LAYONNE HOLMES
VOCALIST
About Me.
Layonne Holmes is a singer with a repertoire that includes soul, jazz, funk, and rock & roll. She has stage and studio experience and continues to broaden her horizons by working with world-class musicians.
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Ask Layonne Holmes why she became a singer and she'll tell you it's in her DNA. Her mother, Delores, was an accomplished performer, including having been a backing singer with The Bruce Springsteen Band.
Layonne got her first break singing backup with the band Backwoods and subsequently became a member of Love Among Freaks (of "Clerks" movie fame). Soon after, Layonne, her mom and friend Debbie Vaughn formed RAIN, a group whose sound was an electrifying fusion of soul, jazz, R&B, rock and gospel. Layonne parlayed that experience into a critically acclaimed Grand Ladies of Jazz concert show, which featured songs from Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nina Simone and formed the basis for her next project, The New Standard. At the same time, Layonne began the 12-piece Motor City Revue, a Motown & Stax tribute band that since its founding in 2011, has built a strong following. Additionally, Layonne is a member of Tim McLoone & The Shirleys, a cover band that performs a mix of jazz, classic rock, and "girl group" pop. Layonne's association with Tim began when she and her mom signed on as volunteers for his non-profit organization Holiday Express, a group that brings music, supplies, financial support and goodwill to those in need.
Layonne has been featured in many Rock 'n' Soul Revues produced by Bob Bandiera, then-touring member of the band Bon Jovi. Her work with Bandiera led to an invitation to be a member of Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia. Throughout her career, Layonne has shared the stage with many music industry luminaries, including Darlene Love, Phoebe Snow, Southside Johnny, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King, Leslie Gore, and more. In 2001, Layonne and her mom were selected to back Bruce Springsteen on the internationally-televised "9/11 Tribute to Heroes" telethon and appear on the album of the same name. Throughout the years she has also recorded in many studio sessions for local artists as well as for E Street Band member, Danny Federici, Fernando Saunders of Lou Reed Band, Vini Lopez of Steel Mill, Darlene Love, Lloyd Price, and many others.
Layonne now sings backup for Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love, and continues to stretch her musical muscles. Turning her attention to songwriting collaborations with area musicians, Layonne's next goal to conquer: recording a solo CD. Her first published song, "Higher Plane" appeared on the 1999 Love Among Freaks CD, "Representin' Planet Earth", and she looks forward to many more in the future.
2024 CALENDAR.
2024
JANUARY
Jan 26 - Ray Andersen's Bowie & Beyond Tribute, Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, NJ, 9pm
FEBRUARY
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Feb 10 - Matt O'Ree Band, Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, NJ, 9pm
Feb 16 - The Shirleys, Tim McLoone's 76th B'day Bash, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, 8pm
Feb 23 - Ray Andersen's Press Play, Salty's, Lake Como, NJ, 8pm
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MARCH
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Mar 2 - Motor City Revue, Sanctuary House Benefit Gala, Greensboro, NC, 8pm
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APRIL
Apr 6 - Matt O'Ree Band, Leestavall LIVE-to-VINYL Recording, Brooklyn, NY
Apr 12 - Darlene Love, Patchogue Theater, Long Island, NY
Apr 14 - Darlene Love, Bergen PAC, Bergen, NJ
Apr 19 - Ray Andersen's Bowie & Beyond Tribute, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, 8pm
Apr 20 - The Disco Connection, The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ, 8pm
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MAY
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May 3 - Motor City Revue, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, 8pm
May 9 - Motor City Revue, Fulfill Shore to Rock Hunger 2024, Baseline Social, Oceanport, NJ, 6pm
