Heather Holley

Last updated
Heather Holley
Birth nameHeather Holley
Origin Austin, Texas, US
Genres Pop
Occupation(s) record producer, songwriter, composer, vocal producer, A&R,
Years active1999–present
LabelsElicit Productions, RCA, EMI

Heather Holley is an American music producer, songwriter, vocalist, vocal producer, composer, pianist, and Pro Tools engineer, whose credits have yielded combined sales of over 29 million albums. She specializes in artist development and is known for her role in launching Christina Aguilera's career. She and Elicit Productions partner Rob Hoffman (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Etta James), [1] wrote and produced the recordings that led to Aguilera's signing to RCA Records.

Contents

Holley has also developed and/or worked with artists including Meredith O'Connor; Holly Brook aka Skylar Grey; Jackie Evancho; Nikki Williams; Katie Costello; Bebe Rexha; Martha Wash; Rebekah del Rio; Kat Perkins; Itaal Shur; and Dave Eggar. Her songs have been featured in prime time television series such as Grey's Anatomy , 90210 , American Idol , The Office , Private Practice, So You Think You Can Dance, Ugly Betty, The Hills, Keeping Up With the Kardashians ; [2] feature films and trailers including Pursuit of Happyness , Kiss of the Dragon , and David LaChappelle's Rize ; and runway shows for New York Fashion Week and ad campaigns for global brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Pepsi, and Microsoft. Heather has been interviewed for VH1's Driven: Christina Aguilera and two E! Entertainment Christina Aguilera Specials. [3] In their show at the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize Concert, Le Petit Cirque performed to Heather's song We All Need A Hero.

Christina Aguilera

In 1997, Heather Holley and Rob Hoffman were asked to write and produce a demo for a then unknown, former Mickey Mouse Club member named Christina Aguilera. Their work led to Aguilera's signing with RCA Records. Her self-titled debut album includes a song from Christina's demo called Obvious, which was written by Holley and produced by Hoffman. The album has sold over 17 million copies worldwide and garnered Aguilera a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2000.

In 2002, Holley and Hoffman contributed to Aguilera's second album Stripped , producing and co-writing the songs Soar , Stripped Intro , Stripped Interlude , and I Will Be, which was the B-side of the "Dirrty" single. Soar was featured in soundtracks and trailers for Rize , Honey , and The Pursuit of Happyness .

In 2004, Holley and Hoffman were commissioned by Mercedes to write and produce a new Christina Aguilera song Hello (Follow Your Own Star) for the international advertising campaign launching the Mercedes-Benz A Class. The campaign included Mercedes-Benz television spots with Aguilera, Giorgio Armani, and Boris Becker, and the end of the campaign featured a concert event in Milan where Aguilera performed Hello for the first time. The commercial featuring the song won a German advertising award and became a Radio hit in Europe, charting at #25 in Germany and at #6 in Italy.[ citation needed ]

In 2006, Heather's song "Here to Stay" was included on Christina's Back to Basics album and featured in a worldwide Pepsi commercial campaign.

In 2015, Soar was featured in Christina's World Hunger Relief PSA. [4]

