Nolan Taylor, "Hold Me," ft. Clarke Sexton // GemsOnVHS™

I've known about Nolan Taylor a long time now. We actually met once, before Jon Grace's much celebrated Laurel Cove festival in Bell County, Kentucky. Nolan was probably still a mailman back then, and our mutual friend Aaron Cordell (amazing drummer and former roommate of Hayden Karchmer lol) brought him along for a hike. We all talked music and played tunes and had a good ole time.
Sometime after that, Nolan entered the "Gems in the Rough" contest we were holding. He produced easily one of the best recordings ever for it, which subsequently went hella viral, his song "500 Days" ( • Nolan Taylor-500 “Gems... . Unfortunately, he didn't follow the rules (no cuts in the video, so we know you made it for the contest lol), and we had to disqualify his entry. Luckily that didn't stop him from getting a record deal with Atlantic, and gaining thousands of fans.
I jumped in the tour van with him for a leg of shows in Tennessee/Georgia recently. We recorded this in the van one day, just jamming out and having fun on the way to Knoxville. Nolan is seriously salt of the earth, a normal guy with a killer voice and a humble story. I can't stand rock stars, and despite sounding like one Nolan is not that guy.
Nolan is going on tour! Check out the tour dates at www.nolantaylormusic.com/tour. You can find him on Instagram at @nolantaylormusic.
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, Mr. Free, Rusty Shackleford, and Joshua Taylor.
Consider becoming a Patreon contributor to help sustain this project. For the price of a cup of coffee every month, you let us continue finding and filming amazing artists.
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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www.gemsonvhs.com

[@GemsOnVHS]

Do ya like the video you just saw? Make sure to subscribe and click the bell to get updates every time we post. Love ya! You can find Nolan's tunes on all platforms at www.nolantaylormusic.com/?frontpage=true. You can find him on Instagram at @nolantaylormusic.

[@NolanTaylorMusic]

Can't thank y'all enough. Love you Gems!

[@thatguyonyoutube7567]

Don’t ever stop! Your music helps people

[@benjaminneff7870]

Nolan everyday I find a new favorite song and you guys are always the group behind the mic!

[@wez740]

Currently listening to everything you uploaded!

[@H00v3r]

I found DARKNESS ... as an addict in recovery for 9 years now... currently battling myself ... your music is amazing and I'm listening to EVERYTHING ... on repeat... WICKED WAYS is right behind darkness on all playlists... I'd love to see a show with you and 'Oliver Anthony Music' Hope you're doing well

[@mckinnonerario2883]

When will this hit spotify?!

[@joeycollins-music]

I feel you on the family thing. I quit my job as a garbage man to go full time with music. 4 years later, it’s been one heck of a ride.

[@GemsOnVHS]

garbage man musician combo is really good tho

[@joeycollins-music]

@@GemsOnVHS did both for years! It was a grind for sure, but the good kind.

[@fx407]

@@joeycollins-music

[@sir_bartholomew2553]

Can’t believe this was recorded in a moving vehicle that sounded ethereal

[@buttelman95]

Clarke has one of most amazing voices I’ve ever heard.

[@JayTX.]

Man I saw his highway 68 video when it dropped, was the most raw performance I'd seen in a long time and hit close to home

[@bconawa2]

Hold me up, don’t hold me down ✊️

[@coltonjanson4736]

Been waiting for Nolans return to Gems....the right way. So glad it's happened. Love you Nolan and Love you Gems

[@justinbrunney4073]

Nolan. Thank you (agan and again) brother. Your soul, story telling ability, and talent are incredible. I share your music so often. Hope.to see you live again soon. Please never stop singing. Clark Sexton ---what a voice bro. Thank yall !

[@lukeyellowtail1145]

I’m happy to see Nolan Taylor got a gems set. Also glad to see more people are hearing about him now

[@collierpeoples1918]

Incredible!!!!!! Absolutely adore Nolan and damn Clarke can get it too!!!

[@aleshiasbragia345]

NEED ON SPOTIFY!!!!!!!!!

