Beginning in 1973 as a reporter for his high school in Dalton, Georgia, J. Holland has been a broadcaster for nearly 40 years. 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 as well as the “Voice of the Gamecocks” for their highly respected, championship baseball teams. 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 anchor 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 going on the air at 2pm, news spread that “The Bear” had died. As program director, Holland decided to use the air time as a tribute to Bryant. “We can play records anytime” he told the station manager so, he took calls instead. Many former players called, even a few of Bryant’s close friends and associates in Northeast Alabama were heard from. Some were crying. "Even after the program, the phones kept ringing,” Holland recalled. Having never forgotten his first talk experience, the opportunity finally came for a full-time talk show in the early 1990’s.
Married to Marcia Cromer Holland of Alexander City, Alabama, they celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary in June, 2012. The Holland's have 3 children, Amanda Leigh (Mandy) Holland Probus – 31, Lindsey Marie Holland Henderson - 29, and Joseph Preston Holland – 27. J. is the proud "Gwan-deddy" and Marcia, is called “Nana” by Jackson Preston Holland who is 6, Myles Conrad Henderson is 3, Finley Alexander Probus - 2 and Hudson Corey Henderson is nearly a year old and now, Harrison Gray Holland who is a newborn!
J. has been a tireless worker in the community where ever he’s been. Volunteering many times to “pay my civic rent.” He has twice run for the Alabama Legislature in 1994 and 1998. Although unsuccessful, he learned about politics and government. He also learned, the hard way, how important one vote is having lost the ‘94 election by a single vote! J. was Communication Director for the Judge Roy Moore for Governor campaign in 2005 – 2006.
In his “spare” time, Holland enjoys boating, fishing and trying to live a simple life. Outdoor activities have always been alluring. In fact, 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 and now, grandchildren.
One thing is certain...as long as there is a mic in front of him, Holland will always have something to say; tempered by his many years in the medium he loves and always mindful of his first talk show – when he just opened the mic, answered the phones and let the listeners do the talking.