ABOUT LISSA

Lissa Hanner was born June 21st, 1960 at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA. She is number six of nine children.

Her first instrument was the autoharp of the 1960′s. It was one of Lissa’s favorite school day teachers that encouraged Lissa to give music a try. The teacher sang the folk song Where Have All the Flowers Gone which immediately hooked Lissa on music – and it was when she began to dream of being a professional singer.

At age of 15, Lissa learned to play the guitar. Then, her father took a new job and the family of 11 moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. The moment Lissa arrived in Colorado she knew that she was where she belonged. It inspired her to write her first song. When she was 18, she landed her first professional gig at the Goldust Saloon in Colorado Springs. It was a country bar and Lissa only knew three country songs at the time…but she learned new songs really quick and thus began her professional career in music.

At 23, Lissa moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where she felt her career could move forward, and was willing to leave her beloved Colorado to pursue it. Lissa knew that Knoxville was one step closer to Nashville, and one step closer to seeing her dream come true. While in Knoxville she worked at Dolly Parton’s “Dixie Stampede Theater” in Pigeon Forge, and continued to play the bar circuit until her moved to Nashville two years later.

Soon after moving to Nashville, Lissa was blessed with a baby girl, and continued working on her writing and performing skills. More than once, the opportunity arose for her to hit the road as the lead singer for well known bands, as well as being a back-up singer for artists, but she opted out of touring and chose to stay at home to raise her daughter. She di however, continue to regularly play all the hot local venues including the Bluebird Cafe and 3rd & Lindsley, every chance she got.

Lissa has also been very involved in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s – Words and Music Program - which teaches songwriting in local schools.

In 2002, Lissa decided it was time to go back to Colorado. She felt the mountains calling her home. Lissa moved to the small town of Guffey just west of Colorado Springs. It was there that she rediscovered the Colorado girl in her, and was inspired to pursue her music with a different mindset. She began to write songs about what she knew and loved, life in the high country.

In spring 2012, Lissa will be releasing her first CD project on her own label, Pinecone Records. She has teamed up with Nashville producer, Robby Turner (whose credits include, Waylon Jennings, The Highwaymen, Dixie Chicks, Marty Stuart, Willie Nelson, and more). She is excited and proud to be working with Robby, who she respects and admires very much.

Robby has this to say about Lissa.

“When she sings, Lissa draws the listener deep into her world, introducing them to the characters and the picture perfect countryside she calls home. Her heart-felt delivery comes so natural because she believes in the lyric of each line she sings, building the story with song. The CD entitled ”Colorado Country”, pours directly from her heart and soul, and truly reflects her love of the mountains through music inspired by her beautiful surroundings she calls home.”

In Lissa’s own words, “This is the album I have waited for all my life and we feel the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
I cannot wait to share my ‘Colorado Country’ with you.”