Howdy! From Your Friendly Neighborhood Avoider

Hey y’all! I’m back!

I sure hope everyone is doing well during this crazy time. This Coronavirus, COVID-19, Kung Flu, whatever you want to call it, has certainly been wreaking havoc in all of our minds, hearts and spirits.

You might’ve noticed (or not) that I haven’t blogged in awhile, I’ve been pretty quiet about the whole health scare situation, and my social media posts have been pretty surface-level. Well, I’m about to let you in on a little secret…

I have recently discovered that I, Holly Danielle Tucker, am an AVOIDER. 😱

When my life gets tough, scary, painful, overwhelming, or otherwise uncertain, I tend to shrink back into my anti-social shell, both verbally and physically. It’s a form of anxiety. I’m a very sensitive, highly emotional person, and sometimes my feelings about my current situation can be so intense that I feel if I do open up about it, it will be a burden to others, so I shy away from human interaction, bottle it up, and keep posts short and sweet, if I post at all. There have been days where I have trouble sleeping, eating, working, answering calls/texts/emails, staying motivated, being consistent, and being present or dependable for my family and friends. Major character flaw, I know. Can you see why I don’t open up? It’s a lot to handle. It’s complicated. It’s ugly.

Anyone else struggle with this?

Let me be clear - I don’t want to use anxiety as an excuse - I strive daily to acknowledge this flaw and be better. But, I’m also human, and sometimes I admittedly fail myself and others. I want to start using this blog and my other social media to be more accountable and transparent with you, my #HollStars.

The last 2 years have been the absolute toughest years of my life. I am planning to fill you in on all of that in the upcoming weeks in a series of blogs. But right now, I want to focus on the current situation.

This Coronavirus is scary for each person in a different way. For small children and the elderly, it’s a high risk health scare. For doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, truck drivers, police officers, etc. it’s working overtime. For local and small businesses, entrepreneurs, and musicians and artists like myself, it’s a time of extreme financial uncertainty. For some people, it’s all of that. And I want to sincerely say a huge THANK YOU to everyone continuing to serve their communities above and beyond during this time. I am praying for you and your loved ones.

First of all, know and be comforted in this: God is bigger than any virus. He’s got this. He’s got ALL OF US. Did you know that the Bible literally says “do not fear” 365 times, one time for every day of the year? Google it, pretty awesome little fact. Worrying is a lot like sitting in a rocking chair - it’s something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.

Secondly, let’s focus on all the good that has ALREADY come out of this. We are all coming up with new, fun ways of keeping ourselves busy/entertained, schools are offering free meals to kids in the community, families are spending more time together, churches are having online, live-streamed services and being shared like wildfire, people are businesses are getting creative with offering drive-thru or non-contact service, etc. Lots of folks are being more sanitary, thoughtful, and KIND. I love seeing that and being a part of it.

It may seem like I have my head in the clouds - believe me, I do not. I’m currently faced with the very real situation that I, as an artist, am pretty much completely out of work for the foreseeable future, for the next two months at least. All of my shows have cancelled or postponed until the end of May. And I know there are people out there struggling with the same problems and worse. But I am choosing to be positive because that helps me focus, think outside the box, and stay productive!

You’ve probably seen lots of artists on social media “going live” playing their music and posting their virtual tip jar links in lieu of playing shows. I have been a busy bee scheduling my own series, partnering up with several awesome radio stations and country music organizations, and I am pleased to announce that I will also be “quaranstreaming” from different Facebook pages over the next few weeks!

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TONIGHT MON 3/23: FB and IG Live from KRVN 93.1 The River page 8 pm

TUES 3/24: FB Live Simulcast Fundraiser for The Sandbar Cantina and Grill with Ray Johnston 7-9 pm

WED 3/25: FB Live First Woodway QuaranTuckered Worship Night with Holly Tucker & Shane Wilson with special guest appearance by the Tuckerettes 8 pm

FRI 3/27: FB Live on KBIM 94.9 The Country Giant page 8 pm (Mountain Time) or 9 pm CST

SAT 3/28: FB Live on KERP 96.3 The Marshal page 8 pm

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SUN 3/29: FB Live True Texas Takeover on True Texas Radio page 8 pm

TUES 3/31: FB Live on KOKEFM page 8 pm

THURS 4/2: FB Live on Made In Texas Radio page 6 pm

FRI 4/3: FB Live on KSTAR Country page 8 pm

SAT 4/4: FB Live on Texas 99 Live after 5 program from KNES Texas 99.1 FM page 8 pm

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MON 4/6: FB Live on K955 page 7 pm

TUES 4/7: FB Live on Texas Country Music Association page 8 pm

THURS 4/9: FB Live on The Bonfire Texas & HoustonLive pages 8 pm

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And that, my friends, is why I do not worry. God turned my potentially bad situation into a full schedule with more dates and times being added every day (always updated on my Facebook page). But even if He didn’t, I’m still working on actively trusting that He’ll provide my needs, no matter what. I have no security that this will turn into income or opportunities for me, but He has given me new faith and purpose, and I will hopefully be able to make people smile and spread some hope. Feel free to tune in and comment your thoughts/requests. See y’all on the screen!

