Written by Terry DeBoer

GRAND RAPIDS -- Local singer-songwriter Jeremy Hoekstra is having a party.
"Basically, we wanted the feeling of a Christmas party," Hoekstra said. "A fun night with a bunch of Christmas music that we arranged ourselves."
So Hoekstra, with the help of fellow artist -- and sister -- Cara, came up with "Rudolph's Razzle Dazzle Christmas."
"We've got some silly little prizes to give away," he said. "It should be a fun night where people can come out and bring their families."
It's a bit of a departure for the acoustic-indie-folk-rock artist and Holland native, whose more serious side reveals thoughtful songwriting expressive of his desire to produce quality art with integrity.
Hoekstra, 28, musically came of age during the 1990s, a fan of pop-rockers such as Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket. Yet he's very much into the singer-songwriter motif of talents from James Taylor to Mat Kearney.
It was a special thrill for Hoekstra to open a show for Kearney last year in Grand Rapids.
"I love being thoughtful with the lyrics, but still bringing a little acoustic with sort of a rock edge to it," he said.
Hoekstra said his latest songs, including "Awake and Waiting" and "Bring It to the Light," are poetic, catchy tunes that bring those elements together. The songs will be on his next CD, a follow-up to his 2006 solo project, "The Struggle of Hope."
The Holland High School and Hope College graduate learned music singing in church choirs. As a teen, he played drums in a garage band (My Friend Licorice) and was part of Hope's chapel band.
The son of David and Sally Hoekstra, of Holland, he is accompanied in his current band by his drum-playing father, a city councilman.
Jeremy also leads music for the contemporary worship service at First Evangelical Covenant Church on Grand Rapids' West Side. But he continues to pursue his solo artistry.
"Right now, I'm averaging about four concerts a month," Hoekstra said. "And I'm trying to branch out."
For the Christmas show, the brother-sister tandem is injecting new life into some of the old standards -- several with a touch of acoustic blues. In the set list are tunes from "Go Tell It On The Mountain" to "Frosty the Snowman," as well as traditional carols.