Hannah Harper: The Singer-Songwriter Taking American Idol by Storm
Music lovers nationwide have been captivated by Hannah Harper, a talented singer-songwriter from Southeast Missouri. While she has been building a solo career and steadily growing her social media following, her American Idol audition brought her talent to a much wider audience.
On February 2, Harper performed an original, emotionally charged song inspired by motherhood, “String Cheese”, in front of judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie. Her powerful vocals earned her a golden ticket, advancing her to the next stage of the competition. The performance left a lasting impression on both the judges and viewers, quickly making Harper a name to remember.
Hannah Harper: The Singer-Songwriter Taking American Idol by Storm
Music lovers nationwide have been captivated by Hannah Harper, a talented singer-songwriter from Southeast Missouri. While she has been building a solo career and steadily growing her social media following, her American Idol audition brought her talent to a much wider audience.
On February 2, Harper performed an original, emotionally charged song inspired by motherhood, “String Cheese”, in front of judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie. Her powerful vocals earned her a golden ticket, advancing her to the next stage of the competition. The performance left a lasting impression on both the judges and viewers, quickly making Harper a name to remember.
Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel Roots
Hannah discovered her love for performing at just 9 years old. Though she has traveled far beyond Missouri, she returned to her home state to build her family and continue her music career.
A Family Band: The Harper Collective
Before pursuing a solo career, Harper honed her skills performing with her family’s bluegrass band, The Harper Collective, for seven years. The group included her parents, Katrina and Gaylon, siblings Dillon and Dalton, and Dillon’s wife Makeena. Her father even left his lead mine job to allow the family to tour full-time in a 40-foot bus. The band won the SPBGMA International Band Contest in 2010 and recorded two albums with Pisgah Ridge and Crossroads Records.
A Mom of Three
Harper and her husband, Devon, met in a small Missouri church where she served as a worship leader. Married at 18, they welcomed their first child by 19. Today, the couple has three sons and live in a home they built together in 2020. Harper shares how she balances motherhood and music:
“Somehow we blinked, and here we are with three beautiful babies and a home we built from the ground up… I never imagined I could chase music and still be a present mom — but the Lord has provided in ways I never could’ve dreamed.”
Musical Influences and Family Traditions
Hannah regularly shares covers spanning country, bluegrass, and faith-based music. One standout song is Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain”, which was her late grandfather’s favorite. Harper reflects:
“Before we knew it was a Vince Gill song, it was ‘Bob Lewis’s song’ in our family… Now he’s in the arms of Jesus, and we’ll make sure our kids grow up knowing the love, memories, and legacy tied to this song.”
A Breakout American Idol Moment
During her audition, Harper wore a homemade patchwork dress and performed “String Cheese”, accompanied by her brother Dalton on guitar. The song, inspired by her struggle with postpartum depression, took a tender turn when her son asked her to open his string cheese—reminding her that she was exactly where she was meant to be as a mother. Her heartfelt performance earned her a golden ticket to Hollywood Week.
“I finally opened his cheese, and when I did, I realized that God had put me in that place—that being a mom at home was the biggest ministry I could ever have,” Harper told the judges.
Hannah Harper is proving that her combination of talent, authenticity, and heart makes her one of American Idol’s most memorable performers this season.
Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel Roots
Hannah discovered her love for performing at just 9 years old. Though she has traveled far beyond Missouri, she returned to her home state to build her family and continue her music career.
A Family Band: The Harper Collective
Before pursuing a solo career, Harper honed her skills performing with her family’s bluegrass band, The Harper Collective, for seven years. The group included her parents, Katrina and Gaylon, siblings Dillon and Dalton, and Dillon’s wife Makeena. Her father even left his lead mine job to allow the family to tour full-time in a 40-foot bus. The band won the SPBGMA International Band Contest in 2010 and recorded two albums with Pisgah Ridge and Crossroads Records.
A Mom of Three
Harper and her husband, Devon, met in a small Missouri church where she served as a worship leader. Married at 18, they welcomed their first child by 19. Today, the couple has three sons and live in a home they built together in 2020. Harper shares how she balances motherhood and music:
“Somehow we blinked, and here we are with three beautiful babies and a home we built from the ground up… I never imagined I could chase music and still be a present mom — but the Lord has provided in ways I never could’ve dreamed.”
Musical Influences and Family Traditions
Hannah regularly shares covers spanning country, bluegrass, and faith-based music. One standout song is Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain”, which was her late grandfather’s favorite. Harper reflects:
“Before we knew it was a Vince Gill song, it was ‘Bob Lewis’s song’ in our family… Now he’s in the arms of Jesus, and we’ll make sure our kids grow up knowing the love, memories, and legacy tied to this song.”
A Breakout American Idol Moment
During her audition, Harper wore a homemade patchwork dress and performed “String Cheese”, accompanied by her brother Dalton on guitar. The song, inspired by her struggle with postpartum depression, took a tender turn when her son asked her to open his string cheese—reminding her that she was exactly where she was meant to be as a mother. Her heartfelt performance earned her a golden ticket to Hollywood Week.
“I finally opened his cheese, and when I did, I realized that God had put me in that place—that being a mom at home was the biggest ministry I could ever have,” Harper told the judges.
Hannah Harper is proving that her combination of talent, authenticity, and heart makes her one of American Idol’s most memorable performers this season.