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Interview of John Hahn by Monica Yasher
Posted on 4/07/2010 by Monica Yasher
John Hahn, born in Chicago, discovered the blues through British artists like the Yardbirds and the Stones. If not for that connection, he feels he wouldn’t be managing an artist such as Shemekia Copeland, nor writing songs recorded by Koko Taylor, B.B. King, Son Seals, or Ruth Brown.
His blues journey, started with being a vice-president creative director for two of the most prestigious advertising agencies in the world, BBDO and McCann-Erickson. While there, Hahn wrote commercials for products such as Alka-Seltzer and AT&T. At this position, his accomplishments were recognized by the International Film and TV Festival of New York and the Chicago Film Festival. It was here where he met and worked with blues artists such as Delbert McClinton, Art Neville, Lou Ann Barton, Levon Helm, and many others. And, it was here where the Copeland family relationship began to grow.
Hahn produced Johnny Copeland‘s record, Flyin’ High. He met Johnny’s daughter, an eight year old girl living in Harlem, named Shemekia. If you ask Shemekia today who she would thank for her career, John Hahn is at the top of her list. There must be others that agree with Shemekia, for in February 2009, Hahn was awarded, Keeping the Blues-Manager of the Year Award, by the foundation that he once served as Vice President on.
Hahn’s relationship with Shemekia goes beyond business and he feels she is a friend forever. Hahn has been there since the beginning of Shemekia’s career, managing her first CD effort. With the watchful eye of Hahn, Shemekia’s second CD, Wicked, was a Grammy nominated effort.
Hahn, an accomplished songwriter, has had his song, ‘Turn the Heat Up‘, nominated for the Blues Music Song of the Year in 1999. In 2006, ‘Who Stole My Radio‘, was nominated for a Blues Music Award. Despite the awards, Hahn says the greatest joy of being a songwriter is sitting back stage and hearing an audience sing his words.
By working with Shemekia, Hahn recognizes the importance of writing songs that convey a strong, contemporary woman. Together both artists respect the tradition of the blues. From this tradition, they are cautious not to tear down what the essence of the blues is, while still trying to build upon the genre to create a new, fresh sound to introduce to a new blues generation.
Hahn feels that capturing the essence of today’s world is challenging and fun, which allows him to grow as a songwriter. Hahn shares he could never have imagined being in a position of writing songs with people like Steve Cropper (pictured right with John) or Dr. John. He feels he is living a dream job hanging out backstage with people he used to watch as merely a fan.
Hahn is not a pro war advocate, but it came to his attention that the U.S. troops were not being supported by the entertainment industry. As co producer of the Bluzapalooza tour, he works with many blues organizations and businesses to bring U.S. military personnel the best of live blues entertainment. Hahn is thankful for his success and shared that this was a way to pay a little back. Instead, what he has found, is he has gotten back ten fold what he has given. The troops, who are often forgotten, have been so appreciative and thankful of his efforts and the blues artists.
Thank you, John Hahn, for your commitment to the blues. I can see why Shemekia Copeland speaks so well of you. You are definitely at the top of the list!
To read the Shemekia Copeland Interview, click here.
BTW-Look for the Yardbirds interview coming up by J. Blake!
Copyright © 2010 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Photographs provided by John Hahn. All Rights Reserved. Thanks for sharing your life with us, John!
