Beginning in 1973 as a reporter for his high school in Dalton, Georgia, J. Holland has been in broadcasting for 36 years now.  First at WTTI-AM in Dalton, Holland moved on to college and the campus radio station at Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama in 1975.  As program director he worked many jobs including news and sports coverage as well as becoming the voice of the Gamecocks for their highly respected, championship baseball teams.  Also, while in college, Holland began working weekends at the pioneering WQEN-FM in Gadsden, eventually landing the highly prized 7pm – 12m slot.  From there he worked for several stations mostly in and around Northeast and Central Alabama including Alabama’s largest market – Birmingham as morning host for Clear Channel’s NewsRadio 960 WERC.

While at WGAD-AM in Gadsden, Holland first experienced what would become his true love in radio.  It was late January, 1983; Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant was in Druid City Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  Shortly before he was to go on the air at 2pm, news spread that “The Bear” had passed away.  As program director, Holland made the decision to use the air time as a memorial to Bryant.  Instead of playing the usual formatted contemporary music, Holland began taking calls from those wishing to express their grief at the passing of the Alabama football legend.  Many former players called, even a few of Bryant’s close friends and associates in Northeast Alabama were heard from that day. Many were crying relating how Bryant did this or that for them.  "Even after the program, the phones kept ringing,” Holland recalled.  Station management received letters of thanks and many requests for tapes of the show.  Having never forgotten his first experience, the opportunity finally came for a full-time talk show.  He jumped at the chance in the early 1990’s.   

Holland is married to Marcia Cromer Holland of Alexander City, Alabama.  They will celebrate their 32st wedding anniversary in June, 2010.  The Holland's have 3 children, Amanda Leigh (Mandy) – 29, who currently is the manager at corporate Verizon Wireless store in Trussville.  Lindsey Marie Holland Henderson – 27, a physical therapy assistant (PTA) is married to Corey Henderson, a physical therapist (PT) of Southside.  Joseph Preston – 24.  J. is the very proud "Gan-daddy" of Jackson Preston Holland who is four!  His parents are Joseph and Amy Thompson Holland.  Both are recent graduates of the University of Alabama - Amy in speech pathology, “JoJo” is in aerospace engineering and both graduated with honors - cum laude and magna cum laude respectfully.  Lindsey & Corey Henderson have another grandson, 1 year old Myles Conrad Henderson and Mandy & Jacob Probus have baby Finley Alexander Probus as grandson #3!!!  We are SO proud of all of our grandsons!  Marcia and J. are very proud of their grandchildren and all of their children’s accomplishments …and expect much more!

J. has been a tireless worker in the community.  Volunteering many times to “pay my civic rent.”  He has run twice for the Alabama Legislature.  Although unsuccessful on both occasions in 1994 and 1998, he learned about politics and the workings of our governmental system.  He also learned, the hard way, how important the privilege of voting is.  He lost the 1994 election by one vote!  J. was Communications Director for the Judge Roy Moore for Governor campaign in 2005 – 2006.  It was another exceptional learning experience into the inter-workings of hardcore politics. 
 

In his “spare” time, Holland enjoys boating, fishing and trying to live a simple life.  Outdoor activities have always been important to him.  In fact, while he has gotten away from many of his more time consuming activities like backpacking and camping, Holland says that there was a time in his younger years that he was either in the woods, on the water, or trying to get there! 

He also loved sports, lettering in all four sports his high school senior year.  But, he happily replaced his “sports” for those of his children.  Now that he can see some of that commitment waning he and Marcia are looking forward to more grandchildren and being “empty nesters” – perhaps even retiring on the Coosa River one day.

But one thing is certain…as long as he has a mic in front of him, Holland will always have something to say; tempered by his many years in the medium he truly loves and always mindful of his first talk show – when he just opened the phone lines and let the listeners tell the story.