[@PVFNOD17]

Need this on Spotify ASAP !!

[@jeremycavanaugh7870]

Is anyone else crying ..... What a beautiful melody all over that song and that guy chiming in with that verse was sick thank u guys so freaking much man .... Addicts need this to get thru

[@caseycomp]

Nolan is so amazingly kind and talented.

[@Peck_Bull]

Simply magic, omg. 💘

[@Phoggyboy]

Talent is off the charts!

[@Dupie69]

This was awesome! I think you two would make a great collab in mostly unison song!

[@CAMTESTERBRAND]

Nolan Taylor is the fucking man, I've seen him live twice and bet your ass I'll pay to see him a third time when the opportunity comes around again.

[@MichaelBlocksom]

We’ll never miss a show that we can make it to. Seen him 5 times live now

[@feral-child578]

i'm in tears. an astounding voice and talent. moving, so so moving.

[@danielwood4078]

Music for the soul

[@robertgold2643]

So amazing….

[@strachanjohnston2858]

well, this touched me. Thanks gems, thanks you beautiful artists!

[@crazxvice]

go ahead CLARKKKK, also love how yall wrote this song! beautiful work as always

[@tomcanderson]

NOLAN AND CLARKE RAHHHH🦅🦅🦅🤟🏼

[@patrickarmer3160]

Onward and Upward!

[@knash97]

It's a fantastic song, as usual! You guys are great people! Stay safe and well out there! P.s. WOO GO CLARKE!

[@vikingodin1986]

Wow god damn

[@andyslawnsheretoserveyou2041]

Keep up the good work man I always love listening to your music something about singing from the soul will humble you 100% of the time

[@dustinlewis3295]

Beautiful!

[@hilarylore3618]

Incredible!! As always!

[@dalejones8541]

Nolan is King

[@KLRappreciator]

Goddamn, great voice!

[@johnfalzon]

Absolutely incredible. Two amazing voices. Please don’t go back to being a mailman!

[@justinbrunney4073]

Agreed. We need mailmen.....but there's surely others availablefor duty....😊

[@Holio88]

So cool to see Nolan on gems!!! Love his music so much

[@MetalDeadness]

Thank you for this beautiful new content Gems!

[@taraoldham1263]

Yes!

[@clintramsey3701]

🔥 saw you in Nashville few weeks back. Best concert I’ve been to

[@briansternberg649]

This guy is unreal. Like, wow.

[@JR-Reedmusic]

I swear I can’t listen to this enough 🔥😶‍🌫️

[@rhondawilliams13]

Just great! Love you Nolan (Jess and Clarke) see you in a few weeks!!!

[@TheKiki1292]

Nolan is so amazing 💪🏻

[@illminded89]

Well god damn.

[@shanegooding4839]

Had me from the first note! Great 😸💯!

[@froncykong]

Praise

[@JpGinsberg22]

Great guys with great music! 🔥

[@austinlightner3973]

Amazing

[@curtisnewman979]

You guys harmonize beautifully 😊 I love gemsonvhs and I love you!

[@GemsOnVHS]

Thank you so much!

[@user-cp4kz7fb9c]

You all are so damn talented! Sounds incredible!!

[@Nat-rs6up]

Talented people right there ❤

[@lilly.souza92]

❤❤❤❤

[@Welcometothewoodshedpodcast]

Nolan SLAYS!!!

[@paulyro0905]

Kings

[@brianmassman6016]

wow, this is great

[@user-md5np5sw2o]

Awesome

[@patrickgarren4256]

Sounds awesome.

