Hollin effortlessly taps into the truth and honesty that make Texas music so unique. As the song goes, “Forty two years old with a shovel in my hand…all rock, no sand. Should have stayed in school and made a better plan….all rock, no sand.” McKay's characters hit close to home, from a felon with a score to settle to an alienated adolescent to inspired lovers. All Lone Star characters, at their best and worst, layered with clever guitar, lacy mandolin or lamenting cello.
Sharing regional success as part of The McKay Brothers in the early 2000s, Hollin has been crafting songs for twenty years, even garnering praise from The New York Times. “The McKay brothers are amazing and enchanting,” Clark raved. Echoed iconic songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard: “Absolutely phenomenal.” Hollin has an unpretentious, comfortable voice that brings to mind dusty country roads, dusky sunsets and hopes beyond our dreams. He's simply telling you his stories.