W.S. concert to be featured in Hannah Harper music video

Returning home to Willow Springs for the first time since the nationally televised “hometown concert” in May, American Idol winner Hannah Harper performed at Pine Meadows Venue Saturday night. 

 

In a Monday morning interview, Harper told Howell County News coming home reminded her of the busyness and beauty of a wedding day. 

 

“It’s like your wedding day. You can’t get to them all and you leave feeling disappointed and only got to spend a little bit of time with each one,” Harper said. The VIP meet-and-greet was her first chance to “really visit” with her “Willow people,” since her time on the television show. 

 

“Willow showed up and showed out,” Harper said of Saturday's concert. I hope that the town feels my appreciation for the amazing hometown concert they put on for me.”

 

Pine Meadows is a beautiful venue, Harper said, revealing that her team shot some clips of the June 20 concert to be used in the upcoming music video for the song she wrote about Willow Springs, “Married into this Town.”

The video will be released July 10. 

 

“Married into this Town,” is an anthem Willow Springs has taken to heart, with Pizza Americana proclaiming they are a.k.a Ron’s Diner, and offering a cherry pizza pie, to match the lyrics. 

 

Harper said her lifestyle change since American Idol has had an impact on her songwriting. 

 

“It’s hard for me not to write songs that hit deep,” she said, “My heart’s desire is to share experiences.”

 

The last song she wrote was in October, about her grandmother’s passing from dementia. It’s called, “Lose Somebody Twice,” and hopes to release it publicly though it contains very personal themes, Harper said, “Personal is better.”

A version of Harper performing the song can be previewed on her social media platforms. 

 

One song Harper performs at every show is “I Thank God.” From her audition throughout the competition, and back home in Willow Springs for Hannah Harper Day, she has been vocal about “kingdom building,” and “brining light into darkness.”

 

In some of the secular venues she’s played, Harper notices concert-goers will put down their alcoholic drinks during the performance of “I Thank God.”

 

“It’s an opportunity to worship,” she said, “It was cool to see them put their drinks down out of respect.”

 

“In other venues, like Pine Meadows when everyone is standing and worshipping [during that song], it gives me the confirmation that God is with me, that the Spirit is welcome,” she said.

 

After all the whirlwind of national attention, Harper says she would do it all again. After all, “I’m still a mommy playing guitar at home…The time in my house means more now because we get less of it.  When I’m at home, I’m enjoying it rather than trying to post content,” she said. 

 

The String Cheese Tour is officially on the road, and there are a few more chances to see Hannah Harper in concert in Missouri this summer. She will be in Mineral Point on June 27, in Bunker on July 3, Lebanon on August 9, Poplar Bluff on September 15, and Gainesville for Hootin’ and Hollerin’ on September 19.