Hollie Olson
Hollie Olson is a multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter, actress, and author. Her musical journey began in a family steeped in musical talent. Her mother, Shirlee Olson, was a pianist and singer who performed on her own radio show, while her brother was a professional guitarist and vocalist from a young age. By the time she reached 18, Hollie was already fully immersed in the music industry, working as a professional keyboard player and lead singer. [1]
Contents
Music Career
Throughout her illustrious 30+ year career in the music business, Hollie Olson has performed extensively as a touring musician, playing upwards of 300 dates a year across various bands and acts. Her performances spanned 11 western states and Alaska, including prestigious venues such as Harrah’s and The Nugget in Nevada. From solo piano/vocal performances to larger ensemble acts, Hollie's versatility as a musician has been showcased in a wide array of musical styles, including Jazz, Blues, Adult Contemporary, and Rock.[2]
Apart from live performances, songwriting has been a cornerstone of Hollie's musical endeavors. She has released several albums featuring original compositions across different genres, available on major digital platforms such as iTunes and Spotify. Many of her songs have garnered radio airplay both domestically and internationally, with notable success stories such as her holiday song "Candy Canes and Snowflakes" reaching #3 on FM 89.5 in Australia in 2021.
Flimmaking
In addition to her career in music, Hollie Olson is also an accomplished writer and actress. She began her entertainment career as an actress, honing her skills through school plays and formal training at Clark College. Her acting career encompasses various roles, including lead and principal roles in feature films and award-winning short films.[3] Notably, she received the Best Actress nomination for her performance in the short film "James Vs Reality" at the Angeleno Film Festival in Hollywood.
Following acting Hollie wrote, directed, and edited a few short films that played in many festivals. She received a nomination for Best Drama for her film, The Grade, at the Angeleno Film Festival in L.A. CA.[4] Those smaller projects led to writing and directing her feature film Gabby's Wish which starred Adrienne King of Friday the 13th fame. The film went on to play at many festivals where she won an Award of Merit at The Accolade Film Competition and was the Audience Choice Favorite Winner at the 2013 Portland Oregon's Women's Film Festival. The movie streams on Amazon Prime.[5]
Writing
Alongside her acting endeavors, Hollie has delved into writing, penning her memoir titled "I'm Not a Groupie, I'm IN the Band! The Real Life Adventures of a Female Musician." The memoir offers a humorous and insightful look into her experiences as a working musician, navigating the ups and downs of the music industry.[6]
Activities
Hollie Olson continues to engage with her audience through her website and various digital platforms. Her website serves as a hub for her latest music releases, upcoming performances, and other creative projects. Additionally, she remains active in the local film community, combining her acting, filmmaking, and music passions.
Publication
“I'm Not a Groupie, I'm IN the Band! The Real Life Adventures of a Female Musician Encore Edition” is an entertaining part memoir - part commentary on what it’s like to eat, live, and breathe the world of a working cover band musician during the 80s and early 90s.[7] It is the true story of the decisions Hollie made, good and bad, while working in a crazy, unorthodox business.
I’m Not a Groupie, was written in a style that is Hollie’s voice and her personality; a dry wit, laughs at anything, sometimes talks like a truck driver, and views the world as an insane storm circling her. She speaks to each reader as her close friend as she shares personal adventures in life and a career that is unique to most.[8]
References
- ↑ About Hollie - Hollie Olson
- ↑ My Original Music - Hollie Olson
- ↑ Gabby's Wish Official Website
- ↑ Watch Gabby's Wish - Prime Video
- ↑ Gabby's Wish (2012) - IMDb
- ↑ Hollie Olson - Biography - IMDb
- ↑ Olson, Hollie Olson: Amazon Books
- ↑ I'm Not a Groupie - Hollie Olson
