The Musical Evolution Of Rock Guitarist Adam Holland (Motivational Speech)

Reginald D interviews Adam Holland, a seasoned musician, (a guitarist, songwriter, and producer).

Reginald D dives into Adam's 41-year musical journey. discussing when Adam founded   the classic rock bands Valentine and Open Skyz.  Adam is currently the guitarist for the Steve Augeri Band and has a solo record out called "Rapture."

Adam shares insights into his upbringing on Long Island, his early influences like Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen, and his passion for rock and roll music. Adam also shares memorable moments from his career like opening up for KISS when he was playing with Open Skyz.

You can follow Adam's musical journey on his website, social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, and streaming services like Spotify. His new album "Rapture" and past works with bands like Valentine and Open Skies are available for fans to enjoy.

Adam's Links:

Adam Holland's website- Adam Holland - Home / About (adamhollandmusic.com)

Adam's Instagram - Adam Holland (@adamhollandofficial) • Instagram photos and videos

Adam's YouTube Channel:  (157) Adam Holland Music - YouTube

Adam Holland Tour Dates:  Adam Holland - Shows (adamhollandmusic.com)

Transcript

Welcome to Real Talk with Reginald D. I'm your host, Reginald D. On today's episode, I have Adam Holland, a lyricist, songwriter, and producer. He also founded the 80s group Valentine, the 90s group Open Skies, and is currently the guitarist for the Steve Augerey Band. 

SPEAKER_01
00:00 - 00:19

Augerey. Augerey Band. It's okay. His name gets butchered. I know, man. He's a J. Trust me. It's okay. All good. I appreciate that. 

SPEAKER_00
00:19 - 00:27

He was a former Journey lead vocalist. Correct. So Adam, man, welcome to the show. I'm so glad you took the time out of your busy schedule to hang out with me for a minute. It's truly, indeed, an honor. Thank you. 

SPEAKER_01
00:27 - 00:39

And same to you, man. Right back to you. So thank you. Thank you. 

SPEAKER_00
00:39 - 00:44

So Adam, can you tell us about Adam Holland? Where did you grow up? 

SPEAKER_01
00:44 - 00:48

I grew up on Long Island. You might hear the accent, Long Island, New York. It was a great place to grow up. I grew up in a place called The Five Towns, which was on the, I guess, the eastern part of Long Island, kind of in Nassau County, close to New York City. But because there were these five towns, there were multiple high schools and middle schools, so it was kind of cool. They really should have had one big school, but whatever, they had all these different schools. So I had friends in various different places. good place to grow up. And then it was also, as I got older, it was a great music scene in my high school years. And right after that, it was a very, very active club circuit. I was just at the drinking age, I was just like right at it, where I would be able to get into the places that you know, as opposed to like, it kept moving, I was just at the right spot. So let me play in the clubs and bars when I was, you know, still 18 1920. Wow. So

Adam, what initially drew you to the guitar, and where did you start playing?

Well, my sister, who's a couple years older than me, so late 70s, she would be blasting the records of that time, the Boston, Farner, Foghat, Elton John, Peter Frampton, I mean, all that late 70s pop, rock, and I was just bombarded with it. So that was on the radio, it was everywhere you went, AM radio, that kind of music was there. And she played guitar, and she had a guitar, and there was a friend who taught her. So of course I wanted to play it. I was a little kid wanting to do what the older kid wanted to do. But then I heard a song by the group called Orleans. It's called Still the One. It's a really cool guitar solo. And that's what really triggered me to want to ask my mom if I could take lessons too. I took the guitar from my sister, and then we never looked back. So, you know, I leaped ahead. I took to it pretty easily. And I was 11 years old, and those bands and that sound, that era, is what really drew me into music, into playing guitar. It was that guitar-oriented music.

Yeah, that was a great era, too. It was.

Amazing. Those records still sound great today, too. I mean, Steve Miller. What else? Boston. I mean, all those killer records, you know.

Absolutely, absolutely. So you took guitar lessons. Now, I'm thinking now, once you get in a band, do you play by ear? How does that work?

Both. I studied a lot of ear training. I was able to pick up good ears and learn stuff from records and stuff. But then I started to take a lot of lessons. My parents were like, if you're going to do this, let's do it. So I studied classical. I did all the things. There was some pretty good little music schools locally, and I stayed local for college, but I became a music major, so I went heavily into the classical learning. But having said that, a year into that, I'm like, wow, this is amazing. I'm enjoying the crap out of this. However, it's not going to get me far being in a rock and roll band. You know, this is really training for an orchestra, where rock and roll is a little more organic. It's a little more gut-driven, a little more emotion-driven, a little more street as, you know, like three chords in a dream. Talent doesn't get you to be a pop star. It does, but you know what I'm saying? Just because you're a virtuoso doesn't make you necessarily a great pop star. It's a combination of naivety, foolishness, bravado, youth, and some talent. So it's a combination of stuff. It's the big mixture. Who knows what that perfect mixture is? So I did study, but I then later on stopped and dove into the rock and roll.

