December 25, 2024

Skylight Webzine

Online since 2000

Rockabilly Living Legend WS Holland Inks Distribution Deal


MDI Distribution jointly announced with WS Holland manager, Ron Haney, some of the most exciting historical news to come out of Tennessee in years. WS Holland is the drummer that recorded in those early years of Rockabilly with the likes of Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Mr. Holland was the only drummer Johnny Cash had in his band for his entire career. Through the joint efforts of Drum Cat Entertainment and MDI Distribution Mr. Holland will be releasing archival history that spans multiple generations dating back to the early days of Sun Records. This will be the first time these private films have been released.
Ron Haney, President of Drum Cat Entertainment and Mr. Holland’s personal friend for years, had this to say, “WS knew that the world of rockabilly would love these films and recordings but wanted to wait until the right time came along to release them. As soon as we both felt MDI’s passion for the project and their ability to deliver quality product we knew the time is now.”

Mr. Holland will release a Spoken Word CD titled “Life on the Road with Johnny Cash, The First 20 Years” in May 2015. This will have great stories as only WS can tell them of what it really was like to be there. It will also be released as an eBook and Distributed by Gatekeeper Press, a new division between MDI and Gatekeeper Press.

Subsequent releases featuring WS will include two full-length, never before released studio collaborations with the Tennessee 3 consisting of Holland, Dave Roe, bass and Cash guitarist, Bob Wootton. These releases represent the final studio projects completed by the world famous Tennessee 3.

On December 4, 2015 in time for Christmas will be a Deluxe Box Set celebrating the 60 Year Anniversary of the Million Dollar Quartet Recordings, titled “Million Dollar Memories”. The Box set will be a Deluxe Limited numbered Edition and will include never before seen home and on the road film footage, Photographs, Vinyl, a Book, Posters, and a few extra surprises.

WS Holland’s contribution to American popular music has been recognized by several respected drummers as being a major influence in their careers, including Ringo Starr of The Beatles.

In 2014 he was presented with the Ameripolitan Music Association’s “Founder of the Sound Award” is an inductee of both the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame as well as The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences for his work on iconic American recordings that include “Ring of Fire” with Johnny Cash and “Blue Suede Shoes” with Carl Perkins.

In 2008 the State of Tennessee Legislature presented WS Holland with a special joint resolution commendation for his contributions to the world of music.

Source: http://www.wsflukeholland.com