Charting

Appearances

Published articles

Discography

YearSongArtistAlbumLabel
1999
  • "Obvious"
Christina Aguilera "Christina Aguilera" RCA Records
2000
  • "Obvious"
Christina Aguilera Remix PlusRCA Records
2001
  • "Adore You"
Lisa Barbuscia "Kiss of the Dragon Soundtrack" Immortal Records
2002
  • "Soar"
Christina Aguilera "Stripped" RCA Records
2002
  • "Stripped Intro"
Christina Aguilera "Stripped" RCA Records
2002
  • "Stripped Part 2"
Christina Aguilera "Stripped" RCA Records
2002
  • "I Will Be"
Christina Aguilera "Dirrty B-side" RCA Records
2002
  • "Hot"
  • "No Secrets"
  • "Come Back"
No Secrets "No Secrets" Jive Records
2002
  • "Soar"
Christina Aguilera "Honey" TrailerUniversal Pictures
2003
  • "Circle"
  • "Remember Love"
  • "Fill Me Up"
  • "Circle Goth Remix"
Suzy K"Circle"Vellum Records
2004 Christina Aguilera "Mercedes-Benz Commercial"Mercedes-Benz/RCA
2004
  • "Album"
The Randies "At The Friendship Motor Inn"LoveGroove Records
2004
  • "Album"
Bernadette Moley"All I Want"Blossom Recordings
2005
  • "Album"
Holly Brook "Holly Brook"Independent
2005
  • "Soar"
Christina Aguilera "Rize Soundtrack" and "Rize Film" Silva Screen Records
2005
  • "Peanut Butter"
The Randies "Of Hands and Hearts"Music for the Tsunami Disaster Fund
2006
  • "Here To Stay"
Christina Aguilera "Back To Basics"RCA Records
2006
  • "Soar"
Christina Aguilera "Pursuit of Happyness Trailer"Columbia Pictures
2006
  • "All Will Be Forgotten"
Skylar Grey "Like Blood Like Honey"Warner Brothers
2006
  • "Album"
The Randies "I Saw The Light"LoveGroove Records
2006
  • "So Deep"
Walker Chris Cox"Remixes EP"Elicit
2006
  • "Together"
Actors"One Life To Live Prom Night: The Musical Theme Song"ABC
2008
  • "Album"
Katie Costello"Kaleidoscope Machine"Tiny Tiny Records
2008
  • "EP"
Caitlin Moe"Caitlin Moe"Independent
2008
  • "Miss You"
  • "Woman"
  • "Stranger"
Natalia Lesz "Natalia Lesz"EMI Poland
2008
  • "I Come Alive"
Lidia Copania "Prezd Switem"Warner Music Poland
2009
  • "Drop It Real Low"
Bebe Rexha Independent
2009
  • "Someone to La La Love"
Caitlin Moe"GenArt Film Festival Trailer" GenArt Film Festival
2009
  • "We All Need A Hero"
Sasha LazardStarlight Children's Foundation Theme Song Starlight Foundation
2010
  • composer
various"The D-Monster" short film
2010
  • "Feel Good"
Official HankMicrosoft Office 2010 Launch Flash MobMicrosoft Office
2011
  • "China Feet"
Itaal Shur "Beyond Tomorrow"ITAALAVISION
2011
  • "Know Me"
  • "Everybody is a Star"
Richie Rich NY Fashion Week Runway Show Hammerstein Ballroom
2011
  • "Album"
Rebekah Del Rio "Love Hurts Love Heals"1111 Records
2011
  • composer
Richie Rich, PagetBig Breakin (short film)Outfest 2012
2012
  • "I Remember"
Alexandra Monir"Timeless Novel"Random House
2012
  • "Naked"
  • "Neverland"
Pati SokolsinglesPati Sokol Dream Production
2012
  • "Lovekill"
Justin MisesingleJustin Mise
2012
  • "Sorry Doesn't Cut It"
  • "Close The Chapter"
Lucius ClarksinglesLucius Clark
2013
  • "Fearless"
  • "Toxic"
Dana Lowrey"Dana Lowrey"Buckhouse
2013
  • "Alright"
Martha Wash "Something Good"Purple Rose Records
2013
  • "EP"
Charlotte Sabina"Charlotte Sabina"Teal Torch Media
2013
  • "In Love With You"
Natalia Lesz "That Girl"EMI Poland
2014
  • "Late 4 Wishes"
  • "Like I Do"
  • "Feed the Beast"
Karen RubynsinglesKaren Rubyn
2014
  • "Alone Together"
Sasha Lazard "Lumiere"The Myth of Red, Inc.
2014
  • "Fearless"
Kat Perkins "Fearless"Kat Perkins
2015
  • "Show Some Love"
First Ladies of Discosingle and remixesPurple Rose Records
2015
  • "Soar"
Christina Aguilera World Hunger Relief PSARCA
2015
  • "Stronger Than Us"
Meredith O'Connor

