New Artist Spotlight - Hanna-McEuen

New Artist Spotlight: Hanna-McEuen

By Tamara Saviano

It's only right that Jaime Hanna and Jonathan McEuen are together as a duo. The guys are first cousins and sons of identical twin sisters, Rae and Kae. Strong bonds were formed between the cousins while they were growing up together. Oh yeah, and their fathers Jeff Hanna and John McEuen have been playing music together for nearly 40 years as founding members of the legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. While their vocals are equally effective no matter who is singing lead, the voices of Hanna-McEuen transcend melody lines and harmonies.

Both are accomplished guitarists whose work is featured throughout their debut album.

There is an undeniable, identifiable chemistry that the cousins bring with them, somewhere between brothers and best friends.

Hanna-McEuen's self-titled debut MCA Nashville album, produced with James Stroud, features 12 songs, 11 co-written by Hanna and/or McEuen and is set for release on June 28.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

What do you sing in the shower?

HANNA: "Anything I can't sing in public, like 'Wheel In The Sky' by Journey."

MCEUEN: "Country Music only. But no cowboy boots allowed in the shower."

What is your pet peeve?

HANNA: "People who talk REALLY loud on cell phones."

MCEUEN: "I don't have a pet peeve, but I have pet. She's a cat named China Biscuit."

What moment in your life would you relive if you could?

HANNA: "Playing in the house band at the Johnny Cash tribute in New York in 1999. The man himself performed, along with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crow, to name a few."

MCEUEN: "Shaving my head for the first time. I kept thinking 'Wow! My head is tingling and naked.' Pretty strange sensation."

On the Web: www.mcanashville.com

May 31, 2005