W. S. Holland

W.S. "Fluke" Holland is a drummer who worked extensively with numerous rock and roll musicians, but became well-known as the drummer in Johnny Cash's Tennessee Three backing band.

Holland earned the nickname "Fluke" while working at a filling station. He would use "fluke" as a slang term to replace other nouns. For example, "look at that car," became "look at that fluke." The owner of the station began calling Holland "Fluke" and the nickname stuck. A common, yet understandable, misconception is that Holland earned the nickname "Fluke" because of his improbable entry into the music industry. At the time he made his first recording for Sun Records, he had played the drums just once before. He got his break performing on the original version of "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins. In the months to follow W.S. pioneered the use of drums in rock and roll music, well before Elvis Presley began touring with a drummer.

Holland went on to perform on the "Million Dollar Quartet" session that featured Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. W.S.'s contribution to rock and roll has been recognized by several respected drummers, including Ringo Starr of The Beatles, as being a major influence in their careers. In 1960, Holland joined Johnny Cash as a touring and recording artist and is heard on many of Cash's most famous songs, including "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Ring of Fire." It is reported that Johnny Cash said to him, "I want you to work with me every show I play for as long as I'm in the business," which ended up being the case.

Holland performed as The Tennessee Three with Bob Wootton -- lead guitarist since 1968 -- and in 2006 recorded the band's first album since Cash's death, titled "The Sound Must Go On."

In 2008 WS Holland had the opportunity to perform with The Rhythm Riders a Johnny Cash Tribute band starring frontman Johnny Price. WS was so taken by the authenticity, sound and heart of the show that he will be touring with The Rhythm Riders in 2009. Johnny Price bears an uncanny resemblance to The Man in Black and his vocals are so naturally similar that WS who backed Johnny Cash for 40 years was quoted as saying "Johnny Price doesn't have to try to be Johnny Cash, he just is him!" The Rhythm Riders are from Auburn California and are also a Country Gospel group as well. The Rhythm Riders band members are Johnny & Dee Price on vocals, lead guitarist David Johnston, Larry Tracy on pedal steel, drummer E.G. Smith and bassist Ron Stone.

The Rhythm Riders manager Anthony Kessman was quoted as saying "With WS "Fluke" Holland on board for this tour The Rhythm Riders are no longer just a Johnny Cash Tribute Band, they are the real deal!"

The Rhythm Riders with WS Holland tour has been named "The One More Ride Tour" fittingly after a Johnny Cash tune of the same name. The tour was the brainstorm of WS himself who got a taste of the good old days while playing with Johnny Price and The Rhythm Riders at several sold out events and longed to be on tour again.

Anthony Kessman who recently took over management for The Rhythm Riders states that the tour kicking off in San Diego California in January 2009 will consist of some very popular blues house type venues throughout Northern and Southern California, several festivals and the casino circuit.

Clips of WS Holland and The Rhythm Riders can be found at their website located at: www.rhythmridersmusic.com

External links

* [http://www.tennesseethree.com/ The Tennessee Three's official website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anWtoAvJL5w WS (Fluke) Holland tells how he got the "Fluke"]