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Current Work
Holly Near's concert work is a celebration of the old and the new; old favorites performed alongside inspiring new songs that are filled with strength, reassurance, and humor. Audience members say that Holly reminds them about the importance of their lives, and that whenever they are with her, they feel a sense of being welcomed home. She makes frequent appearances at concert halls, college campuses, and political events around the country.
Holly is also the author of an autobiography, Fire In The Rain: Singer In The Storm (currently out of print), and a children's book, The Great Peace March. Her papers are archived with the Schlesinger Library at Radcliff.
Near has also taught master classes in performance craft and song writing. As she says, "I'm old enough now to be an expert!" Although she says this largely in jest, she is correct. Not only a participant, Near has also been a cultural leader. Her music has played an important role in the political movements of the last 30 years.
The faculties of the colleges where Holly has taught have been unanimous in their praise. Her unique personal perspective makes the subject matter leap out of the books and into the room. |
Short Bio
Holly Near was born to parents from North Dakota and New York who were political activists, ranchers, and supporters of culture in the rural community of Ukiah, California. Holly moves comfortably in this blend of west coast sensibility and east coast sophistication.
Although she sang publicly from the time she was eight years old, Holly's professional career began with performances in such films and television shows as Slaughterhouse Five, Minnie and Moskowitz, All In The Family, The Mod Squad, and The Partridge Family. She also appeared in Hair on Broadway.
Eventually, however, music became her major focus, especially that music which articulated the social conditions of the world community.
Near started writing and singing songs. Her strength as a performer lead to creative collaborations with such artists as Ronnie Gilbert, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Mercedes Sosa, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Inti- Illimani, Bonnie Raitt, Cris Williamson, and Linda Tillery.
In 1972, Near was probably the first woman in the US to go "independent" when she founded Redwood Records which became a major force in alternative music for nearly 20 years. Redwood Records was dedicated to recording and promoting music by politically conscious artists from around the world. Near helped support the work of artists from Nicaragua, Chile, Australia, Canada, England, Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Viet Nam, El Salvador, Mexico, and the United States.
She was outspoken on such issues as gay and lesbian rights, a women's right to choose and domestic violence way before those subjects became acceptable conversation in the major media.
Near has released over 20 recordings and appeared as a guest on many others. Please visit www.hollynear.com for a complete discography.
Holly continues to write and sing political songs with grace, humor and the maturity that comes from doing this work for 30 years. Holly Near's integrity earns her the reputation as one of the most powerful and articulate political artists of our time.
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Honors
Holly has received numerous awards for her work for social change, including honors from the ACLU, the National Lawyers Guild, the National Organization for Women, NARAS, Ms. Magazine (Woman of the Year), and the Legends of Women's Music Award. |
Contact
Box 236
Ukiah, CA
95482
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Artist Location
Ukiah, CA
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Type of artist
Performer, Writer, Composer
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General Themes
Activism/Social Justice, Education, Feminism/Gender Issues |
Keywords
Singer, Producer, Actor |
| Last updated on May 26th, 2004 |
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