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Photo Credit: Jamie Harmon
There’s something about Tony Holiday that draws people together. In fact, community has been at the core of Holiday’s young career from the beginning. Since relocating from Salt Lake City to Memphis in 2017, Holiday has been at the center of a soul blues revival in Memphis, anchored by a contingent of young, savvy well-schooled musicians with a “family-like” attitude and a strong belief in one another. Mentored by past legends, Holiday and this loose Memphis collective are building on the city’s rich traditions and carrying them forward.
Today, The Big Takeover has the pleasure of premiering the video for “Get By.” “Get By” off Motel Mississippi (40 Below Records), is Holiday’s 2nd solo album, recorded about an hour outside Memphis in Coldwater, Mississippi, at Zebra Ranch, the studio of the late great Memphis legend Jim Dickinson (The Rolling Stones, Big Star). Combining the sounds of North Mississippi Hill Country, Delta Blues, and Memphis soul, Motel Mississippi is equal parts hypnotic blues, driving soul, and juke joint stomper. Motel Mississippi began as a collaborative effort, this time between Holiday, guitarist/songwriter A.J. Fullerton and guitarist/producer Dave Gross who shared production duties with Fullerton. Rich sonic layers provide a forward-thinking quality to these productions, conjuring up a vibe that’s modern and retro at the same time. Performing on “Get By” are Tony Holiday (vocals, harmonica), AJ Fullerton (rhythm guitar), Terrence Grayson (electric bass), Lee Williams (drums), Dave Gross (lead guitar, Hammond organ, percussion, background vocals), and Mikey Junior (background vocals.)
“Get By” reminds me how little we need to be happy” declared Tony, “The song spoke to me immediately when co-writer AJ Fullerton brought it to me.” Holiday continued, “John Paul Keith was the director and producer. He’s a Memphis hero to many local musicians here because he’s accomplished so much and allows young musicians up on his bandstand as guests.”
