Eleven-year-old Jo-Hannah Atchison is making waves in Portage la Prairie with her voice, her story, and her love of old-school country music.
In a recent radio interview, Jo-Hannah opens up about her journey, her passion for music, and her big dreams.
Starting young and staying inspired
Jo-Hannah shares that her musical roots go back to childhood piano lessons with help from her mom, who is also a singer.
“I got the basics from my mom,” she says. “I learned to play the piano when I was little-little. My mom put tactile stickers on the keys so that I had an idea of where to have my fingers. For anyone who doesn't know, I'm also blind. That helped me a lot.”
She adds that a move to Brantford, Ontario opened even more doors, including guitar lessons with Canadian country artist Thomas Wade of Thomas Wade and Wayward.
Performing live and loving classic country
Jo-Hannah recently opened for Colin Bryce at the Herman Prior Centre, where she played alongside seasoned musicians.
“That was really exciting,” she says. “That steel guitar was played by Mr. Ken Campbell. He played the steel guitar, the Dobro and the electric guitar. He is absolutely phenomenal. I got so caught up in listening to the steel guitar I forgot to change chords on my own guitar.”
Her influences include legends like Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Reba McEntire.
Summer shows and future dreams
This summer, Jo-Hannah can be seen at local open mics on Sundays, either at the Herman Prior Centre or Island Park’s “One Mic One Plug” event.
“I’m performing the concert series at the Island,” she notes. “It’s an all-females night and I’m the first one to be performing.”
She’s also scheduled to perform at the Portage Ex on the main stage.
When asked about her dreams, she doesn’t hesitate.
“I’m never giving up on music, so my dream is really to be a country star,” she remarks. “To perform at the Grand Ole Opry would be like a miracle in itself.”
In addition to music, Jo-Hannah also acts and appears on CBC Gem’s Dino Ranch, a surprise opportunity she didn’t expect.
“That was a dream that I never knew would come true,” she mentions.
Looking ahead, Jo-Hannah hopes her performances not only entertain but inspire others to follow their passions, no matter the obstacles.
-with files from Brittany Boschman
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