Okay. We have a little in common. My family members are going to probably get me on this because I do play guitar a little bit by ear. Oh, nice. And I was taught, my cousin, my whole family plays by ear, man. Keyboard, guitar, drums, whatever. We grew up in a church and things like that, and I didn't pursue it. My cousin was teaching me. I was playing with him in a bedroom at my grandparents' house. Right. But I never went for it because I said, hey, man, I don't want to be stuck in a church playing the guitar on a Sunday. I understand.

It's a big leap, being a musician, deciding to do that for a career. It's a big leap.

Right. So that's why I am a motivational speaker. That is my gift, and that's what I do. But they probably listen to this like, man, I didn't know you did this.

And so I've got to carry it. I bet you could still play if you wanted. Do you still play?

Not really, but I could pick up. If I pick it up, I can go with it.

Right. So for pop and rock, the ear is more important than knowing the the theory, you need to know it, but some of the best musicians don't have any idea what they're playing. They know what it sounds like and what it feels like. And that to me is what makes a rock and roller pop artist. I'm not saying you shouldn't be trained. I'm not putting that down in any way, shape or form. I'm just saying that the, the ear is really the most important and the gut.

Right. Exactly. Cause a lot of people. They ask me, they say, man, where do you know that from? Because I listen to a lot of music. I just love music, all types of music. And I hear a sound of the band or who's playing. I'll say, this is such and such. This is produced. It's a sound. The sounds, when they're authentic, when they've got an authentic way of doing it, you can hear that sound and you know exactly who it is playing in the background, no matter what. So Adam, can you tell us about the moment you realized you found your passion being a musician?

It's a great question. I'm sorry, cut you off. There's more to the question. I was stepping over you.

No, that's fine. And then, you know, I just want to know how solidified, you know, your passion and plan to get to.

Well, that's a great question. So no question in high school, I played hockey as well. I was decent at that. And then but somehow music is like, here's the good news. I never did drugs. I'm not a drinker. I don't have any that stuff. However, I was addicted. I still am. I say it's my drug music. Somehow I can't get enough of it. I just, I'm drawn to the the equipment, the music, the camaraderie of a band. And I think when you're a songwriter, like anybody who either paints or writes, like I don't write songs because I'm like, oh my God, I have to write a song. I write songs because they somehow get in my head and I enjoy putting them out. So once I started to realize I could write songs, like later in high school, And I think that was the time I'm like, you know, I guess probably 10th, 11th, probably 11th grade. I'm really like, wow, this is something I have no other choice, but I'm going to do this. I'm going to devote my life to being a career musician or be in the music industry some way, shape, or form. I want to do it. And I remember at some point saying to myself, like somebody makes records, human beings, they're professional athletes. They're just human beings. Like, why can't I do it? I felt like someone's got to make a record because record companies need to sell records. I mean, somebody does it. So somehow I'm going to figure it out. So that was like my mission.

Wow. Determination, man, is what it takes. And believe in yourself. I always tell people all the time.

Yeah, definitely. You have to have sort of an abandoned, like, not confidence, but like, you got to go for it. If you're going to do it, the arts. You can't listen to the naysayers because everyone will tell you, you know, be safe and which they're not wrong, but you have to have a voice that doesn't let you do anything else. That's it.

Something inside, and I had that. Yeah, you gotta have the gut and the grind. Yes. All said and done. So when you were younger, did you ever go to any concerts and any musicians you ever looked up to?

