Interview with Luanne Hunt

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

As far back as I can remember, I was always interested in doing something in show business, especially music.  I dreamed of being a singer when I was growing up even though everyone around me told me I should pick a different path because I had zero musical talent.

Undeterred, I signed up for voice lessons at a local community college in my early twenties and realized that I actually could sing and just needed some guidance, direction and lots of practice. I went on to become a vocal coach, which eventually led me to writing and producing songs and performing at venues across the U.S.

If music hadn’t been my greatest passion, it’s very likely I would’ve become a chef, as I love cooking and have always had a talent for it.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I really enjoy traveling the United States in my RV with my fiance and checking out all the amazing places our beautiful country has to offer.  Being on the road, taking in the scenery and having time to think probably inspires my creativity more than anything.

How long have you been making music?

I began working on my first album in 1994, so this year marks my 30th anniversary in the business.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

I moved to Florida three years ago after living in California for almost 40 years. Florida has so much beauty, especially where I live in the central part of the state. I have always felt extremely creative around nature, so needless to say, I have been quite prolific since I moved here, writing  dozens of songs and recording four albums.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I wrote and produced a variety show in 2022 for a local veteran’s organization. We drew over 800 people and raised quite a bit of money for the cause. It was really fun for me because along with performing my songs in the production, I also brought in other entertainers, such as an Elvis impersonator, an award-winning singer-songwriter and a 13-piece swing band, to name a few.  The crowd loved it. Back in 2017, I wrote and produced a show featuring the music of John Denver and that also was one of my most memorable productions.  I had a fantastic cast of singers and even had a live band playing all the music.  It was something I always wanted to do, so that show really was a dream come true.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

In 2017, I had the opportunity to perform at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO, which is where John Denver performed on occasion.  To stand on that same stage where my greatest   musical influence stood was quite the experience.

In the future, I would love to play the Savannah Center in the Villages, FL, which I live very close to.  It’s a beautiful venue and the sound crew is amazing from what I’ve been told.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Playing a show with legendary songwriter/producer Brian Wilson would be at the top of my wish list.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

I would tell them to make music that feels authentic to them and refrain from trying to copy someone else’s sound.  There is so much copycat stuff going on these days and it’s very uninspiring in my opinion.  When I was growing up in the 1960s and 70s, every artist brought something unique to the table, which is why that era has gone down in history as being the best time for music the world has ever known.

As for advice to my younger self, I would encourage her to move to Nashville and get involved with the music scene.  I had a lot of great material right out of the gate but opportunities to break into the country music scene were few and far between for people who weren’t living in Music City.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

In the summer of 2019, my husband of 36 years died from a rare blood disease. Part of my healing process was writing an album’s worth of songs about going through the grieving process.  I hired a different producer than the one I had been working with and the result was nothing short of spectacular.  One of the songs on the project, “Sunshine and Love,” has become my most special recording, as it takes me back to my childhood days and envelops me in a magical feeling that really is unexplainable.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

My most favorite song to play live, and my most requested,  is my worldwide holiday hit, “Christmas Without You” (a.k.a. “Patsy Cline’s Lost Christmas Song).  The writers, Lawton Jiles and Charles Beam, originally wrote the tune on a request from Patsy but she never had the chance to record it.  Lawton asked me to record it in 2008 and it’s been the biggest record of my career. Whenever I sing it live, I notice that many people in the audience have tears coming down their cheeks.  It’s a very moving song, especially if you have lost a spouse or significant other.  To see a song I sing touch people that much makes me realize I am making a heart connection with them.  That is something every artist hopes for.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

I often wake up in the morning with song ideas rolling around in my head. If I think something is strong enough, I will get up immediately and start writing lyrics. After the words have been  written, I start working on a melody.

There are stories going on all around us, so I am always on the lookout for those. But I also often write about what’s happening in my life or the lives of people I am close to. My fiance Jim has given me countless ideas for songs just through our daily conversations.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so, please tell me about them.

While I’m not a political person, I occasionally will write a song about a social issue. I recently wrote and produced a song titled, “Dear God,” which is basically a collective plea for God to intervene and heal this crazy world of ours.  In 2022, I was commissioned to write a song about the plight of female veterans, who often find themselves in dire situations after they leave the military.  It was an incredible honor for me to produce “Brave American Girl” and also was a very rewarding experience.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

My first unreleased demo album in 1995, “Mood Swings,” featured a song written by my late husband Steve Hunt titled, “He’s In Paradise With A Pair Of Dice.” I knew it was something special but when we shared it with friends and family, they could only focus on the silly title and had no appreciation for the sheer majesty of the song.

I have thought about re-recording it over the years and finally decided to unearth it for my latest album, “Miles & Memories.”  I changed the title to “The Vice” but left the hook line intact. I also rewrote some of the lyrics to strengthen the story and set it to a minimalistic musical backdrop with solo piano and violin. It finally sounds like the masterpiece it is and whenever I listen to it, I am just swept away.  I hope others who hear it will have the same experience.

There’s also a video for the song on Youtube. The Vice - Luanne Hunt (Official Music Video) 

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I’ve recently begun writing songs for my 25th album, which I hope to begin recording later this year.  For now, fans can checkout my latest project, “Miles & Memories,” which is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iTunes and other streaming platforms.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to checkout?

My website, www.luannehunt.com, always has my latest news.

Socials include:

facebook.com/luannehuntindiecountrystar

twitter.com/luannehunt

instagram.com/luannehunt

.youtube.com/@LuanneHunt