About Me >

This page is all about me. A sort of history and timeline of my life. I know it is a little long, but I hope you enjoy reading it and feel like you know me a little better when you are finished. Happy reading!



The Early Years.....
I was born Holly Allison Norman on October 21. I was born and raised in Powell, Tennessee. Weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces, I was quite a big baby. In fact, most people thought I looked like a little football player and mom and dad found it hard to get diapers around my chubby legs. However, I like to refer to myself as a healthy baby. Luckily, I lost all the baby fat. I was a quiet, shy child. Therefore, my mom wanted to get me involved in some kind of activity that would help with my shyness and boost my confidence. So when I was 8, I began taking baton twirling. This would be the activity I would do for the next 17 years. I competed in numerous competitions and won more than 400 trophies.


The High School and College Years.....
Although I was still quite shy in high school, I found myself performing in front of large crowds every friday night during football season as the head majorette and featured twirler for the Powell High School Marching Band. I even twirled two fire batons on the field. I was also a very good student who studied hard and made good grades. I always knew after high school I wanted to go to college, but not just any college, the University of Tennessee. Luckily, UT was only about 10 miles from my house. My other dream and goal in college was to be a UT Majorette. That dream was realized when I was chosen a majorette my freshman year. I twirled with the Pride of the Southland Band for 5 seasons and was the featured twirler for 3 of those. In college, I majored in retail and consumer science and graduated top of my class. It was also in college that I began singing. Most people think I have been singing since I was little, but it wasn't until I was 19 years old that I began singing.


My Love for Singing and Music.....
I always loved music and I come from a very musical family. My grandfather was a good friend of Roy Acuffs and played the fiddle with him. Mr. Acuff wanted my grandfather to go to Nashville with him and play, but with a little convincing from my grandmother, he decided to stay in Powell and raise his family. My uncle W.A. also sings and plays the guitar. In fact, W.A. is the one who really helped me get started singing. As a child, I mostly listened to rock music, but as I got older I started listening to country. I guess I've always had a love for country music and I grew up listening to it because as my dad says "it's the only music worth listening to." When I was 19, I decided I wanted to sing and I knew I had a pretty good voice. So, one day when we were eating Christmas dinner at my grandmothers, I just told my uncle W.A. and the rest of my family that I wanted to sing and thought I would be good at it. So, my uncle got his guitar and said let me hear you sing something. At that time, Lorrie Morgan was popular and she was one of my favorite singers and I thought we had similar voices so I sang one of her songs. And that is how I began singing. The first time I ever sang in public was at my grandfather's 80th birthday party. I sort of surprised my friends and family, whom didn't know I would be singing that night. The music started and I began singing behind a curtain and then stepped out for everyone to see who was singing. Everyone was surprised to say the least. They couldn't believe shy, little Holly was up on stage singing. I was so nervous that night. Thank goodness over the years my nervousness has gotten less and less. After that my uncle, who played in a band and sang at various places, started taking me with him to sing. One of Cas Walker's friends, David West, owned a little place in Clinton, Tenn. called "Ciderville." They used to have a music show there every Saturday night and my uncle sang and played there. That became a regular gig for me. We also traveled to Athens, Tenn. and other places to sing.

Dollywood Comes Calling.....
I sang all through college and really enjoyed it. I decided that after college I wanted to give a singing career a shot. I thought what better place to start and get some experience than in Pigeon Forge. Therefore, as my graduation neared, I heard about Dollywood holding auditions for singers and dancers. I decided to audition and did. Then, I got the call. Dollywood was starting a new 50's show called "Let the Good Times Roll" and they wanted me to be in it. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited. So, I graduated college and began rehearsals for Dollywood. It turned out to be one of the most fun and exciting times of my life. I performed in the 50's show for the next three years. After that I got another exciting opportunity of a lifetime. Dollywood created a new show called "Paradise Road." It was a show about the life and songs of Dolly Parton, and growing up in East Tennessee, naturally Dolly Parton has always been one of my idols. I was cast in "Paradise Road" and had the awesome opportunity to portray Dolly for four years.


Where Am I Now......
Well, I am beginning my 9th year at Dollywood. I am performing in the new show called "Buddy Baxter's Bandstand," which features music from the 1960s. I play the lead female character Rhonda Star. I am also continuing to write my own songs and working on recording a second CD. I hope to eventually make it to Nashville and be a big star!!!



My Family.....
My family has always been a very big, important part of my life. My mom and dad have always been very loving and supportive. They have always encouraged me to go after my dreams and that I could do anything if I believed in myself. I have one younger sister, Heather. She also twirled and was the head and featured majorette at Powell and at UT. She doesn't sing, but she is my biggest fan and critic at the same time. She recently graduated with her Master's in public relations from UT. She hopes to be my manager and publicist someday if I make it big.

My Favorite Things......
Color: Purple
Number: 11
Food: Fried Chicken, any Italian food, and any dessert
Movie: "Coal Miner's Daughter", "Steel Magnolias", "Urban Cowboy", "Gone With The Wind". These are just a few of my favorites. There are too many to name.
TV shows: Golden Girls, Designing Women, Friends, Will & Grace. Again, too many to name.
Celebrities: Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Elvis, Jennifer Aniston
Collectibles: Ceramic shoes, "Gone With the Wind" memorabilia
Singers: Pasty Cline, Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill
Hobbies: cooking, crafts
Music: All kinds. I have a love and appreciation for all types of music, but especially country music.
Books: I love to read biographies and autobiographies.
Animal: Cats, I have one solid white cat named Sassy.
Holiday: Christmas