Put Your Dress Down and Sing – No Matter What is a memoir about the inspiring story of GRAMMY® Winner Darlene Koldenhoven’s determination and hard work to overcome obstacles, physical challenges, and traumas to create and maintain a successful career, against all odds, as an independent vocal artist in the Hollywood entertainment industry for 40+ years and counting.​ Music gave her a life she could never have imagined.

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The book title comes from a true story that happened at age three during her first time singing a solo in church. Suddenly struck with stage fright when she saw two hundred people looking at her, she did what any shy toddler girl might do. She lifted her dress high over her head so they couldn't see her. Her mother rushed to the platform with a harsh whisper, "Darlene, put your dress down and sing!" That advice rings true for every adverse situation. To change your feelings, you must take action. It’s a primary theme in her book and has been her motto all these years.

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She has come a long way since then—singing an opera aria with the Chicago Symphony at age 19, singing a featured solo in “Yanni, Live at the Acropolis,” and performing as a choir nun in both “Sister Act” films with Whoopi Goldberg. Her journey went from a repressive upbringing in the church culture of the Dutch Calvinists, where she was punished for her creativity as a child, to having two albums receive a hot shot debut at #4 and debut at #8 on Billboard's Classical Crossover Album chart and several #1 albums on the radio charts. She went from only being allowed to listen to or sing religious or classical music to singing on Pink Floyd’s “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” album and being kissed on the cheek by Beatle Paul McCartney on stage while singing backup vocals for him at the Hollywood Bowl. Find out behind-the-scenes stories of what it is really like to be a first-call session singer on over a thousand recordings in movies, albums, television, and commercials, singing for big stars in the studio and on stage, and then stepping on stage as the star herself. These and other unlikely success stories will warm your heart and have you rooting and cheering page after page.

 

​Darlene's not-your-everyday stories are written in a natural, candid, chronological flow to highlight their cumulative intensity amid the divine connections in her life. They will make you laugh and giggle or be swelled with emotion. They are intimate stories about how she overcame bullying, sexual assaults, polio, and near-death experiences. She has earned her place as a celebrity through resilience and hard work. In her words, "Music is my superpower, and singing saved me."

Adults, teens, and parents who are curious about how the entertainment business works will enjoy reading Darlene's insights into navigating this challenging industry. Individuals who may be anxious, shy, depressed, depleted, or full of self-doubt may find this book encouraging and uplifting by learning, as Darlene did, that the secret to changing one’s feelings lies in taking action: "Put Your Dress Down and Sing!”

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