Here's Johnny

Other bands often throw out the name "Johnny Holm Band" when chatting about what they aspire to be. But how much do you really know about Holm and his popular cover act?

• Photos

The Brainerd native, now living in Chaska, filled in the details in a phone interview in advance of his band's Saturday performance at the annual YMCA Charity Ball.

Dispatch: Tell me a bit about your background in Brainerd.

Johnny Holm: I grew up there my first 18 years, so Brainerd's my hometown. My parents are from Crosby and Brainerd. I got my first guitar at Cervin's Music in Brainerd when I was 14. I don't get back there much, but I have lots of friends still there, and cousins. I think I'm the last guy to graduate from Washington High School. In 1968! (Laughs.) ... (My music career) got started in Fargo (N.D.). I went to Moorhead State. At Mick's Office (a club in Moorhead), I got my first $20-a-night job.

Dispatch: What did you study at Moorhead State?

Holm: Special ed.

The Johnny Holm Band, including Johnny Holm (third from left) and his daughter, Jordan, will perform Saturday at the annual YMCA Charity Ball.

Dispatch: Did you graduate?

Holm: No. I went five years, but never got done. (Laughs.) I went there and played basketball for a couple years, then got a job singing. And really, that's all I've done for 40 years. It's been a long, hard road. I was a single (performer) for four years, then I slowly added some people.

Dispatch: Are any other original members still with the band?

Holm: Not a one. I wore 'em all out. (Laughs.) My drummer (Scott Pearson) has been with me for 15 years. I've had guys with me as many as 28 years.

Dispatch: You didn't play music when you were in Brainerd?

Holm: When I was in high school, I never played for anyone, but (music) was burned into me. I was brought up through the Beatles and Elvis, and that's what I wanted to do.

Dispatch: How did Brainerd impact your music career?

Holm: When I was in seventh and eighth grade, I'd catch all the Midwest bands. There was a guy named Jimmy Miller who was a great musician. I'd hang around these people and pick up stuff here and there.

Dispatch: If you weren't doing this, what would you be doing for a career?

Holm: Selling popcorn. (Laughs.) I'm just fortunate. I've got my daughter (Jordan) in the band now, and that's fun. She started when she was 16 (she's 18 now). It was kind of a leap of faith, but she's doing great. She's got a CD coming out next year.

Dispatch: You are often cited as one of the most popular bands in the region. How have you stayed at the top for so many years?

Holm: It's because we've got a big area that we cover. We didn't just play Minneapolis. We play most of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and some of Iowa and Wisconsin. That helped. I learned a lot doing it (solo) and learning crowds. I have not done too many black-tie affairs. (Laughs.) We did two proms in one night last week. That gets tougher every year. I'm not sure where kids' heads are at. There's such a variety of music preferences out there.

Dispatch: How does a song earn a spot in the band's repertoire?

Holm: Well, you know, we're a band that plays things that audiences would like. If (songs) bomb, I drop 'em, unless it's something I really like. I've got some really good young people in the band. I'm 58, so that makes it easy on me.

Dispatch: What's the newest song you've added?

What: 13th annual YMCA Charity Ball, featuring Johnny Holm Band, dinner and silent auction.

When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Madden's Town Hall, 11266 Pine Beach Peninsula, East Gull Lake.

Tickets: $75, on sale until 9 a.m. Friday at Brainerd YMCA or by calling 829-4767.

Web site: www.brainerdlakesymca.org.

Holm: Probably Sheryl Crow's new song. Jordan sings it.

Dispatch: Do you have any originals?

Holm: Our bass player (John Scalia) writes a lot of stuff. We do four or five originals. I had a bunch of stuff back in the early '80s. Next year, I'm doing a "40 Years of Johnny" show. I'm gonna get the best guys (from the band's history), and we're gonna do about five concerts in Midwest. Through the years, I've had some really talented guys. And we're going to put out a CD that'll be all be originals.

Dispatch: In the history of American popular music, which era has produced the best songs?

Holm: The late '60s and the '70s, I think. It was a very creative time. I like music from all eras, but you grow up with that stuff.

Dispatch: I see you've been promoting your "Ballroom Days" CD lately.

Holm: That was a cool era. We used to go out to these ballrooms and play all over Minnesota. We'd have 30 people, I'd work my butt off, the next time we had 100. Some of the places, we'd end up having 1,000 people. There's not many (ballrooms) left since the early '80s. I don't think they kept up; they thought they could rest on their laurels. Now colleges are my favorite thing to play.

Some (of the album's songs are) live, some are recorded on four-track, back when we'd record live in a studio. It's quite a different process than today when you take a computer around and you hardly have to sing. (Laughs.)

Dispatch: Do you like how the album turned out?

Holm: Some of it I like. Some of it you go back to and go, "Yeesh." I actually just got copy of the very first album I did in 1971; there are not many copies left. I bought a turntable to transfer it onto the computer. I sold all 1,000 copies, which I suppose makes it my best-selling album. I never reordered; I just didn't care.

Dispatch: You put out several albums early in your career, right?

Holm: Five albums, I think, and a couple cassettes. I've dabbled in recording since then, but haven't put anything out recently. We're going to record two songs next week.

Dispatch: Now a question just for fun. What current TV show do you never miss?

Holm: I like those two rap guys. The name of the show is on the tip of my tongue. (Holm called back later to say it's HBO's "Flight of the Conchords.")

Dispatch: It seems like your band plays everything from county fairs to black-tie affairs.

Holm: I like that - "county fairs to black-tie affairs." This summer, we'll be doing a lot of rib fests, outdoor shows, annual things, state fairs. We'll be doing Ragbrai in Iowa for 40,000 people - they bicycle across the state. I'm a busy boy. We play 18 days a month.

Dispatch: How do you travel?

Holm: We have a van and a bus. It depends on how far we're going. With the price of gas now, it's not fun taking the bus. I'm still the best night driver. ... I want to do a book called "Dining with Johnny." I know all the best places in the Midwest.

JOHN HANSEN may be reached at john.hansen@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5863.

If you go

What: 13th annual Brainerd Family YMCA Charity Ball, featuring Johnny Holm Band, dinner and silent auction.

When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Madden's Town Hall, 11266 Pine Beach Peninsula, East Gull Lake.

Tickets: $75, on sale until 9 a.m. Friday at YMCA

or by calling 829-4767.

Web site: www.brainerdlakesymca.org.