package: great songs, great stage presences, great bands, etc. They made me believe I could one day maybe live out my own country music dream just like them.
CN: After years of idolizing these amazing women, what is it like to carry the torch as a female country artist today?
HT: It’s a huge blessing that I don’t take for granted. My music often connects with the family crowd, and it’s always sweet for me to see those young girls in the crowd and think, that was me once, and I just pray I’m representing country music as a female in the best way possible to inspire them.
CN: As any country music fan knows, female artists have a much harder time getting rightfully noticed in the industry. Being from Texas, is the climate within Texas Country different or the same?
This is a tough question because I never want to offend anyone, but I also want to be honest. I would say in some ways it’s different, and some ways, it’s the same. Women in Texas absolutely still have a hard time being played on certain stations, getting fair opportunities from certain venues and festival lineups, and we face obstacles on a daily basis. However, I do believe the red dirt country music industry offers a lot of very supportive people as well, and there are way more opportunities in Texas to be successful and well-rounded as an independent artist – male or female. That’s one of the reasons I’ve chosen to stay in Texas rather than move to Nashville – that, and wanting to stay true to country.
CN: Recently you released “Rose In The Red Dirt’ to country radio, and we are proud to premiere it here on The Country Note! The song is very personal as it reflects over losses you overcame during 2019, but was able to come through to face the sun like a rose growing in Texas’ red dirt. The lyrics and analogy are incredible. Can you share how events that were going on in your life led to this song?
HT: For the most part in music and my life, I’m an optimistic, glass-half-full type of person. I like to be positive and make positive music because I believe that life is just too dang short and too dark sometimes, and music should lift us up. That being said, I also want to be real, and life isn’t always sunshine and roses (pun intended). One day, I got in a writing room with my buddies Adam Wheeler and Lee Black, and I was having one of those days of discouragement as to where my career currently was. I had some big opportunities fall through, had some shows cancel or reschedule, and my radio single at the time was slow growing. I talked to the guys about it and told them about this title I had, “Rose In The Red Dirt” and how I wanted to use that idea to write a song that connected to this image and the messages of perseverance, determination, and dedication to my passion and calling in life for music. Beautiful things can grow out of very harsh, difficult circumstances, but you won’t ever find out til you’re on the other side of it.
Listen to the “Rose In The Red Dirt” premiere here:
CN: What was the songwriting process like? Did the lyrics come easily or was it difficult to write?
HT: This one took us a normal amount of time to complete – about 3 hours. The main thought was there, but we definitely took our time with each line to make sure it was right and personal to me, but could also connect and relate with listeners.
CN: With everything being put on hold for the past year+, did you find yourself writing more or less during the pandemic?
HT: I definitely wrote more! I wrote a lot with Scott Sean White and Helene Cronin, two incredible artist/writers in the Dallas area. If you go look them and their music up, you won’t be disappointed.
CN: In what ways were you able to adapt to the lack of live shows?
HT: I did a lot of Facebook live videos, radio page takeovers, Instagram lives, etc. at first, and continued to do them sporadically throughout the year. Other than that, I was able to use this time to further my creativity with writing, and that was a big blessing. Obviously though, I had to find other ways to make a living, and God always provided faithfully during this time for me.
CN: Will there be a music video to accompany “Rose in the Red Dirt” in the works?
HT: I’m not sure about that yet, but I sure hope so! Videos are so much fun, and it’s been awhile since I’ve done one, so it might be time!
CN: If you could collaborate with any one artist, who would it be?
HT: Cody Johnson, hands-down. And I’m not just saying that because he’s one of the most popular Texas artists – I was a Cody superfan from his very first Black and White Label album and have always been incredibly awed by his vocal, stage, and writing prowess. In particular, his vocals are just always spot-on, and of all my biggest inspirations, the artists that are true SINGERS are by far my favorites. He is one.
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
HT: I’m not sure if it was my first ever, but the first one I remember was a show by The Kinleys, a twin sister duo who was very popular in the 90’s but only had a couple albums released.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
HT: Goofy! At least that’s the best word to describe my personality. Both my mom and dad are goofy too, so I didn’t stand a chance. But I suppose, if I could pick a word for how I hope others might see me, I’d choose humble. I strive to always stay humble, no matter what great opportunities may come my way. I don’t ever want to have a big head or think I’m above anyone or anything, so I try to stay grounded and grateful.
CN: What’s next on the horizon for you? New album perhaps?
HT: Yes! I am in the process of working on new music; I’m going into the studio mid-July to record some of the music I’ve written over the last year, and it will be a part of a new album hopefully to release in the spring of 2022.
I’m also working on getting my tail back out on the road! Pre-COVID, I was keeping very busy with live shows, both acoustic and full band, and I very much want to get back to that. There’s something special about interacting with a live audience, big or small, and it truly feeds my soul and makes me happy.
For more information on Holly Tucker, visit her website at www.hollytucker.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.