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Official Site of New Zealand's Velvet Kiwi!
Kiwi Born and Bred, and Proud of it!
Music has been there for me all my life. I remember singing with my father and older brother John around the piano when I was little while Mum played the dobre guitar.
My brother and I sang around Oamaru when we were in our teens. I married and moved to Gore with my family in 1964 and returned to music about 10 years later. The Gold Guitar Awards started in 1974 and I had the distinction of being the first contestant on stage at that inaugural contest, and many years later made the finals in the Female Vocalist section.
I have a wonderful family, two daughters and two sons, and also four grandchildren who light up my life. My husband Herb and I separated some years ago, but I am so lucky to be able to keep him in my life as a dear beloved friend. Truly blessed.
I always dreamed of making a cd of the music I loved to sing and in November 2003 my first cd 'Moods and Memories' was recorded with Ringrose Recording in Christchurch where I now live. I thank Brian Ringrose for making this dream come true for me and for the fabulous arrangements he made for me to sing to.
I am involved in Musical Theatre in Christchurch - with both Riccarton Players and the Halswell Drama Group where I have performed and directed in shows over the last few years. Theatre is also a passion for me and I love being on stage in any capacity.
In 2004 my cd 'Moods and Memories' was selected as one of the three finalists in the New Zealand Tui Music Awards 'Best Country Music Album of the year'. The Awards were held in Gore so I was able to perform on stage there singing a track off my album in front of all of my family and friends down there.
My second cd 'Cranberry Cove' came out in October 2007 and has 14 tracks, 7 of which are original songs both mine and others, and 7 cover songs. My songs include 'What Made a Good Love Go Wrong', 'And If I Go' and 'Singing Country Songs Again' plus the title song 'Cranberry Cove' which I co-wrote with David Erik, my amazing friend from Ohio, USA. A talented graphic artist and songwriter, David has been my mentor in all things internet especially this, my website.
I travelled to the United States in March/April 2008 and visited my friend David and his family in Cincinnati, Ohio. I then travelled down to Nashville where I went to the Grand Ole Opry, the highlight being sing Charlie Daniels play 'The Devil went down to Georgia' - Amazing!!!! Hiring a car I then travelled right up to Watertown, NY State staying in hostels on the way where I met an amazing number of people. At Watertown I stayed with friends Cindy and Dean for 3 days before heading back down through Syracuse and then under the lakes to Anita, Iowa where I performed in 4 concerts and met some wonderful Indie Country music artists. I finally headed back down to Cincinnati and stayed with David and his family until I came home on Anzac Day.
Since then, as usual I have been busy singing, working, softballing, and generally getting on with my life and keeping busy. I hope to make another cd soon (around the end of 2009) and it will probably have a variety of country music, rock n roll plus other songs I like.
Yours in country
Pat Hannah
