It may have taken a long time to get Contemporary Gospel singer, Dianna (Pronounced DEE-ANNA) Hobbs,
Founder and Editor In Chief of EEWMagazine.com (rated the #1 online magazine for Black Christian women), to
pursue music, her buried passion. But now, Hobbs has finally made her entrance onto the music scene, and
she'll be here for many years to come.
Her eclectic style that infuses elements of CCM, pop, R&B, and sometimes, soft rock, make it easy to see how
this lover of CeCe Winans, Natalie Grant, and Nicole C. Mullen has mass appeal. Now the journey begins to
introduce the unknown side--the musical side--of Dianna Hobbs to the world.
But make no mistake. Although Hobbs may be new when it comes to pursuing a professional career in the
Christian music industry, to lump her into a category with millions of other aspiring artists and hopefuls simply
trying to "break in," would be a grave error. For years, Hobbs has been interviewing, featuring, and partnering
with the most respected artists and leaders in the country, like: CeCe Winans, Karen Clark Sheard, Israel
Houghton, Kim Burrell, Tye Tribbett, Bishop Eddie Long, Dr. Myles Munroe, Bishop Neil Ellis, and the list goes
on.
Ironically, EEW Magazine, Hobbs' popular web publication, is at the top of the list when it comes to magazines
that labels, managers, publicists, and artists themselves dream of landing features in. With more than a quarter
of a million readers and an impressive list of advertisers like McDonald's, Verizon, Zondervan, Thomas Nelson,
Lionsgate, CNN, and numerous other major corporations, Dianna Hobbs is the go-to source for reaching large
numbers of Christian women of color.
But, even while experiencing much success from her entrepreneurial efforts, deep down, Hobbs knows there's a
huge part of her divine destiny that yet remains untapped--something she is striving to change with the release
of 3 new music singles since July, along with her first-ever music video. Recently, Hobbs inked a partnership
deal with urban Christian label, D.E.M. Records, for the production, distribution, and sale of her music. "Music is
a love and passion of mine and I've been singing since before I could even speak," says Hobbs, a pastor's kid,
who comes from a long line of preachers, singers, and musicians. Over the years, however, the demand of her
business pursuits moved her further and further away from her musical roots. "I remember being about 5 years
old and having others stand me up on offering tables to sing in my bobby socks and ruffle dresses, because I
was just too short for the congregation to see me!" laughs Hobbs. "I used to be so terrified too. I would cry and
plead not to have to sing, but my parents encouraged me to keep going."
To hear the small singer with the big voice (Hobbs is only 5'1" tall), it's hard to believe there is a shy bone in her
body. But according to Hobbs, singing is very personal and she does it for an audience of one, regardless to
how many people are in the room. "I admire people who like singing just to sing," she says. "But for me, I love
the one I'm singing to and that's why I do it. My passion for creating melodies is borne out of my passion for God."
And when it comes to creating melodies, Hobbs is a stellar songwriter. Amazingly, her compositions are
developed outside of the studio first, with only a pen, pad, and her voice. "I guess I have an inverted songwriting
approach. Some people might say it's backwards depending on who you talk to," she continues. "I'll hear a
completed composition in my head first. Lyrics, melody, and even some elements of music. So I'll sing it in a
recorder, format the song, and then I'll ask my producer to create a track that interprets what I'm hearing." After
the track is finished, Hobbs sings all her own background vocals, and typically, does her own arranging from
start to finish.
That's just the kind of woman she is. Independent, driven, and certain of her identity. Now, she has to
re-introduce herself to those who don't yet identify with her artistry. "I know it's not always easy for others who
know me specifically for my work with EEW Magazine to embrace something new. And even with the platform
God has given me, I don't make the assumption that everyone will feel connected to my music. But I also know
that, whoever it is for, no matter the size of that group, will be blessed by it."
Gone are the days when Hobbs fed into that deep-rooted hesitance to break out of her shell. "These songs God
has given to me demand to be sung," she says, "I know the music is not written for me to sing to myself at
home. Someone needs to hear what the Lord has given to me."
Finally, this artist is ready to release all the original tunes that have been smothered by business suits,
conferences, meetings, and numerous duties at EEW Magazine. Her full debut album is slated for a Spring
2011 release.
