http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:51:51 GMT http://bandzoogle.com http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1965978 What a whirlwind of a past few weeks. I have had extreme highs and extreme lows and I have learned so much about myself, and the world around me. I recently got an internship with Big Machine Label Group for the summer and will be moving to Nashville for the summer as well! I cannot explain how excited I was abou this opportunity and what it means for my life and my career. I have gotten to spend so much time with my family lately and have been reminded of who my true friends are. I realize that not everyone is in your life for the long run and that sometimes you go through rough spots in life to remember how blessed you are. I believe that God prepares your heart for your future and I can't wait to see what is in store for mine; but I am not just gonna sit and allow life to happen around me. I am going to chase the things I want and accept when God closes doors for I know he is planning on opening a much better one if I will allow for his timing. I am listening to the song Just Another Day in Paradise by Phil Vassar today and if you want to remember to keep your life in perspective this is a good start. ]]> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:51:51 GMT C9815CCFAC56E6742C28B7AE3CE6498A http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1815969 I stumbled into Miranda Lambert tickets tonight as I was set up trying to promote my music. I didn't have the opportunity to get them when they went on sale but I suppose God wanted me there tonight because it was exactly what I needed to finish off this already amazing crazy week I had in Nashville. Tonight Miranda started talking about how we were all there because for just a moment we wanted to leave our troubles behind. I was reminded that that is what I am trying to create for my fans. When you come to my shows just for a moment I want you to forget the turmoils and trials going on in your life and sink into the music and let it give you relief for the few hours I am playing. Miranda created that in Rupp tonight and I hope to learn from such a great performer and be able to give my fans that same feeling. ]]> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:59:02 GMT 585454F61B99FCC0BDD838F9C355EA7E http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1792366 I sit here and I reflect on the past few weeks and the things that have taken place publically and privately that have affected me and are slowly molding and chaning me into the person and the artist I am trying so hard to become. I have had relationships take steps forward and others take steps backwards as I am becoming more honest with myself about what I need in my life and what I don't. Then the death of Whitney Houston reminded me that if for a second we lose focus of the gifts God has given us and the blessings he pours out on us, then we are risking losing it all. She was one of the greatest talents of all time, but she lost sight of who she was in God and her purpose in this world. I am reminded that we have a short time to live life fully and for the glory of God. As the realizations were taking place in my life my music career has taken a much awatied turn for the better. My songs are getting attention I couldn't believe and other opportunities have been presented, but it is up to me to make those dreams become a reality. And I completely plan on it. Thank you to all the wonderful beautiful people in my life. I would never be here without each and every one of you. ]]> Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:52:18 GMT 01568FB461642EC753DC397EEBFDAE5F http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1743060 Whew.... What a crazy couple of months! I have been here, there and everywhwere. Starting from the holiday season and seeing family I never see, to trying to get back into the swing of things with school, to putting together a band that will blow you guys away, life has been exciting. I feel like I don't have a lot to tangibly show for all the work of the past few months, but you must first build a foundation before you can put the walls of a house up; we are trying to build a pretty big house here. I don't know what I would do without your constant support and belief in me -- even when I fall victim to doubting myself. My friends, family, and fans are always there to remind me who I am and where I am going. You know you have the greatest fans when you reach 5,000 YouTube views in only a few days. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... I really couldn't do it without you. ]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:55:00 GMT CF101D0AD23BC41E2310DAC083C19674 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1615222 As I approach my senior year of college my thoughts are everywhere. I am excited and nervous and anxious and scared. I look back over all that I have been through and accomplished over the past two and a half years of college/life. It is mindboggling how God has taken me and shaped and molded me and how I have changed and grown in so many areas. I am so blessed to have come this far already and I'm just gonna jump into this new phase of life with both feet and a smile because I know that God has a plan even when I don't. ]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:20:44 GMT 077596BC52384D668A1D380F4ED27657 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1552199 This week was a much needed break from the