Tony Holiday: Blues Man Extraordinaire

In the shadow of the Jordan River Utah Temple, South Jordan’s Riverbottoms neighborhood may not come to mind when you think “blues.” But it’s there, along with a few other spots around Salt Lake, where Tony Holiday grew up to become the bluesman he is today. Now residing in Memphis, where blues is about as popular as fry sauce in Provo, Holiday’s smoky voice and skilled harmonica playing have placed him among the city’s best soul and blues artists.

Last May, Tony Holiday released his first solo album, “Soul Service,” which peaked at number nine on the Billboard chart for the top US blues albums.

Before moving to Tennessee two years ago, Holiday gained a following in the Salt Lake City blues scene with his band Tony Holiday & The Velvetones, a major influencer for local talent, ranked “best blues artist” by City Weekly.

We caught up with Holiday to talk about Utah, his new album and more (while socially distancing, of course). When we spoke, he was in the middle of prepping for a tour to Idaho and Utah, where he had shows lined up at The Hog Wallow and Lake Effect.

After our interview, the Utah dates had to be cancelled due to the spike of COVID-19. Holiday had been planning to play songs from the new album, along with some new material. Sadly, we’ll have to have to wait a bit longer to hear this Utah son and blues man perform live.

…Holiday gained a following in the Salt Lake City blues scene with his band Tony Holiday & The Velvetones….

Here is some of what we discussed:

Salt Lake Bard: I listened to the new album, “Soul Service,” and I really enjoy it. It seems like such a cool album to just chill out with when you’re having a drink with a friend. Is that the feel you wanted to give it, or were you going for something else?

Tony Holiday: Yeah, it’s cool to hear the feedback from a lot of different people and reviews around the country, because I wasn’t really going for anything. It was my first record that I put out really by myself, so I was kind of wondering. For my next record that I put out, I’ll have a better answer for that. I have more of a vision for my second record. I didn’t have any expectations for this record. It was just a collection of songs that I had written, and I was hoping they would flow together.

SLB: Is there a particular song on the new album that you really dig over the others?

TH: I probably have to say the song “Day Dates (Turn Into Night Dates),” only because I wrote it with somebody I look up to a lot, and I like that concept. (Day Dates was also selected for Song Picks of the Week of July 6, 2020)

SLB: Whom did you write it with?

TH: I wrote it with this cat John Nemeth. He is a soul singer and a blues singer here in Memphis. So, him and I wrote it together. He’s actually from Idaho. Kind of funny, I’m not too far from where he’s actually from, and we both live in Memphis. I followed his career for a long time, ended up becoming friends with him, and we wrote that song together, so that’s one of my favorites.

SLB: The entire album would sound really awesome on vinyl. Any possibility of a vinyl release in the future?

TH: Yes, July 24. That’s when I’ll put those out. And that’s another way I’m going to step up and make money during this thing [the pandemic].

SLB: Just in time for Pioneer Day.

TH: Oh, yeah. That’s right!

SLB: Has it been tough not being able to perform due to the pandemic?

TH: I would not consider it tough on me. I’m concerned about everybody else. I’m fine. I don’t mind taking a break. I feel like there’s no way I would have been able to get this break without it, but I’m alright.

SLB: What’s the next project you’re working on?

TH: I had a project called The Porch Sessions, where I went around the country and recorded famous blues musicians on their front porches from coast to coast, so my next record that’s coming out is volume two of that, with Bobby Rush and Watermelon Slim and all these great people that have recorded here in Mississippi and Memphis, all on their front porches all over. So, that will be the next one coming out in fall time, Tony Holiday’s Porch Sessions Volume 2.

SLB: When you do play in Utah, what are some of your favorite venues?

TH: Oh, man, there’s been so many good ones. I like playing a lot for different reasons. I’ve played them all, man. My favorite venue that I’ve ever played in Utah was Red Butte Garden. It’s so easy to say The State Room, because we played there a lot and their sound is so nice. I would also say places like Burt’s Tiki Lounge, intimate places that I used to play. I seriously have a relationship with every single club in Salt Lake in some way or another, so I don’t know.

My favorite venue that I’ve ever played in Utah was Red Butte Garden.

SLB: What do you like about coming back to Utah?

TH: It’s nice. It’s like visiting a dream. It’s nostalgic for me. I mean, I’ve travelled a lot over the years, a ton, but I left that chapter in my life officially. I moved to Memphis; I’ve been here two years, and I think that when I come back to Utah… I’m a nostalgia addict. I like to collect old toys from my childhood and things like that. So, I like coming back to Utah, just visiting my old neighborhood and remembering. Other than that, the people, just seeing all the people, friends and stuff.

SLB: Anything else you want to say to those in Salt Lake?

TH: Just check the record out, “Soul Service,” and look out for shows when we’re able to.

Make sure to visit tonyholidaymusic.com for show info, merch and more.