May 10 - Motor City Revue, Teddy B. Fundraiser, Martell's, Pt. Pleasant, NJ, 7-11pm
May 17 - Darlene Love, Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem, PA
May 18 - Duo w/Ray Andersen, McLoone's Boathouse, S. Orange, NJ, 8pm
May 19 - Mark Conklin, The Gospel According to Mark - Album Release Performance and Party! Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 3-6pm
May 24 - Matt O'Ree Band, Lizzie Rose Music Room, Tuckerton, NJ, 8pm
May 31 - Trio w/Ray Andersen & Reagan RIchards, Pride in the Park, 6-8pm, Alan M. Augustine Village Green, 430 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ
JUNE
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Jun 13 - The Shirleys, Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ, 7-8:30pm
Jun 14 - Pat Roddy Band, Private Party
Jun 15 - Private Party
Jun 22 - Private Party
Jun 26 - Motor City Revue, Private Party
Jun 26 - The Shirleys, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, 8pm
Jun 27 - Motor City Revue, Pier Village Boardwalk, Long Branch, NJ, 7-8:30pm
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JULY
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Jul 4 - Darlene Love, Hatch Shell, Boston, MA
Jul 13- Matt O'Ree Band, Sourland Music Fest, NJ, pm
Jul 26 - Motor City Revue, Brookdale Park, Bloomfield, NJ, 7:30-9pm
Jul 27 - Matt O'Ree Band, Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, NJ, 9pm
Jul 31 - The Shirleys, Arthur Pryor Bandshell, Asbury Park, NJ, 6:30pm
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AUGUST
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Aug 2 - Motor City Revue, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, 8pm
Aug 8 - POSTPONED, stay tuned! - Motor City Revue, Crane Park Gazebo, West Caldwell, NJ, 7:30-9pm
Aug 17 - Matt O'Ree Band w/David Bryan, Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, NJ, 9pm
Aug 28 - The Shirleys, McLoone's Supper Club, Asbury Park, NJ, 8pm (Carole King & Linda Ronstadt)
Aug 29 - Darlene Love, Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield, MA
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SEPTEMBER
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Sep 1 - Motor City Revue, Private Party
Sep 8 - Ray Andersen's Press Play, Casino Pier, Seaside Beach, NJ, 7pm
Sep 11 - Motor City Revue, Downtown Freehold, NJ, 7-9pm​S
Sep 12 - Steven Keene, Union County PAC, 7pm
Sep 21 - Private Party
Sep 26 - Darlene Love, Cousin Brucie Show, PNC Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ - FREE!
Sep 28 - Motor City Revue, Edison Family Street Fair, Edison, NJ, 3-4:30pm
Sep 28 - Motor City Revue, Private Party
Sep 29 - Motor City Revue, Somerset County Diversity Festival, Grove and Main Streets, in front of the Historic Courthouse, Somerset, NJ, 3:15-4pm
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OCTOBER ​
Oct 5 - Private Party
Oct 19 - Private Party
Oct 29-Nov3 - Darlene Love, Malt Shop Memories Cruise
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NOVEMBER
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Nov 7 - Motor City Revue, Orion Communities Gala, Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, PA
Nov 15 - Matt O'Ree Band, Bell Theater, Holmdel, NJ, 8pm
Nov 23 - Private Party
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DECEMBER
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WAIT TILL YOU SEE THIS!
and many more!
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PERFORMED and/or RECORDED with:
Alan Grant & Primitive Soul
Backwoods
Arlan Feiles & The Brokenhearted
Bar Scott
Ben E King
Beth Nielsen Chapman
Bill Chinnock
Bob Bandiera
Bob Burger
Bruce Springsteen
Calling All Divas
Chris Pinella
Clarence Clemons
Darlene Love
Dan Zanes
Elana Hayden
Franke Previte
Gabrielle Roth and The Moving Center
John Cafferty
Jon Bon Jovi
Josh Dion
Lesley Gore
Lisa Lowell
Little Steven Van Zandt
Love Among Freaks
Mike Wells
Neal Coty
Nick Clemons
Nicole Atkins
Pat Guadagno
Patti Scialfa
Phoebe Snow
(Mr.) Ray Andersen
Robert Cotnoir/Grapefruit Soundlab
Soozie Tyrell
Steve Greenwell
Soul Project
Southside Johnny
The Trammps (supporting act)
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