[@Eudicot]

Finally, Nolan Taylor got his spotlight on GemsOnVHS

[@GemsOnVHS]

FINALLY

[@shaolinseymore4826]

Nicely done! U should've got the lady on there in the end I was waiting the whole time bro! 😆

[@bimblegionarnobody3543]

i love it

[@RollCageMary]

Got to open and hang with theses guys when the6 stopped in Arkansas recently. Great people .. great performance. I’m a fan! Great video and audio too .. Thank y’all for doing what you do

[@GemsOnVHS]

What's your band

[@GemsOnVHS]

Cheers thank you

[@RollCageMary]

@@GemsOnVHS Roll Cage Mary

[@RollCageMary]

@@GemsOnVHSthank y’all! 🤍

[@cedarriver]

Man, I remember when I first heard "500", he instantly got me, such a great feeling for melodies. Love this recording as well! And damn, Clarke Sexton was amazing as well! Chords and lyrics below to play along! Standard tuning, Capo on 3 Intro F C G Verse 1 Bm C / G F C / Bm C / G F C / Bm C G F C / D C / G D Em Chorus B7 C / G D Em / Am C Verse 2 Bm C / G F C / Bm C / G F C / D C / G D Em Interlude Bm C / G F C Cm Bridge G C / G C / G C / G C [Intro] [Verse 1] She wakes me up And turns on the news and says "What did you do?" Lately it's tough When she calls my bluff and I've hid in the proof It's not always me blinded by these half-hearted truths There's no blood on my hands, I do all that I can To bring what I earn home to you [Chorus] But you push me away for the things I don't say And the unspoken things I do It's true [Verse 2] It's getting late It seems it's my fate, time to load up my gun I'm at it again Why even pretend that I am anyone But me, I'm the one she makes out to be All the things that she can't work through [Chorus] But you push me away for the things I don't say And the unspoken things I do It's true [Interlude] [Bridge] Hold me up, don't hold me down (don't you hold me down) Fill my cup, don't pass it around Hold me up, don't hold me down (don't you hold me down) Hold me up, don't hold me down [Verse 1] She wakes me up And turns on the news and says "What did you do?"

[@Skandinavisk]

Holy shit this is good.

[@r.l.strange1897]

Dude. Great idea and execution.

[@GemsOnVHS]

Most time on tour spent in the van, might as well make it useful lol

[@calculatedfitness780]

Man I get some Andy Hull vibes from him sometimes and it’s the best

[@harleyorlando1390]

Ooof

[@jamestaylor8000]

How about that Tommy Culley cameo

[@GemsOnVHS]

He's the star

[@greenteambc]

Only 30k views is criminal 😢😅

[@Zackfish]

I got 100!!!!!

[@GemsOnVHS]

100 what?!

[@hillpunk92]

ill never look at the mail man the same.

[@GemsOnVHS]

lmao

[@hillpunk92]

@@GemsOnVHS i appreciate the comic relief at the end. your doing good for the world gems.

[@zacharytate4321]

When the hell are we getting a Gems Tour??Side note: what do I have to do for the aforementioned tour to play at Pine Creek Lodge?

[@murphyyoung2310]

How do yall get that sound in a van?

[@DrJFever-gf7zs]

Seriously wtf

[@GemsOnVHS]

Lav mics

[@greenteambc]

Someone at me in the lyrics please

[@LeeHarveyOswald.1963]

ETHAN DEL CARMEN

[@ckenney2ck]

Add a female voice...... 3 piece it!!!

[@Irishpaine]

In my humble opinion,too soft,too gay,too mainstream and too clickbate.All the best from Ireland.

[@UhtredAmpersand]

Heck yeah man. You’re damn cool. Edgy some would say. Tough. A role model, a genuinely cool person. One that children should probably learn from cause you have such a beautiful insight & opinion so thought out & intelligent.

[@zakie88]

In my humble opinion no one cares about your opinion go write this edgy non mainstream masterpiece or don't quit your day job because you are a sh!t musical critic

[@Irishpaine]

@@UhtredAmpersand just giving my opinion bud,didn’t mean to offend ya.

[@Irishpaine]

@@UhtredAmpersand you’ve gone quiet.

[@zakie88]

I'm waiting for you to show us all your sick edgy song you wrote or literally anything you have ever created or are you one of those people who give there opinions who couldn't create anything?

[@JohnSmith-sj3mm]

You both are awesome! Compliment each other well. 🔥