The Hannah Harper Effect -- Part 2

In Part 1 of this article, I highlighted the impact of the Hannah Harper effect on the singer’s adopted hometown, Willow Springs, and recounted the adventurous trips of Birch Tree resident Beverly Barnes Ledgerwood to Los Angeles for the American Idol live shows. I’ll continue the story now with my experience at Hannah’s June 27 String Cheese Tour concert.

 

On the afternoon of the concert, my wife Mary Ellen and I headed south from St. Louis County, across Jefferson County, through St. Francois County, and finally to the deepest edge of Washington County, where we joined 2,000 pilgrims at the Big River Campground for the Hannah Harper concert.

 

At the urging of concert promoters, we arrived two hours early for a 7 p.m. show, just in time to stand in line behind a hundred other early birds at the entrance gate waiting to enter. After 30 minutes in line, my wife remarked, “It would have been easier to drive to Willow Springs.” For the record, Willow is over three times the distance we had just traveled.

 

I had purchased “front section” seats, which I assumed were the best available, although I later learned that “meet and greet” tickets had been available but were snatched up immediately. Nevertheless, our view was fine and the venue was impressively organized. 

 

After we found our seats, I stood in line to buy two bottles of water. I heard someone say, “Hannah won’t perform until 8:30 or so, after the opening acts.” Meanwhile, the speaker system blasted recordings of vintage country artists such as George Strait and Brooks & Dunn at a decibel level that made me thankful not to be any closer to the stage.

 

Around 7 p.m., two DJs from an area radio station came on stage as emcees. They introduced a local Baptist minister who gave an invocation and followed up with a 20-minute sermonette. While the audience of men in ballcaps and women in Hannah Harper tees might have given the impression of a country version of Woodstock (without drugs or liquor), the message from the stage reminded me of an Ozark revival camp meeting. And I felt right at home.

 

Country singer Julia Dill, the first of two opening acts, began her set with a riveting harmonica solo of “Peace in the Valley.” I can’t imagine anyone was unimpressed with her performance. The second act featured Donavan Hill, a talented singer/guitar player, along with his band. They performed a mix of original and cover material, which Mary Ellen particularly enjoyed. 

 

To make sure I had material for my planned article, I told a security guard I needed to get closer to take photos for a newspaper, and he allowed me past the front barrier. When I returned to my seat, Mary Ellen suggested I text Beverly to see if she had arrived. Beverly texted back to say she was seated in the same section, so I weaved my way over.

 

In short order, she escorted me to the side of the stage where the tour bus and equipment trailers were parked. This area was blocked from the audience’s view by a camping trailer. We stood behind a rope line and watched stagehands and musicians milling about while various Harper family members got on and off the bus. 

 

I mentioned to Beverly that I had brought two Mulligan children’s books, which I thought might entertain Hannah’s boys on their long bus rides. Beverly said, “Hannah and the boys will love those,” so I hustled back to my car to get them. 

 

When I returned, Beverly was talking to a man who introduced himself as Bob Lewis, Hannah’s uncle and fiddle player. He noticed the books in my hand, and when I told him they were for Hannah’s boys, he seemed surprised that I had written them. He said Hannah was in hair and makeup, but he would get the books to her. As he looked them over, he said Katrina (Hannah’s mom, who was babysitting the boys) “will be all over these.”

 

Shortly before showtime, Hannah stepped from the bus and paused to talk to a huddle of backstage people. Until then, I had only seen her in photos, in videos, or on live television. She had always appeared naturally photogenic, whether the camera shots were posed or impromptu. 

 

In person, she is just as photogenic. I mused that perhaps her fair appearance reflected an inner beauty. A few moments later, she proved me right. From 30 feet away, she glanced over to the rope line where a young girl, perhaps 7 years old, stood next to her father. Hannah ended her group conversation and strode over to the girl. After checking with the father, she put her arm around the girl and smiled as the dad snapped their photo. Afterwards, she chatted with them for a few more moments. A person’s true character often surfaces when they are less aware of being watched. The show would go on, even if delayed for a spontaneous act of kindness.

 

At the start of the main event, Hannah’s brother Dalton Harper introduced her, and applause echoed in the river bottom. She strolled onto the stage dressed in her signature style, which I’ll dub boho patchwork, wearing multicolored, quilted pants and a matching top. She commanded the stage with the presence of a veteran performer who has done this her entire life—which she practically has. After all, she has been singing professionally on stage since the fourth grade. 

 

She opened with a familiar cover tune before introducing the band members as a “family affair.” Dalton on lead guitar, brother Dillon Harper on bass guitar, Uncle Bob on fiddle, and her father Gaylon playing banjo. Then she noted with a smile that the keyboard player, adopted into the group, was clearly from Arkansas because he wasn’t wearing socks.

 

Besides being a banjo virtuoso, Gaylon had “pulled an all-nighter,” driving the bus from Memphis, Tennessee, to get to the Big River Campground gig. From the Harper Family days, he has years of experience behind the wheel of a tour bus.

 

In another example of generosity, Hannah invited Paisley Grace, a 13-year-old singer, on stage to perform the Loretta Lynn classic “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Hannah led off the song, substituting a few of her own words: “Bunker Hollow” for “Butcher Hollow” and “lead miner’s daughter” for “coal miner’s daughter.” Of course, any fan of Hannah knows she is originally from Bunker, Missouri, and that her father was a lead miner before the Harper family became a traveling musical group. 

 

One disadvantage of an outdoor venue near a creek is mosquitoes. None targeted me, but a squadron of the bloodsucking vectors divebombed Hannah. As she batted at them with her hands, she said, “These skeeters are trying to take me away.” Moments later, she bent down and picked up an aerosol can and began spraying the air around the microphone stand. The band played on, and she hardly missed a lick. With apologies to Hank Jr., a country girl can survive. 

 

At the close of the show, Hannah said, “Thanks so much for having us. We love you!” Then Gaylon, with some hot banjo licks, kicked off “String 45,” a fast-paced, bluegrass instrumental that also displayed Hannah’s fast-picking guitar agility and featured the wailing overtones of Bob’s fiddle playing. 

 

Since American Idol, Hannah’s career has soared. She is now represented by the WME Group (formerly the William Morris Endeavor), the public relations agency of numerous major celebrities. She signed a recording contract with 19 Recordings/Atlantic Records and has fulfilled a lifelong dream, performing twice on the Grand Ole Opry. For transportation, Hannah purchased a new tour bus, which, along with her name, has the logo of her new sponsor Sargento Cheese emblazoned on the side. And later this summer, she will join superstar Brad Paisley’s tour. 

 

Hannah’s fame is skyrocketing, and by many accounts, she is destined to be the next big star. Some worry that rapid success might change this down-to-earth wife and mother of three young children. I think not. Even during the American Idol competition, with the adulation of millions of viewers, her values remained at the forefront. Those values were still refreshingly evident at the Big River Campground. 

 

Here’s to the continued success of Willow Spring’s adopted daughter.

 

My thanks to Beverly Barnes Ledgerwood. Obviously, this article would not have been possible without all of her assistance.