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No Longer Invisible!
Jun 24, 2011 Artists Leave a comment
Posted by
RedRockDoc
This is a subject within the music industry of which everyone is acutely aware. The number of fine artists that languish in the background due only to a lack being seen and heard is near astronomical. In my area of internet radio, I review more than my share of artists through various PR outlets and music submission sites. Ariel Publicity, Hunt Talent Management, Music Submit and Media Ho Publicity to name just a few of my preferred sources. We accept direct submissions from bands, managers, independent and Major Labels as well. Unsigned, Independent or Major, we feel everyone needs to be heard. To be seen and heard is the life’s blood of any aspiring artist or actor for that matter. Not an easy task considering the way the industry is now and has been in the past prior to the digital and internet age.
This of course, brings me back to the subject at hand “Skylar Grey”.
When Skylar Grey burst onto the scene, many in the public and industry were scratching deep to gleam as much information about her as possible. A small short list of friends, family and close knit industry folks knew the whole story but were sworn to secrecy in respect of the artist herself and the anticipated firestorm to follow. We waited on pins and needles for the ripples in the industry waters when the Grammy winners were to be announced. Our fears were lain to rest as the ripples became waves and washed ashore to every square inch of the industrial ocean of which we reside. For those of you that dont know me, keeping my mouth shut on this subject was like having my wisdom teeth pulled without any anesthesia. I did keep my promise despite the overpowering urge “and pain” to voice my personal opinion to certain individuals in the industry for a lack of insight.
It is well known now that Skylar Grey is the former Holly Brook. The history of Holly and the former career path is well known now and I should not have to revisit from start to finish. There are parts of the former self that I specifically shall touch on as it mirrors the careers of many within the industry as a whole. As with most, she shared her own fan base of extremely loyal fans and friends that would have gone way beyond the call of duty to push her into the forefront of the public eye. That kind of loyalty is not given but earned by the artist by loyalty in return to them in return. These fans, friends and family rode every wave, high or low
that Holly endured during those troubled times. Our faith in her and her music never wavered even though she may have doubted herself at times due to the legal complexities and stone walls placed in her path. I do not claim to know every detail of the troubled times she endured, but I know enough and of others to have the insight required.
So here is the gist of the entire story, becoming visible after being invisible. The new track from Skylar Grey “Invisible” in my opinion, is as much about her personal experiences as well as other artists and those fans that have experienced much of the same in their own way. When I listened to this track, I could actually picture her singing it in my mind. I could see Skylar singing in the forefront and Holly singing chorus and background vocals. I think of all the folks that looked right through Holly and never saw the person or the potential are regretting that mistake and shall do so forever more. It is also noteworthy to acknowledge Alex da Kid for his part in this story as well. Alex could have done what others had done so many times in the past and just looked right through her without so much as a second glance. Instead, he took a path that so few do in this industry. He took a chance on Holly and the rest of the story is a page, documented in the chronological records of music history. A rare occurrence but he has garnered much respect and admiration from my end for doing just that. Perhaps others will take note and be a bit more daring in regards to other fine artists of whom need to be seen and heard. The chance he took has served them both, very well indeed!
I guess, no matter how far or how great Skylar Grey becomes, my first respect and admiration will always be Holly Brook. If it were not for all the determination and courage of Holly Brook, there would not be a Skylar Grey. In that regard I give that credit to her parents as this kind of courage and fortitude is not genetic, but is a learned and nurtured quality from early on in life’s teachings.
Holly Brook might not have been in the forefront like Skylar Gey is now,
but it is safe to say she is Invisible No More!
