Growing up writing music, attending voice and guitar lessons and participating in every high school musical production she could, Elon University first year Rachel Hobbs is used to the spotlight.
“Ever since I was little, I would ask my mom where a microphone was,” Rachel Hobbs said.
Her love of country singing has drawn her to the stage since she was 9-years-old. Now in college, she has the opportunity to take her passion even further along with her older twin sisters.
“I would always watch them when I was little,” Rachel Hobbs said. “They love singing. It’s their passion, and they are pursuing it as a career.”
Recent graduates from Wake Forest University, sisters Hannah and Lauren Hobbs graduated with degrees in communications and a dream of traveling to Nashville to become a professional country trio. Since the youngest sister is away at college, Hannah and Lauren have moved back home to Pittsburgh and are working as a temporary duo to build a larger fan base and gain more experience from playing at different venues.
“I’m not a permanent member of the group right now because we’re all at such different stages of our lives,” Rachel Hobbs said.
Although the band hasn’t put activities on hold for their little sister, the duo established the band name The Hobbs Sisters to leave an open spot for their final member.
“We would love nothing more than to have Rachel as a full time member of The Hobbs Sisters,” Hannah Hobbs said. “We love performing as a duo, but there is something so cool about having the three of us onstage together.”
Even with the distance, Rachel Hobbs tries to maintain her presence in the group, collaborating long distance on lyrics and opening for The Swon Brothers, a duo that placed third on season four of “The Voice.”
The trio’s music has played on radio stations in Pittsburgh, and they have created their own EP, which is available on iTunes.
“Our trio works so well on stage,” said the other half of the duo, sister Lauren Hobbs. “We all bring our own style and our own sound to the group. Rachel always brings really unique ideas to the table. She helps us think outside of the box.”
With every Hobbs child seeking stardom, a dream that would make most parents quiver, all three sisters have considered the cost of their dreams. To be safe, the Hobbs have or are working toward a college degree. Coincidentally, they have all decided on majors in communications, each with their own special focus.
“I love politics, and I think at Elon they have such a great communications program. I could definitely see myself taking advantage of those opportunities,” Rachel Hobbs said. “We all have a similar back-up plan, but we’d love for the music thing to work out. You never know where life takes you.”
Even with the industry’s lack of guaranteed policy and ever-changing demands of singers, the Hobbs family stands firmly behind their children’s dreams.
“I think we’re really blessed to have such supportive parents that want us to go after our dream,” Rachel Hobbs said. “I think they feel the same way we do in that you might as well go after your dream and give it everything you have.”
The dream remains, but for now her sisters are back in Pittsburgh, and her new life is beginning in North Carolina. As the sisters continue to prepare their futures, they offer their little sister advice for her own future.
Hannah Hobbs said that making time for music develops skills to be a better artist and also can help to unwind and relax.
“Even though college is an extremely busy time of your life, make time every day to do something for your music,” Hannah Hobbs said.
Heeding her sister’s advice, Rachel Hobbs is looking for her own outlets to improve her vocal skills, beginning with minoring in music production and finding clubs that appeal to her skills.
“I’ve heard from a lot of people that there are open mic nights on campus that I plan on taking advantage of,” she said. “And definitely when I go home, we have shows booked for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I’m really looking forward to that.”
For all three Hobbs girls, the goal of one day reaching Nashville with an established fan base and success from their own talent remains. Whether the trio follows through with plan A or B, what will always remain is their unconditional love and shared passion for singing.
“I definitely look up to them in so many ways,” Rachel Hobbs said. “And I’m so fortunate to have sisters who are so supportive of everything that I do and that I could definitely call my best friends.”