Linda English-Holland

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Linda has come a long way since her first-grade play, when she portrayed George Washington’s mother.

Expanding vastly beyond the hymns that she first learned in her small family church in rural Alabama, her singing repertoire was enhanced when she trained for opera in high school and college.

Linda realized early on her preference for singing a broader range of music.   “I love some of just about everything—from rock ‘n’ roll to gospel, country, and Broadway,” says Linda, who played Queen Agravain in the Ocala Civic Theatre’s Winter 2000 production of Once Upon a Mattress.

Linda's life has been just about as varied as her music. Born in Alabama, she moved to Gainesville, Florida, with her family as a pre-teen.  Her prowess as a young singer earned Linda a vocal scholarship to Alabama Christian College (now Faulkner University) in Montgomery, where she majored in music and minored in acting. 

While in high school, Linda sang with The Melodettes, a nine-member three-part harmony group. “As long as I can remember,” Linda says, “I have sung for weddings and funerals. I have always worshiped with the Church of Christ, which uses no instrumental music. As a result, I learned to value the human voice as an instrument.” One of her most-requested solos is Albert Hay Malotte's “The Lord's Prayer,” sung a cappella. 

After college, she traveled for a year in the East and for another year in the West with rock-and-roll bands White Fox and David St. David.

In the early ‘80s Linda toured throughout the eastern and midwestern United States with The Crossroads Singers, directed by Sherwin Mackintosh, now a composer and director in New York. 

Linda recorded an album as single artist, performed in Las Vegas at the famous Golden Nugget, and eventually returned to north-central Florida, where she met the love of her life, Ocala veterinarian Sam Holland.  Linda and Sam married in October 1999.

Vocal Studies

In Gainesville, Linda studied with 

Elsewhere, her teachers and mentors have included

Linda has sung as a volunteer for events of the American Cancer Society, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, and in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. Professionally, she has shared the stage with the comedy team Roger and Roger, Archie Bell and the Drells, and Junior Walker and the All-Stars. Linda recorded two original songs by Perkins and Hopper after they attended a demo session: "I Lay Me Down" and "Let's Give Love a Way." The latter was first written for Karen Carpenter, who never released it. 

Linda has performed regionally at the Ritz Historic Inn Lounge, at Dance Sport 2000, and at the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, where former White Fox colleague Darryl Thomas plays keyboards.  By popular demand, she compiled her first CD for release in early 2002. 

A singer of  Linda’s diverse taste draws inspiration from artists in many genres.  Her favorites range from opera diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, and Patsy Cline.  She favors several male artists, too, including Frank Sinatra, Hank Williams, and Bobby Darrin.  Linda’s shows reflect her varied tastes as she sings rock, ballads, pop, country, and spatial numbers.

In August 2001, Linda was chosen to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to open the Cleveland Indians game against the Anaheim Angels at Jacobs Field in Cleveland. Her performance garnered an invitation to return for future seasons.  She also sang the national anthem for opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics in Gainesville in 2000 and 2001.

“My voice teacher Jane Sterrett once told me that I am a performer, and that I will not be completely happy during my life unless I perform.”  So perform she does.  Linda English-Holland sings songs for everyone.    You can see her every Thursday night at the Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, and lots of other places—if we’re lucky!

Previous Success

Steve’s Cafe American Dinner Theatre

is proud to present . . .

Linda English-Holland

as she embraces the life and recording career of

Patsy Cline

in

“Time Only Adds to the Flame”

Showtimes:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please call for reservations: (352) 377-9337

Steve’s Cafe American Dinner Theatre

12 W. University Avenue

Gainesville, Florida

Ticket prices are $45.00 plus tax.

Enjoy a delicious gourmet meal and a great show.