I Spy: Tammy Holt turns up the bass
When she isn’t working as one of Coastal Carolina University’s staff accountants, you might find Tammy Holt playing standup bass at a bluegrass festival or cycling through the mountains.
For the past 27 years, Holt has worked for CCU’s Office of Financial Services. A Conway native, she has lived in South Carolina for her entire life. She graduated from Conway High School and earned an associate degree in business from Horry Georgetown Technical College. When Holt was first hired at CCU, she began as a grants accountant and moved up to staff accountant in 2016.
Holt says she loves CCU because of how the campus is expanding. “I enjoy Coastal because I get to meet new people all the time,” she says.
Holt is a member of the Coastal Bluegrass Band which consists of Dean Hudson, director of procurement; Tom Woodle, director of career services; and Rich Vizo, interim department chair of coastal and marine systems science. The band has played in many CCU concerts, including various Christmas variety shows.
Hudson, who has been a friend of Holt’s for years, says he admires her passion for music.
“Tammy and I have been good friends since first grade, and we were in the same classes through high school,” he says. "When I came to work at Coastal in 2007, our friendship was re-connected, if you will, through a mutual interest in bluegrass music. Tammy has a strong love and passion for bluegrass. She has been very helpful to me in learning how to play mandolin and bass and how to be part of a band. Whether it’s thinking about a new instrument or how to play a song, I’m always seeking Tammy’s input.”
Woodle says Holt is the salt of the earth. “Tammy is practical, down to earth, just plain old good folk. She is a dedicated and excellent bluegrass musician. I have enjoyed playing with her in the unofficial official Coastal Bluegrass Band for many years!”
Vizo, who plays the banjo, describes Holt as a pleasure to work with and a great musician. “We have had so much fun over the years playing in different bands at festivals, restaurants, each other’s homes, and even in Johnson Auditorium and Wheelwright here at CCU. Tammy’s talent and heart are as big as the bass fiddle she plays!”
Holt hasn’t always had a passion for music, however. She started playing the standup bass 14 years ago after one of her children gave up on learning how to play the instrument.
“I just picked it up and started messing around with it,” she says. “I ended up learning by some of what my son taught me, and the rest was just by ear.”
Her husband, Terry Holt, owns an instrument repair shop called Holt’s Music Shed near Conway, which offers instrument-building and restoration services.
“I had always been surrounded by music and instruments through my husband’s repair shop, so that always made me curious,” she said.
Holt also plays with local bands like the Spots and the Morris Brothers. She plays with the groups at festivals, HGTC and public venues like the Crafty Rooster, the Warehouse, and in Murrells Inlet at various clubs and restaurants. She appeared with the Morris Brothers on a South Carolina ETV show of bluegrass music.
“I’ve also played with professional mandolinist Alan Bibey, but at the end of the day, I just like to play music with anybody who enjoys it,” Holt says.
Aside from music, Holt’s hobbies consist of spending time with her family, cycling and spending time outdoors. She has three children. The eldest is 29-year-old Kimber who teaches English at Socastee High School. Her middle child is 25-year-old Brandon, a CCU student, and her youngest is 16-year-old Parker who attends Conway High School.
Holt likes to go on biking trips and often rides in the mountains simply for the fun of it. Her lively spirit does not go unnoticed by her colleagues, who affectionately refer to her by nicknames like “Tater Chip” or “Blonde Spot.”
“Tammy just radiates kindness, friendliness and helpfulness with everyone she meets or comes in contact with at CCU and in the community,” said her friend of 27 years Mirinda Chestnut, administration specialist in the Office of Financial Services. “Not only is Tammy a great person, she is a talented musician. You could miss her on stage, though, because her bass is much bigger than she is! Tammy also is an avid cycler. Whether on dirt trails or asphalt, ‘have bike and will travel.’ I remember the day Tammy began working here, and we have shared many good times together. She has always remained a very down-to-earth, soulful girl who will do her best and have fun doing it, no matter what! I am proud to call her friend. The world needs a few more like her!”
Check out Holt's bass playing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00gG3dKbEko.