Founder and Editor In Chief of EEWMagazine.com (rated the #1 online magazine for Black Christian women), to
pursue music, her buried passion. But now, Hobbs has finally made her entrance onto the music scene, and
she'll be here for many years to come.
Her eclectic style that infuses elements of CCM, pop, R&B, and sometimes, soft rock, make it easy to see how
this lover of CeCe Winans, Natalie Grant, and Nicole C. Mullen has mass appeal. Now the journey begins to
introduce the unknown side--the musical side--of Dianna Hobbs to the world.
But make no mistake. Although Hobbs may be new when it comes to pursuing a professional career in the
Christian music industry, to lump her into a category with millions of other aspiring artists and hopefuls simply
trying to "break in," would be a grave error. For years, Hobbs has been interviewing, featuring, and partnering
with the most respected artists and leaders in the country, like: CeCe Winans, Karen Clark Sheard, Israel
Houghton, Kim Burrell, Tye Tribbett, Bishop Eddie Long, Dr. Myles Munroe, Bishop Neil Ellis, and the list goes
on.
Ironically, EEW Magazine, Hobbs' popular web publication, is at the top of the list when it comes to magazines
that labels, managers, publicists, and artists themselves dream of landing features in. With more than a quarter
of a million readers and an impressive list of advertisers like McDonald's, Verizon, Zondervan, Thomas Nelson,
Lionsgate, CNN, and numerous other major corporations, Dianna Hobbs is the go-to source for reaching large
numbers of Christian women of color.
But, even while experiencing much success from her entrepreneurial efforts, deep down, Hobbs knows there's a
huge part of her divine destiny that yet remains untapped--something she is striving to change with the release
of 3 new music singles since July, along with her first-ever music video. Recently, Hobbs inked a partnership
deal with urban Christian label, D.E.M. Records, for the production, distribution, and sale of her music. "Music is
a love and passion of mine and I've been singing since before I could even speak," says Hobbs, a pastor's kid,
who comes from a long line of preachers, singers, and musicians. Over the years, however, the demand of her
business pursuits moved her further and further away from her musical roots. "I remember being about 5 years
old and having others stand me up on offering tables to sing in my bobby socks and ruffle dresses, because I
was just too short for the congregation to see me!" laughs Hobbs. "I used to be so terrified too. I would cry and
plead not to have to sing, but my parents encouraged me to keep going."
To hear the small singer with the big voice (Hobbs is only 5'1" tall), it's hard to believe there is a shy bone in her
body. But according to Hobbs, singing is very personal and she does it for an audience of one, regardless to
how many people are in the room. "I admire people who like singing just to sing," she says. "But for me, I love
the one I'm singing to and that's why I do it. My passion for creating melodies is borne out of my passion for God."
And when it comes to creating melodies, Hobbs is a stellar songwriter. Amazingly, her compositions are
developed outside of the studio first, with only a pen, pad, and her voice. "I guess I have an inverted songwriting
approach. Some people might say it's backwards depending on who you talk to," she continues. "I'll hear a
completed composition in my head first. Lyrics, melody, and even some elements of music. So I'll sing it in a
recorder, format the song, and then I'll ask my producer to create a track that interprets what I'm hearing." After
the track is finished, Hobbs sings all her own background vocals, and typically, does her own arranging from
start to finish.
That's just the kind of woman she is. Independent, driven, and certain of her identity. Now, she has to
re-introduce herself to those who don't yet identify with her artistry. "I know it's not always easy for others who
know me specifically for my work with EEW Magazine to embrace something new. And even with the platform
God has given me, I don't make the assumption that everyone will feel connected to my music. But I also know
that, whoever it is for, no matter the size of that group, will be blessed by it."
Gone are the days when Hobbs fed into that deep-rooted hesitance to break out of her shell. "These songs God
has given to me demand to be sung," she says, "I know the music is not written for me to sing to myself at
home. Someone needs to hear what the Lord has given to me."
Finally, this artist is ready to release all the original tunes that have been smothered by business suits,
conferences, meetings, and numerous duties at EEW Magazine. Her full debut album is slated for a Spring
2011 release.
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