“Put Your Dress Down and Sing” by Darlene Koldenhoven
Book Review by Dyan Garris, New Age Notes Magazine
It’s sometimes funny what sticks with us from childhood. Those memories have the ability to shape our lives into adulthood. One of the big lessons in life is learning to overcome fear, as well as to find your own voice, and be who you came to be. In this case, I’m happy to discover that Darlene Koldenhoven found her beautiful voice early on and stuck with things through thick and thin. That’s grit.
The title itself of Darlene’s memoir “Put Your Dress Down and Sing,” comes from a childhood lesson from her mother and becomes a recurring theme throughout this engaging and unforgettable book: Despite embarrassment, fear, or adversity, just keep on going. That central message gives this book an inspiring emotional continuity without ever becoming overly sentimental.
Here is an uplifting, deeply human, brutally honest memoir that goes far beyond the story of a successful music career. It is a true testament to perseverance, self-belief, reinvention, being true to oneself, and the transformative power of music.
Koldenhoven’s memoir traces her remarkable journey from a shy girl growing up in a strict Dutch Calvinist household on the south side of Chicago to becoming an internationally recognized Grammy®-winning vocalist, composer, performer, and more. Along the way, she shares candid stories about overcoming emotional and physical hardship, navigating through the competitive entertainment industry, and finding her own unique voice in spaces where women were often expected to remain unseen or unheard.
What makes the book especially compelling is its honesty and raw candor. Beautifully edited and written, Koldenhoven writes with warmth, humor, humility, and vulnerability, making even extraordinary moments feel personal and relatable. Her stories about performing with legends such as Paul McCartney, working alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the “Sister Act” films, and becoming the soaring soprano voice featured in Yanni’s “Live at the Acropolis” are fascinating. But the emotional core of the memoir lies in the quieter moments — self-doubt, family influence, resilience, and personal growth.
Koldenhoven excels at bringing readers behind the scenes of the music and entertainment industry. Her descriptions of studio work, performing, teaching, and the unpredictable realities of surviving as an independent artist in this very competitive business provide an insider perspective that musicians and creative professionals will especially appreciate. Yet the memoir never feels industry-heavy. Readers unfamiliar with Darlene’s career can still connect deeply with the universal human themes of persistence and creative passion.
Another strength of the memoir is its balance. The book is motivational without ever being preachy, reflective without becoming self-indulgent (something I like best), and entertaining without sacrificing emotional depth. Koldenhoven’s voice on the page mirrors what many listeners also describe in her singing: Expressive, sincere, and unmistakably authentic. Refreshing and interesting, it’s one of those books you don’t want to put down.
Fans of memoirs by artists, inspirational autobiographies, and stories of triumph through adversity will likely find this book particularly engaging. More importantly, “Put Your Dress Down and Sing” reminds readers that success is rarely linear and that great courage is necessary to continue to show up and share your gifts with the world.
Ultimately, this memoir is not just about music or fame or self-aggrandizement — it is about resilience, and the lifelong journey of learning to stand fully and confidently in one’s own voice. In other words, just “Put Your Dress Down and Sing.”
As a companion to her memoir, Darlene has created a beautiful 10-track solo piano CD, “A Grand Memoir.”
Get Darlene’s memoir here: https://www.darlenekoldenhoven.com/book
Get Darlene’s CD here: https://www.darlenekoldenhoven.com/agm
