We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Layonne Holmes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Layonne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

As much as I always loved to sing, I didn’t pursue it until I was college-age when my Mom started taking me on recording sessions with her. My Mom Delores Holmes was a pro singer while I was growing up, having been a backup singer for the Bruce Springsteen Band. My first recording session was accompanying her to record for E Street organist Danny Federici at his home. I do remember that very personal studio vibe that feels different at every studio, staring at all the things on the walls and shelves, learning how to stand in front of the mic and wear the headphones. I was blessed to have the comfort of singing with her, we knew each other’s voices well. At the end of the session he wrote me a check and Mom said, “Congratulations, you’re a pro now”. Hopefully I did well that day, I’ll always remember it for sure.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Music has always been a part of our family and lives and I can’t imagine it any other way, My Mother, Delores Holmes, was a pro singer, including having been a backing singer with The Bruce Springsteen Band. Growing up I went with her to many rehearsals and performances of all the bands and projects she was involved with, different types of music, venues, people.

It wasn’t until college years that I took more interest in singing, but gradually gaining more experience with original and cover bands led me years later to recording sessions and live performances with various artists and groups, my own projects – previously The New Standard Jazz Quintet and currently The Motor City Revue Motown Tribute, and volunteering with great causes..

My first time singing backup was with the band Backwoods and then later the drummer invited me to join Love Among Freaks (of “Clerks” movie fame). Several bands later and during that time I began volunteering for the non-profit Holiday Express, a group that brings music, supplies, financial support and goodwill to those in need. In 2001, My Mom and I invited to back Bruce Springsteen on the internationally-televised “9/11 Tribute to Heroes” telethon, definitely a special moment in time.

Through performing at several shows produced by Bob Bandiera, then-touring member of Bon Jovi, I was invited to join Jon Bon Jovi’s solo project, Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia, where we toured for several years. Currently I occasionally sing backup for Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer Darlene Love, and have been blessed to sing with luminaries such as Phoebe Snow, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King, Leslie Gore, and more.

My appreciation of what we are able to do in bringing music to people has only grown, The need for all things creative just feels so great right now, I hope to continue bringing that forward through working on other people’s projects as well as my own.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is feeling connected to others through something natural. Knowing that what I have to offer the world is what I was born with that is unique to me and my job to give. Knowing that what you have can only add, can not take away from anyone else and no one can take away from you. Having a refuge in music and hopefully making someone else feel good sometimes too.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Arts Education was such a wonderful part of my education. I feel we as a society are doing our children a disservice by not making sure all children have access to arts education, known to help in so many other areas of their growth. Access and appreciation of the arts at early age would transfer over to the way the arts are funded and supported later.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.layonne.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/layonnesings
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LayonneHolmes
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layonne-holmes-96884a244/

Image Credits

John Cavanaugh, John Posada, Gary Goveia, Scott Longfield