6 minute read
LOCAL AUTHORS
By Kathy Fox
Maury County is full of talented people and the energy around town reverberates between the buildings and on the streets. You can’t miss them, from the artists and musicians, to the restaurateurs and chefs, and of course all the people that make Maury County a thriving community.
PHOTO BY ROSS JAYNES VISUAL MEDIA CO.
TRISHA HOLLAND
EIGHTEEN HUMMINGBIRDS
Trisha Holland, a true Tennessee girl and Mule Day Queen, has been a singer in Music City and now later in life, writing became a newfound love and goal. It seemed the loss of family and friends weighed heavy on her heart until she found a way to process her feelings through songs, poetry, and original quotes.
Holland found comfort in believing that the universe takes care of everyone that moves on and takes care of those that are still here. She didn’t look for signs, but the signs were certainly there providing confirmation that everyone in the universe stays connected no matter what. Holland’s book, Eighteen Hummingbirds, is a small gift book and a labor of love that was published after she became parentless. It tells the story of what happened the day her mother’s body was taken away to be cremated and how the hummingbirds came to comfort her.
The poetry, quotes and lyrics in this book, mean something different to every person who reads them. One of Holland’s favorite quotes in the book is, “Let go of what needs to sail in a different wind.” She and her family were walking along the beach when a damaged sailboat washed onto the shore. Her niece captured the moment with a photo of Holland holding onto the boat while the wind was whipping up huge waves.
Holland has also penned many songs throughout her career. One song titled “Ashes of a Soul,” she quietly sang as her mom’s ashes floated away. “Those words were so special,” Holland said. “As I wrote the bridge to that song, I heard my mom’s favorite tune playing in my head and felt less alone.” n
When Holland saw the photo she thought, “Now, there’s something you should let go of. Thank goodness the family on the boat let go and got to safety.” But letting go isn’t always easy! After reading the book, so many people have conveyed how much her words meant to them as they too had things they were holding onto they wished they were freed from.
Let go of what needs to sail in a different wind.
I'm letting go of everything but your soul And on a rainy day when I'm alone I can't even write a song I'll hear your favorite melody My heart will know for certain Your soul didn't let go of me I'm letting go of everything but your soul
FROM “ASHES OF A SOUL” BY TRISHA HOLLAND
Taking a nod from the universe, Holland has allowed herself to write and sing from her heart. Follow Holland on social media on Facebook @ trishaholland and Instagram @hollandtrisha1.
Eighteen Hummingbirds is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Duck River Books.
By Birdie Greene
MATT LLOYD
GUITAR FOR BEGINNERS: A DIFFERENT WAY OF LEARNING
— MATT LLOYD
Most of the beginners that Lloyd teaches are not interested in music theory and the technicalities but wanting to gain from the lessons the ability to merely play songs they love on the guitar. His students find it very easy to read and grasp what the book is teaching and have a very positive experience. Lloyd attended Belmont in Nashville for a few years studying music before going on to tour the country professionally with his music. He enjoys Indie rock bands because of his love for original music. n
With over fifteen years of professional work experience in the music industry, Spring Hill resident Matt Lloyd has always taught guitar to students wherever he has lived. In fact, up to 50-60 students per week. For years he would ask students to bring a blank notebook with them so he could write lessons for each pupil by hand as the lesson progressed. Then the pandemic hit and Lloyd’s goal of putting those handwritten lessons into a book format became plausible. Working with a designer in Arizona, they spent roughly nine months compiling a book that would replace the need for the individual blank notebooks. Lloyd’s book gives each student a better understanding that comes with the pictures and diagrams the notebooks did not offer. Designed for beginner through intermediate guitarists, Lloyd’s students new to the guitar found the book very accessible and supportive. “Music can be really, really complicated,” as Lloyd described, “The goal of this book is to be very usable and not overly difficult creating an easy learning environment for the guitar.” Lloyd’s music, book, and contact information can be found on mattlloydmusic.com.
ALLYSON HORNER
HOME ROAD
For much of her life, Allyson Horner has always enjoyed writing. Her book, Home Road, came after years of storytelling with her friends eventually led to her compiling the book together. A musician by trade, Horner has written and recorded several songs and EPs including her latest album, Commonplace, that was released this past year. Having always vacationed in Tennessee as a family, Horner described it as her “second home” growing up. Their love for music led her and her brother to move to Tennessee when she was eighteen. Her parents quickly followed, and the family has enjoyed the past several years living in Middle, Tennessee. Along with her family, the local area inspires her in her work as a writer. Behind many scenes in the music video she recently shot for her album, Columbia and its beautiful downtown star alongside other local places. Home Road is a fantasy-fiction novel set on a different planet. The book’s location of being on a different planet is one of the only things that makes it a fantasy book, though. The main character is a girl who has grown up in a certain society that is very imprisoning, and she is given the chance to try something different. The book details this experience of getting out of what she has always known and the learning that occurred along the way. Horner began the process of writing this book when she was around the age of eleven. Secretly, she wrote the book without her family knowing. When she showed them the book upon its completion, they were very pleasantly surprised and encouraged her to publish it. n
Copies of the book can be found on Amazon and the Barnes & Noble website.
BIRDIE GREENE is a Junior at Agathos Classical School. She enjoys reading, history, running, and fashion. As a fourth generation Maury County resident, Greene is proud to live in such a vibrant community.
