Vote Hannah Huston: National Phenom, Husker Fan

Meet, Hear Hannah Huston   Hannah on Facebook  

Grounded, Grateful, Grand   Hannah on Twitter

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Hannah Huston is a national phenomenon and a Husker fan. She’s a native Nebraskan and a UNL graduate…a statewide treasure and a strong Christian, plus a dedicated preschool teacher, who, until a few months ago, was a relatively unknown singer whose biggest audience was 60 people in a Lincoln coffee shop.

That was before talent scouts discovered Hannah and gave her a shot on The Voice, an NBC television show with celebrities who embraced her humility and God-given gifts. Hannah’s remarkable transformation made her an overnight sensation with millions of followers and a gargantuan spotlight that never turns off or leaves her alone.

Monday night’s semifinal round continues on The Voice with pressure-packed performances and intriguing drama. Hannah once again will command attention, but will show a certain calm in the midst of so much stress. All that anyone needs to know about Hannah Huston is the scripture Romans 12:2 posted on her social media homepage, referencing the importance of renewing your mind and approving God’s will.

Who's voting tonight?!? pic.twitter.com/bYRahjAU38

— Hannah Huston (@thehannahhuston) April 25, 2016

 

Blake Shelton on Hannah Huston: Superstardom Looks Good on You!

No wonder country star Blake Shelton told Huston that “superstardom looks good on you”. Her humble response: “I am so overwhelmed by this. Thank you so much.”

Huston’s performances and parallel modesty have made her a national celebrity, spurring Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts to sign a proclamation designed to galvanize statewide support for the Arnold Elementary pre-school teacher basking in the limelight of Monday night’s semifinals on The Voice.

What else can you do for Hannah Huston, who is gluing together her greatest strengths to represent her Grand Island hometown and her Lincoln home on a red-hot national television competition? Huston’s appeal reflects her confidence, balance and bold but tender vulnerability. She’s dedicated, determined and devoted because she’s grounded, grateful and grand. Check out the links at the top of this column to understand why.

Hannah Huston transcends her talent.  Fans love listening to everything she sings because, like Adele, she experiences every word and every phrase. The song that blew me away though was her rendition of The House of the Rising Son, a lifelong favorite I thought could never be duplicated, let alone surpassed.

Who Knows What Triggers Greatness among Those Who Perform?

I do know this. Hannah Huston’s rising sun isn’t like Eric Crouch’s rise to a Heisman Trophy. In football, there are no overnight sensations, just candidates waiting to write individual chapters that become a blockbusting novel of their prominence.

Hannah graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 2009, from UNL in 2013 and three years later, she comes out of absolutely nowhere and lands on a national stage with torpedo lights and finds an international audience with great expectations.

Hannah’s full-speed escalator to the top is a far cry from singing songs as a little girl using a hairbrush as a microphone in her living room. Do not discount that experience, however. Her mom listened to and tried to emulate Amy Grant, and her dad was known to imitate James Taylor. Her parents were even willing to sing at friends’ weddings.

My favorite discovery in researching the life and times of Hannah Huston is the way she always thinks about her dad. She describes him as a very wise person who reassures her that God has everything in control.

Win or Lose, Pharrell is Invited to Attend a Nebraska Football Game

The punchline to this crazy world that draws millions of voters basing their opinions on live performances on national TV is simply this – Hannah Huston cannot possibly lose, regardless of the number of votes she receives down the stretch. “My joy comes from Christ,” she said, “and ultimately, singing is just a sweet part of my life that I get to do.”

Nobody says it better than Hannah, who’s already asked Pharrell Williams, her coach on The Voice, to attend a Nebraska home football game sometime this fall. An American rapper, singer and record producer, Pharrell taught Hannah well and seems in awe of the growth he’s seen from the start to where she is now. Williams is the guy Nebraska social media users have quoted relentlessly, even if they don’t remember his name. He’s the one who said “Hannah, you are doing Nebraska so proud!”

Thanks to a man who will learn quite soon that there really is no place like Nebraska.

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