NORWICH – Guernsey Memorial Library’s annual Holiday Open House will feature the talents of former American Idol contestant Ian S. Holmes II, who finished among the top 44 finalists in the Hollywood competition three years ago.
Library Director Sarah Wiggins said Holmes accepted an invitation to perform at Friday’s open house where the popular Gospel, pop, jazz, soul, and rock signer will perform inspirational holiday music accompanied by a small ensemble.
The library’s open house is from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and Wiggins said the festive event is a free and casual way of inviting the public to meet board members, library staff and to see what changes their local library has undergone in the last year.
Wiggins also noted she is still new to the library, having been the director for less than a year, and hopes the occasion would allow her a chance to introduce herself to community members.
“Most of the staff will be on hand and the library’s board members will also be attending, along with the library’s new director – me,” said Wiggins.
The event will begin with local musician Joe Lombardi greeting attendees with his welcoming melodies in front of the library. There will be free refreshments and a number of craft activities available for children.
Holmes will perform at 7:45 p.m. in the building’s meeting room, which has been arranged with 100 seats, a small stage and an additional standing space for another 150 spectators. Last year’s event drew over 200 people to the library, located at 3 Court St. in the City of Norwich.
Holmes’ public relations representative Kari Holmes, said they decided to attend the event after meeting Wiggins through one of their musical congregations in their Pennsylvania hometown.
Ian said he enjoyed the idea of playing at a public library and recalled childhood memories of traveling to them with his parents.
“Reading opens the eyes of the soul and allows one to dream and fulfill those dreams,” he said. “My father used to have a room full of books with so much information that he would share with us. We loved that. He and my mother would take us to the library to learn how to search out information and knowledge that was close to irretrievable and find exactly what we were looking for.”
Ian finished in the top 44 contestants in Hollywood who were vying for a spot on the fourth season of the nationally televised American Idol show, chosen from more than a 100,000 other auditioning musicians. He has been seen on Fox Television, BET, The Reality Network and more.
Ian recall his experiences in the spotlight.
“I have met and opened for Tyler Hilton (One Tree Hill), Collective Soul, Producer Loris Holland, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, R. Kelly and Dionne Warwick. American Idol was one of the greatest life-changing highlights in my life. During the competition I hung out with Carrie Underwood, Kurtis Parks, J.P. Koehler and Marlae Strohman. I am grateful to all and 19 Entertainment for allowing me the opportunity to have such a platform that has assisted me to date,” said the artist.
This past Tuesday at the Lehigh Valley Music Awards in PA, Ian and his family’s gospel group was awarded a number of fan voted awards for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Solo Artist, Best Singer/Songwriter and Best Live Christian Band. For more on Ian, visit his web site at www.ianholmesonline.com.