Hannah Thomas

(Hannah has) "the soul of old country, and that will always be there, but she's also a die hard rocker with some punk thrown in the mix" - Amy Ray of Indigo Girls (Georgia Music Magazine - Spring 2013) - Georgia Music Magazine

Who would you say you are musically?
Musically I'm the artist that falls between genres. I have genuine love for music ever since can remember. Music is my world. Ultimately, I play for myself . It's also such a reward to see that people enjoy what I'm doing.

I know musicians hate this question, but how would you classify your style of music that you are currently playing?
Rockin' Americana. Not to be cliche, but it's a little bit country, a little bit rock'n'roll. Sometimes bluesy & soulful and sometimes 90's alternative or punk edge.

Is there a style of music you DON'T like?
Not really, I think there's something great to be found in all genres. I may not like everything in a particular genre, but there's always one artist or song that I find inspiring. I always say there are two kinds of music - Good and Bad Music. One day you'll find me listening to 70's Rock and the next Contemporary Jazz. I love music all around.

Who would you say is your greatest musical influence?
I don't know if I can limit that answer to just one artist. I grew up listening to The Judds and Tina Turner with my mom and Black Sabbath and Van Halen with my dad. Early on I was drawn to artists like Terri Clark and Garth Brooks. As I got older it was Indigo Girls and Tori Amos. I continue to be influenced every day so my influences are everywhere from Janis Joplin and Johnny Cash to Alice In Chains and Brandi Carlile.

Your latest CD is "Goodbye on Wasted Time." What's the story behind the title?
"Goodbye On Wasted Time" is a song on the album. Basically, the song embodies everything I've learned in the last couple years in the music business and in my personal life. It's really all about new beginnings and taking lessons learned and using them as a compass for everything here on out.

I read that fans helped you make this album. How did that come to be?
The fans have been asking for new album for quite some time. With touring and trying to introduce my music to new people I was having a hard time saving money to get into the studio, although the songs had been ready for quite some time. I heard about the Kickstarter approach and decided to give it a try. I was overwhelmed by the response and couldn't have made this album without the fans. So I owe a big thank you to them.

If you could no longer play music what would you be/do?
Probably a journalist or something in the marketing world.

If you were independently wealthy you would...?
Buy a tour bus and hit all the cities I haven't made it to yet with my band.

What is your favorite memory of a show?
It's a toss up between getting to sing a song during The Indigo Girls set in Jacksonville last month and having my fans get together and presenting me with a birthday/CD release cake at my CD Release Party in February.

Do you have a crazy fan story?
lol
I guess that means "no comment?"

Your favorite place to play and why?
Other than Atlanta.. The Akron Civic Theater in Ohio. The people are a great, It's a beautiful venue, and the audience is always very responsive.

What new music are you listening too these days?
Kacey Musgraves. Her new album is something totally fresh in country in music. With lyrics daring to go there. Also, I'm anxiously awaiting the new Natalie Maines solo album.

Favorite driving music?
Billy Squire

Name 3 Atlanta bands that you would take a friend to see?
Indigo Girls/Amy Ray (Solo), Roxie Watson, Sugarland

Name 3 Atlanta bands from the past that you wish were still playing?
Jennifer Nettles Band, Three 5 Human, REM (does that count since they're an Athens band)

Favorite chilhood Book?
The Poky Little Puppy

Favorite movie?
Almost Famous

Bucket list item that would surprise your friends?
Nothing would surprise my friends...

You're latest project is...
I'm already writing for the new album. In talks of starting the recording process this summer.

