Eagle News Alumni Feature: Clint Holmes
ANGOLA, NY – The media production suites and hallways of Lake Shore High School felt a little extra musical as international recording artist, songwriter, and alumnus Clint Holmes paid a special visit to his former school community to sit down for a student-led interview.
Holmes, whose career spans more than 50 years, spent time touring the campus, noticing major updates while instantly recognizing the familiar spaces that fueled his early creative drive. Walking into the current library, he shared natural, authentic laughs as he pointed out exactly where the gymnasium hoops used to hang—recalling a specific memory of jumping off a trampoline and breaking his wrist during a gym class decades ago.
Watch the exclusive Eagle News interview segment with alumnus Clint Holmes, conducted by student Savannah.
The highlight of the visit provided an excellent professional opportunity for Eagle News student Savannah, who conducted the sit-down broadcast interview with the industry veteran. Savannah did a tremendous job guiding the conversation, allowing Holmes to share detailed reflections on growing up in Farnham as the son of a white British opera singer and a black American jazz singer, a unique blend that ensured his childhood home was always filled with diverse sounds ranging from classical theater to traditional jazz.
When asked by Savannah for advice on breaking into the music industry, Holmes emphasized the necessity of raw dedication. "It has got to be the passion," Holmes stated. "Music, singing, entertaining, all of that stuff. You really have to be passionate because it is not easy. If you can't imagine your life without being a musician or an artist of some sort, then pursue it."
Holmes also noted that a musical background serves as a permanent enrichment tool, regardless of whether a student pursues it professionally. He encouraged students to use music as an anchor during difficult times, noting that his time in chorus classes helped center his mind when school days got tough. The full interview segment, coordinated by multi-media production teacher Mark Goff, is now available to view above and will air on the upcoming edition of the Eagle News broadcast.