Did I? Oh my God, yes. I mean, same thing, late 70s, early 80s. It was so easy to go. Concert tickets weren't that crazy expensive. I'm not sure even how I bought them, maybe like at a local ticket master. I don't even remember. But we would go and either I would take a train, you know, like into New York City, which was very easy. This train was near my house, took me right to Madison Square Garden. So it was pretty easy. Or there's another place called the NASA Coliseum where like six guys, we'd chip in and get a taxi. So it wasn't like crazy to get to a major concert. So Styx, Boston, Ted Nugent, Van Halen, Elton John, Electric Light Orchestra, whoever came, we'd get crappy tickets, but who cares? We'd chip in and we'd all go. So you would go see a lot of concerts. It wasn't like a crazy financial event like it is today. You were able to see a lot of shows. So that was a great period. And also being in the area where I lived, there were two big venues and then as I got older you could get into Manhattan on the train and go to the place called the Palladium where all these different rock and roll bands would play and then like I said I was at the age where I started to sneak into some clubs you know but also I was getting to the point I was old enough to get into these clubs and I'd go see bands who were playing in clubs and so it was a great place to grow up and there was so much stuff around and I think that period of time that was just my god I feel like there was a concert I could have gone to every week and I think we did it was like something we all did all those kids it was really cool so that was really inspirational and when you go to an arena and you're like holy shit there's something about that feeling you're like that's it you know you you got the bug and there's no turning back so that was me

Yeah, it's one thing listening to it on the radio, but when you get into an arena where it's live, man, it's crazy.

It is, and I'm not a drug guy, but something about back in those days when everyone was smoking weed and cigarettes in the arena. And believe it or not, that crazy smell, there's something about the whole thing, the whole area of it. This is a rock and roll show. It was pretty cool. It was definitely of that time. I mean, now you can't even smoke anywhere, but I'm not condoning smoking. I'm just saying there was something about it. You smelled that cigarette and you smelled the pot. You're like, holy shit, this is a show. And a little kid, you're like, I was like, oh my God, what's happening here? Yeah. That was the culture back then. Yeah. Yeah. Just the way it was. So it was kind of cool.

So Adam, who were your earliest, I say, I guess, musical influences and how did they shape your style?

Well, so as a guitar player growing up in that time, first of all, I mean, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page was the first guy I was like, oh my God, you know, I would just like listen to the records a thousand times. He was the guy, my first real guitar person. The guy named Gary Moore, a blues guitar player, rock blues player. I loved him. And then in 78, 79, Eddie Van Halen came on and anybody who played guitar, I don't care what genre, that was it. People were like, holy crap. So he was like on one side of technical, like to this day, like nothing has been able to approach what he's done. But I also liked the less technical guys, like a guy named Angus Young from ACDC. Also, he's still hugely popular. that simplicity of his pop and rock songs like literally he was the opposite of Van Halen just really I mean three or four chords but like he's the opposite of like virtuoso simplicity but his guitar playing and his solos and the songs were just so hooky and And just pure rock and roll, really, you know, down and dirty, no frills. So I'd say those two really are probably some of my biggest influences. Then, of course, in the 80s, there were so many amazing, like ridiculous amount of guitar players. You couldn't not hear someone great. You know, then Steve Vai and Satriani and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I always liked the blues. I like the bluesy players. So I was a big fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Beck, that English, you know, bluesy style. And of course Clapton, I mean, the greats in my time of growing up, those are the guys, they're still the greats today, but those are the guys, you know, Clapton, Beck, Page.

Yeah, they are the heavy hitters.

They're the goats. And Beck passed, but they still are the goats. It's amazing how after all this time, like, What's crazy is classic rock is still classic rock. You know what I'm saying? There's tons of amazing music that has come and still coming. But those, like the foundation of rock, you know, those guys are still there. I mean, so those are the guys.

Absolutely. Absolutely. Now, Adam, you've been doing this for a minute, man. You're great at what you do. You know, I mean, you're your own authentic self. So what does music mean to you on a personal level? and what you hope to convey through your music?

That's a great question. So let's start with the second question. I hope to convey that my passion comes through to even if it's a few people and for the moment they listen to it or when they come see us play, just have a moment of joy when they can sort of stop and tune out CNN and Fox News, whatever else, you know what I'm saying, the media, you know what I'm saying, the world that's going around and get a few minutes of happiness. I always say when people come, we play a show, I know for an hour and a half, myself included, I'm thinking about that. I'm not thinking about politics, the world, the atmosphere, I'm thinking about that so that's what I want to convey and I can do that and music the same answer it does that for me I like to listen to all different types of music and it does that for me it lets you during like the day whatever you're doing you grind you get in your car you just it takes you either to a memory or you know a song could bring you back to like oh my god the place and time And what's cool about today's world of streaming, where every song on the planet is accessible to you, you get fed something you might not have heard. And I love when I find something that I have not heard, but it's like either Siri or Spotify suggests something to you because of what you listen to. And you're like, holy crap, what the hell is that? And then sometimes it's brand new. And sometimes it's an old song by an artist I never even knew. So I like that. The answer is joy. I like to get it, and I like to give it. That's the answer to both questions.

