November 24, 2009

Saturday concert to feature powerful female artists

By Jennifer Larsen

News editor

The Zion Philadelphia United Church of Christ is hosting Holly Starr in concert this Saturday, Nov. 28, beginning at 7 p.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church on Division Street in Ritzville.

The concert will also feature the newly discovered musical talents of Chelsey Heidenreich, a junior at Ritzville High School.

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

This will mark Holly Starr Grigg’s second visit to Ritzville in the last two weeks. She spent last Wednesday in Ritzville, performing and visiting with residents at Rose Garden Estates as well as meeting with the Stayin’ Alive Youth Group that evening.

At the evening gathering, Grigg met with Heidenreich for the first time, adding another memory to her growing list of treasured reminisces.

“I strongly believe everyone needs music in their lives. It doesn’t matter what it is,” she said. “For me, it’s more than a concert… It’s all about the message for me, this generation. I can relate, respond to my generation. I’m a really passionate speaker. I like to talk about God… I like to share about my songs. Songs are my life, relating to my life.”

This year has provided countless memories as well as a chance to realize a lifelong dream for Grigg. After a summer of touring, Grigg concluded by performing on the stage at Lifefest 09 in OshKosh, Wisc.

In July, she performed at the Gorge Amphitheatre in the Creation Festival, the nation’s largest Christian music festival.

Grigg was one of several aspiring artists and songwriters celebrated by music industry executives and leaders in August after winning honors at the Gospel Music Association Artist and Song of 2009 National Competition held in Nashville.

Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy organization that helps more than one million children in 24 countries, recognized her for the ministry emphasis of her music.

Compassion named her the recipient of the Music and Ministry Experience, an all-expense paid ministry to El Salvador, a Compassion International destination.

She was also selected as the 2009 Compassion International Music and Ministry Award recipient in Nashville.

Grigg’s musical journey started with a passion for music at age 12, followed by writing originals when she was 14. She recorded her first song at 15 and hasn’t looked back.

A year later Brandon Bee, of Brandon Bee Studios in Tacoma, heard of Grigg through a church worship group. Five weeks later, Grigg was recording in Brandon Bee Studios for her first album, “Embraced.”

Grigg’s career catapulted into high gear while she was a junior at Quincy High School. Right before she started college through Running Start for cosmetology, Grigg started recording her first album.

Junior year was rough for Grigg – in the mornings she attended QHS followed by college in the afternoons. Every weekend, she was in Seattle working on the project.

“It’s been a transition for me,” Grigg said. “It’s been hard some days, not so hard on others… I wake up and I’m still shocked I’m doing it.”

Through the summer, Grigg performed at two to three shows per week. Topping of a whirlwind year was the chance for Grigg to open for Leann Rimes in Wenatchee.

Grigg will travel with a worship team to Israel in February 2010 followed by engagements in New York and Texas.

More information about the young musician is available online at http://www.hollystarrmusic.com.