Photo: Erik Joling · CC BY-SA 3.0 · credits
Tier 3 · vertical & regional
Malcolm Holcombe
Person · male · United States · Weaverville · born 1955 · died 2024 · recording since 1994
American guitarist, singer-songwriter and singer
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Also known as Malcolm Brank Holcombe · Малкольм Холкомб
Timeline
19 events▣ Album 16◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1† Death 1
1950s
1990s
· Debut release
Debut release: A Far Cry From Here
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2000s
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography561 words · 8 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1307011323
Biography
Malcolm Holcombe (September 2, 1955 – March 9, 2024) was an American singer-songwriter.
Early history
Holcombe was born and raised in Weaverville, North Carolina, about ten miles north of Asheville. In his teen years, he played in local bands The Hilltoppers and Redwing, and since the early 1990s performed solo as a singer-songwriter.
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 album Trademark with Sam Milner in 1985.
A Hundred Lies
Holcombe moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1990, working as a dishwasher at Douglas Corner Cafe and playing open mic shows. In 1996, Holcombe signed with Geffen Records. Promotional copies of his debut album A Hundred LiesA Hundred LiesSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1A Hundred Lies3:492Dressed in White3:173Who Carried You3:324A Far Cry From Here3:445To the Homeland3:456Justice in a Cradle4:277Emma Jean2:148Back on the Edge o' Town3:419No Place to Be3:3210Only for You2:19 drew praise from critics, and it was officially released in 1999 by Hip-O Records.
Subsequent recordings
Holcombe returned to North Carolina, married, and released several albums independently. His 2008 album Gamblin' HouseGamblin' HouseSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1My Ol' Radio2:342Good Times2:453Baby Likes a Love Song3:114Goin' Downtown2:515Evelyn3:296You Don't Come See Me Anymore2:177Gamblin' House2:538Blue Flame3:399Cynthia Margaret2:4810The Shade2:3711From Lovin' You2:3912I'd Rather Have A Home3:02 was produced by Ray Kennedy and released on North Carolina–based label Echo Mountain.
2010's To Drink the Rain was produced by Jared Tyler, who also played resonator guitar. Dave Roe (bass), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Bobby Kallus (drums), and Shelby Eicher (mandolin) provided accompaniment.
For The 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), and Siobhan Maher Kennedy (vocals). Maura O'Connell duets with Holcombe on "A Far Cry From HereA Far Cry From HereSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1No Danger Lifting Me2Who's Got The Time3Back In '294A Long Way's This Mornin'5Spinnin' Roll On6Anna Rubyanne7Oh Precious Cargo8One Room At Night9Justice In A Cradle10Ev'ry Honest Word11Teachin' Michael Anthon12A Far Cry From Here."
Pretty Little Troubles in 2017 was produced by Darrell Scott and accompanied by Tyler, Dennis Crouch (bass), Verlon Thompson (guitar), and Marco Giovino (percussion).
Death
On March 9, 2024, Holcombe died of respiratory failure due to cancer. He was 68.
Solo albums
1994: A Far Cry From Here (Io Music)
1999: A Hundred Lies (Hip-O)
2003: Another Wisdom (Purple Girl)
2005: I Never Heard You Knockin' (self-released)
2006: Not Forgotten (Munich)
2008: Gamblin' House (Echo Mountain)
2009: For the Mission Baby (Echo Mountain)
2011: To Drink the Rain (Music Road)
2012: Down The River (Gypsy Eyes)
2014: The RCA Sessions (Proper), re-recorded previously released material plus an EP
2014: Pitiful Blues (self-released)
2016: Another Black Hole (Proper)
2017: Pretty Little Troubles (Gypsy Eyes)
2018: Come Hell or High Water (Singular Recordings)
2018: Animated Sanctuary b/w Justice In The Cradle (single) (Need To Know)
2019: Lumberjack (Hardcore Dollar) b/w The Old North Side (single) (Need To Know)
2020: Tricks of the Trade (Singular Recordings) (issued on vinyl, Spring 2021)
2022: Bits & Pieces (issued on CD and vinyl, April 21 2023)
As composer
2006: Jonah Smith – Jonah Smith (Relix) – track 11, "Dressed in White"
2015: Jonathan Edwards – Tomorrow's Child (Rising) – track 1, "Down In the Woods"
Also appears on
2000: Jenn Adams – In the Pool (White Boxer)
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"
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 10 | 58.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 17 | 85.9th |
| Studio albums | 16 | 95.1th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 19 | 93.4th |
| Recording span (years) | 29 | 64th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (17 release groups · 16 studio albums)
Albums · 16
1994 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks
1No Danger Lifting Me2Who's Got The Time3Back In '294A Long Way's This Mornin'5Spinnin' Roll On6Anna Rubyanne7Oh Precious Cargo8One Room At Night9Justice In A Cradle10Ev'ry Honest Word11Teachin' Michael Anthon12A Far Cry From Here1999 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 34:20
1A Hundred Lies3:492Dressed in White3:173Who Carried You3:324A Far Cry From Here3:445To the Homeland3:456Justice in a Cradle4:277Emma Jean2:148Back on the Edge o' Town3:419No Place to Be3:3210Only for You2:192003 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 38:52
1The Station3:272Bring The Water On Down3:463Woman Missin'3:584Love Abides3:235Mister In Morgantown4:056Another Wisdom3:457Sleepy Town2:428Marvalene's Kitchen2:599Who Carried You3:0110Captured By Paradise4:0611Grace In Sand3:402005 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 11 tracks · 38:40
