'This is a dream of mine': Former Monroe woman singing in Nashville

This summer, just before heading off to college, Hannah DeNike took a trip that changed her life.

DeNike, 23, a 2017 graduate of Mason High School, had been a karaoke singer at places like Trapperz in LaSalle and the recently closed Diamondback Saloon in Belleville.

“I sing country, rock, R&B,” DeNike said. “(I love) women empowering songs. My favorite songs to sing are ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot,’ ‘I Love Rock ‘N Roll,’ anything Carrie Underwood.”

She even recorded an album with the Detroit-based rock band Destroyalty.

This fall, the former Monroe County Community College student planned to study business marketing at Michigan State University. But, before classes began, she took a trip to Nashville with her best friend.

While there, she sang “Redneck Woman” and “Any Man of Mine" on stage at the Honky Tonk Center. After her performance, staff said, “I hope you’re not leaving,” DeNike recalled.

They invited her to audition the next afternoon at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge. Then, she was called back to audition at Kid Rock's.

“I returned the rental car, drove back nine hours, packed up for hours. I was on a plane an hour later and flew and went to the audition,” DeNike said.

DeNike sang “I Love Rock ‘N Roll" and was encouraged to move to Nashville.

Five weeks ago, DeNike became a Tennessee resident. She rented a house and joined the Honky Tonk School, a program that supports aspiring musicians. DeNike said all the members know the same 150 songs and make connections through the school.

“You can jam with anyone. Someone hires you and you build a band,” DeNike said.

She far she's performed with three bands.

“I also fill in for other singers when they need a female co-front. I have a steady income. I’m finding work five nights a week, 10 p.m. to close,” she said. “This is a dream of mine. This is what I wanted to accomplish at 30.”

Now, DeNike is dreaming of bigger venues.

“I want to come back to Michigan and do maybe Faster Horses in the next year or two. I’d like to go on tour,” she said.

She’s also hoping to get into songwriting.

“There’s a lot out here to do,” she said.

DeNike sang a bit at Mason High School, but her activity then was football.

“I played nose guard. I was the only girl. There was one girl in the past and one after me (on the MHS team),” she said.

Her family is supportive of her music career.

“I always told them that's what I wanted to do,” she said.

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Her mom, Diana Nagy, is a professional theater singer. Her dad, Jeff DeNike, now of Evanston, Indiana, and her grandmother, Yvonne DeNike, are from LaSalle. Her other grandmother, Marion Alan, was a professional opera singer.

“(My mom and grandma) individually taught voice lessons weekly at the house. I grew up with singing around the house. I have my grandma’s piano,” DeNike said.

Marion passed away recently.

“I took care of her for three years. I couldn’t have gotten this (opportunity) when she still needed help. She died April 11. I got the job June 11," DeNike said. "She was definitely looking over me."

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Former Monroe woman singing in Nashville