For more info on Hannah Thomas visit: www.hannahthomasband.com
- Yahoo! Music

http://issuu.com/performermagazine/docs/1305_web/41 - Performer Magazine

Best Local Singer-Songwriter: Hannah Thomas
At just 23, this young rocker (Shawn Mullins and Zac Brown Band are fans) has toured nationwide, performed during halftime at an Atlanta Falcons game and plans to release her fifth album ’70s rock and ’90s alternative-inspired tunes) later this year. Clearly, we’re all ears - Jezebel Magazine

If you’re about to hit 30 years old and you have three albums under your belt, founded your own record label and opened for the likes of the Zac Brown Band and Mother’s Finest, it would be hard for anyone to say you haven’t achieved a great deal in a short amount of time. Luckily for Hannah Thomas, she’s done all that and more before her 24th birthday.

This Georgia native is on a fast track. She talks of becoming jaded with Nashville’s insistence on genre classification as if she’s battled it for decades, but she doesn’t come off as a malcontent. Thomas is simply finding her way and her voice as efficiently as possible. Listeners and industry insiders may say she is too rock for country and vice versa, but Thomas already knows that’s a sign she’s headed in the right direction.

“Nashville is a system and it doesn’t work for everybody,” Thomas said. “I just learned not to write for other people because those people just respond more when you’re honest.”

Although Thomas is certainly spending her fair share of time in Music City, she has widened the scope of her touring significantly in the last two years. Thomas has a full band when she is in and around her home base of Atlanta, but she has spent the bulk of the last two years touring the East Coast and beyond.

Thomas has come a long way in the studio since her 2009 debut, “The Rest is Yet to Come.” After an acoustic album, an EP and a live album, Thomas released “Goodbye on Wasted Time” at the end of 2012. Thomas intended to release her latest album as a set of country songs, but after a period of prolific writing, she shelved all the songs intended for “Goodbye on Wasted Time” and instead pursued an edgier, country/rock sound.

“I had more things to say that were hard to say with country music,” Thomas said. “It felt right and real to draw more from my life experiences.”

The album that emerged from Thomas’s sessions with Sugarland and Michelle Malone producer Rob Gal deftly combines country music with some unexpected sonic flourishes. Thomas describes “Watch Out for the Deer” as a “cowpunk” song that thrives on the driving force of punk music. “Pacifier” sums up her insistence on being an individual and features guest vocals from the Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray. Thomas released the album under her own 3Quarters Records. Cutting out the middle man was the next logical step for an artist who has spent most of her short career defying labels.

“In the end it’s actually easier to take a do-it-yourself approach,” Thomas said. “If you just sit and wait for something it will always take longer.”

Hannah Thomas will appear at Rhythm and Brews on Wednesday, March 13 at 8 p.m. Rhythm and Brews is located at 213 Trade Street in Greer.

© 2013 Anderson Independent Mail. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. - Upstate Be

If you’re about to hit 30 years old and you have three albums under your belt, founded your own record label and opened for the likes of the Zac Brown Band and Mother’s Finest, it would be hard for anyone to say you haven’t achieved a great deal in a short amount of time. Luckily for Hannah Thomas, she’s done all that and more before her 24th birthday.

This Georgia native is on a fast track. She talks of becoming jaded with Nashville’s insistence on genre classification as if she’s battled it for decades, but she doesn’t come off as a malcontent. Thomas is simply finding her way and her voice as efficiently as possible. Listeners and industry insiders may say she is too rock for country and vice versa, but Thomas already knows that’s a sign she’s headed in the right direction.

“Nashville is a system and it doesn’t work for everybody,” Thomas said. “I just learned not to write for other people because those people just respond more when you’re honest.”

Although Thomas is certainly spending her fair share of time in Music City, she has widened the scope of her touring significantly in the last two years. Thomas has a full band when she is in and around her home base of Atlanta, but she has spent the bulk of the last two years touring the East Coast and beyond.

Thomas has come a long way in the studio since her 2009 debut, “The Rest is Yet to Come.” After an acoustic album, an EP and a live album, Thomas released “Goodbye on Wasted Time” at the end of 2012. Thomas intended to release her latest album as a set of country songs, but after a period of prolific writing, she shelved all the songs intended for “Goodbye on Wasted Time” and instead pursued an edgier, country/rock sound.

