Holiday Express – Honoring Delores Holmes
July 18, 1946 – April 16, 2010
Delores Henrietta Henderson Holmes departed this life on April 16, 2010, at the (too young) age of 63 . “Dee” and her beloved daughter, Layonne, were both original members of Holiday Express when it began in 1993.
Often referred to as the “Mom” of Holiday Express by founder Tim McLoone and the charity volunteers, Delores was an inspirational and kind-hearted woman with a huge radiating smile. She made everyone who appeared in her path feel special. Her immense vocal talent made her
a prominent part of the Jersey Shore music scene from her early years singing “girl songs,” to the Bruce Springsteen Band, to 10 years with Tim McLoone and the Shirleys, and performances with an additional multitude of impressive performers. Also known as “Miss Dee,” she taught many adoring vocal students throughout her career.
When Delores sang “I Believe I Can Fly” at Holiday Express events, her spirit soared and touched everyone in the many rooms where she shared her gift. Special needs children to adults in deep recovery would naturally gather around her believing they could spread their wings and fly along with her.
Delores’s life was well celebrated at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Tinton Falls, filled with her beautiful and talented singing family, a myriad of friends and Holiday Express volunteers. Among many other speakers, Tim McLoone emotionally told sweet stories in his always affable way. Daughter Layonne lovingly and tearfully eulogized her Mom as her best friend, business partner, singing partner and housemate, and ended quietly singing the following faithful lines:
“People get ready, there's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord”
The Rev. Robert J. Perkins ended by leading a truly amazing and inspirational service – which left everyone breathless and uplifted.
We will always carry you in our hearts Delores...
BIO
Delores Holmes began singing at a very early age, thanks to a musical family and a mother who served as a choir director for the family's Baptist church. She sang with various girl groups in the 60s and 70s, and is best known for her years as backing vocalist for the Bruce Springsteen Band, Delores has been included in numerous publications detailing the shore music scene. She later joined original rock groups and spent several years with Gabrielle Roth's Moving Center, recording world/new age music with an array of talent from around the world.
In 1990, Delores suggested her daughter Layonne join her in an audition for the band Backwoods. The blend would prove to be their signature and this mother-daughter team have been performing together ever since. Dee and Layonne began session recording with the likes of Jersey Shore artists such as Danny Federici and Bill Chinnock and have continued to back up many local artists and groups. They have been members of Tim McLoone & The Shirleys for 10 years. They have also volunteered for the nonprofit Holiday Express since its inception.
Performance highlights include:
- 5 years on NBC's Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting broadcast with Holiday Express
- Once-in-a-lifetime performance with Bruce Springsteen and band on the Tribute to Heroes 9/11 telethon, broadcast internationally
- 'Universal Hug' concert for 9/11 workers at the Beacon Theatre, featuring Phoebe Snow, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Bar Scott
- Bob Bandiera HOPE Concerts at Count Basie Theatre with Bruce Springsteen and
Jon Bon Jovi
In their most recent project, Rain, Delores and Layonne joined with vocalist Debbie Vaughn and were accompanied by a talented trio of musicians who rounded out their unique, soulful sound.
| PERFORMED WITH: Backwoods Bar Scott Barbara King Beth Nielsen Chapman BethAnne Clayton Bill Chinnock Bob Bandiera Bob Burger Bobby Lynch Bobby Strange Bruce Springsteen Clarence Clemons Dan Zanes Gabrielle Roth and The Moving Center Gary Tallent Guy Daniel Holiday Express Jen Starr & Erica Cohn of Harmonytryx Jerry Gaskill Joe Belia Jon Bon Jovi Josh Dion Kevin Kavanaugh Lisa Bouchelle Lisa Lowell Little Steven Van Zandt Love Among Freaks Mango Bros. Mike Davis Band Micheal Mancini Neal Coty Nick Clemons Pat Guadagno Patti Scialfa Phoebe Snow Mr. Ray Anderson |
RAIN RECORDED WITH: |
OBITUARY, ASBURY PARK PRESS, April 21, 2010
Delores Henrietta Henderson Holmes, "Dee", 63, of Matawan, was called home on Friday, April 16, 2010. She was born July 18, 1946 in Long Branch to the late Luther Henderson and Maude McGee. She graduated from Matawan High School and worked for Bell Labs, JCP&L, and The New York Times. Throughout her life, she was also a staple of the Jersey Shore music scene as a vocalist and voice teacher, best known for her years spent singing with the Bruce Springsteen Band. She was also an original member of the Holiday Express charity and part of several musical groups. Her smile and humor, nurturing and vivacious spirit, faith and wisdom will be remembered by all of us whose lives she touched.
Delores was predeceased by her father and mother, Luther Henderson and Maude McGee, as well as sister, Joan Childress and brother, Howard Henderson. She leaves to cherish her memory daughter, Layonne Holmes; brother, Luther Henderson Jr.; three aunts, Ethel McGee, Eleanor Banks, and Loretta Phillips; nieces and nephews; many other relatives; and a host of lifelong friends.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Holiday Express and the Anthony X. Guadagno Memorial Scholarship of the Rock and Roll Music Fund.
BACKSTREETS.COM, APRIL 28, 2010
DEE HOLMES, REST IN PEACE
We're sorry to hear of the passing of Delores "Dee" Holmes, who sang backup with Springsteen in the early '70s as well as the early oughts.
Thirty years after her time in the
Bruce Springsteen Band, she reconnected with Bruce and backed
him on "My City of Ruins" for the
9/21/01 America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon. Backstreets #73 features our interview with Dee about the early days as well as their reunion...
Our sympathies in particular to her daughter Layonne, who sang with Dee and Bruce on several occasions.