Lisa Hannah and “Brand New Sun”: Nashville Singer-Songwriter with a Pop-Vibe Sound









By: Phil Cartwright

As good luck would have it, we’ve been in contact with Nashville-based Lisa Hannah. Her new CD ”Brand New Sun” brings us eight tracks all written or co-written by Lisa. The CD was produced by Paul Nielsen along with local luminaries Paul Taylor and Chip Martin, who share the guitar and keyboard credits. A stellar lineup of musicians also contributed to the project, including Tony Morra and Derek Mixon (drums), Glen Snow (bass), Mark T. Jordan (keys) and Jon Conley (slide guitar). Here at HorizonVU Music, we really like what Lisa has done on this album – she does have a pop-vibe sound with diversity spanning across the title track, “Brand New Sun” through to the folk-style "Home”.

Lisa grew up in a small Tennessee town, just outside of Nashville. She was first exposed to country music and the Grand Ole Opry, but her musical interests quickly expanded to other genres,such as hard rock, pop rock, alternative, progressive, and new wave. “My mother was a rocker! You would never know it by looking at her, as she was a mild mannered, sweet southern lady. She love-love-loved The Beatles, The Doors, Aerosmith, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. We would go to concerts together and run over each other trying to touch Eddie Vedder!”

Lisa sang in church choirs and college musicals, and eventually she started fronting cover bands. She had always been writing songs, but she didn’t take it seriously. Having a successful career in medical sales, she moved to New Jersey (just outside of New York City) to take a corporate position in marketing. But soon, Lisa longed to be back home. “While I loved the music scene and excitement of Manhattan, I missed the beauty of Tennessee and the music community in Nashville.” Lisa moved back to Nashville after a year-long stint in New Jersey.

Lisa was an only child and had a very close relationship with her mother Donna. “We were like two children growing up together, since we were closer in age than the typical mother-daughter scenario.” It was shortly after Lisa moved back to Tennessee that Donna was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Lisa moved in with her Mom to take care of her. “It was during those months of taking care of my Mom, as I watched her struggle for life, that I realized that each day, each moment,and every breath is precious. She inspired me to take my music more seriously.”

Lisa’s debut CD “Brand New Sun” is the latest testimony to her decision to engage her artistic side. The project is dedicated to her mother. “She was such an inspiration to appreciate every moment, every person, and everything in this beautiful life. That even in despair and pain, there is beauty and love, which sustains us all.”

Donna passed away the day before Lisa’s birthday in 2004. “I wanted to have this CD completed by the anniversary of her passing, which this year was the day before Thanksgiving. Miraculously, that happened – a miracle.

“Writing and recording this record has been such an emotional journey, but I had the help of many musically talented Angels and friends to help me through. It’s been very therapeutic. Music allows you to express emotions you can’t express in any other way.”

Check out Lisa”s site at http://www.lisahannahmusic.com and buy downloads athttp://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumID=ALB000062694. More to come from HorizonVU Music!


HorizonVU Music celebrates the independent music community by supporting emerging musicians’ efforts to achieve a key business objective - recognition. www.horizonvumusic.com.