Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

Lansing native Kari Holmes opens next month's third annual Summerfest celebration at Cleary University. The country singer songwriter has a warm up show planned in Brighton this Thursday.

"I'm a hometown girl. I've got a full-length album out right now, and in 2021, I went down to Nashville and I won Entertainer of the Year at the Josie Music Awards," Holmes told WHMI's Morning Drive with Chuck and Madison.

"I was nominated for five awards as well, so that was a lot of fun."

Holmes said she started singing around age 4, and has been on the go ever since.

"It started with LeeAnn Rimes. When I was about 17ish, I taught myself to play the guitar and I was in a band. Then, I started my own band," she said.

"I love Shania Twain, her attitude. She's just fun. Back in the 90s, I love that era of her."

Holmes will open for Detroit rockers the Killer Flamingos at Cleary's Burgers, Booze and Beats fundraiser to support students needing financial assistance. That is a 21 and older show Friday, June 6.

You can check her out before then, at the Pound Bar and Grill in Brighton this Thursday evening.

Ticket information for Cleary's Summerfest is posted below.

Photo courtesy of Marc Nader.