Holly Starr comes home to play

MOSES LAKE — Holly Starr likes coming home.

“I love being home, love being in my hometown of Quincy, love being with people who know me, who have known me forever,” the 26-year-old Christian singer-songwriter said.

And she will be at home, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20 singing some of the songs that have gotten her noticed, at the Quincy Free Methodist Church, the place where her music career began.

“I started in music shortly after I left New Life, and got involved in the youth band at the Free Methodist Church,” Starr said.

Someone suggested she try writing some songs, and she did, posting them on MySpace, and getting noticed by a Christian music producer in Tacoma. She recorded her first CD, “Embraced,” in 2008, and a chance to open for LeAnn Rimes proved to be the event that launched her career.

“I’ve been traveling since then full time,” she said.

Starr says she sees music as a way of telling people’s stories and encouraging them.

“I was just so inspired by the people around me, and I wanted to offer a vehicle of encouragement and love, the opportunity to say, ‘I’ve been through something difficult, you can get through it,’” she said.

Or, as she sings in her song “Through My Father’s Eyes”:

“Just know you’re not the only one who’s ever cried out for help

Jesus loves you in ways you cannot love yourself.”

In fact, the stories she hears from people before and after she performs feed her more than the music itself.

“Songwriting is fun, but I feel the most pleasure in what I do, talking with people,” she said. “I love hearing stories and encouraging people.

The Quincy Free Methodist Church is located at 301 I St. SW. For more information, please call 509-787-4491.