W. S. Holland

W. S. "Fluke" Holland (born April 22, 1935, in Saltillo, Tennessee) is a drummer who worked extensively with numerous rock and roll musicians, beginning with Carl Perkins, but became well known as the drummer in singer Johnny Cash's succession of backing bands: The Tennessee Three, The Great Eighties Eight, and The Johnny Cash Show Band. Holland played drums on the 1955 Sun Records recording of "Blue Suede Shoes" by Perkins, the song's writer and original performer.

Holland earned the nickname Fluke while working at a filling station. He would use "fluke" as a slang term to replace other nouns. For example, "look at that car," became "look at that fluke." The owner of the station began calling Holland "Fluke" and the nickname stuck. A common, yet understandable, misconception is that Holland earned the nickname "Fluke" because of his improbable entry into the music industry. At the time he made his first recording for Sun Records, he had played the drums just once before. A major break came with his performance on Perkins' recording of "Blue Suede Shoes".

Holland went on to perform on the "Million Dollar Quartet" session that featured Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. Holland's contribution to rock and roll has been recognized by several respected drummers, including Ringo Starr of The Beatles, as being a major influence in their careers. In 1960, Holland joined Johnny Cash as a touring and recording artist and is heard on many of Cash's famous songs, including "Ring of Fire." It is reported that Johnny Cash said to him, "I want you to work with me on every show I play for as long as I'm in the business," which ended up being the case.

Holland appeared with the Carl Perkins band in the 1957 rock and roll movie Jamboree, performing "Glad All Over."

Today, Holland (along with music director/guitarist) Ron Haney, heads up the WS Holland Band and tours the world paying musical tribute to Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis) and the career of Holland himself.

Holland's contribution to rock and roll and the signature sound of Johnny Cash's Tennessee 3 has earned him recognition the world over as a true American music pioneer. He continues to influence musicians and music artists internationally.

Holland was portrayed by Clay Steakley in the 2005 movie Walk the Line.

External videos
Oral History, WS Holland remembers purchasing his first drum set for four dollars a month. Interview date July 14, 2013, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Library

External links

• (The "Official" W.S. Holland web site)
• WS (Fluke) Holland tells how he got the "Fluke" on YouTube
• (WS Holland radio interview)