Bruce Holmes believes in community, sing-alongs, funny stories, the thrill of lust and the depth of love. He’s willing to challenge the unexamined assumptions we make. He wants people to cherish their lives, both the joy and the pain.

Bruce’s influences are many. He loves Celtic music and plays the concertina and bouzouki. He sings Sacred Harp, and you’ll hear some unusual harmonies in his music. He’s studied flat-picking with the bluegrass folks. And he grew up on rock & roll so you’ll hear a touch of the Byrds or Jethro Tull in his music. But he’s also got stories to tell, so he wants the vocals high in the mix. At heart he’s a folk singer who loves a good story. And a lifetime of stories is shared in his songs.

Holmes has spent most of his life teaching. He’s taught everything from Aikido to folk dancing to juggling to chess (he was the coach for Oakton Chess, Illinois State Champions in 1993 and 1994). He’s the author of Anvil of the Heart, a science fiction novel that made the Locus recommended reading list for 1984. He also created a 24 cassette series on the Feldenkrais Method that is used all around the globe.

His first CD, Life’s An Intelligence Test, resonates with a lifetime of musical influences. It has been adopted for airplay by over 200 radio stations. (Radio Teutoburger Wald in Germany called it “a masterpiece of acoustic music.”) Half the songs from the CD have been honored in some way including a 2nd Place and 3rd Place in the 2006 Great Lakes Songwriting Competition. In 2007 he was selected as one of five Finalists in the Texas Songwriters’ Serenade. In 2008 he won the annual Talent Show at the Coffee House in Milwaukee. You can hear the music at www.BruceHolmes.com

Booking:

Haven Music

Bruce@BruceTHolmes.com www.BruceHolmes.com 847-869-1409

1115 Mulford Street Evanston IL 60202-3318

Bruce Holmes writes and sings from the heart. With solid vocals and a well-done recording, his new album provides both good listening and inspires some thinking as well. --Lilli Kuzma, "Folk Festival", WDCB Public Radio 90.9fm www.wdcb.org

Thanks for a great disc, Bruce.
George Maida, WCVE, Virginia

You cover quite a range of musical styles on the album and the arrangements are all well suited to each track's particular energy level. Production is good, with your excellent vocals carrying the songs and never dominated by the accompaniment. 'Life's An Intelligence Test' is a fine album, Bruce. Congratulations.
Bruce Cameron, Radio 2MCE-FM, Australia

I love your music and lyrics. “So Beautiful” is witheringly beautiful. Thank you for your wonderful music.
Mark Sheldon

I just wanted to say thanks for the great show. My wife and I felt as if we had been invited to a party at your home. Your friends and family are very warm and gracious people. The musicians you assembled were amazing, but it was your songs that made the night.
My wife Mary is a big fan of the late Stan Rogers and his brother Garnett. For her to compare someone’s music to theirs, favorably, is high praise indeed. Last night, as we left the theater she told me how reminiscent in style many of your story songs (for want of a better term) were to theirs and I must agree. Both of us agreed that when the song is over it leaves the listener with the feeling that he/she wants to know more about what happened to the characters within…did he make it to his loved one’s side on the Plague Ship…does he find someone to heal his ache after his Long Vegas Night. I guess that is the essence of folk and you have captured it consummately.
I must also tell you that I have never been moved to tears by a song before, but that last night I was. In the past 5 years I have lost both of my parents, a great aunt and a great uncle (who for all intents were like my grandparents). All of them had difficult passings to greater or lesser degrees. Angels distilled everything that I have gone through in those 5 with such clarity that it hurt. But not in a bad way, if you know what I mean, in a way that brings the joy and relief that those we loved are no longer in pain. I have probably listened to that one song about 10 times since last night.
I have gone on long enough, so just let me close by thanking you for once again sharing your talents and enriching my life.
Rob Douglas

Your CD is absolutely GREAT! Every single song blew me away!
Incredible work, Bruce. So, thanks again for making such wonderful music.
Bob Patnaude

2006 Schedule includes: Two Way Street Coffee House, Grand River Folk Arts Society, Lake County Folk Club, Hickory Ridge Concert Series, Peace Coffeehouse, Café Paradiso, Old Town School Songwriter Showcase, Café Carpé, Carpé Diem, River Music Experience, The Coffee House

Holmes has done shows at:
Uncommon Ground, Edgar’s Place, Changes Coffeehouse, Lakeshore Theater, No Exit Café, Charlie’s, Lyon’s Den, Borders Books & Music, Heartland Café, Bill’s Blues, Buzz Café, CJ Arthur’s, Arbor Vitae Jave & Juice, Underground Lounge, Mutiny, Charleston, Caribou Coffeehouse