everyday stresses of work and school. I got to visit with my sister while she was in from Washington, DC and spending time with all my extended family was a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Lots of food and fellowship with those that you love is just the type of reminder you need when you start to wonder why you put in so much work. I have been so blessed with an amazing family, unmatchable friends and fans that love me more than I deserve. I am so thankful for each writer, producer, radio DJ, fan and every one who supports me and my career in some way or another. I love you all very much. Enjoy the rest of this day before you jump back into the grind. Stay calm and carry on. ]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:10:00 GMT CEA0A4121D9CC12247900D893EBF24F3 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1500548 Lately life has been a whirlwind. From traveling back and forth to Nashville all the time to, cramming for three tests in a week, to making time to see my family, and even trying to hold down a steady college job. Life can sometimes get the best of us but I recently got away from the hustle and bustle that really kicks in this time of year. Last weekend I decided to go home and spend time with my family. No work, no school, no boy problems. Just enjoyed the people that know me beyond the stage and the stress. It was so refreshing to be reminded how blessed I am in every area of my life. If you haven't done so lately, call up those people that make you feel the safest and thank them for being your refuge even when life seems to be taking its toll on you... ]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:23:15 GMT DC5C7EDABE57963372E86AFB5B25364A http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1405912 Take chances. Stay up late. Sing too loud. Tell someone what you think of them while you have the opportunity. Get up early and go for a run to watch the sunrise. Laugh when somethings funny, cry when somethings sad. Remind your family what they mean to you. Date someone because they are different than the rest. Make silly videos and take crazy pictures with your friends. Smile. Apologize. Do something that you would never picture yourself doing. Compliment someone everyday. Decide that todday will be as great as you make it. Randomly do something kind for a stranger. Live every moment as if it is your last. Take a deep breath and realize that it will all work out in the end and if it hasn't worked out yet, its not the end. ]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:08:32 GMT A39538D2A99D403245F279E72A864462 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1382871 Every day your life is full of choices. Go to class or skip class. Go for a run or take a nap. Text him or don't. Fried chicken or salad. Big and small you are making decisions and choices every day... Many times we choose what is easiest or most convenient. We don't get up an hour early for a nice run, we watch our favorite show instead of studying, we visit our friends instead of practicing for a show the next weekend. But sometimes we come upon a choice that must be made that will affect more than a 10% part of our grade or if we gain an extra pound that week. There are decisions that are a little more risky than normal. The outcome could be potentially terrible but on the other hand it could change the very course of our life. Some days it is about taking that calculated risk that wasn't even on the agenda or had never crossed your mind before this moment. Its about throwing down the life plan and tossing out the every day script and saying to day is gonna be more than ordinary.. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. So today or this week or this month when that decision is before you, and you will know what it is when you see it, walk right to the edge of your comfort zone, and just jump. You are a firework. ]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:56:16 GMT 69E5040E6BAC066CFD487F03DA56FBB4 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1368439 So normally my posts on here are focused solely on music or my career or even my boring daily life but today I want to take a moment to remember a man that has changed our generation and many of those to come. I have personally been a technology junkie since I was a child I only ever wanted toys that required batteries. I always wanted the doll that could talk or walk or pee. So naturally as I got older and realized that technology wasn't just for toys I chose the most logical choice on the market, Apple. The Apple brand has changed the face of modern technology by way of smartphones and ipads and any other new fangled gadget you can come up with. They have made life easier and communication has become a breeze. You can find anything or accomplish anything by the click of a button. I know this may seem a little strange but I simply wanted to take a moment and remember Steve Jobs, who passed away today at age 56. He was a modern day Einstein and will be deeply missed by more people than even understand it yet. If you have recently lost a loved one take a moment to thank God for what they gave to you and how they changed your world forever. After all, remembering is key.. ]]> Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:25:25 GMT 4156E0774490B28A2C5B6998A61EF981 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1324482 I am so excited about my upcoming shows in the next few weeks that kick off tonight!! First of all I always love festivals like Apple Festival, Cow Days, World Chicken Festival, Black Gold Festival and of course Ham Days. These weekends remind me of how blessed I am to live in small town America. They have some of the greatest crowds, the food is unmatchable and its just an all around great environment to not only perform in but just to enjoy. I hope to see everyone come out for this show tonight!! :) I'll be hanging around Town Square in Lebanon, Ky at around 7:30 and will be performing soon after!!                                  ]]> Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:52:39 GMT AC9613F2BB284F043DB8F4258D866422 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1277044 So i recently wrapped up a fun video contest on my Facebook Fan Page. It was so inspiring to see how many people came out to support the local talent. THe contest was so close and picking a winner was a job I ended up handing off to other judges. It was simply too hard to choose!! I loved all the entries. I have the greatest fans in the world... I can't tell you that enough. So of course when my team came to me with the idea for another contest geared towards FFA students I jumped right on it. I hope you guys have fun with these contests becuase your support and dedication gives me strength on the toughest days! ]]> Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:26:40 GMT D311354F5B990F93538EC072F2E4D04A http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1251488 I can't even begin to explain the feelings that rush in the moment I close that huge heavy door to the studio booth.. Its like adrenaline kicks in at the exact same moment that I wave of calm comes over me... My emotions suddenly rush to the surface as the music starts to play. The first run through there are so many thoughts in my head.. I am flipping back and forth from feeling the song, singing the notes right, adding the intricacies where they belong, and enjoying the short 3 and a half minutes of my day I get to spend doing the one thing that makes me feel like everything is right in the world... If ever there is bad news you have to give me, do it while I'm singing... Then as I keep singing the song I start to remember just how I felt when I wrote it, what made me want to pour my heart out like that... I am right back there in the scene that caused my heart to formulate the feelings that went into that song... Then as production is wrapping up, its as if a burden has been lifted.. I feel like I really got the opportunity to say what I was really thinking and feeling that words simply couldn't do justice to.... ]]> Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:33:11 GMT 22564D404281D8C5FE7F2C744AFE226B http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1228039 Hey guys sorry it has been so long since the last time I wrote on here! But don't worry I have missed you guys!! :) To catch you up a little bit last week I was a pretty exciting time in my life. I got to hang out with my friend, Aoi, from Japan when she came in town to visit for the first time in 3 years! It was so great to catch up with her and take her to Nashville for a Katy Perry concert. Of course everytime I go to a concert all I can think about is the day when I get to stand up in Bridgestone Arena and sing along with all of you! Then of course we can't forget that I celebrated my 21st birthday on the 14. It was so great enjoying myself with my family and friends and I am so blessed to be where I am in life by this age. I am also so excited about giving two Taylor Swift tickets away at the end of this week! If you haven't entered your video yet you still have time. Can't wait to see them all! ]]> Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:23:13 GMT AB3005EFF7602D2BF6F3CF6E04B0501B http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1127327 Wow I have written so many new songs this month... I have been so blessed to write with so many talented people!! Its exciting to say the least. The more a write the more I develop into who I am as an artist and a person. I can look back over the past year and see how much I have grown and knowing I continue to grow is so exciting. But everyone be looking out for my new songs in the next few months!! And if you haven't entered a video on the contest yet, don't worry you still have time!! Can't wait to see them all! ]]> Mon, 25 Jul 2011 03:18:16 GMT 1FC186BBE299415CE2DE427AD6A9BEE9 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1087521 For the past two years of my life as I started down the long road ahead of me that is my music career I have been trying to pin down exactly who I am as an artist. What is my writing style? What is my genre? Who am I the most like? If I could pick one artist to model myself after who would it be? I was told over and over to find my "niche" and "pick my audiance". I fought internally with this idea because in order to fit into this box of what I was expected to be I was going to have to sacrifice some of who I was as a person to totaly commit to being this certain type of singer and songwriter. But recently as I sat chatting with my Dad over lunch he reminded me that I am unique and that is what really counts. I was rasied on country music and gospel and old hymns. My southern accent comes through strong in every song. But there are days when I want to jam out to Katy Perry and Lady Gaga and I want to write songs with a fast driving beat that just makes people want to get up and move. Then there are the days when I am listening to John Mayer and Adele and i want to sing very mellow