In this episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with singer, songwriter, and viral creator Josh Holland, frontman of the Josh Holland Band. From covering grunge classics in drug houses to headlining private events around the country, Josh’s journey is a raw and redemptive story of pain, healing, and undeniable talent.

After decades of addiction, loss, and self-sabotage, Josh turned his life around — and TikTok gave him the stage he never expected. With millions of views on his covers of Pearl Jam’s “Black” and Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell,” Josh found not only a devoted fanbase but a new life in music.

Together, they talk about:

✅ Going from drug houses to private shows across the country ✅ Why grunge music saved him — and still does ✅ Playing “Nutshell” and “Black” at house parties long before TikTok ✅ Giving up a day job to perform full-time ✅ Creating originals that sit right next to the legends ✅ Writing from emotional honesty, not commercial polish ✅ How Josh manages shyness, sickness, and the pressure to perform ✅ What it’s like to be flown first class to sing for fans ✅ How mold toxicity nearly derailed his health — and how he’s recovering ✅ Why his daughter Hazel is his #1 Spotify fan ✅ The stories behind “I Believe,” “Hazel Lane,” “Outlaw,” and more

Josh also performs a powerful acoustic version of “RI” live on the show — a song written about the push and pull of love, honesty, and vulnerability that has only recently seen the light of day.

Whether you found him through a cover or fell in love with his originals, this episode reveals the truth behind the voice — and why Josh Holland is only getting started.

00:00:00 Welcome to the show. Meet Josh Holland 00:01:10 Viral videos, nutshell covers, and a new life in music 00:03:00 Singing in drug houses, grunge beginnings, and how it all started 00:05:45 Why he resisted putting classic covers on Spotify 00:07:30 The power of fan demand and getting out of his own way 00:09:00 Quitting the day job, booking events, and flying first class 00:11:45 How he plays five gigs a week and still creates new music 00:13:00 Performing at a private party and meeting Meredyth 00:14:10 Why he doesn’t travel with two guitars and how he transposes 00:15:40 Guitar tuning, playing by ear, and not being classically trained 00:18:15 Getting over musical “gatekeeping” and honoring his influences 00:20:10 Why it takes him 6 months to write a song 00:21:20 Using voice memos, recording ideas, and rediscovering old gems 00:23:45 Struggling with lyrics and finding honest inspiration 00:25:20 Writing about his past in “Outlaw,” “Hazel Lane,” and “I Believe” 00:27:40 Literal songwriting, spiritual tension, and authentic storytelling 00:29:00 Live acoustic performance of “RI” 00:32:30 Soul, pain, and the emotional depth behind his music 00:34:30 How childhood trauma and abandonment shaped his sound 00:36:15 Musical influences from Lane Staley to Aaron Lewis 00:38:10 Why his tone channels but doesn’t imitate 00:39:30 Greta Van Fleet, stained, and originality in today’s music 00:41:00 Making peace with sounding like his heroes 00:43:00 The story behind “I Believe” and a friend’s dream 00:45:00 Why TikTok timing matters more than release dates 00:46:50 Something in the Orange, blue lighting, and performance visuals 00:49:20 Video production with Will Harris and live piano magic 00:51:40 Acoustic vs. band shows, and finding the right vibe 00:53:30 His secret favorite covers and why some hit harder 00:55:00 Fan stories, Spotify stats, and Hazel singing “Damaged” 00:57:30 Going viral doesn’t always mean validation 00:59:10 Coolest moments since going viral — including playing for Chad Smith 01:01:10 Performing “My Hero” for Taylor Hawkins tribute 01:03:00 Best cities, yacht shows, and upcoming gigs 01:04:30 The dopamine addiction of content creation 01:06:00 Mold illness, CIRS, and how it’s affected his voice and mental health 01:08:00 Detoxing, brain fog, and finally feeling good again 01:10:00 Why energy healing and functional medicine changed his recovery 01:12:30 Fighting through performance anxiety, staying sober, and growing 01:14:15 Why this was his first podcast interview ever 01:15:00 Final thoughts. Staying open, honest, and hopeful

🔗 Connect with Josh Holland ✨ TikTok: @joshhollandband ✨ Facebook: Josh Holland Band ✨ YouTube: Josh Holland on YouTube ✨ Apple Music: Josh Holland Band

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🔗 Connect with Meredyth Willits & the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ Facebook: Meredyth Willits ✨ Instagram: @meredyth_willits ✨ TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why ✨ YouTube: TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast ✨ YouTube: Meredyth Willits

🎙️ Hosted by Meredyth Willits, where viral fame meets raw reality. Subscribe, review, and stay tuned for more real talk from the creators who move us.