Love, your friendly neighborhood avoider,

Holly

WAYS TO SUPPORT:

#1 best way: Purchase some merch in my online store (NEW merch added and SALE items!) : www.hollytucker.com/store

BONUS: FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS LIMITED TIME ONLY USING CODE HTFREESHIP

Listen/Stream/Download: www.smarturl.it/YoureGonnaKnowMyName

Virtual Tip Jars (open 24/7):

Paypal: www.paypal.me/hollytmusic

Venmo: @hollytmusic

CashApp: $hollytmusic

Zelle: holly@hollytucker.com

Like/Comment/SHARE my social media posts & live videos!

#MartinGoesToHarvey Needs Your Help

I'm going to be very straight forward.  I need your help.

I know!  I have asked for help from my always-thoughtful fans and friends before.  Often. 

And, I thank you with my entire being for always answering my calls for support, whether it is to listen to a new song of mine, nominate/vote for an award, watch my cover videos on YouTube, add me to your Spotify list (have you done this yet, btw?), or, to come out and catch one of my shows.

Man, I ask a lot of y'all.

But here's the thing.  I wouldn't ask something of you that I was not passionate about.  By now, you know my heart.  You know me.  So you know that I have trouble turning a blind eye to those in need, especially if there is something I might be able to do to help.  Something we can do to help.

Today, I'm passionately asking you to buy one raffle ticket for the #MartinGoesToHarvey campaign where proceeds go towards helping our neighbors along the Texas Coast who are still rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey ripped through their seemingly normal lives, last fall.   

I realize that our neighbors are no longer the top story on our social news feeds and the images of them trying to piece back together their businesses and homes no longer grace the covers of newspapers in cities like Waco, San Antonio, or Dallas.  

But guess what.  They still need us.  I saw their need first-hand, last week.  I had the opportunity to walk through an area in North Texas, hard hit by Harvey's floodwaters.  When I saw the boards that have yet to go up, the drywall ready to be installed, the community that is still out there working toward a common goal, I could feel their pain of yesterday, strength of today, and hope for tomorrow.  It was like this ironic beauty beyond the ruin.  These Texans are strong.  They'll be even stronger.  

You can help these communities so important to Texas - so important to us - by buying one raffle ticket.  One ticket is ten dollars.   Imagine if nearly every person I know or engage with on social media were to purchase one raffle ticket.  Wow.  

Your ten dollar ticket enters you into a drawing for this beautiful Martin guitar valued at over $1500.  It is signed by over 25 Texas country music artists which increases its value ten-fold.  This beautiful instrument and now piece of history has been in my hands for months now.  I carried this Martin with me for throughout my Steel Tour asking fellow artists to lend their signature and support towards this incredible cause.  I'm grateful to them for doing so.

But I also understand that to buy one raffle ticket is not something everyone can do.  I 100% get that.  Trust me.  I am a independent artist more often than not struggling to make ends meet.  So, in that case, I ask for your support in sharing this blog and #MartinGoesToHarvey campaign on your social media or by word of mouth.  Please.  And, thank you.  Very much.

I also want you to know the whole story behind Martin Goes To Harvey.  I want to answer each and every question you might have.  

So, here's how #MartinGoesToHarvey was born y'all.

👉🏼 Right after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, my heart went out to those affected.  Like so many others, I wanted to help.  That's when (and I do not believe by coincidence) a Facebook friend messaged me saying that he had this brand new Martin guitar that he wanted to give to me with the intention of me autographing it, playing it live, and auctioning it off.

How cool is that?

I thought, why not take that idea even further!

At the time, I was on a really busy run of my #SteelTour where I was opening for and coming into contact with a lot of really big Texas artists.  Perfect timing, right?  So, everywhere I went so did the Martin. Now, the guitar has over 25 major autographs!

 Who all has autographed the guitar?

👉🏼 Restless Heart, Mo Pitney, Koe Wetzel, Parker McCollum, Kevin Fowler, Zane Williams, Josh Ward, Ted Nugent, Chad Prather, “Cowboy Bill” Martin,  Doug Supernaw, Bryan White, Roger Creager, Jack Ingram, Sam Riggs, Brandon Rhyder, Bri Bagwell, Adrian Johnston, Kimberly Dunn, Kaitlin Butts, Kensie Coppin, Ray Johnston Band, Jordan Lee and The Revelry, The Gibbonses, Brian Chance Band, Justin Todd Herod, Cody Wayne Band, Darrin Morris Band, Freddie Pate, Kevin Jackson Music, Derek Anthony, Jamie Talbert, and more to come...

 How much is a raffle ticket?

👉🏼 ONLY $10! 

How much is the guitar worth?

👉🏼 It has been valued at over $1500 on its own.

Where does the money go?

👉🏼 I have partnered with the Bowen Family Foundation to collect the funds through the online raffle. 100% of the money raised will go to the Rebuild Texas Fund, which also gives 100% of its money as an organization directly to areas STILL affected by Hurricane Harvey and needing help.

When is the deadline to buy tickets?

👉🏼JAN 31 at midnight when the winner of the guitar is randomly drawn! 

My dear friends, my CALL TO ACTION is simple: Donate today by buying a raffle ticket.  Together, we can show our neighbors - those families and businesses in Houston, Corpus, Port Aransas and more, that we haven't forgotten. 

Buy raffle ticket(s) HERE:  https://raffles.ticketprinting.com/?r=6857

Thank you. #TexasStrong

Forever Grateful, 

Holly XO