Absolutely. Using your gift to bring joy, man. That's what it's all about. I try. I try. I try. That's what it's all about. Now, what's the best part of being a musician besides the ladies?

Well, you know what? In my youthful days, that's, of course, the reason. But all seriousness, There's a lot of good parts. For me, speaking of ladies, all the wonderful people in my life, my children, my wife, friends. I mean, I've been playing with a lot of these guys for my whole life and music somehow has brought me all those wonderful things. What a wonderful thing. It has brought me and introduced me to people and places that I wouldn't have been. And then those situations led me to meet someone again, my wife, which then you have children. I mean, all these things and families. And so, man, that's probably the greatest for me. Also, in addition to that, which is there's no better. performing, like what a high. It is really like I said before, it's definitely like there's some type of addiction to it. I love it. I crave it. I look forward to the shows. I'm an old guy and I still have the same ridiculous giddiness that I had when I was, you know, 18. I look forward to it. I look forward to the travel part of it. I love the camaraderie of being, it's like a team being in a band. And when it's good, it's great. And I love getting to travel. I mean, holy crap. I'm a lucky guy. I've seen everywhere. I get to play everywhere and I'm so grateful. So there's a lot of just really good things. And also the last thing for me, I like also at the end of the day, even like last night, I'm like, Oh my God, what time is it? I have to go to sleep. But I'm like, you know, 10 minutes to just like playing even just nonsense, just to either get my hands a little warmed up or just to touch the guitar. It actually really calms me down. So I like to end my day with a couple of minutes of guitar. So those are all the greatest parts of it. It's wonderful. I'm telling you, I've been blessed. I try and convey my gratitude that I'm still doing this at this age and get to do it with people I love and travel this planet.

Yes, you truly are blessed. And the reason I said about the ladies, I'm going to tell you something.

That's true. As a young kid, you rock and roll band. That's true. I'm not saying it's not.

The reason I said it, I was talking to this lady. She was a mentor for like women and younger women, you know, early twenties or something like that. And she was speaking to them at this event and she said, Hey, Whatever you do, don't marry a musician in a band. He said, because they got too many women. I was like, what?

Listen, I'm sure that is true. There's a reason people say that, because I'm sure back in the day people did that. I don't know those people. I mean, I've been very fortunate. But listen, I've seen it go on, so I'm not going to say it doesn't, but it's not the area I'd choose to hang out in.

Right, exactly. So Adam, how do you find inspiration for new music or projects?

I like to collaborate with people. It's interesting when you listen to music. Actually, I heard a song today, a new song by the Black Keys. They're an older group. They put out a new song. I'm like, wow. They did like a repeating riff and the bass changed around it. I'm like, oh, that was cool. not that you're going to go do the exact thing, but you're like, wow, that it kind of made me go, I picked up the guitar. I'm like, oh my God, what did they do? So something like that. And I'm like, I want to write a song with that sort of vibe, like how they kept the notes, like what you two would do. I do that often. I think the edge will play like a repeating line and the music will just keep the same line, but things will travel around it. So that's one way. hearing something but somebody will say something and like I'm a lyricist as well as a musician so someone will say something or some on the news or something like holy crap that's a title. If you have a title that's when everything can fall into place. You can have 50 musical ideas but you need that strong lyrical idea and technology is so wonderful for musicians in this day and age. You can record on right where I'm sitting here there's a little home studio and I like to put on a groove like there's all these like sort of pre-packaged drum grooves you can buy and I like to put those out just kind of randomly put them on and sometimes those will inspire a song like there's a song on my new record it's called Tears Of and it starts out with this drum groove and I actually heard the groove and I like oh my god that triggered the whole song so something sonically something in the a word a title And then hearing other music, that's where I get my inspiration. And sometimes, once in a while, a riff just comes, you're playing it, you play a riff, you're like, oh, that was cool. And you record it, so.

Yeah, we have something coming on that, because someone asked the other day, they said, man, how did you come up with all this motivational stuff that you write about on your podcast? I said, I would just hear a word. Right. I hear like one word in a song. I could be walking through the grocery store. It's a song playing. I hear one word. Now I've got a whole motivational thing I'm talking about.

Right. Exactly right. Because I might hear the word and say, that's cool, but you can take that and embellish it and write your piece on it. So it's the same exact thing. Something triggers you, then you could develop it.

Absolutely. So Adam, I'm asking you this. Sure. What are your go-to guitars, your pedals and other gear in your setup?

