The late country singer, Holly Dunn, left the industry, her loved ones and her fans with a very beautiful legacy through her heartfelt hit, Daddy’s Hands. Having succumbed to ovarian cancer on November 16, 2016, Dunn was laid to rest at the age of 59.

Born Holly Suzette Dunn, her career as a singer and songwriter began in 1985. Prior to officially being launched as a new country artist, Holly Dunn had already experienced her first bout of success as a songwriter. Back when she was still a college junior, she wrote a gospel song that was later on recorded by the artist, Cristy Lane. Not long after, Lane was also hailed by the Academy of Country Music as the new female vocalist of the year.

Dunn remained active in the industry until the year 2003. She also worked with three different record studios. Between 1985 and 1988, she recorded for MTM Records. Then, from 1988 to 1993, she worked with Warner Bros. Records before she went on to record with River North Records from 1995 to 1997.

In the span of her career, Holly Dunn released a total of 10 albums, with 19 of her singles making it to major music charts. Among the hit songs that she is most widely known for, are Daddy’s Hands, You Really Had Me Going, Maybe I Mean Yes, and Are You Ever Gonna Love Me.

Maybe I Mean Yes sparked a nationwide controversy about date rape. Meanwhile, Daddy’s Hands had a more special and sentimental backstory behind it. Dunn wrote the song as a gift for her father, who was a preacher, on Father’s Day. It was released in August of 1986 and was made the second single from the singer’s self-titled album. It landed on the 7^th spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song was also nominated in 1987 for two Grammy awards: Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song.

Aside from singing and songwriting, Holly Dunn also co-hosted an “Opry Backstage” television show that aired on the Nashville Network, along with a country radio show based in Detroit. She retired in 2003, after releasing her very first gospel album called, Full Circle. Upon bidding farewell to her singing career, she went on to pursue another of her passions, which is painting. She collaborated with the Peña Dunn Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she worked full time.