Hannah Johnson
Hannah grew up in a musical family in Kings Heath, Birmingham, but with her spiritual and musical homes shared between Nashville and Austin, Texas.
Johnson was formerly one–third of Western Swing and bluegrass trio The Toy Hearts, who came into being at some point in the year 2000, when sisters Hannah (15) and Sophia (18) informed their dad Stewart, that they didn’t just want to go and watch American bands anymore, they wanted to start their own family bluegrass band.
This began a theme that ran throughout their careers.
From the very beginning, this wasn’t a family band where the girls were ‘forced’ into practicing for hours each day by their father. On the contrary. Hannah and Sophia were too independently minded for that. The genesis of the band really did stem from a deep love and respect for bluegrass music, a passion for learning and desire to be on stage and perform.
Hannah spent almost 15 years leading her family band, touring extensively in the UK, Europe and the USA, but the girls had decided it was time to spread their wings.
Hannah spent almost 15 years leading her family band, touring extensively in the UK, Europe and the USA, but the girls had decided it was time to spread their wings.
After relocating to Austin, and getting married, Sophia released an album in her own right in October 2016, challenging herself to sing the lead vocals and incorporating more and more of her love for swing music. Meanwhile, back in Birmingham, UK, Hannah and Dad Stewart, still on lap steel, formed ‘Hannah Johnson & The Broken Hearts’ as an offshoot of The Toy Hearts, with their focus being traditional Country & Honky Tonk, blending with a distinct bluesy feel.
With well crafted songs and superb backing musicians including some very sweet steel guitar playing, Hannah released her solo album Shaken in July 2017. Recorded in Austin, it was co-produced by Hannah, Sophia and Audio Engineer and Producer, Cris Burns
Hannah has developed a wonderful voice that covers a range of various country themes, after spending a long time studying the vocal styles of country greats such as Faron Young, George Jones & Ray Price. Within the tracks of her debut album, you can hear her delve deep into her influences of Old Country and Honky Tonk music.
But what also cannot be ignored in her voice is that strong influence from the blues. A sultry and smoky voice that takes on the likes of Patsy Cline, Skeets McDonald and Willie Nelson, which is exemplified on her cover of “Shake It and Break It (But Don’t Let It Fall Mama)”, an old Charlie Patton number and her powerful rendition of ‘Trouble In Mind’.
Undoubtedly, spending so much time in Austin, has influenced her immensely. as the music she is making falls much more under the bracket of what Dale Watson is doing with his “Ameripolitan” genre than the new country from Nashville.
Hannah has fans that include Imelda May, Robert Plant and Ronnie Wood. In fact, Hannah and her band provided the entertainment for Ronnie’s 70th Birthday party in 2017.
2018 saw great success for Hannah as she picked up ‘Most Successful British & Irish Single’ for her original number ‘Your Girlfriend Hates Me’ in addition to walking away with the
prestigious ‘UK Artist of the Year’ award at the UK Country Music Awards in September. Notably Hannah is the first solo female to ever bag this competitive award.
2019 looks set to be another busy and successful year ahead for Hannah, who kicked off January in Austin, recording with her family band ‘The Toy Hearts’, for their fifth studio album ‘Heart Rehab’.
Hannah’s commitment to playing dynamic live shows regularly with her full band sees her diary constantly updating, with a string of dates across the country this year.
With her refreshingly honest approach to honouring traditional Country and Honky Tonk music, instead of diluting it, Hannah has built up a loyal and well respected following in the both the UK and USA.
Hannah tells us here at the BCA that there is no new music as of yet, as she is currently between the UK & Austin, recording at the moment.
www.hjbrokenhearts.com
https://twitter.com/HJBROKENHEARTS
https://www.facebook.com/HJBROKENHEARTS/
https://www.instagram.com/hjbrokenhearts/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL9uUe3kKO6Q87Sy1Tezzdw
Country Music in the UK 
Leave a comment