Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Ford.
Hannah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Apparently, I’ve been singing and making up songs since I was in the crib! Music was a big part of my home life, and it was also a big part of my church upbringing where I was in kid’s choirs and musicals. I also sang in my high school and college choirs. I picked up a guitar and began songwriting at 17 years old. Honestly, I was so afraid to sing my songs in front of others but I slowly began to step out and overcome my fears. I didn’t think I had a good voice, and I didn’t think that anyone would want to hear me. One time I was so embarrassed and discouraged after singing that I left my guitar in my trunk for over a month. But there are times in life when you just know you need to do something.
For me, it was when I felt Jesus, Himself, challenge, lead, and encourage me not to worry about what others might think of me. He just wanted me to use the gift that had been given to me from birth. I began to realize that my gift wasn’t for me, but was really about blessing others. I began to play at homeless soup kitchens, at church, and then in sheer fright, I put together a band and played on my university’s quad (Humboldt State University). Sharing my original music before my peers was my first big challenge in music. But then I heard feedback from students about how much love poured out through the songs, and I felt some relief from my self-criticism. The experience didn’t hurt me- it strengthened me.
That day taught me to step out in faith; to do my best; to be alright with embarrassment; to learn how to improve; and to move forward, trusting that my music blessed someone.
After graduation, I became an elementary school teacher in the Pasadena Unified School District. I filled my classes with music. To this day, former students remind me how they loved hearing me with my guitar in class. After a few years, I took some time off and made my first album at a Hollywood studio. Years later, after winning a major competition in Los Angeles and Orange County, I stepped down from teaching altogether to pursue full-time music. I traveled to over 20 countries, performing and giving away thousands of my albums as gifts. I’ve learned that foreigners love learning English to music.
So, to this day, until CDs go obsolete, I invest more in my albums to include song lyrics with beautifully displayed artwork. Recently, I completed my fourth album, Personal Decree, and hope to continue recording. The songs keep on coming!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My road in music has had ups and downs, for sure. I’ve had moments where I felt I couldn’t and shouldn’t continue with it. At one point, I almost lost my voice altogether due to vocal nodules. Thankfully, I’m fine now. Harder than that, however, was the emotional toll music took on me. Sometimes I’d get hit with deep discouragement because I missed being paid for the value that I brought through my work.
I felt people would pay and tip for coffee but expected music for free. The new era of streaming music and putting it all out on YouTube for free was great in some ways, but a struggle at first for me. After investing years of time and energy and huge amounts of money on projects, I needed to re-evaluate my expectations. The world’s expectations had changed, and this was the new reality to embrace.
It seems like every time I had struggled hard with worth or finances, I’d randomly hear back from someone about how my music ended up affecting them. From preventing someone from committing suicide to helping encourage someone as their town was being bombed in Syria. I always got these emails that re-centered me. My music should never be more about my livelihood, than about others’ lives. If I am given a gift, I will not hold it in. I will spread it.
This is why I am alive. I am always growing in my pursuit of finding a balance between humility and sacrifice and business strength and financial opportunities.
Jewel Coast Music – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Jewel Coast Music is my new record label. I named it partly after La Jolla (which is known as “The Jewel”) and partly after the beauty of a shining gemstone, which I want each of my songs to be like. My label is meant to provide people with great music to listen to but also to move them beyond that into lives of greater love, worship, and purpose. I personally have 4 self-released albums, but just released Personal Decree through this label.
I like to combine my music and visual art. I often name individual art pieces after a song I have written. I sell these pieces separately, as well as include them in an album’s artwork design. I am a songwriter, singer, guitarist, project manager, fashion designer, and graphic designer for the projects. I love it all. I support and partner with worldwide ministries and charities for outreach, as well as companies for licensing and radio promotion.
As my label grows, I will spend more time developing other artists and their music. For me, the business of music isn’t just about creating entertaining songs for profit, but mostly about the results and positive impacts songs can make on lives. To me, artist development should emphasize character, not fame. There is a leadership responsibility that comes with being in the public eye. My goal is to encourage the world through the arts and to encourage other artists to do likewise.
One key lesson I have learned is that playing huge concerts are not more significant or fulfilling than singing at an Alzheimer’s home (which I do weekly). The goal is to bring a musical treasure, a song, a “jewel” of God’s love to others and to draw the beauty of music out of their own hearts. If fame and riches come with that, steward it well. If not, keep on singing, and enjoy every minute of it! True riches are of the heart.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me, personally, is knowing that I have done my best with a standard of excellence and a heart full of love. It is to inspire and guide people further into God’s eternal hope, love, and purpose. It is to live a life of worship to God. Hopefully, by me being successful in what I do, it will have a ripple effect and be a boost for others’ success, as well.
Pricing:
- Albums with art booklets – $15
- T-Shirts- $20
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hannahford.com
- Phone: 6198002078
- Email: hfm.management@live.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hannahford
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hannahfordministries
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hannahfordmusic
- Yelp: www.jewelcoastmusic.com
- Other: http://www.youtube.com/hannahfordmusic
Image Credit:
Michael Berger, Gino Dalessandro, Sarah Nee, Aaron Blumenshine
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