“I had more things to say that were hard to say with country music,” Thomas said. “It felt right and real to draw more from my life experiences.”

The album that emerged from Thomas’s sessions with Sugarland and Michelle Malone producer Rob Gal deftly combines country music with some unexpected sonic flourishes. Thomas describes “Watch Out for the Deer” as a “cowpunk” song that thrives on the driving force of punk music. “Pacifier” sums up her insistence on being an individual and features guest vocals from the Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray. Thomas released the album under her own 3Quarters Records. Cutting out the middle man was the next logical step for an artist who has spent most of her short career defying labels.

“In the end it’s actually easier to take a do-it-yourself approach,” Thomas said. “If you just sit and wait for something it will always take longer.”

Hannah Thomas will appear at Rhythm and Brews on Wednesday, March 13 at 8 p.m. Rhythm and Brews is located at 213 Trade Street in Greer.

© 2013 Anderson Independent Mail. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. - Upstate Be

Hannah Thomas has a style all her own that’s hard to define. Amy Ray, one-half of the Grammy winning duo Indigo Girls, probably describes her best when she calls Thomas an “outlaw songwriter.” Touring the country since the age of 16 from Atlanta to NYC, and playing venues like Eddie’s Attic and The Bluebird Cafe, Thomas has shared the stage and opened for acts such as Michelle Malone, Amy Ray, Don Dixon & Marti Jones, Zac Brown, Antigone Rising, Jen Foster, Danielle Howle, Bree Sharp, and others. Coming up soon on February 2, 2013, she will release her latest album, “Goodbye On Wasted Time” at The Red Clay Theater in Duluth, GA with special guests Sonia Tetlow and Sarah Golden (from NBC’s The Voice) . Thomas took a few minutes out of her busy tour schedule to answer some questions for Butchieblog:

Name: Hannah Thomas

Occupation: Performing Singer/Songwriter

My companion animals (names and personality traits): Jessie (German Shepherd/Chow Mix) “Hard To Get”

The movie that best represents me right now: “The Runaways” always!

Obviously, my favorite musical of all time is: Spice World. Does that count? lol

The book that defined my childhood: Tori Amos “Piece By Piece.” I was a weird kid.

Bucket list item that would surprise my friends: I’m not really sure anything I could say would surprise my friends.

My favorite road trip so far in my life: Charlotte to NYC . It was my first time in The Big Apple. A long way from Covington, GA I tell ya!

If I were independently wealthy I would: Probably build a home studio.

My weirdest hobby: Ebay at 3am when I can’t sleep.

My biggest fan: My Grandma

My most favorite veg food or restaurant: Veggie Sausage at Radial

The best music while cleaning house is: Patty Griffin, Tori Amos, or Garrison Starr

I am most passionate about this cause: Women’s Rights

If I could afford it, I would want a painting or photograph by: Marti Jones

My (s)hero is: Too many to name… Any woman who dared to test the boundaries or pave the way for the rest of us.

Most of my daydreams are about: Music

My latest and most awesome project is: My new album “Goodbye On Wasted Time”

To keep up with Thomas and her new CD release, follow her on Twitter, like her Facebook, and check out her website to buy merch and find out where she’s playing near you. - www.butchieblog.com

PREVIEW

Girls With Guitars

What: A triumvirate of up-and-coming female singer-songwriters -- Anne E. DeChant, Hannah Thomas and Tiffany Shea -- performs in a cabaret-style setting.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St.

Openers: Local artists Crystal Alwine and Madison Cumins.

Tickets: $20, available at the box of fice, online at akroncivic.com and by phone at 330-253-2488 or through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

For guys, it's a cliche that's older than Floyd's place on the classic "Andy Griffith Show": Hang around the barber shop long enough, and you'll hear every story there is about life.