ft Garrett Clayton

singleMetamorphosis Productions, LLC
2016"Someday at Christmas" and "Little Drummer Boy"Jackie EvanchoSomeday at ChristmasSony Music
2017Sane, Pedestal, The Haunting, WonderlandJackie EvanchoTwo HeartsSony Music
2017"We All Need a Hero"Le Petit CirqueNobel Peace Prize Concert NorwayNobel Peace Prize Concert
2018"Hold On"MathiaCharmed S1Ep17CW
2019"Fresh"TVTEDynastyCW
2019Old Enough to VoteJacob TremblayTwilight Zone- Jordan PeeleCBS All Access
2019"Hero" from SonglandTVTESonglandNBC
2023I Will BeChristina AguileraStripped 20th AnniversaryRCA

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina Aguilera</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1980)

Christina María Aguilera is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality. Referred to as the "Voice of a Generation", she is noted for her four-octave vocal range and signature use of sustaining high notes and use of melisma throughout her music. Recognized as an influential figure in popular music, she also became known for incorporating controversial themes such as feminism, sexuality, LGBT culture and the sex-positive movement into her work. Aguilera was also honoured as a Disney Legend, for her contributions to The Walt Disney Company.

<i>Christina Aguilera</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera is the debut studio album by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was released on August 24, 1999, by RCA Records. After recording "Reflection", the theme song for the 1998 Disney film Mulan, RCA laid the foundation for the album immediately and started presenting Aguilera with tracks for her debut album, which they originally decided would have a January 1999 release. Its music incorporates dance-pop and teen pop genres, with a few songs featuring strong elements from soul and contemporary R&B. Contributions to the album's production came from a wide range of producers, including David Frank, Ron Fair, Guy Roche, Robin Thicke, Matthew Wilder and Aaron Zigman.

<i>Stripped</i> (Christina Aguilera album) 2002 studio album by Christina Aguilera

Stripped is the fourth studio album by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was released on October 22, 2002, by RCA Records. Looking to transition from the teen pop styles of her self-titled debut album (1999), Aguilera took creative control over her next album, both musically and lyrically. She also changed her public image and established her alter ego Xtina. Musically, the record incorporates pop and R&B with influences from many different genres, including soul, rock, hip hop, and Latin music. Lyrically, most of the songs from the album discuss the theme of self-respect, while a few other songs talk about sex and feminism. As an executive producer, Aguilera enlisted numerous new collaborators for the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful (Christina Aguilera song)</span> 2002 single by Christina Aguilera

"Beautiful" is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for her fourth studio album, Stripped (2002). It was released as the album's second single on November 16, 2002. A pop and R&B ballad, "Beautiful" was written and produced by Linda Perry and discusses inner-beauty, as well as self-esteem and insecurity. Aguilera commented that she put "her heart and soul" into the track, which she felt represented the theme of Stripped.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirrty</span> 2002 single by Christina Aguilera featuring Redman

"Dirrty" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera featuring American rapper Redman, released as the lead single from her fourth studio album Stripped. Despite Aguilera's first three years of commercial success, she was displeased with the lack of control over her image. In response, she desired to create a song that would represent her authentic persona. She approached hip hop producer Rockwilder and suggested using Redman's 2001 song "Let's Get Dirty " as a guide. The final result, "Dirrty", is an R&B and hip hop song that also features rapping verses from Redman and describes sexual activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Turn to You (All-4-One song)</span> 1997 single by All-4-One

