The Jolly Lollies
Liz Seegers and Holly Johnson are dynamic singer-songwriters who joined forces to create Liz, Holly, & The Jolly Lollies, a beloved children’s music duo based in Charlotte, NC. Known for their energetic performances and deep commitment to fostering early childhood development through music, they have become a cherished part of the Queen City’s family entertainment scene. Joining these two are Eric Lovell and our host, Greazy Keyz.
Beyond their music, Liz and Holly are co-founders of The Mothership, a preschool dedicated to nurturing creativity and learning through play.
Get in touch, learn more!
Meet The Jolly Lollies
Liz Seegers and Holly Johnson are dynamic singer-songwriters who joined forces to create Liz, Holly, & The Jolly Lollies, a beloved children’s music duo based in Charlotte, NC. Known for their energetic performances and deep commitment to fostering early childhood development through music, they have become a cherished part of the Queen City’s family entertainment scene. Beyond their music, Liz and Holly are co-founders of The Mothership, a preschool dedicated to nurturing creativity and learning through play.
Their musical partnership began in 2011 when they discovered their shared passion for bringing people together through music and imagination. By 2013, they officially teamed up, combining their talents to create joyful and engaging music for children and families. Both graduates of Appalachian State University, Holly holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, and Liz has a background in Social Work. This unique blend of expertise informs their approach to teaching and songwriting, where they emphasize how music can support emotional, physical, and social development in young children.
As parents themselves, Liz and Holly draw inspiration from their own experiences, aiming to create a musical experience that resonates with both children and adults. Their songs encourage imaginative play, promote self-regulation techniques, and inspire movement and creativity, all while fostering a sense of joy and wonder. Through their music, Liz and Holly provide families with more than just entertainment—they offer a magical soundtrack for parenthood, filled with laughter, connection, and moments of pure fun. Whether leading a group of children in silly dances or calming melodies, their ultimate goal is to create a space where both kids and grown-ups can let loose, share in the joy of music, and make lasting memories together.
Q& A with The Jolly Lollies
Greazy Keyz: Hi there! Welcome to another episode of Local Music Somewhere. I’m your host, Greazy Keyz, and today’s episode is extra special. We’re dedicating it to all the kids with Liz Holly and the Jolly Lollies! Joining me in the studio are Liz Seegers, Holly Johnson, and Eric Lovell. Welcome, everyone!
Greazy Keyz: Holly, let’s start with you. How did the Jolly Lollies come to be?
Holly: Wow, it all started when we met through Music Together in Charlotte. We were both teachers and instantly clicked, discovering we both wrote our own music for young children. It was a natural fit to form a band!
Greazy Keyz: Music Together sounds like a fantastic program!
Holly: It really is! Phyllis Fulton and Cary Banwell run it, and we were both teachers there.
Greazy Keyz: What inspired you to work with young kids and music?
Holly: I’ve always had a passion for both children and music. My degree is in child development, and I grew up in a musical family, so it felt right to merge the two.
Greazy Keyz: Liz, what about your background? What brought you to the Jolly Lollies?
Liz: Straight out of college, I had to choose between social work and music. I applied to be a flight attendant and a Music Together teacher, and went with Music Together. I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years!
Greazy Keyz: That’s amazing! It must be fulfilling to connect with so many families.
Liz: It really is. I often run into kids I taught who are now in college—it’s wild! Holly and I met during training and connected instantly, knowing we had a future in music together.
Greazy Keyz: That’s a beautiful foundation for your friendship! Eric, you’re the guitarist and producer for the Jolly Lollies. You wear many hats in the Charlotte music scene!
Eric: I’m a salty old rock and roller! It’s great to be here. I’ve been friends with Greasy for almost 27 years, and working with the Jolly Lollies is a blast.
Greazy Keyz: You truly are a backbone of the local music community!
Eric: Thanks! It’s all about passion, and I bring that to every project.
Greazy Keyz: So, let’s talk about your albums. What do you have available?
Holly: We have Wishing One and Wishing Two out on iTunes and Spotify, and we’re currently working on a third album geared toward preschoolers.
Greazy Keyz: Exciting! What’s your songwriting process like?
Holly: For me, it starts with words—kind of like poetry. I find a melody after that, reworking the words to fit.
Liz: For me, a lot of inspiration came from running camps. I’d play my ukulele and just go with the flow, writing songs based on what the kids were experiencing.
Greazy Keyz: That’s such a wonderful approach! And Eric, what’s your role in the production process?
Eric: I help bring their melodies to life, adding dynamics and arrangement to elevate the songs. It’s a collaborative effort!
Greazy Keyz: Every Jolly Lollies show feels unique. What’s your approach when performing?
Holly: Being present and reading the crowd is key. We adapt based on who’s there and what energy we’re getting.
Liz: Absolutely! We’re all about improvisation and connecting with our audience.
Greazy Keyz: Let’s talk about where you perform!
Holly: We play a lot at Camp Northend and Suffolk Punch, and we’re also at various festivals and private events.
Liz: Yeah, we love the brewery scene in Charlotte. It’s family-friendly and a lot of fun!
Greazy Keyz: And it’s great how your music is enjoyable for both kids and parents!
Holly: Exactly! We want parents to enjoy the experience, too.
Greazy Keyz: Kids often idolize you both during shows!
Liz: We encourage them to engage with our instruments, and it’s heartwarming to see their excitement.
Holly: It’s about inspiring them to explore music!
Greazy Keyz: Let’s talk about the Mothership learning facility.
Holly: The preschool is in its fourth year, and we focus on social-emotional learning through music.
Liz: We’ve created a curriculum where each month highlights a different emotional theme, and the kids memorize verses that embody those concepts.
Greazy Keyz: That’s incredible! It’s such an important skill set for kids today.
Liz: Absolutely! We’re instilling tools for emotional regulation early on.
Greazy Keyz: What’s your favorite Jolly Lollies song?
Holly: Right now, it’s definitely “Wheels.”
Eric: I love “Brave” from our upcoming album.
Liz: I’m all about “Theo’s Lullaby.”
Greazy Keyz: “Wheels” is such a catchy tune! Let’s play it!
(Music plays)
Greazy Keyz: That was fantastic! Thank you all for joining me today! Holly, any last thoughts?
Holly: Just how grateful we are to share this joy through music!
Liz: We truly feel lucky to perform together.
Eric: Love you, Greazy!
Greazy Keyz: Love you all! Don’t forget to check out the Jolly Lollies on social media and their upcoming shows. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you next time!