HARTFORD -- Connecticut’s own Nick Fradiani is celebrating one year since his "American Idol win" in his home state.
Fradiani returned to Hartford to perform at The Russian Lady, the same place he held a concert after he won the show’s second-to-last season.
The Guilford native will be staying at the house he grew up in while he plays concerts in the state.
“It's nice to be back it still feels like home,” Fradiani said. “I owe a lot to Connecticut, I think that my hometown support really helped me to win the show.”
At a private concert in Hartford Thursday, he gave fans a taste of the future. He played new songs, including his recent single “Get You Home.”
Fradiani’s first album, “Hurricane,” will be released August 5, but the artist said songs will be revealed up until the album release date.
“Hurricane” was named to represent the whirlwind of a year, as well a song on the album.
“It was the greatest year of my life," he said. "Hopefully a bunch of better years to come."
The private concert was open to guests who won a contest by radio station, 96.5 WTIC.
One concert-goer won the grand prize: she will be sharing lunch with Nick and his parents at his home in Guilford on Friday.
“It’s insanely exciting nerve wracking when they said my name I froze,” Alissa Silverio of Torrington said.
Fradiani will have a concert at College Street Music Hall, Friday night, in New Haven. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are still on sale.