Maddie Poppe returning to Cedar Rapids with holiday show

“Christmas From Home,” the title of Maddie Poppe's 2020 EP, fits the singer/songwriter’s acoustic show Sunday night at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids. The Clarksville native will return to the Hawkeye state for a show primarily featuring holiday songs.

“I’ll be doing a lot of Christmas tunes,” Poppe said while calling from her Nashville home. “Many of the songs will be from the 2020 EP. I love Christmas songs.”

“Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year” will be some of the familiar chestnuts Poppe belts out. About 60 percent of the material will be Christmas tunes, with a mix of modern and traditional.

“Both styles are so great,” she said. “I can’t wait to perform them in my home state.”

The rest of Poppe’s set will pull from her two albums, 2016’s “Songs from the Basement” and 2019’s “Whirlwind.” She’ll also play some fresh material that will be part of a 2024 release.

“I’ll be giving some sneak peeks of the new music that's on the way next year,” Poppe said. “I can’t wait for people to hear it. That’s particularly so in Iowa, which I miss.”

Poppe, 26, relocated to Music City in November 2022.

“I’m where I have to be,” she said. “I’ve made connections and friends out here, and the cool thing is that I’m not so far from Iowa. I come back to visit pretty often.”

‘American Idol’

It’s surprising Poppe didn’t leave for Nashville after winning “American Idol” in 2018, after delivering memorable performances of such classics as the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”

“I had the most wonderful time on ‘American Idol,’ ” she said. “I learned so much from that experience. What I learned most, which is cliche as it sounds, is to stick to my guns and just be true to myself. It’s not as easy as you think, since this industry is one in which so many doors are slammed in your face. Rugs are pulled out from under you. You learn from it and you move on.

“I took (“American Idol” judge) Katy Perry’s advice to heart, which is to be myself.”

That’s what will make Poppe’s concert special.

“I’m just me up on that stage,” she said. “I can’t be anyone else.”

The holiday show at the Paramount is always circled on Poppe’s calendar.

“I love coming back home for the concert,” Poppe said. “The show I did at the Paramount in 2021 was one of my favorites. The whole vibe of that night was just amazing. I had so much fun. The crowds in Cedar Rapids never disappoint. There’s always so much energy and everyone at that show at the Paramount has fun.”

It’s not just the shows at the Paramount that appeals to Poppe, who prefers the vibe of Cedar Rapids and Clarksville.

“I miss the normalcy of the small town,” she said. “I like the feel of the small community, where everyone trusts each other and is willing to help each other. But sometimes you have to move away like I did, because of my career. But you can always come back, which is something I love to do.”

She’s taken a new turn in her career, by delegating the details.

“I was self-managing for a few years, but I finally have new management and that frees me up to focus on the music,” she said. “I’m hoping for better quality and quantity in 2024. I’m looking forward to next year, but I don't want to look past this Christmas show at the Paramount.”