Dudes, here's a shocker for you: Same thing is true at what our moms used to call the beauty parlor. Hannah Thomas, who is one of three artists on the "Girls With Guitars" show Saturday at the Akron Civic Theatre (the others are Cleveland native Anne E. DeChant and Tiffany Shea), knows that -- and used it to her advantage. It's why at 22, she's already writing songs that seem to come from someone much older.

"My mom was a hairstylist," the Georgia native said, "and I grew up a lot in beauty salons. So I got to hear a lot of stories and meet a lot of people, mostly older than me. I found it interesting, and I started writing then.

"People say I have an old soul," she said. "One friend who laughs at me says I was born 20."

Young or not, her work has drawn the attention of many in Georgia, where she won the 2012 installment of the Georgia Lottery All Access Music Search, the state's variation of "American Idol." She beat out thousands of contestants in a state that is producing some of the best roots music in recent years.

Roots music probably is the best way to describe her sound. It has vestiges of folk, rock, blues and country; listen carefully and you can hear hints of Zac Brown, the Indigo Girls, Bonnie Raitt, Ann Wilson and even Steven Tyler. And Thomas likes being that eclectic; it frees her to go wherever the music takes her.

"It would be between pop and rock," she said when asked where, if she worked at the local record store, she'd stock her albums. "I kind of have an old-school way of thinking. I liked it when they play Janis Joplin and James Brown on the same station. I kind of wish we could get back to that."

In the meantime, Thomas is doing what artists have done since the day of the lute-wielding troubadour: hitting the road. But she's also a product of the times, and is using social media to find new listeners.

"I'm constantly touring," she said, "and social media has become a great outlet. You can reach so many people through the Internet. I'm continually surprised and excited to know that I have fans in Washington state, California, Ohio and New York City. I Tweet [@htmusic] and use Facebook."

It doesn't hurt to have friends in high places, like the Indigo Girls' Amy Ray, who duets with Thomas on her new album, "Goodbye on Wasted Time," due out in February. The song is called "Pacifier."

"I met Amy about a year ago through mutual friends," Thomas said. The two hooked up backstage at a Ray show in Columbus, where Thomas asked the fellow Georgian to be a part of the album.

"As soon as I wrote it, I knew it sounded like an Amy song," Thomas said.

The roots are even deeper. Benjamin Ryan Williams and Jaron Pearlman, who play bass and drums, respectively, for the Indigo Girls when they tour, fill the same roles in Thomas' road band.

And presumably hang around the barber/beauty shop together. - Cleveland Plain Dealer

"When you came out on the stage I had no idea we were about to witness about 3/4 badass." - GA Lottery All Access Music Search

"No auto tune needed for that voice!" - GA Lottery All Access Music Search

Atlanta Metromix - Atlanta Metromix

Atlanta Metromix - Atlanta Metromix

Hannah Thomas wins lottery search - Covington News

Hannah Thomas wins lottery search - Covington News

"Hannah is an incredible songwriter, she is not only very solid in her performance but is also very entertaining! "

~ Allen Coefield owner of AtlantaCountryMusic.com and co-owner of the Atlanta Opry - Allen Coefield

"Hannah is an incredible songwriter, she is not only very solid in her performance but is also very entertaining! "

~ Allen Coefield owner of AtlantaCountryMusic.com and co-owner of the Atlanta Opry - Allen Coefield