"I Turn to You" is a song written by American songwriter Diane Warren and first recorded by R&B quartet All-4-One from the soundtrack album to the film Space Jam (1996). The ballad, produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, received little recognition until American pop singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera recorded it for her self-titled debut album. Aguilera, who worked with Warren in another song for her debut album, felt connected to the song after relating its lyrics to her relationship with her mother, and was encouraged by Warren to record the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighter (Christina Aguilera song)</span> 2003 single by Christina Aguilera

"Fighter" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera for her fourth studio album, Stripped (2002). The song was written by Aguilera and Scott Storch, and produced by the latter. It was released by RCA Records as the third single from Stripped on March 10, 2003. Inspired by Guns N' Roses' song "November Rain", "Fighter" was characterized as a hybrid of rock and R&B that incorporates elements of arena rock and rock and roll. The track sees Aguilera thanking a man who had done her wrong for making her a "fighter."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Hold Us Down</span> 2003 single by Christina Aguilera

"Can't Hold Us Down" is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera and rapper Lil' Kim for the former's fourth studio album, Stripped (2002). It was released by RCA Records on July 8, 2003, as the fourth single from the album. The track was written and produced by Scott Storch, with additional songwriting by Aguilera and Matt Morris. An R&B and hip hop song with a dancehall outro, "Can't Hold Us Down" criticizes gender-related double standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Voice Within</span> 2003 single by Christina Aguilera

"The Voice Within" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera from her fourth studio album, Stripped (2002). The song was written by Aguilera and Glen Ballard, with production handled by Ballard. It is a piano-driven ballad that talks about trusting oneself and one's instincts. "The Voice Within" was released as the fifth and final single from Stripped on October 27, 2003, by RCA Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina Aguilera discography</span>

American singer Christina Aguilera has released nine studio albums, two extended plays (EPs), six compilation albums, one soundtrack album, 54 singles, and 17 promotional singles. To date, Aguilera has sold around 90 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling female music artist of all time. Billboard ranked Aguilera as the 37th Greatest Hot 100 Women of All Time and the 44th Greatest Billboard 200 Women of All Time. In the United States alone, Aguilera has sold 18.3 million albums. Through the RIAA she has 18.6 million certified albums units and 10 million certified digital singles units. Aguilera is recognized as the 20th best-selling artist of the 2000s. She has also achieved 10 number one hits on Billboard's Dance Club Songs. In the United Kingdom, Aguilera has sold over 3.3 million albums and 6.1 million singles.

<i>Back to Basics</i> (Christina Aguilera album) 2006 studio album by Christina Aguilera

Back to Basics is the fifth studio album by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was released on August 9, 2006, in the United States by RCA Records as a double album. Serving as executive producer, she enlisted a wide range of producers, including DJ Premier, Rich Harrison, Rob Lewis, Mark Ronson, and Linda Perry. Recording sessions took place between February 2005 and April 2006 at several studios in the United States and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't No Other Man</span> 2006 single by Christina Aguilera

"Ain't No Other Man" is a song by the American singer Christina Aguilera from her fifth studio album Back to Basics (2006). Aguilera co-wrote the song with Kara DioGuardi, Charles Martin Roane, Harold Beatty and the producer DJ Premier. "Ain't No Other Man" is a pop, funk and R&B song that incorporates elements of soul, blues and jazz music. Lyrically, the song was inspired by her marriage to Jordan Bratman in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell Me (Diddy song)</span> 2006 single by P. Diddy featuring Christina Aguilera

"Tell Me" is a hip hop song by American rapper and producer P. Diddy from his fourth studio album, Press Play (2006), featuring guest vocals from American singer Christina Aguilera. The song was written by Combs himself, Stephen "Static Major" Garrett, Ryan "Royce" Montgomery, Elizabeth Bingham, Shannon Jones, Jack Knight, Shannon Lawrence and Leroy Watson, with production held by Just Blaze. It is the second single from the above-mentioned album. According to All Access, the single hit radio stations on November 7, 2006.

