Chassell native makes a name for herself in Nashville

It's not that far from Chassell, Michigan to Nashville, Tennessee, relatively speaking, but it's a big leap for an aspiring country singer from this Upper Peninsula town to move into the inner circle of musicians and songwriters in this country music Mecca.

 

Hannah Bethel of tiny Chassell, near Houghton, has made that leap. Her new album, The Freedom EP, was recorded in Nashville with some of country's finest musicians, people who have performed with the likes of Big & Rich and Josh Turner. However, Bethel couldn't have found herself in such heady company without talent of her own.

 

"Hannah's voice is stellar when she pushes it here," (in the song "Medicine" off the new album), writes Donna Nolan-Wilson, music critic for the Nashville Nightlife Events Examiner, "and you can feel what she is trying to convey."

 

Bethel is one of those people most of us envy. She knew what she wanted to do at a very young age and pursued it like a hunter going after a big buck in the U.P. wilderness. 

 

"I always knew I wanted to perform in front of people," says Bethel. She recalls the support she received at a young age from her parents, who could have suggested a more conventional way to make a living.

 

"To this day they're my biggest supporters," she says of her folks. "I don't know if I could do it without their support."

 

Chassell, which hovers around 2,000 residents, has proved to be as good a place as any for Bethel to launch her music career. She says she gained a lot of experience and exposure playing at county fairs, weddings, school fundraisers, and malls--anywhere she could bring her guitar, piano and energetic voice.

 

"The U.P. was a wonderful place to grow up," she says. "I couldn't wait to get out, but now I miss it like crazy," she says. "I'm always excited when I get to go back up there." 

 

The music biz these days isn't all about singing and songwriting. It's as much about the business of promoting your work and finding ways to earn revenue to keep the dream alive. Declining CD sales have depressed profits, though digital sales remain strong, says Bethel. She says concerts are a good revenue generator, as is the sale of merchandise.

 

"I came here (to Nashville) to make music, but I do it least of all," Bethel says with a sigh. However, lately, she's been able to farm out some of the business side of things by hiring a manager, Rikk Feulner, a man who has managed Alison Krauss, the Eagles, Patty Griffin and other stars. She has also started using a PR firm to help promote her CD and concerts. Still, she has the task of managing all of her bookings and a multitude of other business-related activities.

 

If Bethel keeps going like she is, it won't be long before she can play more music and let someone else deal with the entire business side of things--and her fans should like that.

 

"I found myself really wanting more Hannah Bethel," says Nolan-Wilson, of The Freedom EP. "You know the old adage in show business, 'leave them wanting more.' Hannah accomplished that goal to perfection with this CD."

 

Check out Hannahbethel.com to stay up to date on the singer's tour schedule, YouTube videos, and where to buy her CDs. And, of course, you can buy her album and singles on iTunes.