THE ATLANTA OPRY WITH HANNAH, CORI JEAN AND KYLE AT THE SWALLOW
August 2nd 2007
Since it's introduction into the Atlanta country music scene The Atlanta Opry
has been bringing a healthy mixture of Georgia and national country music
artists into it's showcase in a way that has created it' own following among
country music fans. On August 2nd 2007 the Atlanta Opry achieved a higher
level of success with it's first show at the Swallow in the Hollow.
The show on this night was the first sellout of an Atlanta Opry show with a
60% advanced ticket purchase crowd and the rest of the venue sold to walk up
folks.
The August 2nd show showcased original music by Covington's Hannah Thomas,
Nashville's Kyle Jennings and Marietta and Nashville resident Cori Jean. The three
not only showed why they are three of the most entertaining performers in the
industry today but entertained the crowd with humor and even special renditions of
Happy Birthday for a special guest. Hannah continued to amaze people with her
incredible guitar work and vocals, Kyle displayed classic traditional country sounds
along with Nashville songwriting stories, and Cori Jean brought her soulful country
vocals that were mixed with the award winning guitar picking of her performing partner
David Ellis.
The evening contained several highlights, one of which was the presentation of
the Atlantacountrymusic.com Top Country Musician in Georgia award to David Ellis.
After a short introduction by Allen Coefield, Cori Jean, (former band mate with David
in the Atlanta band Wichita) shared stories and accomplishments of his stringed
talents. David then "wowed" the crowd with a special redention of Smokey Mountain
Breakdown" on banjo.
Atlanta Opry crowds are known as spirited and this night was no exception. Every
song was followed by a "roof raising" show of appreciation and approval from the crowd,
many of whom had never heart of these artists but now will be considering themselves
fans of the three performers.
The Atlanta Opry has gained a reputation of great performances and shows and if
this event is any indication of how the Opry will be presented at the Swallow, the
Atlanta Opry will be moving from a entertaining event to the talk of the region.
- Atlanta Opry

THE ATLANTA OPRY WITH HANNAH, CORI JEAN AND KYLE AT THE SWALLOW
August 2nd 2007
Since it's introduction into the Atlanta country music scene The Atlanta Opry
has been bringing a healthy mixture of Georgia and national country music
artists into it's showcase in a way that has created it' own following among
country music fans. On August 2nd 2007 the Atlanta Opry achieved a higher
level of success with it's first show at the Swallow in the Hollow.
The show on this night was the first sellout of an Atlanta Opry show with a
60% advanced ticket purchase crowd and the rest of the venue sold to walk up
folks.
The August 2nd show showcased original music by Covington's Hannah Thomas,
Nashville's Kyle Jennings and Marietta and Nashville resident Cori Jean. The three
not only showed why they are three of the most entertaining performers in the
industry today but entertained the crowd with humor and even special renditions of
Happy Birthday for a special guest. Hannah continued to amaze people with her
incredible guitar work and vocals, Kyle displayed classic traditional country sounds
along with Nashville songwriting stories, and Cori Jean brought her soulful country
vocals that were mixed with the award winning guitar picking of her performing partner
David Ellis.
The evening contained several highlights, one of which was the presentation of
the Atlantacountrymusic.com Top Country Musician in Georgia award to David Ellis.
After a short introduction by Allen Coefield, Cori Jean, (former band mate with David
in the Atlanta band Wichita) shared stories and accomplishments of his stringed
talents. David then "wowed" the crowd with a special redention of Smokey Mountain
Breakdown" on banjo.
Atlanta Opry crowds are known as spirited and this night was no exception. Every
song was followed by a "roof raising" show of appreciation and approval from the crowd,
many of whom had never heart of these artists but now will be considering themselves
fans of the three performers.
The Atlanta Opry has gained a reputation of great performances and shows and if
this event is any indication of how the Opry will be presented at the Swallow, the
Atlanta Opry will be moving from a entertaining event to the talk of the region.
- Atlanta Opry

HANNAH THOMAS WINS THIRD NIGHT OF PRELIMS IN THE
COLGATE

Covington's Hannah Thomas won last nights third night
of preliminaries at the Colgate Country Showdown at
The Swallow At The Hollow. She was up against approx
20 other acts from all over Georgia. She sung her
original "Learning To Fly" with her guitar and wowed
the judges with her stage presence and songwriting. As
Wil Hodge of the Swallow put it, "she's the total
package". Hannah also recently won the Atlanta Opry
Talent Showcase, performed on the Atlanta Opry and
placed in the top 3 of the 2007 Teen Contest. She will
now move on with eight other contestants to compete at
the Atlanta Region on May 19th at the Country Fair in
Atlanta. 5/11/07

