Blending a beautiful alto voice, crisp acoustic guitar work, and deeply heartfelt songwriting, Lynn Hollyfield has built a reputation for creating music that resonates with warmth, honesty, and emotional depth. Known for her inviting stage presence and reflective lyricism, Hollyfield crafts contemporary folk songs infused with jazz-inspired chords, bluesy guitar flourishes, and soulful vocals — drawing comparisons to Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bonnie Raitt, and even touches of George Gershwin, while ultimately maintaining a sound entirely her own.
Growing up on Staten Island, New York, Hollyfield was surrounded by an eclectic mix of musical influences, from jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra to iconic artists such as The Beatles and Neil Young. She began performing locally at a young age before gaining wider recognition as one half of the duo Hollyfield & Spruill, appearing at respected events including the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.
Following the launch of her solo career, Hollyfield released several acclaimed albums including LAYERS (2010), IN THE BALANCE (2014), and LOOK UP (2024), earning both national and international airplay along with multiple songwriting honors, including recognition among the Top Artists and Top Albums from the International Folk Alliance. During the pandemic, she also published the children’s book The Tree, The Ship and Me, with its accompanying song becoming a finalist in the Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Contest.
Now, Hollyfield is preparing to unveil her fourth studio album, Diving In, produced by GRAMMY-nominated artist and producer Seth Glier. The project came together following a chance meeting during a spring songwriting challenge and summer songwriter retreat, eventually leading to the recording of 11 songs in just five days at Ghost Hit Recording Studios in West Springfield, Massachusetts, inside a historic New England church converted into a studio space.
Joined by collaborators including Seth Glier, Abbie Gardner, Reed Sutherland, Rob Griffith, and later Kelly Halloran, the sessions unfolded just before Christmas in 2025 as snowfall surrounded the studio, adding to the intimate atmosphere that now permeates the album.
Diving In explores themes of loss, love, resilience, and human connection through a collection rooted primarily in contemporary folk, while occasionally leaning into traditional and timeless Americana textures. Reflecting on the project, Hollyfield shared:
“There’s a quiet beauty in tradition. A delicate sacred space in folk music where songs can paint landscapes. Where melodies and arrangements sit comfortably inside the roots of Americana without ever feeling dated. Instead, they feel like a reminder. A breath. A return to something real in a world that constantly forces us to live too fast, want too much, and never be satisfied.”
One of the album’s most emotionally powerful songs, “Blindspot,” was written in response to losing both a family member and a friend during the fentanyl crisis. The song reflects on grief, regret, and the painful uncertainty of whether more could have been done to help.
“Afterwards, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had been truly open and caring when I was with them,” Hollyfield explained. “Was there anything I could have done to help them? I’ll never know and it’s one of those hard life lessons – too little too late.”
The song was developed alongside Seth Glier at the Dar Williams Songwriter’s Retreat in August 2025 before becoming the first track recorded for the upcoming album.
Beyond her recording work and touring schedule across the East Coast, Hollyfield remains deeply involved in supporting local music communities. She serves as host for the Songwriter’s Association of Washington open mic series and works as Music Director at the Celebration Center for Spiritual Living in Falls Church, Virginia.
With Diving In, Lynn Hollyfield continues to create music rooted in compassion, reflection, and authenticity — songs that never force themselves into the spotlight, but instead earn attention through patience, grace, and emotional truth.
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