A prolific Americana singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, Floramay Holliday is a six-foot blond who deftly blends old school country with a modern alternative style. Over the past 25 years, she has gained critical acclaim, recording and performing with legends such as Guy Clark, Ray Benson, and Willie Nelson. Her first album was recommended for nomination in the 42nd Grammy Awards, and she is currently recording a 5th record, with the New Bohemians as her backing band. Look out for the new music video, “Hearts Have Wings”, and an album tour.
We recently caught up with Floramay to find out more about her and what she has going on right now…
Bridge: Tell us about how you got started in music…
F: There was always music in our home growing up, and I began writing poetry and composing songs on piano at a young age. The oldest of 5 children, we had a family band, the Roseneath Ramblers, and grew up on classic and outlaw country, which greatly influenced my songwriting. At 15, while away at boarding school, I began to learn guitar, and the poetry turned into songs. I played shows in my hometown of Florence, South Carolina, earning “Best Local Performer” several years in a row, before moving to Austin, Texas to pursue my dream as a singer-songwriter.
Bridge: How would you describe your sound to a first-time listener?
F: My music is an eclectic blend of old-school genres with a modern alternative style. It is Americana Country-Folk-Rock-Bluegrass-Blues with a heart, that rocks as much as it rolls.
Bridge: Is there a particular genre that inspires you more than others?
F: Thanks to my father, I grew up listening to great country music, with everything from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, The Outlaws and Guy Clark. My later obsession with Joni Mitchell, and all-time favorite rock band, Free, inspired my songwriting. I’m drawn to music with a message and appreciate well-crafted lyrics.
Bridge: What projects are you currently working on?
F: I’m currently in the studio working on my 5th album. In March of 2020, I had planned to record at Chill House Studios in Boston. Due to Covid, I began working remotely with the Boston musicians, while also recording songs in Dallas with the New Bohemians. It makes for a fresh new sound that I’m excited to share when my album is released next Fall!
I’ve also been performing Livestream shows as a duo with my husband, Gabor Racz on harmonica. We played “Front Porch Thursdays” each week with a variety of originals and covers. I also founded the “Kessler Music Safari” in our neighborhood, where the audience walks the trail to visit local musicians playing shows on their own front porches. It has been a huge success and was created to keep live music going during the pandemic, as well as to bring people together in a positive way.
Bridge: If you could only point a listener to one of your songs, which would it be?
F: The song, “As Long As You Can”, is a good example of my music and intentions as a songwriter.
“Do all the good you can,
in all the ways you can,
as long as you can”.
Bridge: What’s next for you?
F: I’m releasing a music video in the Fall for my new song, “Hearts Have Wings”, co-written with Will Holland and produced at Chill House Studios in Boston. A tour is being planned for the new album, and I look forward to getting back out on the road and playing music!
Bridge: Can we see you perform live anywhere?
F: March 12, I’ll be performing at a benefit for the McLeod Children’s Hospital in my hometown of Florence, SC, opening the show for the Nashville songwriter’s “Night in the Round”. In Dallas, I’ll be at Poor David’s Pub, April 17, and Lakeside DFW Friday, April 22.
Tour dates for the new album can be found on my website, http://www.floramay.com.
