Put Your Dress Down and Sing: Darlene Koldenhoven on Perseverance, Pink Floyd, and a Life in Music (Ep. 325)

Tonight, I sit down with Grammy-winning vocalist, pianist, composer, and author Darlene Koldenhoven for an inspiring deep-dive into her five-decade career.We explore her journey from a strict Dutch Calvinist upbringing on Chicago’s South Side to becoming one of L.A.’s top first-call sopranos, featured on over a thousand recordings and iconic projects like Yanni Live at the Acropolis, the Sister Act films, and Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Darlene shares vivid, behind-the-scenes stories—from high-pressure film sessions with Jerry Goldsmith to late-night rock dates with David Gilmour—along with hard-won lessons on preparation, professionalism, and perseverance.We also unpack her new memoir, Put Your Dress Down and Sing, and the companion album The Grand Memoir—born from awakening-dream compositions during the writing process. Darlene opens up about overcoming personal adversity, including a career-threatening hand injury and life-changing surgery, and how teaching, sonic therapy, and a service-first approach to performance fuel her definition of success today. If you need a masterclass in resilience, artistry, and showing up ready when opportunity knocks, this one’s for you.Guest: Darlene Koldenholvenhttps://darlenekoldenhoven.comWatch LIVE:Rumble.com/JoeRoozYouTube.com/@JoeRooz  Watch LIVE tonight at 7PM CT Rumble.com/JoeRooz YouTube.com/@JoeRooz FOLLOW US ON:X: https://x.com/joeroozFacebook: https://facebook.com/joeroozshowTwitch TV: https://twitch.tv/joeroozInstagram: https://instagram.com/notjoeroozTikTok: https://tiktok.com/joe.roozMinds: https://minds.com/joeroozGETTR: https://gettr.com/joeroozSpecial thanks to:Executive Producer Wayne RankinExecutive Producer Rosanna RankinExecutive Producer Carolina JimenezExecutive Producer Angela WetuskiExecutive Producer John SeeleyWant to be a guest on The Joe Rooz Show?Send Joe a message on #PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/joeCheck out our partners:Podhome.fmCreative EdgeMusic: https://youtube.com/@pogo️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5724294587940864(00:00:05) Cold open: playful banter and quick wrap(00:03:40) Show intro: "The Joe Rue Show" kicks off(00:04:07) Host welcome and tonight6;s special guest tease(00:05:22) Housekeeping: website, contact, comments, live times(00:07:16) Beat the algorithm: like, subscribe, share, where to listen(00:08:40) Guest intro: Darlene Koldenhovend career highlights(00:10:05) Piano preview: "Love and Devotion" from The Grand Memoir(00:12:12) Early life: strict Dutch Calvinist upbringing(00:14:31) Leap to Los Angeles and a rough start from nothing(00:16:02) Breaking in: preparation, connections, and opportunity(00:17:49) The moment it clicked: meeting George Duke and Flora Purim(00:23:51) LA crash course: gopher gigs, setbacks, and a health crisis(00:26:03) Rebuilding: couches, teaching piano, and first sessions(00:28:08) Studio chops: versatility, sight-reading, and attitude(00:31:13) What makes careers last: professionalism and reliability(00:32:45) Baptism by fire: Poltergeist II film session story(00:36:18) First-call standards: perform on the first read(00:36:44) Teaching voice: myths, keys, and matching pitch(00:39:06) Industry shifts: AI, streaming payouts, and survival(00:43:12) Awards reality: the Grammy whammy and self-reliance(00:44:10) Memoir time: why write 7Put Your Dress Down and Sing8(00:45:46) Title origin: Easter solo, shyness, and a life motto(00:47:02) Writing the book: massive draft, machete edits, and release(00:50:09) Vulnerability on the page: tough chapters and purpose(00:51:39) Audition mishap: choreography muscle memory strikes(00:54:27) A second chance: TV spin-off and a song takes second(00:56:40) Core lesson: action changes feelingsf put your dress down(00:56:45) Injury and adaptation: right hand damage reshapes playing(01:00:13) Dream gig: singing on Pink Floyd6s Momentary Lapse(01:02:20) Studio dynamics: a delicate ask to David Gilmour(01:05:01) Session craft: blend, pocket, and leaving the tour to pros(01:06:12) Perseverance pays: no vacations and staying in line(01:06:47) Most intimidating: Clare Fischer and sky-high soprano(01:11:12) Wrapping reflections: redefining success and audience first(01:13:38) Plugs and launch: site, August 7 party, and thanks(01:17:21) Closing credits: producers, support, and sign-off - Joe "Rooz" Russiellohttps://www.joerooz.com/supporthttps://www.joerooz.com