Dave Hollister took only six days to record and mix his latest solo outing, The MANuscript. And on the seventh day, Hollister says with a laugh, “I rested.”
The biblical reference is fitting given that Hollister, the son of two pastors, is himself now a pastor in Northern California and also the newly appointed bishop of music for the 300-member Family of Churches Fellowship International. However, the Chicago-born singer-songwriter says he’s always been a workaholic when it comes to his music career. “I ain’t got time to play,” explains Hollister, who’s married with two daughters. “I’ve always gone in with a sense of urgency.”
Hollister already stands at No. 29 on Adult R&B Songs with The MANuscript’s midtempo lead single “Definition of a Woman.” It’s one of 10 tracks comprising the album, described as a “blueprint” on how to build a strong relationship. The set, a partnership between Hollister Music Group, Conjunction Entertainment and TopNotch Music, hits retail on Sept. 9 via Shanachie Records. Hollister’s last offering, 2014’s Chicago Winds … the Saga Continues, debuted and peaked at No. 10 on R&B Albums and No. 21 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
After gaining initial notice as a featured guest (a.k.a. “The Black Angel”) on 2Pac’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby” and “Keep Ya Head Up,” Hollister and his earthy tenor claimed fame as a member of Blackstreet (“Before I Let You Go,” “Joy”). Then Hollister forged his own R&B lane with real-life, message-bearing anthems like “My Favorite Girl,” “One Woman Man,” “Can’t Stay” and his most recent top 10 (No. 7) R&B hit “Spend the Night.”
Watch the video for “Definition of a Woman” here:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1suk-eiFKw]
A new album, however, isn’t the only thing on Hollister’s plate. In addition to being back on the road with Blackstreet, he’s rehearsing for his role in the stage adaption of the popular 1997 film Love Jones. The cast for Love Jones: The Musical, traveling the country Sept. 13-Dec. 5, includes fellow R&B/hip-hop faves Musiq Soulchild, Raheem DeVaughn, MC Lyte, Marsha Ambrosius and Chrisette Michele. On the horizon: a duets album with Angie Stone (“That’s my girl, my partner right there”). The two first intermingled their voices on “Begin Again,” a track from Stone’s current album Dream. Reuniting on the engaging “Receipts” — a sequel of sorts that appears on Hollister’s MANuscript — sparked the idea of the duo recording a duets album.
