“So Surreal”

The Willow Springs water tower and four-way stop appeared on national television, and the name Hannah Harper is suddenly on everyone’s lips.

 

A Willow Springs woman not only performed on American Idol, but her original song, “String Cheese,” charted at No. 21 on Apple Music this week. During her audition, Harper moved judge—and former American Idol winner—Carrie Underwood to tears with the song’s theme: the struggles of motherhood.

 

Since then, Harper has been trending across the internet. Her sweet-toned soprano has “a little Dolly,” as Underwood described it, referencing Dolly Parton. Others have compared Harper’s voice to that of Lee Ann Womack—high praise for a young woman from Howell County.

 

After a childhood spent traveling and performing with her family band, The Harper Family, Harper settled in Willow Springs in 2016. There, she became a mother to the young boys who inspired her hit song.

 

In a Monday morning interview, Harper explained that she grew up in Bunker, Missouri, but later joined a church in Birch Tree, where she and her family served as the worship team. Her husband is from Mountain View, and together they built a home in Willow Springs.

 

Harper has been a stay-at-home mother of three in recent years. She even resigned from the worship team to take a break from performing—until, she said, the music-making “itch” returned. She began writing songs at home and posting singing videos on TikTok while filming cleaning videos. Her voice soon caught the attention of American Idol recruiters.

 

“American Idol recruiters seek people out with little-to-no following,” Harper said. “I had about 100 followers.”

 

“I thought it was a scam at first,” she added with a laugh. Harper said she never would have considered auditioning had a recruiter not reached out to her.

 

As her audition video surpassed 45 million views, Harper said the experience has been “surreal.” It was the same word she used to describe making a country music star like Underwood cry with her original song.

 

“When I wrote the song, I wasn’t sure anyone would ever hear it,” she said. “For the audition, I had prepared a cover song because the judges don’t always like originals. I was ready, but the song resonated. It’s relatable for anyone. It was special. [Underwood] has heard everything, but something sparked.”

 

“String Cheese” has sparked with many, many other listeners too.  As of Monday morning, the song was charting at No. 1 on iTunes, Harper said. On Apple Music’s children’s chart, it ranked at No. 16—one spot above “Wheels on the Bus” by Cocomelon, which she noted with pardonable pride.

 

Harper said she treasures the many messages she has received from people sharing their own motherhood stories after hearing her song. It brings her peace to know that using her musical gift is something she believes God called her to do.

 

Her Christian faith has been front and center throughout her American Idol journey. Harper said she initially worried that the television network might edit those references out.

 

“Not everybody wants to hear about Jesus, but He was in every interview,” she said. “The 45 million views mean 45 million opportunities for someone to hear about the Lord. In my mind, I’m just thinking, ‘kingdom building.’”

 

As she moves forward in the competition, Harper said she is carrying her Ozarks sense of community with her.

 

“Willow is a little bitty town. Building relationships is on a deeper level here,” she said. “I don’t know if that will hurt my career, because I’ll spend more time lovin’ on people. That’s something you lose out on outside of small towns—you miss experiencing good villages.”

 

Harper has alreasy sold out a show in Willow Springs this year—this month at the Star Theatre, but there's another in June at Pine Meadows Venue. She has also sold out two days of shows in Poplar Bluff. As of this writing, there are ticketz available for a show in June at Big Outdoor in Irondale.