1Sittin' Sad2:432For the Love of a Good Woman3:453Doin' His Job3:214Not Who You're Thinkin' Of3:115Gone by the Old Sunrise3:186Mama Told Me So3:347Kiss Me When I'm Sleepin'3:208Cathy's Creek3:169Early Mornin'5:1810This Town Knows Me3:4511I Never Heard You Knockin'3:092006 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 42:18
1Sparrows and Sparrows2:462Goin' Home4:473A Steady Heart2:284Baby Doll2:295Room Eleven3:436Cryin' Dime3:387Not Forgotten2:458Your Eyes Will Shine3:529Yesterday's Clothes4:4810Animated Sanctuary3:2111This Ol' House3:1912Where Is My Garden?4:222008 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 34:45
1My Ol' Radio2:342Good Times2:453Baby Likes a Love Song3:114Goin' Downtown2:515Evelyn3:296You Don't Come See Me Anymore2:177Gamblin' House2:538Blue Flame3:399Cynthia Margaret2:4810The Shade2:3711From Lovin' You2:3912I'd Rather Have A Home3:022009 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 41:27
1Bigtime Blues4:442Hannah's Tradin' Post3:263Leonard's Pigpen4:504You Have It All2:295Short Street Blues3:116A Bigger Plan3:107For the Mission Baby2:578Another One Gone3:379Doncha Miss That Water2:3610Straight and Tall3:0511Whenever I Pray4:0912Someone Left Behind3:132011 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 43:40
1One Leg at a Time3:482Mountains of Home3:313Behind the Number One4:014Down in the Woods3:245Becky's Blessed (Backporch Flowers)3:256Those Who Wander3:157Where I Don't Belong3:148The Mighty City4:059Reckon to the Wind3:1410To Drink the Rain4:2211Comes the Blues4:2712One Man Singin'2:542012 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 43:52
1Butcher in Town4:262I Call the Shots3:173Gone Away at Last3:444The Crossing2:585Twisted Arms6:156The Door3:397The Empty Jar2:528In Your Mercy4:269White Wash Job4:1410Trail of Money3:4311Down the River4:182014 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 34:46
1Pitiful Blues3:462Roots3:013Sign For A Sally2:474Savannah Blues3:205Another Despair2:426By The Boots3:067Words Not Spoken4:168Words Of December3:429The Music Plays On4:2910For The Love Of A Child3:372015 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:07:29
1Who Carried You3:272Mister In Morgantown5:123I Feel Like A Train5:124Doncha Miss That Water2:455The Empty Jar2:556Butcher In Town4:067To Drink The Rain5:368Early Mornin'5:089I Never Heard You Knockin'3:1010Mouth Harp Man5:4711I Call The Shots3:2412My Ol Radio2:3313Goin' Home5:5114Down The River4:2015Pitiful Blues5:1216A Far Cry From Here2:512016 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 10 tracks · 37:31
1Sweet Georgia3:182Another Black Hole4:243To Get By4:034Heidelberg Blues3:075Don't Play Around5:116Someone Missing3:127Papermill Man4:528September2:069Leavin' Anna3:4710Way Behind3:312017 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 12 tracks · 47:18
1Crippled Point O' View4:212Yours No More4:013Good Ole Days3:404Outta Luck4:045South Hampton St4:006Rocky Ground4:207Pretty Little Troubles3:448Bury England4:259Damn Weeds3:0210Eyes of Josephine3:3511The Sky Stood Still4:2012We Struggle3:462017 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 13 tracks · 48:58
1Left Alone4:112I Don't Wanna Disappear3:533New Damnation Alley4:204It Is What It Is5:005Black Bitter Moon2:596October Mornin'3:487Old North Side4:068Legal Tender3:149Gone by the Ol' Sunrise3:0010Brother's Keeper2:4311In the Winter5:3212Merry Christmas2:5713Torn and Wrinkled3:152021 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 13 tracks · 46:18
1Money Train4:382Misery Loves Company3:273Into The Sunlight2:284Crazy Man Blues3:575Tennessee Land2:196Damn Rainy Day3:527Higher Ground4:218Good Intentions4:169Your Kin3:4410Lenora Cynthia2:3611Tricks Of The Trade3:0612Windows Of Amsterdam3:5913Shaky Ground3:352023 · studio album
Search SpotifySearch YouTube Music
Tracklist · 13 tracks · 41:38
1Bits and Pieces2:312Fill Those Shoes5:013Hard Luck City2:194The Wind Doesn’t Know You2:435Conscience of Man3:316Ev’ry Soul Is There3:217Happy Wonderland3:288Another Sweet Deal2:419Bootstraps2:5210Eye of a Needle4:4511Rubbin’ Elbows2:4312I’ve Been There2:1013Bring to Fly3:33
EP · 1
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | WagerSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 15:111I Feel Like A Train3:11 2Back To Hell In A Greyhound2:43 3High Rollin' Gambler2:43 4Backin' Up On Peggy3:16 5Evelyn3:18 | 2007 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Malcolm Holcombe head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 10 | 58.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 17 | 85.9th |
| Studio albums | 16 | 95.1th |
| Awards recorded | 0 | 0th |
| Timeline events | 19 | 93.4th |
| Recording span (years) | 29 | 64th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Awards & honours
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malcolm_Holcombe_2007.jpgaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/fc007ca2-1da6-41e6-981a-4922f0da59ecdiscography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/fc007ca2-1da6-41e6-981a-4922f0da59eccore—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2197711genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2197711seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Holcombebiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Holcombe
Why this artist is in the database
- List of singer-songwriters
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Erik Joling · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q2197711 · MusicBrainz: fc007ca2-1da6-41e6-981a-4922f0da59ec
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