Taken From www.atlantacountrymusic.com - Dan Seals - ACM.com

HANNAH THOMAS WINS THIRD NIGHT OF PRELIMS IN THE
COLGATE

Covington's Hannah Thomas won last nights third night
of preliminaries at the Colgate Country Showdown at
The Swallow At The Hollow. She was up against approx
20 other acts from all over Georgia. She sung her
original "Learning To Fly" with her guitar and wowed
the judges with her stage presence and songwriting. As
Wil Hodge of the Swallow put it, "she's the total
package". Hannah also recently won the Atlanta Opry
Talent Showcase, performed on the Atlanta Opry and
placed in the top 3 of the 2007 Teen Contest. She will
now move on with eight other contestants to compete at
the Atlanta Region on May 19th at the Country Fair in
Atlanta. 5/11/07

Taken From www.atlantacountrymusic.com - Dan Seals - ACM.com

COVINGTON'S HANNAH THOMAS WINS THE ATLANTA REGION OF
THE COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN AT COUNTRY FAIR

Hannah Thomas won the Atlanta Region finals of the
Colgate Country Showdown on Sat, May 19th at Country
Fair in Atlanta. She was up against eight other
contestants from the area. Peachtree City's nine year
old, Krista Nix placed second in the contest. The
other contestants were Tim English, Brad Meeks, April
Dodd, Angela Newton, Aubrey Jordan, Cortney Dixon and
Candice Rich. Wil Hodge of the Swallow in the Hollow
was one of the judges. Hannah will now move on to the
State Finals at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair in
Cornelia on Sept 15th, 2007. - Dan - 5/21/07((atlantacountrymusic.com)) - ACM.com

COVINGTON'S HANNAH THOMAS WINS THE ATLANTA REGION OF
THE COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN AT COUNTRY FAIR

Hannah Thomas won the Atlanta Region finals of the
Colgate Country Showdown on Sat, May 19th at Country
Fair in Atlanta. She was up against eight other
contestants from the area. Peachtree City's nine year
old, Krista Nix placed second in the contest. The
other contestants were Tim English, Brad Meeks, April
Dodd, Angela Newton, Aubrey Jordan, Cortney Dixon and
Candice Rich. Wil Hodge of the Swallow in the Hollow
was one of the judges. Hannah will now move on to the
State Finals at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair in
Cornelia on Sept 15th, 2007. - Dan - 5/21/07((atlantacountrymusic.com)) - ACM.com

Newton Citizen
Covington teen aims for music stardom
By Crystal Tatum
Staff Reporter
crystal.tatum@newtoncitizen.com

