Holly Near

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Holly Near – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and legacy of Holly Near (born June 6, 1949) — singer, activist, and artist. From folk protest music to feminist and LGBTQ advocacy, explore her biography, work, philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Holly Near (born June 6, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, producer, educator, and lifelong social justice activist. Known for combining artistry with activism, Near has built a decades-long career in folk and protest music, championing causes such as peace, feminism, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, and human rights. Her songs are often called “songs of change,” and she has inspired multiple generations to speak out.

This article traces her early life, career milestones, activism, philosophic outlook, and memorable quotes—the themes she sings about and the legacy she continues to build.

Early Life and Family

Holly Near was born in Ukiah, California, and raised on a ranch in Potter Valley, California.

She has two sisters—Timothy and Laurel—and a brother, Fred. Kevin Bacon (their mothers are sisters).

From a young age, Holly performed publicly: she first sang in public at about age 8, and by age 10 had auditioned for Columbia Records.

She enrolled at UCLA to study Theatre Arts, but her academic path was interrupted when she was cast in media roles and turned fully toward performance and activism.

Career and Activism

Early Performance & Acting

Holly Near’s professional career began in the late 1960s. She had guest appearances on television shows such as The Mod Squad, Room 222, All in the Family, and The Partridge Family. Angel, Angel, Down We Go (1969), Slaughterhouse‐Five (1972), Minnie and Moskowitz, and others.

She also joined the Broadway production of Hair in 1970. Kent State shootings in May 1970, the Hair cast staged a silent vigil in protest—an early blending of her performance and activism.

In 1971, Near joined the FTA (Free The Army) Tour, a traveling anti-Vietnam War road show of music, comedy, and theater, performing for soldiers and campaigning against war and racism in the military.

Music & Independent Label

In 1972, Near founded Redwood Records, an independent label dedicated to promoting music by politically conscious artists.

Her musical style evolved in folk, social change, and cabaret traditions.

In the early 1990s, Holly Near published her autobiography, Fire in the Rain, Singer in the Storm.

Her discography includes dozens of albums. Some notable titles:

• Hang in There (1973)

• A Live Album (1975)

• Fire in the Rain (1981)

• Speed of Light (1982)

• Lifeline (1983) (with Ronnie Gilbert)

• HARP (1985) (with Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Arlo Guthrie)

• Edge (2000)

• 2018 (2018), reflecting on environment, aging, domestic violence, and hurricane recovery in Puerto Rico.

In 2018 a documentary titled Holly Near: Singing for Our Lives premiered, chronicling her life, activism, and music.

Advocacy & Social Change

Holly Near is perhaps as well known for activism as for her music. From a young age, she aligned with causes: anti-war movements, feminist struggles, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, and global solidarity.

In 1976, Near publicly came out as a lesbian, and her visibility in lesbian and feminist communities became a key component of her identity.

Near also introduced American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in her concerts, making her music more accessible and inclusive, especially for Deaf audiences—a practice relatively rare among performers at the time.

She has been honored by organizations such as the ACLU, National Organization for Women, National Lawyers Guild, and Ms. Magazine (Woman of the Year), among others. Doctorate of Humane Letters from World College West (California) in 1989.

Near continues to perform, teach, record, and collaborate—her work deeply grounded in change, resistance, love, and community.

Philosophy, Themes & Style

Holly Near’s artistry is characterized by:

• Music as activism: Her songs aren’t mere entertainment—they carry messages, provoke thought, and aim to shift consciousness.

• Inclusivity & access: She strives to make her work accessible (e.g. by incorporating ASL), and emphasizes representing marginalized voices.

• Intersectionality: Her activism weaves together anti-war, feminist, LGBTQ, racial justice, environmental, and global solidarity issues.

• Courage in authenticity: Near consistently speaks her truth, publicly claims identity, and negotiates complexity (e.g. in her sexual identity) rather than conform.

• Resilience through art: Facing obstacles—managing a record label, balancing activism and artistry—she persistently creates.

Her style is both poetic and direct, often employing accessible melodies, folk instrumentation, and lyrics that resonate emotionally and politically.

Famous Quotes of Holly Near

Here are selected quotes that capture her spirit:

“I like it when it's hard, and I like it better when it's not, but I know you don't get the sweet part without the bitter.” “It’s been important to me to be a good activist, a good thinker, a good musician, a good singer, and a good entertainer. You can’t do it all, but I have walked those delicate lines as best I know how.” “You just keep feeding hogwash to people, and pretty soon they'll eat it.” “My parents encouraged thought. You’ll get through life better if you learn how to think.” “When an audience comes to one of my concerts, I hope they’ll see themselves, somewhere, in one of the songs.” “The war on drugs is a war against the communities.”

These lines reflect her beliefs about truth, voice, responsibility, and the role of art in social life.

Lessons from Holly Near

1. Art and activism need not be separate
   Holly Near demonstrates that artistic expression can serve social change, giving voice to movements and communities.

2. Authenticity matters
   Expressing one’s identity—however complex or evolving—can become a powerful act. Her openness about sexual identity and her stance on gender, inclusion, and access show how personal integrity can guide public work.

3. Sustainability in struggle
   Balancing activism, music, and personal life over decades requires adaptability, self-care, and resilience.

4. Inclusivity amplifies impact
   By incorporating ASL interpretation, supporting marginalized voices, and seeking diverse audiences, Near expands the reach and justice of her art.

5. Courage to challenge dominant narratives
   Her quote about “feeding hogwash” warns of dominant narratives that mislead. Revolutionary art and speech must challenge conventional wisdom.

6. Evolving practice
   Over decades, Near continues to evolve—musically, politically, personally—showing that maintaining relevance requires growth, learning, and openness.

Conclusion

Holly Near is not just a musician—she is a cultural force, teacher, and activist whose art and life are intertwined. From her early days in California to her global collaborations and influence, she shows how song, story, and justice can dance together.