Background:
Only a bit over a month until Reese Hollinsworth makes his music festival debut, Ryan Seacrest, while doing his radio show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, decides to reach out to Reese to catch up on progress of the performance and also a surprise announcement. [So tune in for that.]
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Ryan Seacrest: Okay, since we have some free time on our hands before our next guest on the show shows up, let’s reach out to a rising star, who’s making his music festival debut on the Budweiser Made in America Music Festival. Ladies and gentlemen, we have Reese Hollinsworth on the phone with us right now. Okay, good morning, Reese, and welcome to the show.
Reese Hollinsworth: Thank you so much for having me. It’s a great honor being on the show.
Ryan: Okay. So first, let’s talk about Made in America. How are you guys preparing for that?
Reese: Well, we have started rehearsals, first time since Good Morning America. And there are still a few kinks that need to be resolved, but I feel that we’re actually getting there. I feel that we’re reaching the finish line on this thing, and the feeling’s amazing.
Ryan: So, since you’ve started rehearsals, I assume that the setlist’s already been worked out, yeah?
Reese: Yeah, pretty much. But it’s still gonna be subject to changes and a part of me is excited to see how the crew and I, as a unit, work together to find a solution. Because that’s what teamwork’s all about, isn’t it?
Ryan: Is there any way we could get a sneak peek on the setlist? Like are there any particular songs we should look out for?
Reese: Well, obviously I can’t give you any specifics. But...my agent’s gonna kill me for this, but almost half of the setlist are gonna be songs that I haven’t recorded in a studio before, which is very exciting, but also nerve-wracking at the same time. (chuckles)
Ryan: Yeah, but are there any stand-out songs that you’re gonna perform, like fan favorites or personal favorites?
Reese: Well, I don’t have that many fans so I wouldn’t have any fan favorites. As for personal favorites, I feel like all of these songs are, at some point and at some level, all personal favorites. So, they’re all stand-out to me, you know? (chuckles) You have no idea what I’m saying.
Ryan: Okay, so now, let’s shift gears toward the recording part of your career. So it’s been a few weeks since your second EP came out, right? In Hiding… (2 of 2)?
Reese: I think so. I mean, I’ve been swamped with rehearsals and writing songs that I’ve barely even noticed anything from 2 of 2. I don’t even remember what happened to 1 of 2. Those two are just a blur to me right now, to be honest.
Ryan: So, anyway, 2 of 2 has spawned so far one single, which is “Run the World (Girls)”. Is that on your setlist?
Reese: Probably. I mean, it’s the only single on my second EP. So it basically has to be on the setlist, doesn’t it?
Ryan: Wait, so you just said ‘only single’. Is that something we should notice? Because I feel like I’m splitting hairs right now. (chuckles)
Reese: No, you’re right. And I’m glad you noticed. Because I was planning to get away with this thing, but the news is that there will be no more singles coming from 2 of 2.
Ryan: So, 2 of 2 only has one single.
Reese: Yeah, pretty much.
Ryan: What made you come to this decision?
Reese: Well, I mean, most of it is because my recent singles haven’t been exactly commercially successful. You know that “Naughty Girl” is the only single of mine that ever took off 200,000 copies. So, I thought ‘why should I keep going on with this thing if this ain’t gonna work out?’ So I thought it was best to just halt down production and promotion. And also, since I’ve been busy with rehearsals for Made in America, I wouldn’t have enough time to promote any new singles, should there be new singles. So, you gotta just let it go.
Ryan: So you’ve mentioned you’ve been writing songs. Do we see a new album in the works?
Reese: Well, it’s definitely in the works. It’s still at the barest of any album out there. But it’s gonna come together in the end. I sure hope it’s gonna come together in the end.
Ryan: Okay, we should let you get back to doing your thing. Thanks for getting our call.
Reese: Well, thanks for calling.