COVINGTON — At 17, Covington resident Hannah Thomas has already hitched her wagon to a star that she hopes will guide her all the way to Music Row.
Thomas is a rising singer and songwriter, having recently won the Atlanta Opry Talent Showcase and garnering a nomination for the Top Teen Country Artist in Georgia
competition sponsored by AtlantaCountry
Music.com.
She's already recorded a five-song EP, is in the process of recording a full-length album, has performed at hot spots like Eddie's Attic in Atlanta, and last year landed a publishing deal with Broadcast Music Inc., a performance rights organization that collects license fees and distributes royalties for songwriters, composers and music publishers.
Thomas has had her heart set on superstardom since she was a child.
"I started singing when I was still in diapers," she said.
She was a little older when she started writing songs, but not by much. Since the third grade, Thomas estimates that she's written more than 200 tunes. The themes of her songs center mostly on "life and my theories on it," and "following your dreams," she said.
Thomas picked up guitar in the first grade but said she didn't get serious with it until middle school.
She doesn't really know how she managed to hit the talent jackpot, since she doesn't come from a musical family.
"It just came out of me, I guess. I started wanting to do music when I was watching the Grammys when I was 2 years old. I jumped off the sofa when (rapper) MC Hammer came on and started singing in full sentences," she said.
In February 2006, Thomas hit a professional and personal milestone when she performed in front of a live audience for the first time at Eddie's Attic, the popular live-music venue for aspiring singers and songwriters, and the site where acts like pop-rock singer John Mayer and country music group Sugarland were discovered.
"I went to watch, and I talked to the owner and he said, 'I'll let you on tonight if you have your guitar,'" Thomas said. "I went outside and practiced and I was scared to death, and I got up and performed, and the audience loved me."
She's been making the rounds ever since, with her parents Tommy and Carole by her side.
"They're behind me all the way. My dad is my manager. My mom does my booking. They go everywhere I go. They work long hours and they go with me every time I play and they take me anywhere I need to go. They sacrifice a lot, and I really appreciate that," she said.
A former Eastside High School student, Thomas is now home-schooled to better accommodate her performance schedule. She's worked extra hours so she can graduate this summer rather than next spring.
After graduation, she plans to head to Nashville in hopes of getting signed by a record label. She'll stay with her aunt and uncle in Hendersonville, Tenn., just outside of Nashville, while she's trying to catch her big break.
However, there's a chance that break may come as early as next month, right here in Georgia.
AtlantaCountryMusic
.com has nominated Thomas for Top Teen Country Artist in Georgia, a title that resulted in three recording contract offers for last year's winner.
The general public has the opportunity to vote online at www.atlantacountrymusic
.com through April 25. The winner will be announced at a May 6 show at Three Bears Cafe in Marietta.
"I want to represent Covington," Thomas said of the contest. "I don't want it to just be about me. I want to put Covington on the map."
Allen Coefield, who owns AtlantaCountryMusic.com and is a co-owner of the Atlanta Opry, said so far Thomas is one of the top three vote-getters.
A venue for upstart artists to showcase their talents, the Opry is held alternately at Three Bears Cafe and Wild Bill's in Atlanta.
Thomas recently won a spot onstage at the Opry after beating 16 other contestants in a talent show, where she performed her original material. Coefield calls her "an incredible songwriter."
"She was not only very solid in her performance, but she was very entertaining with it," he said.
Though her music clearly has a country bent, Thomas hesitates to classify herself.
"I wouldn't put myself in a genre. I like the people in country music better. I like the industry, I like the people, I like the crowds. The music is from the heart. It's about your life, and love, and how everybody's town is a small town, big or small," she said.
Thomas knows success in the music industry is a long shot, but she says she's got the drive and the desire to make it happen.
"I just believe it in my heart, and that's what's gotten me so far," she said. "The chances are one in a million, but I believe you have to have something special, and I feel like people relate to my music really well. I just know that if it takes me forever, I'm going to keep doing it." - Newton Citizen

Newton Citizen
Covington teen aims for music stardom
By Crystal Tatum
Staff Reporter
crystal.tatum@newtoncitizen.com

