Exclusive interview with Chart-topping Singer Songwriter Luanne Hunt
“Heal The World This Christmas” touches on themes of unity and healing. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this song and how you hope it resonates with listeners during the holiday season?
I’ve been having a lot of conversations with friends and family about the state of our world and how people seem to be growing more and more distant because of political beliefs. It’s disheartening to know we can no longer agree to disagree and instead have to choose sides. In light of that, it’s natural to think back to a time when we loved and supported one another regardless of who someone was voting for.
“Heal The World This Christmas” reflects those ideals and hopefully will serve as a reminder that we can get back there if we make the effort.
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You’ve written several socially-conscious songs like “Ghosts Of A Simpler Time” and “If You See Peace.” How do you approach incorporating messages of hope and healing into your music without delving into overt politics?
I’m a person who is all about looking to make a difference in ways that uplift, encourage and inspire. So being overtly political would only serve to be divisive and I don’t see that helping matters. When I sit down to write a socially-conscious song, I want it to resonate with everyone and in turn, perhaps it will motivate people to extend more love and grace to one another, including those who don’t hold the same beliefs as they do.
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You mentioned that people used to “agree to disagree” more easily. What do you think has changed in society, and how do you see music playing a role in bridging these divides?
Music has always had the power to unite people, especially when I was growing up during the 1960s and 70s. We had so many songs back then that really made a difference, such as “We Shall Overcome” by Joan Baez, Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In the Wind” and Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” And look at Woodstock and how unifying that event was. Maybe it’s pie-in-the-sky to think music could have that same power nowadays, but there’s always hope in my heart that it can.
Your Christmas hit, “Christmas Without You,” has been celebrated globally. What is it about holiday music that makes it such a powerful medium for connecting with listeners across generations and cultures?
There’s something about holiday music that feeds the soul. We’ve all grown up hearing the same Christmas songs every year from the day we were born. So we have that shared experience regardless of what kind of music we typically listen to outside of the seasonal stuff. When “White Christmas” or “Jingle Bells” comes on the radio, we all turn it up and sing along.
With 24 studio albums under your belt, your career has spanned decades. How has your approach to songwriting evolved over the years, and what keeps you motivated to keep producing new music?
When I first began writing songs, I had no idea what I was doing. It was a very daunting process and my main goal was to not write a bad one. After trying my hand at it a few times, I realized I had a talent for it but still had a long way to go to perfect the craft. All these years later, I’m still working at perfecting it and that is what motivates me most of all. I also have been fortunate to be able to write many different genres, which has kept me raising the bar of my skill and creativity.
Your film, “Luanne Hunt: I Won’t Stop Singing!” has garnered international recognition. What was it like transitioning from music to film, and how did telling your story through this medium differ from expressing yourself in your songs?
I’ve been producing music videos for years, so moving from those to making a documentary film seemed like a natural progression. It was wonderful to tell my story in detail, as opposed to writing snippets about it in three or four-minute songs. The film also has given me the opportunity to inspire others through the telling of how I overcame great odds to achieve my fondest dreams. There are many people out there who I’m sure want to give up when they encounter a lot of opposition.
I wanted to let them know to keep going because in the end, it’s your life to make or break. You don’t want to be looking back on it in your old age and feeling a lot of regret.
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You’ve been recognized with numerous accolades, from American Songwriting Awards to Josie Music Awards nominations. Which of these achievements are you most proud of, and how have they shaped your journey as an artist?
I am extremely grateful for all of my accolades but the one I seem to think about most is when Sweden’s largest daily newspaper, Dagens Nyheter, named “Christmas Without You” one of its Top 25 Christmas Songs of All-Time in 2015. I remember reading that list for the first time and being truly shocked to see I was the only independent artist on it alongside Mariah Carey, Willie Nelson and other music superstars.
What an incredible honor that was for me and I truly felt like I had “made it.” After that, my musical journey became about having fun and pushing the creative envelope as opposed to trying to get some kind of significant recognition. It was a freeing moment and every accolade after that magical moment has been the “cherry on top.”
Looking ahead, what are some future projects or themes you’re excited to explore in your music? Do you have any plans for more socially-conscious songs, or are there new directions you’
With all that’s going on in the world, I must admit I am tempted on a regular basis to write more socially-conscious songs. But I think I’ve reached my quota for the time being.
Earlier this year, I wrote several songs for what will be my 25th album but haven’t started producing them yet. At the moment, I am working on something that could potentially be the theme song for a screenplay I’ve written about my life that takes up where “I Won’t Stop Singing” left off. I’ve also been producing an ongoing singer/songwriter showcase in my area called “Nashville Nights!”, so that will keep me busy going into 2025 and beyond.
Follow Luanne Hunt at www.luannehunt.com
