Floramay Holliday

On Stage
Blond songbirds bookend Skaneateles Festival
By Ellen Leahy

Musically speaking, last week was one heck of a week in Skaneateles. Thursday night the Barrigar Brothers, Loren and Kevin always the gentlemen, invited Floramay Holliday to join them on stage at Creekside Books and Coffee. Holliday is a tall drink of sweet water from Austin,Texas. Her My Space page bills her as, “Cowgirl Country Cool.” She’s all that and more- the girl has got talent and while she’s making some really heartfelt music, she is also making babies with her tall, calm, cool and collected husband and harmonica player, Gabor Racz, who is the subject of “Tall Song”.
Skaneateles has Gabor to thank because he is the reason this Texas flower discovered Skaneateles. As Mandana’s Bob Dewitt said, “He is one of the cliff dwellers.”
Gabor’s family has summered on the West-side of the Skaneateles Lake for many years, with his wife Floramay, make it six. To a relatively small, but interested audience, the Barrigar brothers and Floramay wove their magic. Kevin’s voice was never stronger, Loren’s fancy guitar, the perfect accompaniment to Holliday’s original music and that of her friends. Kevin’s bass, Gabor’s harp and everyone’s harmonies rounded out an evening that built into one of the lucky ones.
If I had to describe Holliday with one word it would be “sunshine”. She is a golden girl with a very pretty face and a genuine air about her. She is the kind of woman that every guy wants to know better and every girl wants to befriend. That’s a rare combination in a honky tonk.
You can’t but help call Floramay by her first name. Her voice is reminiscent of singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter’s, but Floramay differs in her stage presence and ability to capture the crowd. On that particular Thursday the sunkissed Floramay was the center of attention in a roomful of ridiculously talented people. She had all the right moves while also being perhaps seven plus months pregnant with her second child.
Next time Floramay decides to take the stage in these here parts- make it a point to catch her show, you won’t be disappointed.
- Eagle Press / Skanelateles, NY

AUSTIN360BETS
Austin American-Statesman review
May 28, 2009

Since she was the queen of the Texas Chili Parlor in the 90's, much has happened in Floramay Holliday's life, including marriage, children and relocation to upstate New York. This change is reflected in the new "Dreams", Holliday's third album and the first one she's produced herself. The sound is still based in country, but there is new depth to the sentiments on such songs as "As Long As You Can" and album-closing "Roseneath Romance". The new album is less a calling card for gigs than a collection of tunes that together tell a story of newfound contentment against the odds. Holliday has a songwriter’s voice, so it’s about the material and her commitment to the lyrics.

-Michael Corcoran
- by Michael Corcoran

Texas Platters
by Margaret Moser

Floramay Holliday
Dreams (Roseneath Records)

For her third LP in a 15-year career, Austin's Floramay Holliday, is a performer of wit and presence. The gumption of "Things You Do" and "Coffee" are the Holliday you want more of. Originals like "Momma's Motorcycle" and "Girl's Night" deliver the twangy Everywoman anthems that Nashville loves amid Holliday's glossier feminine themes ("Rainbows," "Something to Tell You"), reflected in the CD packaging that focuses on photos of her looking perfectly lovely (sexy, alluring, pensive, etc.) again and again.
- Austin Chronicle

"Who needs the band?" by Mark Bialczak

When Floramay Holliday took the stage to open the Empire State Brewing & Music Festival around 5 today in Clinton Square, it was just she, her voice and her guitar.

Her band got lost without her somehow, but the singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, made the most of her set anyway.

Band? We don't need no stinkin' band!

Holliday's rich vocals and hot acoustic guitar won the early arrivers over. And battling that four-ounce glass that the brewing participants fill with their samples is no small competition for even the full bands.

The band showed up halfway through her set, but Holliday shooed them away and continued with the cool solo vibe.

"Out on the Town," which she co-wrote with Texas pal Shelley King _ here in town to play the Ohm Lounge later tonight _ turned out to be a great and hopeful party song.

The beer and music have been flowing, and it's a cool fest, even for those like me who are their just for the music part of the action. Hopefully the friendly vibe will continue through headliner Johnny Z.

Keep listening,

Mark Bialczak
mbialczak@syracuse.com - Syracuse Post-Standard