Oh, well, I'll talk about guitars all day. I like a Strat style guitar, Fender Strat. It's a little tricky question. So Fender Strat is like that shape. There's one right back there, right? Right. And there's a Les Paul shape. I like them both. So I like a Fender Strat shape, but with the specs of a Les Paul. I like a little shorter and I'm sponsored by a company called Landon. who makes them, like a boutique builder. So I like those kind of guitars. They're basically strats, just basically, you know, they call them parts casters, you know, custom strats, but it's a strat with like Les Paul type stuff, kind of what Eddie Van Halen did. They call them super strats. So, but I love the shape and feel of a stratocaster. That is my must thing. Again, Les Paul, when I'm home playing around, sitting around, I'll play them all. Telecasters, all different shapes, but when I'm playing live, I need a strat shape. And, um, For amps, I'm a traditional, you see behind me, I have some Marshall cabinets. I have some fenders too. I'm a traditional, I love the traditional amps, the Marshalls, the fenders. And I also love the modern day, there's a company called Friedman and Saldana, which make, they call them like modern day high gain amps, which are just phenomenal. And I'm also an artist with a company called Fractal Audio. They make digital effects and there's a new world of amp modeling. I'm not sure if you're familiar with that, but it's a digital replication. And for someone like myself who travels and I do, it's called fly dates where I fly in, I fly home. The digital versions of these amplifiers comes in a nice little package that you can bring with you. And is it the exact same thing as an amp? It's 99% there. So, but it has a convenience level that's a thousand. So those are my go-to things.

So, okay. Okay, well, hey, that's what a profession has, right?

I like guitars. I have a lot of guitars. I see something like, oh, I need that. They say, how many guitars do you need? And the answer is just one more.

So let me ask you this. Before you go on stage, what is your, I guess, prep, your ritual mentally? Because I have my own, a lot of motivational speakers like to be quiet, like to meditate. A lot of my stuff is within. I got headphones on, man. I'm jamming it out. I'm hyping it. That's my way. So how did you prepare mentally before?

That's a good question. Well, the good news is when we play like with the guys, my keyboard player, bass player, drummer, and Steve, the singer, he's off in his own room. He's doing a warm up. He's in a different room warming up with headphones. But the rest of us like to actually, it's not that we need to play the parts to like remember the parts. There's something about like we just jammed, we were kind of run through the set halfway really quick. Not a whole song, but like just make sure we touch on every song for about maybe a half hour, hour before. And then myself, at least a half hour before, I just do like random hand exercise to get my hands like super loose. And then I also like to, this is a little different, depends on what we're playing. I like to stand on the side of the stage at like 10 minutes to 15 minutes before I go on, just like with my guitar, like in the darkness or in the side, just like get in the zone. I don't know what it is. Guys are like, wait here. I'm like, I just need to be on the side. It's like a weird thing. And I just do some hand exercise. I don't care what it sounds like. I'm just moving my hands. I get in like a zone. I like to do that. That's my routine, so.

Yeah. That works for you. Yeah. Right. So that's all that matters.

Yeah. I can't just go right on. Some people can do it. Like I just, I need to, I need to, you know, I like to take a little, you know.

Exactly. Exactly. Now, what I'm impressed about, Adam, is that you've had an extensive career in music. I mean, a lot of people can't say that. You have been doing it, and you're still doing it. And I think it's a testament of the gift you have. I think it's the effort you put into it. And you manage moments. I feel like you manage moments.

No question about it. And that's a true statement. The older I get, I'm telling you, And the guys too, everyone who we play with, we've worked to get here. You're right. And we are so appreciative that we're still doing this. I mean, I'm telling you, I don't take that for granted. Not one single day. So how many years has it been with you? Professionally since 18. So I'm, you know, you do the math. I'm 59, so. Wow. I think most people, except for a few, Bon Jovi, Smashing Pumpkins, I mean like Def Leppard, who have sold gazillions, Journey, and are still doing it, you too. That's the real ultimate. A guy like myself, I have not sold millions of records, but I've had multiple record deals, I've had publishing deals, I've done everything. I guess what I'm saying is, you always wish, oh man, if I only had that hit song. Of course, as a creative person, you always want that. So that's here, but not to take away from that, but as a musician, the fact that I've sustained in this world and gone from the next and stayed in the game and at a professional level, I don't take that for granted. I'm like, man, you know, thank you for my little piece of the pie. What can I ask? You know, there's always someone better than you. There's always someone richer. There's always someone behind you, like at any stage of life, any profession. So there's always someone who's doing better than you. Right. And then there's guys who are not. The guys who aren't, you're like, holy shit, thank God. I try and keep the perspective of, like I said, I'm at my age. I've had a wonderful career. Everything I set out to do, I've done and I play music and with people who I like. Talk about incredible. We all like each other, which is, you know, that's a miracle. That's hard to do.

