Born in the humid heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 3, 1979, Lance Woolie forged his path through shadows of loss and grit. Familial storms and personal demons defined his early years, but they also lit the fire that drives his raw, soul-stirring country sound—a testament to redemption amid the bayou's unyielding pull.
1995
Lance's childhood unraveled amid turmoil, culminating in the tragic loss of his brother, Leigh Michael.
1996
Addiction and depression followed, leading to his arrest and a pivotal stint in juvenile detention at JCCY. There, during a "Fun Day" performance, Warden Gorham spotted Lance's guitar skills and pushed him onstage with the Angola Travelin’ Band. They jammed "Basket Case" by Green Day, igniting his lifelong passion for music. Behind bars, Lance led worship sessions that honed his voice and built spiritual depth, while working in the canine unit fostered quiet resolve. He also took correspondence courses from Southern University, laying groundwork for his future.
1999
Released from Jetson Correctional Facility, Lance channeled that fire into higher education, beginning at Southern University.
2000
Lance transferred to Louisiana State University, initially majoring in Veterinary Medicine but switching to Information Systems & Decision Sciences due to ethical conflicts. A self-taught web developer, he built every band website he's been in, including this one you're reading now.
2001
Lance took his first trip to Colombia, a journey that would reshape his life and sound.
2004
Lance moved to Bogotá, Colombia, settling into an apartment at Calle 49, Carrera Séptima #2, immersing himself in the vibrant local rhythms.
2005
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, displacing Lance's mother and influencing his long-term stay in Bogotá. That year, he acted as "El Gringo" in the feature film El Colombian Dream. Amid personal milestones, then-Congressman Bobby Jindal wrote a letter to the State Department on Lance's behalf to expedite his fiancée's visa so their child could be born on American soil—but the request was declined.
2006
Lance's daughter, Emma, was born in Ibagué, Colombia, as an American citizen born abroad—a profound anchor in his evolving world.
2006–2023
Returning stateside, Lance worked as a machinist (see resume for details), blending technical precision with his creative drive. His path twisted through cultures and sounds, yielding the Christian crossover record “Let It Ride.” Collaborations across genres sharpened his craft, blending global beats with Louisiana roots.
Today, as Director of the Texas Country Music Network—a subsidiary of the Texas Country Music Association—Lance curates music videos for country artists via the TXCN Roku and Firestick apps. He reengineered the workflow, boosting load speeds and overall audio/video quality. Turning homeward, he co-produced the album Country Paradise with local talents—a labor of love weaving scars and triumphs into raw, reflective songs. Lance Woolie stands as a storyteller of resilience, his authentic twang bridging bayou lore with modern heartaches. In every chord, the swamp sings back.
