About Dallas Holm
I started out livin’ for Jesus many years ago
He gave me His love and I gave Him my heart and my soul
Some folks said that I’d never make it
But I guess that they must’ve been wrong
Cause He’s still got control of my life and I’m still goin’ strong
Those lines from the song, The Long Ride, probably best describe the journey and ministry of Dallas Holm.
Many refer to this legendary Christian artist as a pioneer or forerunner. Holm says, “I became a Christian in 1965 and my life was radically and eternally transformed. My music became the means whereby I could express the dynamics of that transformation and share the reality of Christ with others. Through God’s grace, I’ve been part of Christian music ministry for a long time.”
Music
Dallas has earned his influence in today’s Christian music throughout more than 50 years of writing, singing and ministry in some 5,000 concerts. He has ministered in every state in the USA as well as many countries abroad. His 38 recordings have garnered gold records, multiple Dove awards, Grammy nominations, number one songs, and countless accolades. During his travels, Dallas also speaks and teaches what God has taught him in his journey.
Holm’s creativity and diversity offer everything from inspirational to blues, from country to reggae. Whatever the style, it all points to Christ and the Cross. Songs like Rise Again, I Saw the Lord, Here We Are and Before Your Throne remind us that it’s all about Jesus. Holm’s songs focus on His life, His death and resurrection, and His desire for intimate relationship with us.
Artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris, and Greg Long of Avalon, all make reference to Holm’s significant impact on their lives and ministries. Holm can be seen on several of the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos. In one video Gaither introduces Dallas by saying, “This is one of the nicest guys in our entire industry.” This broad appeal and respect by peers has undoubtedly been one of the reasons for Holm’s amazing longevity and relevance.
Dallas says, “One of the great blessings of being around this long is that now I hear so often of how God has used this ministry to change lives through the years. People come up and share how they were saved in a concert many years ago. I receive letters from parents telling me their kids came to know Christ at a concert and I also receive letters from kids who say their parents received Christ at a concert. We know of many in ministry both here and abroad who say that it was at a Dallas Holm concert where they felt the call to ministry. These testimonies and many more are the great highlight and reward of our ministry.”
Family
Dallas married his wife Linda in December of 1969. They first dated when Dallas was 16 and Linda was 14. Their marriage endured for 54 years. Linda passed from this life to the eternal glories of Heaven on December 30th, 2023. Holm says of this great loss, “It’s been the toughest stretch of my life, nothing even comes close! I miss Linda every hour of every day, but I know where she is, I know she’s perfectly healed, and I know I’ll see her again.” Dallas maintained a priority system throughout his marriage and ministry…God first, family second, ministry third. ”I am called to serve God first, I am then called to serve as husband, father, and grandfather, then I am called to serve others.” Dallas says, “If I reached the whole world but lost my own family, I’d consider myself a failure.”
Dallas and Linda have two grown children, Jennifer and Jeffrey. Jennifer and her husband, Jason, have four children: Jacob, Sophia, Alex, and Caleb. Jeffrey and his wife, Jennifer, have two children: Ava and Quinn.
Dallas is quick to point out, “It’s been a remarkable journey, yet it hasn’t all been easy. When people hear my music, see me on TV, or in concert, they don’t realize those are just moments in a life. I’ve had struggles, heartaches, and disappointments just like everyone else. Linda fought a battle against breast cancer for 37 years. She used to say, “When you go through these battles you take everyone you love right along with you.” How very true, but Dallas and Linda would both say, “We would never choose this journey with cancer, but neither would we trade it for anything because we have learned of the depths of God’s amazing and sufficient grace in ways that we otherwise might not have known.”
“I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Ministry
After Bible College and a short stint as youth pastor, Dallas joined David Wilkerson in his youth crusade ministry in 1970. He traveled and ministered with Wilkerson for ten years. During that time he formed Dallas Holm and Praise in 1976. They became the first Contemporary Christian band to receive an RIAA certified Gold Album for Dallas Holm and Praise LIVE. That album contained the song Rise Again. They toured together for eleven years.
Dallas has also garnered numerous Dove awards for such categories as Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Group of the Year and others. Several of his songs achieved number one status on the charts and have been recorded by hundreds of other artists including such notables as: Bob Dylan, Brad Paisley, The Imperials, The Gaither Vocal Band and Greg Long (of Avalon). Grammy nominations, induction into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as the GMA Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville, TN, add to a long list of achievements for this enduring minister/artist.
Now, after more than 50 years of ministry Holm says, “I love it more than ever and everyday consider the great privilege of being a co-laborer with Christ Jesus.”
Dallas reminds us, “In Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell said, ‘When I run, I feel God’s pleasure.’ I say, When I minister, whether through song, through teaching, or through writing, I feel His pleasure.”