songs that are more up for interpretation. And of course we can't forget the occasional Rap and R&B days. I love to sing R&B and can't wait til I can write a solid R&B song. I discovered that the best thing about me as an artist is that I am in fact not like anyone else. I am only like me. I am run completely by whatever emotion or mindset is in charge that particular day. And I wouldn't trade the person God made me for anything. ]]> Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:52:00 GMT 0A57384ECADAACE2BC78BC46C058077E http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1045214 I find it absolutely fascinating that God chose to bless me in ways that I could never earn or deserve. He started off by giving me parents that would raise me right and then continue to stand behind me as I row change and become who I am supposed to be. He also blessed me with siblings and friends that help me manage to survive when life gets crazy. Honestly a person couldn't ask for more than amazing people in their lives but for some reason he sees fit to continue to allow me to play shows like my show in Prestonsburg last week and my show in Miami, FL this week. He opens doors when I see no possible way. All he asks is that I put in the work to get where he wants me to be and to serve him all the while. I got to sing at a friend of mines church this morning and as I was serving god through something he blessed me with I wanted to stop in the middle of the song and just say thank you to him. Next week when i go to Miami I get to meet tons of great people in the radio business and hopefully I will form some lasting relationships. My life may be a roller coaster at times but I wouldn't have it any other way. And today is a day about remembering how fantastic your father is. So I am so grateful for my Holy Father but I seriously couldn't make it without David Ellis. My daddy is the greatest Dad that has ever lived. And I dare anyone to try to say otherwise. ;) Love you guys! Hope to hear from you soon! ]]> Mon, 20 Jun 2011 03:18:53 GMT 58BF482086DE0FE5AEDCB076912F2D51 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=1026457 So I have had the opportunity to spend the last week in the Capitol of our great nation. I have got to do everything from National Museums to walking down the Washington Monument to seeing Glee Live. Today I am going to Mount Vernon which is where our first president resided and is now buried. Yesterday when I was at the Newseum there was a huge piece of the World Trade Center on display. For me i could remember exactly where I was sitting in my fifth grade class when the second plane hit. This took me back to a time when our nation came together and united in a way I had never seen before and have yet to really see since. Also as I walked around the National Mall at night I was reminded of how blessed we truely are to have the freedoms we do. Everyday of my life I have the privelage of writing songs that express my opinions and my way of thinking. No one is there to tell me what I can or can't think or sing about. Without all the men and women throughout history that have fought not only on the physical battlefields but went to bat for people in congress we would not have these rights. Overall I guess I just want to let you guys know how proud I am to be an American and how blessed we are to be free. ]]> Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:31:51 GMT 9198AC5B54EA1AB74EFBB89D3AF1413C http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=981227 So I am lying here listening to Fleetwood Mac "The Chain" and wondering how it is a group can become such a staple in the music industry. What is it they do that allows their music to span across the lives of so many generations. Pop music has Madonna, Elton John and the Beatles, country music has Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and Reba, rock music has Fleetwood Mac, Journey and The Rolling Stones. I feel as if these days people are so concerned with being on the top of the charts that they don't produce music that is going to stand the test of time. How moany songs that are on the Billboard Top 100 right now will our children be listening to when they get their first car. This is not to say that I don' t love the hits of today, I just wonder what it takes to make the kind of music that will last for decades. I just hope sometime along my journey in the music world I am able to produce the type of music that will be listnened to for generations. ]]> Thu, 19 May 2011 18:43:48 GMT 51769256C84DD8BE9D02E74A953851C4 http://hannahellismusic.com/blog.cfm?feature=2363767&postid=957717 Sometimes in life things happen that no matter how much you think you have prepared yourself for them you can't imagine how you will feel when it actually happens. This past weekend my grandfather passed away and even though his battle with cancer prepared us, the news still hit my family hard. I could see pride well up in him every time I opended my mouth to sing and there weren't many times he got through a show without a few tears. He was even known to stop people in parking lots and take them over to his old truck and play them my songs. He would grab them saying, "You have to hear my grandaughter. She is my angel." I know now that he won't ever have to miss another show. He will be there for every single one, proud as he ever was. I love you Pa and thank you for helping raise the great man that is now my father. See you on the other side. ]]> Mon, 09 May 2011 03:48:53 GMT 49D94ADDD3226DBA8347F400071A19D0