Holcombe was born and raised inWeaverville, North Carolina, about ten miles north of Asheville.[1] In his teen years, he played in local bands The Hilltoppers and Redwing, and since the early 1990s performed solo as a singer-songwriter.[2]
After high school, Holcombe attended college and tech school, then quit to play music around the Southeast. He partnered with Ray Sisk and Dallas Taylor in a trio, and released the albumTrademark with Sam Milner in 1985.[3]
Holcombe moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1990, working as a dishwasher at Douglas Corner Cafe and playing open mic shows. In 1996, Holcombe signed withGeffen Records.[4] Promotional copies of his debut albumA Hundred Lies drew praise from critics, and it was officially released in 1999 byHip-O Records.[2]
Holcombe returned to North Carolina, married, and released several albums independently. His 2008 albumGamblin' House was produced byRay Kennedy and released on North Carolina–based label Echo Mountain.[5]
2010'sTo Drink the Rain was produced byJared Tyler, who also played resonator guitar. Dave Roe (bass), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Bobby Kallus (drums), and Shelby Eicher (mandolin) provided accompaniment.[6]
ForThe RCA Sessions in 2014, Holcombe re-recorded at least one song from each of his previous albums and EP, and one new song "Mouth Harp Man." Guests included Tyler, David Roe Rorick (bass),Tammy Rogers (fiddle, mandolin),Ken Coomer (drums), Jellyroll Johnson (harmonica), andSiobhan Maher Kennedy (vocals).Maura O'Connell duets with Holcombe on "A Far Cry From Here."[7]
2003: Various artists –The Slaughter Rule (Bloodshot) – track 19, "Killing the Blues"
2003: Various artists –The Living Room: Live in NYC, Vol. 1 (Stanton St.) – track 5, "To the Homeland"; track 6, "Dressed in White"; track 7, "Yesterdays Clothes"
2004: Various artists –Return to Cold Mountain: Songs Inspired By the Film (Compendia Music Group) – track 3, "Back in '29"
2006:Dayna Kurtz –Another Black Feather (Munich / Kismet)
2011: Various artists –The Six Sessions (Continental Song City) – track 1–17, "Leonard's Pigpen"
