Gerard Hollier

I'm a songwriter.I began in the tenth grade.It was raining and I was at a friends house . We didn't know any of the same songs so I just began to make one up about the rain .Then, we had a song in common and, started playing together.I still have the original copy of that song.It's "very tenth grade".I've written a lot of songs since then. I still have every one.It takes lots of practice.LOTS of practice.Honestly,it's all about editing.That's what it takes to make a good song better.

I grew up in South Louisiana. I grew up watching Cajun music on t.v. six days a week ,including Saturday afternoon, before the Lawrence Welk show.Mixed with a lot of country music ,rock and soul. My idols were Johnny Cash,Porter Waggoner,James Brown the Rolling Stones and every single one of my idols, idols.Not to mention any musician who had a t.v. show back in the 60's & 70's.Johnny Cash,Glen Campbell,The Wilburn Brothers,Ernest Tubb ,Porter Waggoner,the whole lot.I thought it was fascinating to see them perform .I learned so much from all the songs I heard.They would tell such wonderful stories.I was hooked on this thing called music. I would watch "American Bandstand " and "Hee Haw" on Saturdays and stay up for the "Late Show" to hear songs from all the great musicals with Bing Crosby ,Frank Sinatra,Gene Kelly,Danny Kaye,Dean Martin and even Robert Goulet .For me there was just something about Robert Goulet. Maybe the way he owned the songs he sung even though he didn't.. Ever since I can remember music has always been playing in my head.It never stops.I guess that's why making music never stops for me as well.

I have played in about 4 or 5 different bands over the years.As I began to take writing more seriously neither of these bands ,I found,were open to playing original music. I eventually moved on until I quit playing live music altogether.
Playing in church is my only live gig at the present time. I enjoy very much playing for other people .I don't enjoy late nites away from my family and I have a day job. If I had someone to do booking, and be able to play enough to make it financially worthwhile, I would begin playing live music again.

My goal is to be just a songwriter .That way I could stay home most of the time.But if either one were to happen I would be equally thrilled.

If I could have a career like Randy Newman I would consider my work well rewarded.Make records,tour a little and get to do movie soundtracks.I'd have to pinch myself every hour to make sure that all is real and not a dream.

Influences:Bob Dylan,Jackson Browne,Van Morrison,Russ Taff, Buck Owens,Elvis and pretty much everything prior to the 1960's as well.It all comes out of you eventually,just the way it goes in, a little at a time ,if you write long enough.

I think I have my own sound as well as a different perspective.I love "good music'' and especially a good song.My favorite song of all time is "Killing me Softly".I think it's one of the best written songs.