Newsletter

Man, this summer has flown by and everyone seems to be excited about football heading our way. I hope you all got in some vacation/travel time. I am hoping for a vacation in September for myself. My busy schedule has kind of taken its toll on me this summer, but it’s nice to have all the shows. I could use some time to recharge, though.

I want to first say that I pray for all our military personnel and their families and our nation’s leaders. We are still losing soldiers in an effort to promote freedom and peace in the world. I am proud of the United States and grateful to live here. I also send out thoughts and prayers to a few friends who are suffering with cancer. Never forget how lucky you are just to not be sick everyday. I admire those who can cope with the daily pain and continue trying to survive. My prayers go out to best friends Bill and Polly who have a family member in the hospital with newly diagnosed cancer. Love ya’ll.

I have a nice schedule set up for August, and it’s a little lighter than the last few months. No great changes in the lineup, though I will be at French Quarter Daiquiris for the first time in many years on Aug. 30. I’ll do the usual Sunday – Tuesday shows at Spanky’s, The Caterie, and Seafood Ya Ya. I have missed a couple of Mondays in July. But there has been a ton of talent on the Monday night stage to cover my ass. I’ll make one night appearances at The Station, The Vineyard, and Superior Grill, as well as a couple of stops at On the Half Shell. Along with that, I have some private parties that should be fun. I am working in some new band mates for those gigs – Chad Braud and Dan Bourgeouis. Hey, these guys play with J.D. Wallace. I saw them last week at the Vineyard and was blown away with how tight they play together on drums and bass. Also, I can’t recommend another local musician more this day than J.D. Wallace. Dave’s guitar playing is amazing - a cool combination of country, rock, and rockabilly that will definitely make you smile and be impressed. Find them at the Mellow Mushroom and all around BR.

Here’s a news item: As I said last month, I wanted to have a small, acoustic CD release party in New Orleans to coincide with a review in OffBeat Magazine. I have done all I can to make that all happen in September. This little gathering will be at The Kingpin, 1307 Lyons St., New Orleans – 504 891 2373. The date is Sunday, Sept. 7 at 9pm. You can find it right near the corner of Prytania and Lyons, by driving uptown on Prytania. Take a left on Lyons and The Kingpin is on your left. I hope all my efforts to get my CD reviewed in OffBeat for the September issue will work out and be timed perfectly to advertise this event.

The Kingpin is a very small bar owned by a friend of mine. I chose that location for a few reasons: I am not trying to duplicate the wonderful turnout for my Baton Rouge release nor do I expect the same folks to come out again; I knew my friend, Steve Watson, would let me have this little party at his bar with no questions asked; I wanted to allow some folks in another large market to be exposed to my original music; I haven’t been able to get a BR publication to review my CD; and I dig the Kingpin! So, I’m gonna have Matt Doran on keys and Jeff Hood on percussion play along with me, on acoustic, and basically have a small party that night. If you can come, I think it will be fun, but expect to rub against folks in this “intimate” atmosphere!

After this event, I will try to let this first CD stand on it’s own (though I will still try to get some local airplay and reviews) and try to move along to my next projects. These include The Kirk Holder Band, wherein I will be playing more band shows and change my set lists. I also am scheduled to record some vocals on a project, with Chad and Dan producing. Chad and Dan want to create a band, featuring the rhythm section as the focal point, and I will try to join in on some of those gigs. I have such a desire to play songs that others aren’t playing or try something just slightly different, though I am very happy to please any audience. I just want to grow as a performer and player. I hope I can start writing songs again soon, too. Thanks for being the driving force in my business of music. Without folks expecting me to entertain and produce music, I would not want to try as hard. I hope I never let ya’ll down.

Rhett Anthony is now in the studio with Hip Boot Joe and they will have a CD out soon! Man, we had a great time seeing them on the Louisiana Music Cavalcade at the House of Blues. As the house band of the night, they were the most popular act (they had a bus full of Gonzales/Prairieville supporters cheering and chanting for them). Also, Chris LeBlanc’s double CD will be out soon – a studio disc and a live disc! I know the Cam Pyle Band is recording, and hope they will have something out soon.
I loved the Bob Hope specials on TV when I was a kid. It was like the most exciting thing coming on TV all year! You had to see it! It’s amazing what celebrities can mean in ones’ life, since you really don’t know them, but he meant a lot to me. He seemed so incredibly likeable, ya know? I think the whole world saw him that way and he gave a lot back to the world with all he did for our fighting troops. 100 years! Thanks for the memories….

Football: LSU should easily finish 2nd in the SEC West. If the team is as good as the talent, they can possibly beat Auburn and win the west, facing Tennessee or Georgia in the SEC Championship. However, the quarterback situation is still an unproven commodity, in my opinion. As long as someone can get the ball to Michael Clayton, things will be great! I have Saints season tickets again, and am always hopeful, but it’s mostly for fun. The Saints have a world of offensive firepower, but a defense that has been susceptible to holes. Aaron Brooks shows no leadership, but has a cannon arm and incredible receivers. The Saints will lose to Atlanta and Tampa Bay this year. They haven’t proven to me that they won’t have a second half of the season meltdown. I don’t know what’s wrong in that locker room, but it has infected and ended the season early for two years. Michael Lewis remains the Saints only true exciting and consistent performer – The BEER MAN RULES! He can break a game and rock the Dome! You know where I’ll be on Sunday mornings. Saints will be 8 and 8… maybe 9 and 7, struggling to get a wild card birth.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!
GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!!!

Love ya,

Kirk