Ever since she was a little girl, Holly Marie carefully studied the lyrics of all of her favorite songs, in addition to learning the names of those who were writing these amazing tunes. When CDs entered the picture, she would immediately go to the insert of the album and look to see if it included the lyrics and the writer's names. It was clear that she was affected early on, not just by the music or the typical essence that draws people to music, but rather something deeper. She penned her first tune as a tribute to her Grandmother when she was 16 after her mother encouraged her that she thought her to be more than just simply a poet. From then on, songs came to Holly non-stop. To date, she has easily written over 1,000 songs. At times, she used to write 3-4 a day.
In 2008, she received her first cut when she, singer/songwriter Holly Bakehorn & professional musician Joel Van Tassel co-wrote "Yellow Ribbon Prayers" as the title cut of Bakehorn's new album. This album and or song can be previewed and purchased by going to: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/yellow-ribbon-prayers/id301362852 and http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hollybakehorn And though Tong's myspace is outdated and rarely used, you can hear a full length version by going to www.myspace.com/hollymarietong As aforementioned on Holly Marie's "About" tab, this tune has received radio play and favorable ratings. It has traveled the world as it has been a frequent topic and song of suggestion in Military spousal support forums online and became popular with a particular unit in Afghanistan.
Holly Marie has been described lyrically as a "Female Brad Paisley" as she especially enjoys writing quirky, light hearted, fun tunes with a touch of catchy humor. She is known to think outside the typical songwriting box and you just never know what she's going to come up with next. She has been called a prolific writer and told that her material is fresh and new. Likewise, it has also been said that she has a unique ability to write an impressive variety of songs that differ greatly from one another. This respectable music industry professional told her that today while most songwriters seem to have a certain style of music that causes you to know pretty quickly that they are the writer, her tunes catch you off guard and surprise you each time. She can go from deep and heartfelt with "Yellow Ribbon Prayers" to downright sassy, edgy, or quirky and silly on her next song.
She claims her challenging journey and her struggles are what makes her songwriting style what it is. Her lyrics are honest and true to real life. From the farm she grew up on, the God fearing family she was raised in, the times she got her heart broken or broke someone else's the joys she's experienced, the victories she's celebrated, the hardships she's endured, the long nights she spent working to make ends meet, and the countless times she has struggled to find her place, you can hear every bit of it in her writing. Maybe it's the cowgirl in her, but she has been known to laugh at her breakups and in the face of adversity. Don't get her wrong, she writes the occassional heart-wrenching tune, but probably a good 80% of the time, it is just the opposite. After all, "laughter" is the best medicine, isn't it? She is currently in the process of rerecording her demos and is looking forward to having them pitched on Music Row, and is hopeful she will soon get that first major cut!
Some of her current favorite co-writers include Katie Hahn, Paul Jolley (American Idol Season 12 Top 9), Brian Desveaux (Nine Days), and Rodney Griffin (Matt Mason's guitarist).
Most recently, she is excited to announce that she is now being represented by Perfect Pitch Nashville for her songwriting. www.perfectpitchnashville.com Perfect Pitch Nashville is headed by Joe Hunter (who has had a successful career both as a songwriter and as a representative for several of Nashville's hit writers), alongside Wes Mayers who has secured major record deals in addition to having developed and managed the careers of Rodney Atkins and Craig Morgan. Wes serves as the president of Redline Entertainment. Joining Joe and Wes is songwriter Robert Mycko who has gained national attention as a songwriter. Holly is very excited to be a part of the Perfect Pitch family, and to see where this direction takes her.
In April 2016, a portion of Holly's original co-written song "Something about the fall" was featured on an episode of the Food Network's "Mystery Diners." Co-writer Katie Hahn (a contestant on the show) performed it for national TV.
"Holly Marie Tong is an outside the box, commercial songwriter." -Joe Hunter (Perfect Pitch Nashville)
In 2008, she received her first cut when she, singer/songwriter Holly Bakehorn & professional musician Joel Van Tassel co-wrote "Yellow Ribbon Prayers" as the title cut of Bakehorn's new album. This album and or song can be previewed and purchased by going to: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/yellow-ribbon-prayers/id301362852 and http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hollybakehorn And though Tong's myspace is outdated and rarely used, you can hear a full length version by going to www.myspace.com/hollymarietong As aforementioned on Holly Marie's "About" tab, this tune has received radio play and favorable ratings. It has traveled the world as it has been a frequent topic and song of suggestion in Military spousal support forums online and became popular with a particular unit in Afghanistan.
Holly Marie has been described lyrically as a "Female Brad Paisley" as she especially enjoys writing quirky, light hearted, fun tunes with a touch of catchy humor. She is known to think outside the typical songwriting box and you just never know what she's going to come up with next. She has been called a prolific writer and told that her material is fresh and new. Likewise, it has also been said that she has a unique ability to write an impressive variety of songs that differ greatly from one another. This respectable music industry professional told her that today while most songwriters seem to have a certain style of music that causes you to know pretty quickly that they are the writer, her tunes catch you off guard and surprise you each time. She can go from deep and heartfelt with "Yellow Ribbon Prayers" to downright sassy, edgy, or quirky and silly on her next song.
She claims her challenging journey and her struggles are what makes her songwriting style what it is. Her lyrics are honest and true to real life. From the farm she grew up on, the God fearing family she was raised in, the times she got her heart broken or broke someone else's the joys she's experienced, the victories she's celebrated, the hardships she's endured, the long nights she spent working to make ends meet, and the countless times she has struggled to find her place, you can hear every bit of it in her writing. Maybe it's the cowgirl in her, but she has been known to laugh at her breakups and in the face of adversity. Don't get her wrong, she writes the occassional heart-wrenching tune, but probably a good 80% of the time, it is just the opposite. After all, "laughter" is the best medicine, isn't it? She is currently in the process of rerecording her demos and is looking forward to having them pitched on Music Row, and is hopeful she will soon get that first major cut!
Some of her current favorite co-writers include Katie Hahn, Paul Jolley (American Idol Season 12 Top 9), Brian Desveaux (Nine Days), and Rodney Griffin (Matt Mason's guitarist).
Most recently, she is excited to announce that she is now being represented by Perfect Pitch Nashville for her songwriting. www.perfectpitchnashville.com Perfect Pitch Nashville is headed by Joe Hunter (who has had a successful career both as a songwriter and as a representative for several of Nashville's hit writers), alongside Wes Mayers who has secured major record deals in addition to having developed and managed the careers of Rodney Atkins and Craig Morgan. Wes serves as the president of Redline Entertainment. Joining Joe and Wes is songwriter Robert Mycko who has gained national attention as a songwriter. Holly is very excited to be a part of the Perfect Pitch family, and to see where this direction takes her.
In April 2016, a portion of Holly's original co-written song "Something about the fall" was featured on an episode of the Food Network's "Mystery Diners." Co-writer Katie Hahn (a contestant on the show) performed it for national TV.
"Holly Marie Tong is an outside the box, commercial songwriter." -Joe Hunter (Perfect Pitch Nashville)