Holly Dunn

Holly Suzette Dunn (August 22, 1957 – November 14, 2016) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Dunn recorded for MTM Records between 1985 and 1988, Warner Bros. Records between 1988 and 1993, and River North Records between 1995 and 1997. She released 10 albums and charted 19 singles, plus two duets on the Hot Country Songs charts. Two of her single releases, "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me" and "You Really Had Me Going", went to No. 1 on that chart. Other songs for which she is known include "Daddy's Hands" and "Maybe I Mean Yes". Dunn's brother, Chris Waters, is a songwriter and record producer, having worked with both his sister and other artists in these capacities. Dunn retired from music in 2003, and died of ovarian cancer in 2016.

Biography Early years and MTM Records Holly Suzette Dunn was born August 22, 1957. Her parents were a Church of Christ preacher and a landscape painter.

While attending high school, Dunn performed in a band called Freedom Folk Singers, which toured the Southern United States. She attended Abilene Christian University and performed in a school-sponsored group called The Hilltoppers. Dunn also wrote songs with her brother, Chris Waters, who later became a prolific songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee. One of their collaborations, "Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind", was recorded by Cristy Lane. After graduating from college, Dunn moved to Nashville, where she worked as a demo singer before both Waters and she became songwriters at CBS Records, and then MTM Records. Louise Mandrell had a top-10 hit in 1984 with "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet", which the two co-wrote. peaked at No. 7 on that chart. The song was included on her self-titled debut, from which it served as the final single. Following this song, she sang guest vocals on Michael Martin Murphey's Top 5 hit "A Face in the Crowd", from his album Americana. She was named the Academy of Country Music's Top New Female Vocalist in 1986, and then the winner of Country Music Association's Horizon Award in 1987.

Her second MTM album, Cornerstone, produced three straight top-10 hits in "Love Someone Like Me", "Only When I Love", and "Strangers Again". who also sang backing vocals on it. She also became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1989. She also sang on Kenny Rogers' late 1990 hit "Maybe", from his album Something Inside So Strong. Her final Warner Bros. release, Getting It Dunn, failed to produce a top-40 hit, and she exited the label in 1993.

Retirement and death In 2003, Dunn announced her retirement from her musical career and released her final album, Full Circle, which was her only gospel album, to devote full-time to her other passion, art. Her paintings deal primarily with subjects from the Southwestern United States. At the time of her death, Dunn was married to Dr. Melissa Taylor.

Discography

Studio albums Holly Dunn (1986) Cornerstone (1987) Across the Rio Grande (1988) The Blue Rose of Texas (1989) Heart Full of Love (1990) Getting It Dunn (1992) Life and Love and All the Stages (1995) Leave One Bridge Standing (1997) Full Circle (2003)

Awards and nominations Grammy Awards

Best Female Country Vocal Performance Best Country Song 1988 "A Face in the Crowd" Best Country Collaboration with Vocals TNN/Music City News Country Awards

Female Artist of the Year

1989 Academy of Country Music Awards 1987 Holly Dunn Top New Female Vocalist Country Music Association Awards

"Daddy's Hands" Song of the Year Holly Dunn Horizon Award Holly Dunn and Michael Martin Murphy Vocal Duo of the Year