STORY

photo by Phyllis Meredith Photo

The Singer, The Artist, The Story

pop/r&b/soul

Music is in Amanda's blood. It has been said that she sang even before she could speak. Her voice could sometimes be heard from the rooftops of Newark, NJ where she would dwell for some months of her infancy with her musical mother & her guitar strumming father. From the age of two Amanda has been a violinist and self taught pianist. The multi-ethnic (African American, Italian, Cherokee, & Egyptian) Amanda Holley practically lived in the orchestra pit while her mother (Manhattan School of Music) would play some of the greatest musicals and symphonies ever written on her cello, her father wrote for Sarah Vaughan, and her aunt Pat Holley (JUILLIARD), is a songwriter & arranger who discovered, trained, and wrote for Stephanie Mills. 

Amanda engrossed herself in music day in and day out, surviving on Whitney, Mariah, Aretha, Ella, and Billie's healing and inspiring vocals to get through troubled times. She first began performing at local events for hundreds of people in her small NJ town at the age of 8, astonishing audiences with her soul and the maturity of her voice and connection to the lyric. As a teenager, Amanda even performed with the world renowned Les Paul at the jazz hotspot, Iridium. 

Amanda's first release, debut single "FEENIN" on Tommy Boy WEA produced by XXL FRESHMAN CLASS PRODUCER OHKAYLAWS, has gained Amanda recognition both in the USA and worldwide with features on iHeart, MTV.com, & radio nationwide on over 30 P1 stations and charted in the #1 position on multiple internet stations and DJ charts with over 10 million listeners worldwide. 

Miss Holley's most recent releases are 3 songs and the title track on the “Sharon 123” major motion picture soundtrack which was written and directed by Mark Brown - creator and writer and director of the “Barber Shop” film franchise!

The young songstress has spent the spent 18 months her release appearing in magazines and at major NYC events and stages from CARNEGIE HALL, NY FASHION WEEK, LA FASHION WEEK, STYLE FASHION WEEK, COACHELLA (COMBSCHELLA OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY), WBLS HARLEM WEEK, MACY’S HARLEM WEEK, Celebrate Brooklyn Summer Concerts sponsored by Hot 97 & 107.5, to the legendary Highline Ballroom, Funk Master Flex's FRANCHISE RECORD POOL TV, the Hoboken Festival, The Philly Hip Hop Awards, The W Times Square, & over 60 performances in an 18 month time span.

As a SINGER and songwriter, her recent collaborations for her project include Andre Merrit (Rihanna, Chris Brown), Christopher Broughton (FOX FILMS), CHICO BENNETT (Madonna, LAdy Gaga, Usher, Destiny’s Child), Dimitri Ehrlich (multi platinum), Steven Ray (Quincie Jones), Kizzo (David Foster, Neyo), Andre Fennell GoldenChyl (multiple-Grammy nominee), Shaggy (multi-platinum artist), Andy Marvel (Oscar winner & multi-platinum for Celine Dion, Brian McKnight, etc), Nikki Gregoroff (Lady Gaga, Brittani Spears), Rob Fusari (Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, etc.), Shontelle Layne (multi platinum), Dennis "Doc" Williams (O'Jays, Backstreet Boys), Kenny Fambro "K-Fam" (Beyoncé, Destiny's Child), Korey Laws (OhKayLaws) XXL FRESHMAN CLASS, Shontelle Layne (multi platinum artist), Legz Dymond (MOP & Floetry), Will Villalona (Nas), Mike Makowski (Amy Winehouse, Usher, Maxwell, etc.) Jimmy George (Taylor Dayne, Chaka Khan, Smokey Robinson, etc.), Phil Ramone (Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Quincey Jones, Frank Sinatra etc.), Joseph Joubert (Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan), and the singer's producer Charles Wallert (George Benson, Dionne Warwick, OC Smith, Patti LaBelle, etc). They have even dubbed her "America's SoulFuL SweetHeart". Her lyrical talents stem from her outstanding poetic voice which earned her multiple awards, scholarships, and publications with Columbia Press at the ages of 16-18. 

The multi-ethnic, 21 years young singer is managed by Ralph Cooper (The Apollo, Ice-T, Universal MCA (Notorious Records) & business mngr the legendary Bert Padell (Madonna, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Brittany Spears) who follow her first manager the late 84X Grammy Winner Phil Ramone. She is also an accomplished actor (member of the Actors' Equity Association). 

Amanda states, "Music is who I am. I never woke up and decided to be a singer - I always have been and always will be. I eat, sleep, and BREATHE music. I cannot wait to share my story of tragedy, over-coming, strength, hope, and LOVE with the world through my music!". 

Barry Fiedel (founder, HitMakers Magazine) - 

“A shining new star has burst onto the music scene in recent days and is sure to have many hit singles riding the national charts in the near future. 'A must' if you can see her perform live”. 

Charles Wallert (multi Grammy nom & platinum prod.) - 

“Amanda Holley is not only one of the most gifted artists I have ever worked with, but one of the best vocalists I have ever heard!” 

Cuba Gooding

"A beautiful young artist with a fantastic voice that sings great songs!" 

Jimmy George (songwriter, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, etc.) 

"It's not very often that you can find a beautiful girl, with an outstanding voice, that can sing anything, and make you believe it. An accomplished musician that plays different instruments well, is even more impressive. This girl is already a star, I just hope she keeps singing the songs I write. I'm told she likes the same funny stuff that I do on Utube, so, there it is.........the complete package." 

The Gorillaz - "She's brilliant!" 

Brian Stanley (multi Grammy win, Recording & Mix Engineer for Usher) 

"It's so great to finally work with the amazing talent, Amanda Holley