<i>Keeps Gettin Better: A Decade of Hits</i> 2008 greatest hits album by Christina Aguilera

Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits is the first greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera. It was released on November 6, 2008 by RCA Records. The album contains Aguilera's singles from all of her studio albums released up to 2008. It also featured four new additions: two remakes of her previous singles—"Genie in a Bottle" (1999) and "Beautiful" (2002)—and two original songs "Keeps Gettin' Better" and "Dynamite". In the United States, the album was released on November 11, 2008, exclusively via Target.

<i>Bionic</i> (Christina Aguilera album) 2010 studio album by Christina Aguilera

Bionic is the sixth studio album by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was released on June 4, 2010, by RCA Records. Inspired by Aguilera's taste for electronic music, Bionic is characterized as an electropop, futurepop and R&B record. The first half consists of electronic songs incorporating synthesizers and electronic beats, while the second half displays a balladic production. The album's main themes include sex and feminism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We Remain</span> 2013 single by Christina Aguilera

"We Remain" is a song by American singer Christina Aguilera, taken from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, the soundtrack to the 2013 American science-fiction adventure film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. It was released as the third single from the soundtrack on October 1, 2013, following Coldplay's "Atlas" and Sia's "Elastic Heart". Composed by Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle and Mikky Ekko, "We Remain" is an arena pop power ballad about perseverance. Contemporary music critics lauded the song for its sound and picked it as one of the highlights from the soundtrack. The single appeared on a few national record charts including Belgium, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say Something (A Great Big World song)</span> 2013 single by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera

"Say Something" is a song by American pop duo A Great Big World from their debut album, Is There Anybody Out There? (2013). Written by the duo members—Ian Axel and Chad King—alongside Mike Campbell, the song was originally recorded by Axel for his solo album This Is the New Year (2011). It was later released as a single by the duo on September 3, 2013, by Epic Records. Following its usage on American reality TV show So You Think You Can Dance, the track gained attention from singer Christina Aguilera, who wanted to collaborate with A Great Big World on the song. Soon afterwards, a re-recorded version of "Say Something" with Aguilera was released on November 4, 2013.

"Shotgun" is a song recorded by Nashville Cast featuring American singer Christina Aguilera. It was featured on episode "The Storm Has Just Begun" of the third season of Nashville. The song was released on April 21, 2015, as a promotional single for Nashville. A country pop ballad about a long-lasting love, for Aguilera herself the song examines the theme of relationships and partners who "have stood the test of time."

<i>Liberation</i> (Christina Aguilera album) 2018 studio album by Christina Aguilera

Liberation is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera. The album was released on June 15, 2018, through RCA Records. It is Aguilera's first studio album in six years, following her seventh studio album Lotus (2012). The singer started recording the album in late 2014, and throughout 2015 and 2017, Aguilera collaborated with a handful of producers and songwriters to reach her desired sound; Pharrell Williams and Linda Perry were in the studio in early stages and ended up not being on the album, while new collaborators such as Anderson .Paak, Kanye West, Che Pope, Mike Dean and Tayla Parx were confirmed to be on the album. It features collaborations with Demi Lovato, Keida, Shenseea, GoldLink, Ty Dolla Sign, 2 Chainz, and XNDA.

References

  1. "Rob Hoffman | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  2. "Heather Holley". IMDb. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  3. "Heather Holley". IMDb. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  4. "VIDEO: Christina Aguilera on Her Moving Mission to End World Hunger". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  5. http://www.unisong.com/Winners12.aspx
  6. "Disco Divas Martha Wash, Evelyn 'Champagne' King & Linda Clifford Hit Dance Club Songs Top 10". Billboard. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  7. E! Entertainment Special: Christina Aguilera, 2003-07-20, retrieved 2016-04-28
  8. TV.com. "Driven (2002): Christina Aguilera". TV.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  9. Holley, Heather (15 January 2011). "Soaring with Christina Aguilera". Wall Street Journal.