Hannah Harper

Hannah Harper is striving to balance raising a family with three little boys and following a musical journey as an aspiring songwriter and singer. It’s a journey that began when she was just nine years old, growing up in Southeast Missouri in a family steeped in the rich traditions of bluegrass gospel music.

The nation was introduced to Hannah when she first appeared on Season 24 of American Idol on February 2. She auditioned for judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan with an original tune she wrote and sang called “String Cheese.” It’s a song that brought Carrie Underwood, also mom to two young boys, to tears on national television. 

Hannah shared that she suffered from post-partum depression, and the song was her response to a struggle many mothers battle. She has always been a stay-at-home mom, but after the third child was born, the stress of caring for three little ones was difficult. “I’m 26 years old and had my first child at 19, with the other two following every two years.”  

With lyrics like, “I smile because I know/ Meetin’ their needs fills my soul/ And being their momma is who I’m meant to be,” Underwood immediately connected with Hannah’s song. But it was the lyric, “When I’m overwhelmed and touched out/ Here they come climbin’ up on the couch/ Sayin,’ Mama, can you open my string cheese?” that brought Underwood to tears.

“Well, that’s about the most relatable song I’ve ever heard,” said Underwood. “You’re one I’m going to be thinking about after you leave here, wondering what you’re going to sing next. I’m rooting for you.” Bryan added, “With that mountainous bluegrass sound you have in there, I kept thinking like Kacey Musgraves in there. I kept thinking, Alison Krauss…and a little Dolly in there…you’re going to be able to move some people. Way to really write the moment you’re in.” 

Much like Dolly Parton, Hannah is a true storyteller, sharing her life in songs. “I took interpersonal communication and creative writing in college. I had never written poems, but those classes unlocked something in my brain.” She started writing “String Cheese” after the birth of her third child. However, Hannah emphasizes that her songwriting influences aren’t limited to her experiences as a mother: “I have written songs about things other than motherhood.”  

But motherhood has taught Hannah that words matter so much. “As a mom, my words matter to my kids. I have found songwriting to be one of my favorite outlets.” 

Hannah’s path to stardom has been a winding one. “My mom is the daughter of Gospel singer Bob Lewis. My parents, Katrina and Gaylon Harper, were in his band. After they eloped in Arkansas, they came off the road to raise a family in Bunker, Missouri. Hannah is one of three children. “I have two older brothers who are both musicians. Dalton and Dillon Harper.” Hannah has lots of ties with the bluegrass world. “I sang on a song with Rhonda Vincent when I was 11.” 

Hannah says her dad quit his job to do full-time music ministry, and that’s where she got her start. The family traveled on a 40-foot bus, and the children performed extensively. Dalton played guitar, and Dillon played mandolin. “We played a lot of churches,” says Hannah. “From 2009 to 2016, our livelihood depended on love offerings.” Her brothers are still touring with Hannah today, with Dalton on guitar and Dillon playing bass. 

When Hannah got married, she began posting videos of her cleaning house. “I posted a video of me doing dishes at the sink to a 90s playlist, and it went viral.” Surprised that her videos had garnered a following, Hannah did a live on TikTok one night, and a recruiter from American Idol reached out. Hannah thought it was a joke, but soon realized it was for real. The preliminary Zoom calls went well, and Hannah was on her way. “I said a prayer, ‘Lord, don’t let me tread on ground not appointed for my feet.’” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaxBn40ngWQ

That audition video is one of the most-watched American Idol reels. The judges loved her and unanimously voted to send Hannah to Hollywood. The next television appearance for Hannah was during Hollywood Week on February 24, when she sang Lee Ann Womack’s “A Little Past Little Rock.” 

The show’s finale is in May. Until then, she is unable to release anything. “But I can write,” she says. And she is writing. And she is soaking up all she can with her American Idol experience. “The show has definitely changed my life. So many doors for opportunities have opened. I’m doing things I’ve never done before, like singing in front of vocal coaches and getting feedback. It’s a learning curve, and I’m grateful for it.”

Hannah’s husband, Devon, was in law enforcement but is now a stay-at-home dad. “This is something I want to do because I want the opportunity to give my boys the kind of life I had growing up, but in a bigger way. I want to sustain my family and do music full-time.”