Meet Hannah Mack | Vocalist, Songwriter, 1/2 of Mack & Michael

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Mack and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My dad & I started our entertainment business because we had both been in so many entertainment situations that were not fulfilling for us. We had to follow someone else’s song list, not get to perform our own songs, we didn’t have a say in the choices of venue or band members, and the list goes on. In starting our business together, we’ve created so many benefits for ourselves, aside from getting to play together as a father and daughter. Our song list when we perform live is rich with variety of songs that we love to sing and play, including our original songs. We have the luxury of picking our close friends who are amazing musicians to play with us. With my dad having so many years in the business, we have many business and venue connections. We get to include my sister (which makes her my dad’s daughter) in our music video/ filming endeavors. Plus, we get to write & record songs together that we then get to perform for our audiences! It’s such a pleasure to work when the world is your playground.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Something that is unique about being a part of Mack & Michael is being a father-daughter duo. Obviously there are always challenges in a family business, but our relationship is one of respect and creativity. It’s always been rooted in love, but finding the balance between our father-daughter relationship and our business relationship wasn’t easy to discern at first. The key for us is being honest and communicative with each other, and us both being willing to compromise. With there also being a generational gap between us, we have such a wide range and variety of musical influences that make our performances and our sound stand out. Although I grew up with him sharing his foundational musical influences with me, we grew up in different eras, and therefore have musical cornerstones that are unique to us. When we put our spheres of influence together, it produces something brand new!
We want to encourage people that having a healthy father-daughter relationship, and being able to work together and accomplish our goals is possible with love and respect. I believe the love that we have for each other, and the love of getting to do it together is really evident when we perform with each other.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have three favorite places to take an out-of-towner in Atlanta, neither of which in Atlanta proper. One of my favorite restaurants is El Rey Del Taco in Doraville. It’s a hole-in-the-wall kind of restaurant with beautiful art, and genuinely the best tacos and margaritas. It also doesn’t hurt that their prices aren’t bad, either. Another great place to go for drinks is The Select in Sandy Springs. They have lovely craft cocktails, a beautiful ambience, and usually have live jazz to enjoy.
My third & final favorite is Big Door Vineyards in Canton, where I often perform live! They have a beautiful vineyard landscape, indoor and outdoor seating, the sweetest staff, and great wine! It’s a destination spot for a nice day off.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I could shoutout that have helped me along my journey, so I’ll try to keep it to three.

First & foremost, the boss Jesus Christ is my number one love and support. When I am at my lowest or on top of the world, I have Him supporting me as my rock. He loves me through the ups & downs. Thanks bestie.

My family, primarily my mom, dad, and sister, are without question the people that keep me motivated and supported! I wouldn’t be alive without my sweet momma, Claudia Milsap’s, caring love and affection (and the best hugs). Growing up she was always the one taking me to & from my extracurricular chorus rehearsals, vocal lessons, auditions, School of Rock rehearsals and shows, and so much more. She’s all of our second brains, and we could barely function without her. Love you, momma! She’s also a top producing real estate agent in Atlanta, y’all, so hit her up!
My dad, Michael Milsap, & I have a business together, so obviously we’re close, but the core of my musical ability and interest comes from him! He is such an inspiration as a pianist, vocalist, producer, arranger, instrumentalist, the list goes on and on. I have him to thank for so much of my music taste and knowledge. He encouraged me to start performing when I was 11 and to write when I was 17. There’s no doubt my life would not be anywhere near the same without his influence. So, thanks daddy!
And of course, my built in best friend and co-parent is my big sister, Kirsten Milsap. She assisted in raising me, so I have her to thank for most of my weird idiosyncrasies that make me who I am. She has always been my example, the one I look up to the most. Kirst is so talented and creative, her mind is awe-inspiring, and she never ceases to amaze me. She is always supporting and encouraging me, and the love we have for each other is like no other. (love you kirssen)

Nite Driscoll and Josh Grau who are like uncles to me. They are the president and vice president of my alma mater, the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media (AIMM). They’ve known me for most of my life through my dad, and changed my life for the better by giving me the opportunity of a lifetime; attending AIMM. I was about to settle and enter a life of forensics, but they allowed me to learn the skill of audio engineering and enhance my vocal and performance skill. My life trajectory would have been drastically different without their kindness, encouragement, and support. Thank you both, kind sirs.

I have to mention Ray Parker of Big Door Vineyards. It was Ray who encouraged my dad and I to join forces back in 2021. After sitting in with my dad at Big Door, singing “Chain of Fools”, Ray practically made me take gigs at his winery, and made my dad play with me. That was the birth of Mack & Michael as a duo, and the beginning of our journey together in our entertainment business. Thank you for your encouragement, Ray!

Website: https://mackandmichael.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackandmichael/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552142848802

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MackandMichael

Other: https://linktr.ee/mackandmichael

Image Credits
Kirsten Milsap, Atlanta Institute of Music Media, Phoenix Janae