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Introduction:
This biography is based on an interview with
Don Hollowood, in May of 2000, at Hollowood Music and Sound.
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Don
Hollowood is lead guitarist
for Jill West and Blues Attack.
A
Brief Biography of Don Hollowood
Don Hollowood
grew up in a musical family with his father, "Big
Jim" Hollowood, Sr., being a musician and part time
guitar instructor, in addition to his "day job"
as a contractor. His father opened a music store in the basement
of the family's home in McKees Rocks, PA. Later, he went on
to rent, and then buy the building in McKees Rocks, which
has been the home of Hollowood Music Music & Sound ever
since. The building has survived both fires and floods!
"Big
Jim" Hollowood has since passed on, but his three sons
have carried on the family tradition. Don, Jim Jr., and
Gary Hollowood now jointly own and run the highly successful
Hollowood
Music & Sound store.
Don took
music lessons from his father for many years. He first studied
the bass, but eventually switched to guitar. He played bass
in his high school's band. Don graduated from Sto Rox High
School in 1975.
Don first
played in a band called "The Lone Sharks". They
were friends with the Mancini's, who owned a rock club that
switched to the blues. As a member of the Lone Sharks, Don
was afforded the opportunity to open up for blues legends:
Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. Mancini's club brought
many high quality blues bands to Pittsburgh, providing Don
with first hand exposure to the blues and inspiration.
For 8-10
years, Don played with Gary Belloma and Red, Hot & Blue.
They frequently played at the now defunct Shadyside club called
The Razzberry Rhino.
Don also
used to play with Bon Ton Roulet with Jackie Graham. Jackie
plays with Mark and Hank (from JW & Blues Attack) every
Thursday night for a jam session at Excuses on Pittsburgh's
South Side.
Another
notable Pittsburgh musician, Billy Price, recruited Don to
play with him after Glen Pavone left his band.
Then
came The Hell Hounds, which was the precursor to the current
Jill West and Blues Attack. This band originally included:
Hank Raffetto (of Jill West and Blues Attack), Bird Foster,
Jack Sanso and George Kasalas.
Don currently
enjoys his role as the lead guitarist for Jill West &
Blues Attack, where his talent and energy have found a home.
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