Athens-area Grammy watchers will have a chance to see a local nominee perform in the area this summer.

Singer and storyteller David Holt might not have captured a Grammy this year, but Ken Bowald, team leader of the international services program at Hocking College, said Holt will put on a great show when he performs in Athens and at HC June 4 and June 5.

Holt, who competed against former president Jimmy Carter, authors Toni Morrison and Garrison Keillor and actor Christopher Reeve in the "Best Spoken Word Album" category, has been nominated for four Grammys in his career. He won in 1996 for his children's album "Stellaluna."

Holt's stories focus on the Appalachian region, so Bowald said bringing his act to Southeast Ohio makes sense.

Holt, from Garland, Texas, founded and directed the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, N.C. He began a full-time career in entertainment in 1981. Holt combines ballads and stories with music from the 10 different acoustic instruments he plays.

He will perform at 8 p.m. June 4 at the West Portico on College. Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area, a program of the Ohio Arts Council, Athens County library and Ohio University, will sponsor the performance.

Executive Director of OHCHA Michael Mullen said the show will be free and open to the public.

"I hope the community will come out and share some of our Appalachian heritage and culture through the eyes of David Holt," he said.

The concert is in conjunction with the annual meeting of the OHCHA also on June 4 at OU. The meeting will have a number of speakers on heritage and cultural tourism.

Holt then will move to Robbins Crossing at Hocking College, where he will perform June 5 as part of the Hockhocking Folk Festival. This is the first year of the festival.

Bowald said Holt's performance will be the highlight of the festival, but it also will include group music lessons, instrument-building, dance classes and jam sessions.

Because Mullen already had Holt lined up for his performance in Athens, Bowald and Mullen decided to split Holt's cost and also have him perform at HC.

"To get that caliber of performer just laid in your lap is phenomenal," he said.