Exactly. But I'll tell you longevity. Here's the thing. All the years you've been doing this, you've been learning the business on the way. The more you learn, the better you are, the more you grow. And then the longevity, man. You can't take away longevity for nothing. Consistently doing something and consistently walking in your gift and your purpose and things like that. You can have some guy to have a hit and make millions of dollars or whatever, and then he goes away. I think longevity is the key.

Yeah I think like I said I thank you and I agree with that and like I said the older I get I'm like man I always wondered like when I was younger I'm like what what the hell will what will it be like when I'm older so the fact like I said I'm still rocking out man and it's just amazing you know and what's great we live in a great time where you can be creative Like, I just put out a solo record, but you can just put it out. I mean, it's not on a label, but you can promote it on social media. And the people who want to hear it will hear it on YouTube and come see. And then people will give you direct feedback and say, I like it. It's really a wonderful time to be creative because you make the money by going out and playing. So it promotes that. So it's a great time for creativity. You can record stuff in your house and put out a professional sounding record with Without having to go like spend studio time and you know, you have to spend some money, but my point is you can do it at a human cost and make a real product and put it out on Spotify and anybody who wants to hear it can hear it. That's an incredible thing.

Yeah. You could do a lot now then back in the seventies and eighties.

I mean, YouTube, what I mean, as crazy as it is, it's just an incredible, it's incredible. You're your own, like. TV show host and some click and I love watching YouTube. That's like the TV I watch now with my daughter. We like watch YouTube shows. And I'm like, you know what? I'm like, the people who are good are, they're good. It's like another kind of TV show. It's another way. It's good. So we live in a time where creativity can be expressed and get out there and people who will want to find it will. And that's pretty cool.

Absolutely. Yes, sir. So do you have any memorable onstage moments?

Yes, I have a lot. I'll give you a good one and a bad one. I'll make it short. So the funniest one, which is like, you know, the movie Spinal Tap. It's a great comedic spoof on a rock and roll band, like an 80s band. So we always say there's an expression, maximize your minimums, because something's always like, oh, shit, you get there. You're like, oh, man, you know, is it raining? I mean, there's something like, oh, yeah, yeah. There's always some comedic. You have to have a good sense of humor. Otherwise you freak out. So the first time I played in England. It was actually 2008. It wasn't that long ago. We played a festival and the band Valentine got invited to play this 80s festival. We were super excited. And I made sure I got the right voltage transformers, right? Because it's 220, 110. And it was a hectic get on stage, like hurry up. And it was a kind of hectic situation. It wasn't like chilled out. It was like, get on. You got to go. No sound check. Play. I'm like, holy crap. and i'm behind this like the amplifiers and the drummer is over here it's my mic he's over to my left so i'm like scrambling i'm like got the guitar i plug in the thing that my transformer i guess i didn't have the right transformer And literally, like a cartoon, I, you know, I went flying backwards. I look like, you know, like Wile E. Coyote. I'd like smoke around my head like a little, you know, whatever, Bugs Bunny. And the power went out in the whole building. And they were like, what the people like? you know, all these big, like, burly English guys, like, what the eff is, who the hell, I'm gonna kill, and I'm like, holy shit. And by the way, I was like, totally like, thrown, I was like, really startled, and like, what the hell, I'm like, am I okay? You know, I'm like, am I okay? I'm like, what just happened? It didn't knock me unconscious, but it definitely threw me, I hit the wall. And thank God, Mike saw it. So that was the bizarro, and then we shook it off, and the power came back up, thank God, it took a little, while to get the power back on, because I had to go play then. So that was like a silly moment. And there's been a bunch of other, you know, nonsensical, you get off on stage, like, holy shit, I forgot my guitar, the dress room, you know, you name it, silly stuff. Then that's a funny one. And then one of the best ones ever was the first time I ever played an arena your whole life, you're like, Oh, my God. And you go to see all these bands, like I told you in the 70s, like, 80s like you're in an arena watching these guys on stage like holy crap. So the first time I got to play an arena was in 90. three or four, we got the chance to open for Kiss, Open Skies at a festival in Chicago. And also no soundcheck, you know, we had been on the road for a month, so we had a very good road crew, just a little different. We had a full on professional operation, tour bus, the whole thing. But I remember going, Oh my God, no, no soundcheck. I'm just going to walk out and like, I pray to God that everything's okay. So really like a movie scene. I remember like you walk up the ramp onto the stage, you come from the big sort of arena hallways. And I remember going, like, I have no idea what it's going to sound like. I pray to God. And my guitar tech hands me my guitar. And I just walked out. And I just started playing. And you know what? It sounded like a stereo. It sounded incredible. And it was one of the greatest experiences that I remember. Like, we were like, Because we're all like, holy shit, this is happening. It was wild. It was really wild. There have been tons. With Steve, I've played many big places, but that was the first time I did a really big place like that.

