Singer/songwriter Terry Holder was singing and playing music in Idaho and Kansas before moving to Alaska. “When I was growing up I played piano and received my first guitar when I was eight. I grew up with seven brothers and sisters and playing music was something that I could call my own. Music has always been a big part of my life, although it's taken some time to get here, I think my own creativity as a songwriter was always there just below the surface.” Her mother's death was the catalyst that uncovered her talent as a songwriter. “I think a life change or loss sometimes pushes us into finding a creative force inside of us that we didn't even know was there. Writing has become part of me, something I am always compelled to do.” In the spring of 2001, Terry met singer/songwriter/producer Don Morrell at a gig he was doing. After discussing recording her songs Terry met with Don in his project studio, Toneworks MP&R, and the record started coming to life. “As I listened to her guitar/vocal tracks and her input on the style she was going for, I could hear the finished versions in my head and they sounded really good... always a good sign. Excellent songwriting and an appealing voice easily put the songs across. The record was a blast to work and play on. Style? I'd call it Americana Pop (make that a genre) bag... sans twang... in the same vein as Lucinda Williams, Kim Richey, Suzanne Vega." Her husband Jerry Holder co-produced the CD. Along with his role as Co-producer, Jerry also plays guitar and sings harmony on the CD. ”When Terry started recording she was just going to record guitar and vocals and share this music with our family. The project evolved into a fully produced record that I felt others would like to hear.” Terry's daughter Erin who also sings harmonies on the record brings this family project full circle. “Having Erin sing with me was so very special and has made this project even more rewarding.” On her debut CD, “am I here, is this me”, her emotion packed voice brings to life 11 original songs while encapsulating the diverse musical influences she has drawn on through out her life such as The Beatles, Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Emmy Lou Harris, Bruce Cockburn and Jackson Browne. Two of those songs, ”Twilight Love” and “Good night” were finalists in the 2001 APRN Song of the Year contest, an annual statewide songwriters' contest which received a record breaking 324 songs from 202 songwriters. Her first time entering, Terry's songs placed in the top five in both the Pop and Folk category. Wesley Loy of 8 Magazine wrote, ”Holder offers some gentle gems here. The opening track, Twilight Love had me listening over and over.” Since the launch of “am I here is this me,” Terry has toured in Alaska and out of state and is confident that she is ready for the long haul. Accompanied by Jerry on guitar and harmony vocals Terry's deepest desire of doing music full time is coming to life. "Although I have plans for another record in the future performing is my main focus. I want to get my songs and stories out there to connect with as many people as I can. Sometimes it takes a death to learn what a life is worth, sometimes that life is our own.”