COVINGTON — At 17, Covington resident Hannah Thomas has already hitched her wagon to a star that she hopes will guide her all the way to Music Row.
Thomas is a rising singer and songwriter, having recently won the Atlanta Opry Talent Showcase and garnering a nomination for the Top Teen Country Artist in Georgia
competition sponsored by AtlantaCountry
Music.com.
She's already recorded a five-song EP, is in the process of recording a full-length album, has performed at hot spots like Eddie's Attic in Atlanta, and last year landed a publishing deal with Broadcast Music Inc., a performance rights organization that collects license fees and distributes royalties for songwriters, composers and music publishers.
Thomas has had her heart set on superstardom since she was a child.
"I started singing when I was still in diapers," she said.
She was a little older when she started writing songs, but not by much. Since the third grade, Thomas estimates that she's written more than 200 tunes. The themes of her songs center mostly on "life and my theories on it," and "following your dreams," she said.
Thomas picked up guitar in the first grade but said she didn't get serious with it until middle school.
She doesn't really know how she managed to hit the talent jackpot, since she doesn't come from a musical family.
"It just came out of me, I guess. I started wanting to do music when I was watching the Grammys when I was 2 years old. I jumped off the sofa when (rapper) MC Hammer came on and started singing in full sentences," she said.
In February 2006, Thomas hit a professional and personal milestone when she performed in front of a live audience for the first time at Eddie's Attic, the popular live-music venue for aspiring singers and songwriters, and the site where acts like pop-rock singer John Mayer and country music group Sugarland were discovered.
"I went to watch, and I talked to the owner and he said, 'I'll let you on tonight if you have your guitar,'" Thomas said. "I went outside and practiced and I was scared to death, and I got up and performed, and the audience loved me."
She's been making the rounds ever since, with her parents Tommy and Carole by her side.
"They're behind me all the way. My dad is my manager. My mom does my booking. They go everywhere I go. They work long hours and they go with me every time I play and they take me anywhere I need to go. They sacrifice a lot, and I really appreciate that," she said.
A former Eastside High School student, Thomas is now home-schooled to better accommodate her performance schedule. She's worked extra hours so she can graduate this summer rather than next spring.
After graduation, she plans to head to Nashville in hopes of getting signed by a record label. She'll stay with her aunt and uncle in Hendersonville, Tenn., just outside of Nashville, while she's trying to catch her big break.
However, there's a chance that break may come as early as next month, right here in Georgia.
AtlantaCountryMusic
.com has nominated Thomas for Top Teen Country Artist in Georgia, a title that resulted in three recording contract offers for last year's winner.
The general public has the opportunity to vote online at www.atlantacountrymusic
.com through April 25. The winner will be announced at a May 6 show at Three Bears Cafe in Marietta.
"I want to represent Covington," Thomas said of the contest. "I don't want it to just be about me. I want to put Covington on the map."
Allen Coefield, who owns AtlantaCountryMusic.com and is a co-owner of the Atlanta Opry, said so far Thomas is one of the top three vote-getters.
A venue for upstart artists to showcase their talents, the Opry is held alternately at Three Bears Cafe and Wild Bill's in Atlanta.
Thomas recently won a spot onstage at the Opry after beating 16 other contestants in a talent show, where she performed her original material. Coefield calls her "an incredible songwriter."
"She was not only very solid in her performance, but she was very entertaining with it," he said.
Though her music clearly has a country bent, Thomas hesitates to classify herself.
"I wouldn't put myself in a genre. I like the people in country music better. I like the industry, I like the people, I like the crowds. The music is from the heart. It's about your life, and love, and how everybody's town is a small town, big or small," she said.
Thomas knows success in the music industry is a long shot, but she says she's got the drive and the desire to make it happen.
"I just believe it in my heart, and that's what's gotten me so far," she said. "The chances are one in a million, but I believe you have to have something special, and I feel like people relate to my music really well. I just know that if it takes me forever, I'm going to keep doing it." - Newton Citizen

HANNAH THOMAS WINS THE ATLANTA OPRY TALENT SHOWCASE...:

Covington's Hannah Thomas impressed the crowd and judges with her singing, songwriting and performance skills and won the Atlanta Opry Talent Showcase March 25th 2007 at the 3 Bears Cafe in Marietta. Hannah finished first out of 12 contestants from Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee and will appear in an upcoming Atlanta Opry event as well as an interview on Atlanta Country Music.com.
(Taken from www.atlantacountrymusic.com)
- ACM.com

HANNAH THOMAS WINS THE ATLANTA OPRY TALENT SHOWCASE...:

Covington's Hannah Thomas impressed the crowd and judges with her singing, songwriting and performance skills and won the Atlanta Opry Talent Showcase March 25th 2007 at the 3 Bears Cafe in Marietta. Hannah finished first out of 12 contestants from Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee and will appear in an upcoming Atlanta Opry event as well as an interview on Atlanta Country Music.com.
(Taken from www.atlantacountrymusic.com)
- ACM.com