Right, right. Oh, man. I like that. That's hilarious. Let me back up on something.

Sure, man.

Got on stage and you forgot your guitar.

It had happened. Actually, it happened to Gerard. Gerard, in our high school days, we played a place called My Father's Place in Long Island, and he was so excited. This is not me, Gerard. But no, there's no question, you get up on stage, you forget something, you're like, holy shit, like a cable. But he got up on stage, and we're about to go on, and he's like, holy shit, I don't have my bass. So Gerard, God bless you. I think it's his birthday today. How about that? So either way, so yes, that's his funny story. But he was a kid. We were like, again, high school, but it was pretty funny. He's like, holy shit. I'm like, where's your bass? He's like, oh, shit. So he had to run back down. And the dressing room was downstairs. So the answer is it has happened, yes. I like that. Yeah, it's good. It was that funny. I'm like, what?

So Adam, if you could collaborate on a song with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Now I'm going to tell you mine.

It's hard to like, would you say Prince? Well, for me, yeah. Yeah. That's one of the greats. Like somebody of that caliber, you're like to be in the song with a songwriter. I mean, it would probably be like, let me think about the second who would be, you know, like Paul McCartney or someone like that. Maybe even like Bono or The Edge, like Billy Joel, like the songwriters who are like, you know, this iconic songwriters, Elton John, so somebody of that kind of caliber. But of course, it'd probably be, or maybe even like, believe it or not, Billy Corgan from the Smashing Pumpkins. I mean, guys who are prolific, been over and over, produce songs, not just one back in the day, but continue to produce songs. They produce the music, they write the music, so maybe Billy Corgan, Paul McCartney, and The Edge. How about that? I think that'd be my ultimate collaborative team. How about that?

Oh, that's a great one. That's a great one. So Adam, every musician has faced challenges and things like that during their career. What were some of the obstacles you encountered and how did you come through it?

That's a great question. So, you know, one of the hardest parts was after having two record deals and living through the 80s and living through the 90s, and then in the late 90s, you know, having it all like literally like stop and then going back to like civilian life. That was probably the most like What the hell, I didn't think that'd be, I thought that'd be it. I'm okay. It was a good run. I think I was like, okay, I'm happy. I wasn't sure what to do professionally. I just didn't know what to do. I'm like, do I play like in a cover band? I didn't even know what to do. So, but I guess I'm a spiritual guy and you know, I believe in the law of attraction. I believe in it all. So. I mean, this is crazy. A family friend who's a musician, but no one I'd ever worked with at a family gathering was like, Hey, She was a successful songwriter, but again, older than me. And she's like, you know, you should go do something in Nashville. I know what you used to do could be happening there. I'm like, all right. So I guess. I'm not sure I'm answering the question, but that was the strangest period of like, holy crap. That was the fight when I did open up for the kids coming from off the road, living that rock and roll life to like, okay, back to civilian life. So just keeping. mentally strong, like, okay, what will happen next, I guess, as opposed to just abandoning ship, somehow thinking that somehow it's going to work out. I don't know, in the back of your mind, like something's going to happen. I didn't know what to do. I was literally like, oh my God, what do I, I didn't know what to turn, what to do, what to go with. So, but somehow, you know, the needle kept me correct, kept me on course. I don't know if I answered the question, but that was like the most darkest period of like, wow, I don't even know how to get out of this. But I guess the key is still hope and believing and then continuing to act upon on what you want to do. Just, you know, kind of fake it till you make it a little bit, you know?

And that's the thing and believing in your gift and your talent is what keeps you at the end of the day, I believe. And that way you don't give up because you've been on the road, you've seen it, you've done it. And it's like, man, I got more than 10, okay?

Right. Well, that's it too. I'm like, this can't be the end. But you didn't know then it sort of started up again, then it's maybe better now than it was then. So it's interesting how, you know, I think it's just all the years of practicing. And I do think it's faith and die hard, you know, do or die a little bit, you know.

Yeah, absolutely. So Adam, can you give us a glimpse into any upcoming projects or collaborations you're excited about?

