Song and Story Swap Featuring Doc Hollister on May 4

Source:  Pioneer Valley Folklore Society of Western Massachusetts

Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s monthly song and story swap will be held on Saturday, May 4. at First Church, 165 Main Street, from 7:00-9:00 p.m and will feature guest artist Doc Hollister.

The Song & Story Swap is open to members of the public of all ages. Admission is free, with a suggested minimum donation to the artist of $7.50.  Attendees will be invited to contribute a song or story on the topic of “forgiveness” during an opening round of sharing. People of all ages gather to share stories and songs that are traditional, newly written, or of personal experiences. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, or request a song or story.  Listeners are welcome.

Doc Hollister
Doc Hollister combines the skills of a gifted musician and singer with a winning humility and penchant for humor that strengthen his connection with his audiences.

He declares that he comes from a long line of entertainers (affectionately known as “Line E” at the Unemployment Office.) Originally hailing from Syracuse, NY, Doc was classically trained on violin, piano, and voice.  In his early twenties, Doc enjoyed success fiddling with both the Erie and Florida Philharmonics until, as he claims, he accidentally tore the toupee off the concertmaster’s head with his violin bow…she was not pleased.

Not one to let lack of ability stand in his way, Doc had a go with Shari Lewis, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinsen, Roberta Peters, Dan Seals, and George Hamilton IV, only, as he relates, to discover that his lack of ability did stand in his way.

Doc moved to Nashville, making everyone there aware of the extent of his talents; curiously, they let him stay, performing with Helen Cornelius and Jim Ed Brown on the Grand Ole Opry his very first week in town. He soon scored big as a musician (yes, really) for Capitol/Nashville recording artist Billy Dean, and remained with Billy for twelve years, forming a close personal bond with the acclaimed country singer who still refers to Doc as “OldWhat’sHisName!”

There have been reported sightings of Doc on the Tonight Show w/Jay Leno, Good Morning America, Austin City Limits, Hee-Haw, and as Floyd Cramer in “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.”A CD for solo piano, “Silent Night,” turned out, Doc apologizes, to be not as silent as some have wished.

For information contact Paul Kaplan, 413-687-5002 or visit the Folklore Society website at https://pvfs.us.