Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 25, 1991 TAG: 9103230294
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"I really think a lot of doors are about to open for us," says Susie Hollandsworth, one of six siblings in the Lynchburg-based band.
Of course, they all say that.
But in this case, she may be right.
The Hollanders could become to country music what the Jackson Five were to Motown or the Osmonds once were to pop music:
A family phenomenon.
Already, a video of the band's first single, a cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "I Know A Little," has received strong rotation on both Country Music Television and the Nashville Network. It also was considered as a nominee for Video of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, but wasn't chosen as a finalist.
A second single and video, "You Can't Blame The Train," is now beginning to attract attention as well, and the group's first Nashville album, "Family Ties," has just been released on VCA Records.
In addition, the Hollanders were semi-finalists for the Star of Tomorrow award from Music City News, the country equivalent to the People's Choice Awards. Other semi-finalists included Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, the Kentucky Headhunters and Travis Tritt, among others.
Again, the Hollanders didn't make the final cut, but Susie Hollandsworth said it was an honor just to be mentioned in the same sentence with those artists. And who knows? There's always next year.
"I think there is so much ahead of us and I think it's going to seem like it's happening overnight," she said.
Which won't exactly be true.
The Hollanders started performing professionally more than 10 years ago and have been working steadily ever since. Last year alone, the group played more than 175 shows, mostly at fairs and conventions, appearing with Charlie Daniels, Sawyer Brown, Jerry Reed, Billy Joe Royal, Marie Osmond and others.
In recording "I Know A Little," the group approached Lynyrd Skynyrd alumni Billy Powell and Ed King to play on the record.
They seemed excited, Hol-landsworth said.
Then it was decided to keep the song down to a snappy three minutes. Powell's piano solo and King's guitar jam wouldn't be needed after all.
"I cried before I made the phone call to them," she said.
As band spokesperson, Hollandsworth, 27, designs the group's stage show and produces their videos. She also writes songs, sings and plays banjo, bass, guitar, saxophone and keyboards.
Her brother, David, 19, helps her with the stage show and choreography. He plays sax and fiddle.
Her other brother, Jeff, 30, is the principal songwriter and arranger. He can play any instrument.
Her sisters, Janet, 25, and Brenda, 22, handle fan club mail and other correspondence. Janet plays lead guitar, bass and keyboards. Brenda plays keyboards and trumpet. The sixth Hollander, Terri, 26, is the band's drummer and road manager.
Susie said it works out well that they all have different roles. She couldn't imagine it any other way.
"I think about a single artist and I wonder how they do it. It takes all of my time just to get my end done," she said.
Still, being on the road with all of your brothers and sisters can have its drawbacks as well.
"Most of the time it's civil, but whenever we go three or four days with no sleep, we get real cranky with each other. Then we know to back off," she said.
They have only had to lock David in the back of the bus on a few occasions, she added.
But a few days of rest and they're ready to go again. "At home we bounce off the walls if we don't have anything to do," she said.
None of the Hollanders are married.
Susie said they hear the natural comparisons to the Osmonds, and the Jacksons, even the Partridge Family, all the time.
It doesn't bother them, although she insists that a better comparison would be with the Mandrell Sisters.
A Hollanders concert is more like a variety show, she said. They throw in everything from Hank Williams Jr. and Glenn Miller to Lionel Richie and Bob Seger, plus standards like "Rocky Top" and "Amazing Grace."
Susie says she believes this versatility eventually will lead the group to bigger and better things. Within the next year, she sees the Hollanders getting much more television and radio exposure and becoming better known among Nashville insiders.
Beyond that?
"Whenever we get to where we're going, we want to have the biggest show in country music."
One thing Susie and her siblings don't lack is confidence. "I believe that if you believe you're going to make it, you'll make it. If you have any doubts, then you won't. We never think about not making it," she said.
Of course, they all say that.
"This is all we've ever dreamed of."
Keywords:
PROFILE
by CNB