Sure, I have a couple. Well, first of all, I play in the Steve Augere band and we're always, I mean, wonderfully playing. We did a record last year, which was a wonderful musical collaboration, and we're always performing and get to play in travels. That's kind of always ongoing. And then I did a solo record, an instrumental record that just came out literally a month ago. So I'll be promoting that up through this year. And then I have another project. It's called, I think I might even show the name. I think it's called Sound Mine, which so a couple of us from the Steve Augere band and Valentine, the same guys with another singer called Matthew Shad, who's another singer songwriter. We've recorded a few songs that we're still working on. So there's always something going. I always have some kind of creative recording process. I always have something I'm working on. It's always good to look ahead. Something out in front of you, like, okay, we're going to get to this, we're going to do this. So those are the three things. I'm going to do another solo record once, you know, I'll start to accumulate songs for that. So it might take another year. So there's always one to start the process again, keep recording. And as I said, you can put out, you know, social media, you can put out the Spotify, you can make a professional record and put it out. And then whether you perform and play with that, maybe, you know, but it gives you the opportunity to always keep recording. And that as a songwriter and a creative person is a wonderful thing. The fact that you can have your music hit the world is just great.

Yes, because it's very critical to have forward thinking. I think so. Yeah. Very critical.

Yeah. I think having something out in the future, always, whether it's something, it's good to have something on the calendar.

Right. So Adam, lastly, what advice would you give an aspiring musician as they navigate their own musical journey?

Right. What's interesting, I was talking to someone who's a young, about a 20 year old person recently, and maybe different than it was back when I was doing it, back when I was 20. But I always tell young people, I'll answer this question and I'll go back and forth. There's a couple of people I know who are adults now, like myself, who have, like, you can have an incredible career from home these days, right? You know, whether it's a legal career, consulting, something. So I recommend to people who are younger is to keep your music, but also, if you have time, learn another skill. law, this, I don't know, something, and who cares if it takes 10 years and that extra income or something could take the pressure off your creativity and let you have a longer creative process. So I'd say learn something, try some multiple businesses that can coincide and support your musical career. Yes, that's wise. That's my advice. The old days are like go for broke and get a record deal. I think those days are gone. I think you have to have multiple avenues. The social media, the YouTube, it's a whole different world. Now again, I'm not a young person and I'm on the other side of that, but as a young person, if I had to do it again, I think that's what I think I would do.

Yes, I think that's very wise. Very wise. So Adam, can you tell the listeners where they can purchase your music or follow your journey on social media?

Absolutely. So Adam Holland Music is my website, and that takes you everywhere. You know, my link tree. Instagram is where I do most posting. That's Adam Holland Official. And then I have a YouTube channel, Adam Holland Music, also. You see all kinds of little videos, stuff going on there. And then on Spotify, Adam Holland. My new album is called Rapture. And then on Spotify, there's also the Steve Augere band, Seven Ways Till Sunday. And then my older bands, Valentine is from the 80s and then Open Skies is a 90s band. And everything's on Spotify, which is great. All these great things are out there and people can get them. What's so cool about the time living with social media, all these people or fans, I shouldn't say, who may know you from a thousand years ago will reach out and say, man, I love that, you know, so-and-so or I didn't even know anybody was paying attention. It's pretty cool. I do teach guitar lessons through Zoom, people from all over the place. And I taught someone from Spain. And he was like, at 515 mark in this song, you play this thing. Can you show me that? I'm like, holy crap. First of all, I don't even remember it. But second of all, like the fact that like someone was paying attention to that little spot, then now can reach me and learn it. That's pretty cool.

Yeah, man. That is cool.

It's like someone saying, remember, I saw you sometime in the eighties and you said a speech and it affected me this way. Can we talk about that? You would be like, holy crap. Right? I mean, I don't know. It's something you never thought about and time has gone by and somebody wants to know about it or it affected them. It's cool that people can communicate with the fans now. There's no like separation. It's like people can just reach out and get you. It's great.

Right. Yeah, it is.

Especially when they say nice things. I mean, they can also say not nice things, but I like the nicer ones. Right. Exactly.

Yeah, I was on Spotify, I think a week ago or so ago, listening to Open Skies, man. Oh, cool. Yeah, I was rocking out to it. Thank you. I liked it very much.

Thank you. Yeah, I'm proud of that record. We liked that. It was a good one. I enjoyed making that record.

So there you have it, Adam Holland. Thank you so much for stopping by, man, on your busy schedule to hang out with me for a minute, and I really appreciate it.

And same to you. And I thank you for what you do, you know, keeping the positive, keeping the vibes of positivity. You know, it's important, man. So I appreciate what you do.