Signature showcase
One at a Time — The Holler Signature Roll Call
Spoken introductions and a band that builds one instrument at a time.
Lyrics & arrangement
[Spoken intro: Bubba, male, no music] Every sound has a doorway. We're gonna open 'em one at a time. This here's the Holler Roll-Up. [Pause, then Section 1: 4/4, G6-Em7-Cadd9-D7] [First complete progression: acoustic guitar ALONE, G-B-D-E-D-B] [Second complete progression: add slap upright bass ONLY] [Spoken Bubba over quiet guitar and bass] Come on in, piano. [Piano joins with answering phrase; one full loop] [Verse 1: Bubba] One little guitar by the screen door, One wooden chair upon the floor, A bass comes walking up the pathway, Piano finds an open door. We ain't in a hurry to get somewhere, Let every little sound come through; There's a place beside this porch rail For a worn-out soul like you. [Spoken Bubba] Bring that banjo up here. [Banjo joins alone as new layer, four bars] [Spoken Darlene, unmistakably female] And a little fiddle. [Fiddle joins, answers A-B-D-C-B-G, four bars] [Short duet refrain] One at a time, let the music grow, One more friend with a tale to show. Every road and every rhyme, Build this Holler one at a time. [Band softens; spoken Bubba] Now feel that Holler Heartbeat. [Pause; pivot B7 into E] [Section 2: E7-G6-A7-B7, two full instrumental passes] [Existing acoustic/bass/piano/banjo/fiddle settle into gritty 4/4] [First pass: octave harmonica joins, call E-G-A-B] [Second pass: tenor sax joins, answer B-A-G-E] [Verse 2: Bubba] Hear that harmonica calling, Hear that saxophone reply, There's a little dust from Georgia In the notes that wander by. Every heart has got a story, Every scar has got a name; We can bring our different voices, We don't have to sound the same. [Quiet held E; spoken Darlene] Here comes the Porch Light Rise. [Pause] [Section 3: Eadd9-C#m7-Aadd9-Bsus4-B7] [Two full instrumental passes, piano leads, other instruments restrained] [Piano G#-B-C#-E-B; fiddle answers C#-B-G#-F#-E] [Verse 3: Darlene] Let that light climb through the window, Let that evening loosen up; There's a song inside the silence, There's a little in your cup. We can set our burdens down here, We can let the daylight fade; Leave a chair beside the doorway, Leave some room for grace. [Spoken Bubba, music stops] Everybody! Holler Stomp and Clap! [Pause] [Section 4: boots enter on beats 1 and 3, four bars] [Add human claps on 2 and 4, four bars] [Add drum kit, four bars; then earlier instruments rejoin] [Call and response] [Bubba] Who brought the heartbeat? [Darlene] Everybody here! [Bubba] Who brought a story? [Darlene] Pull your chair up near! [Duet] Stomp for the road that brought us, Clap for another day; Leave a little kindness Everywhere we play. [Band settles, spoken Darlene] Now follow that Holler Lantern Turn. [Pause; change to swaying 6/8, key G] [Section 5: G6|Bbmaj7|Cadd9|Cm6|G/D|E7|A7-D7|G6] [Two complete eight-bar instrumental passes; one bar each except A7/D7 share bar seven] [First pass: piano motif B-D-E / D-Bb-A / G-E-D / Eb-D-C / B-A-G; harmonica answers] [Second pass: Hammond B3 enters for first time, then wordless gospel harmonies enter] [Bridge: duet] There's a little blue inside the golden, There's a bend beyond the stone; We don't have to see the whole road To be headed toward a home. Hear the major turn to minor, Hear the ache come shining through; Then the lantern in the window Brings us back to something true. [Final chorus: whole Holler Shakers band and gospel harmonies; 6/8 Lantern Turn] One at a time, let the music grow, Every little spark makes a mighty glow. From a single string to a porch alive, There's a welcome here when you arrive. One at a time, every voice belongs, All these roads in a single song. Leave that lantern burning bright, The whole Holler's coming home tonight. [Spoken Bubba over final instrumental] Bubba Patrick and Darlene, with the Holler Shakers. Like ninety going North! [Final G6, brief silence, one dry banjo pluck; clean natural ending]
