Avail Hollywood is a name steadily gaining traction in the Southern Soul and R&B scenes. Born Christopher Estell in Texarkana, Texas, he blends raw emotion, soulful vocals, and gritty storytelling to craft songs that resonate deeply with fans of grown-folk music. In this post, we’ll walk through his background, signature sound, discography, and what makes him a standout in Southern Soul.
Background & Early Life
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Christopher Estell was born on July 24, 1983, in Texarkana, Texas. Last.fm+1
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He comes from a musical family: his father, Collins Estell Sr., was a musician and guitarist, and his sisters also sang gospel. soulbluesmusic.com+1
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Avail’s first musical gigs were in gospel: he served as a drummer for the group Shades of Ebony. soulbluesmusic.com+1
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His stage name “Avail Hollywood” was inspired by a poster he once saw that read “Elvis Presley, Now Available in Hollywood.” soulbluesmusic.com+1
Musical Style & Signature Themes
Avail Hollywood’s music is steeped in the Southern Soul tradition, but he brings his own flavor through several recurring elements:
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Emotional vulnerability: Many of his songs tackle pain, heartbreak, and personal struggle — especially “drinking” or “wasted” themes. Southern Soul RNB+3soulbluesmusic.com+3ReverbNation+3
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Grown-folk appeal: His voice and subject matter are often tailored to adult relationships, maturity, and real-life challenges. N I C C project promotion+1
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Blend of mid-tempo and slow ballads: He navigates between club-ready tracks and heart-wrenching ballads. soulbluesmusic.com+1
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Instrumentation & production: He frequently uses horns, guitar riffs, soulful backing tracks, and polished production to frame his vocals. Southern Soul RNB+2soulbluesmusic.com+2
Discography & Key Albums
Here are some of Avail Hollywood’s notable releases:
| Year | Album | Standout Tracks / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Young Gunn Of Southern Soul | “Don’t Leave Me,” “Show Me What U Working With” soulbluesmusic.com |
| 2011 | Drinking Again | Title track helped cement his identity in the circuit soulbluesmusic.com+1 |
| 2013 | Country Road | Included “Club in the Woods” and “Halle Berry” soulbluesmusic.com |
| 2014 | Rehab | Features “Rehab Ain’t Working,” “Kiss My Southern Soul” soulbluesmusic.com |
| 2015 | Wasted Confessions | Explores relational conflict & honesty soulbluesmusic.com |
| 2016 | Old Skool Kinda Girl | “Twenty Five and Up” was a fan favorite soulbluesmusic.com |
| 2017 | Good Whiskey | Title track “Good Whiskey,” several singles charted soulbluesmusic.com+1 |
| 2019 | Still King | Includes “Girl You Bad,” “Unbelievable Booty” soulbluesmusic.com+2Southern Soul RNB+2 |
| 2020 | Black Locomotive | Tracks like “Box Top Chevy,” “Love Train” soulbluesmusic.com+2Southern Soul RNB+2 |
| 2021 | Mississippi River | Explores love, faith, and personal growth soulbluesmusic.com+1 |
| 2022 | Love, Lies, Loyalty | Continues his themes, showcasing maturity Southern Soul RNB |
| 2024 | King of Grown Folks Music | His latest, reinforcing his “grown-folks” positioning soulbluesmusic.com+2N I C C project promotion+2 |
He maintains his own label, NLightn Records, and has released much of his work independently. soulbluesmusic.com+1
Notable Songs & Chart Impact
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“Girl You Bad” is one of his more popular singles and is often cited for its appealing hook and production. Southern Soul RNB+1
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“I Had To Lie” charted in Daddy B. Nice’s Top 10 for September 2022. Southern Soul RNB
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His albums have made appearances on Southern Soul & R&B charts, gaining stronger recognition over time. soulbluesmusic.com+1
Challenges & Artistic Growth
Over the years, Avail Hollywood has faced the tension between staying true to his core Southern Soul sound and expanding into newer territory. Critics and fans have noted:
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He briefly left the Southern Soul circuit in 2016 to explore songwriting opportunities in Nashville. Southern Soul RNB+1
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But he returned and recommitted to building his catalog and presence among Southern Soul fans. Southern Soul RNB+2soulbluesmusic.com+2
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His recent albums display more range and balance — combining love songs, reflective tracks, and upbeat numbers without losing emotional depth. Southern Soul RNB+1
Why Avail Hollywood Matters in Southern Soul
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Authentic voice & relatability — His willingness to be raw about mistakes, love, and personal struggles sets him apart.
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Longevity & consistency — Over a decade of releasing albums shows commitment and growth.
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Independent success — He’s built much of his career through self-reliance rather than big label backing.
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Blending traditions & modern sounds — While rooted in Southern Soul, he experiments with production and arrangement to stay fresh.
