HHS grad overcomes shyness
to lead Shania Twain tribute
By:Alec Moore
During her years at Hillsborough High School, Valerie Hnasko never envisioned herself walking in the footsteps of a star and in a way, that is exactly what the former HHS grad is doing today. Ms. Hnasko, whose maiden name is Villegas, is the star and lead vocalist of "Simply Shania," a central New Jersey-based band that pays tribute to country-rock music icon Shania Twain.
"When I was at Hillsborough High School, I never would have imagined that I would be doing this," said Ms. Hnasko, who described herself as being very shy during her Raider years. Since then, however, the former Hillsborough resident, who now lives in Edison with her husband and 19-year-old son, has certainly blossomed in the spotlight.
Decked out in custom tailored costumes designed to match many of Shania Twain’s more popular outfits and singing with a sultry soulful sound that mimics that of the real Shania Twain, often before thousands of cheering concert goers, Ms. Hnasko truly mirrors the Grammy-winning recording artist in every way.
"It’s such a thrill to be on stage, there’s nothing else like it," said Ms. Hnasko, who noted that while Simply Shania prides itself on being a tribute band, there have been moments when the applause and praise of audiences almost make the band members think otherwise.
A recent performance in Lodi, for example, stands out in Ms. Hnasko’s mind.
"It was the most memorable night because the audience was so connected to us," she said. "They made us feel like we were the real deal and you just don’t forget the moments like that. It was almost like it was magical."
Although Ms. Hnasko has never had the opportunity to meet Shania Twain she did present her with a bouquet of flowers at the end of one of Ms. Twain’s concerts. Inside the bouquet was a letter, from Ms. Hnasko to Ms. Twain, telling her all about Simply Shania.
Simply Shania got its start in 1998 after Ms. Hnasko and her husband, Buddy Hnasko who had long been interested in putting a band together with his wife as the lead singer realized that his wife’s voice and appearance fit the image, sound and style of Shania Twain like a glove.
"We both wanted to establish something that would stand out and Shania just sounded right for me vocally," said Ms. Hnasko, who then began to devote countless hours of rehearsal time to fine tuning her singing style to mimic Shania Twain’s as closely as possible.
One of the band’s first major performances was in the summer of 2000, when the band had the honor of opening for country music legend Tanya Tucker at the Pat Garrett Amphitheater in Strausetown, Pa. Since then the band has performed at countless summer concert series throughout the tri-state area.
Most recently the band completed a concert tour for American troops stationed in Japan at the Sasebo Naval Base, the Atsugi Naval Air Base and Yokosuka Air Base between April 1 through April 6.
"It was an amazing experience," Ms. Hnasko said of the tour, sponsored by AKA Productions. "When we think of the number of bands who wanted this tour and were considered for it, we just couldn’t believe it when we got the call to do it."
Although the overseas tour was a grueling journey, consisting of more than 40 hours of travel, Ms. Hnasko says the travel hardships paled in comparison to the thrill the band received from performing for the troops. She noted that she and fellow band members were especially touched when a squadron of pilots with New Jersey ties appropriately dubbed "Exit 13" expressed how much they enjoyed the show and commented that it was a great morale booster, since the squadron was preparing to depart for the Persian Gulf.
"It was truly a very memorable experience that we’ll all cherish for a lifetime," Ms. Hnasko said of the tour.
Simply Shania will again depart on another overseas tour to entertain the troops when the band plays before U.S. and NATO forces in Kosovo and Macedonia between May 17 and May 24. The group will be back in the states on June 1 to perform at the WXTU (92.5 FM) Anniversary Show at the Tweeter Center in Camden.
The band will then be performing at the Anti-Drug Concert at the Depken Athletic Center in Hasbrouck Heights on June 21 and at the Freehold Summer Concert in downtown Freehold on July 11. (Rain dates for the June 21 and July 11 concerts will be June 22 and July 12 respectively.) On July 27 the band will follow up its 2000 performance at the Pat Garret Amphitheater when it opens for country music great George Jones.
Behind the glitz and the glamour of her part-time musical career and on-stage persona, Ms. Hnasko says she is a working wife and mother first and foremost.
"I’m lucky because I have the best of both worlds," she said, noting that she has been asked many times by music industry insiders if she and the band have ever considered striking out on their own with original music to win a recording contract.
Ms. Hnasko is quick to point out that while that prospect is enticing, she tries very hard to keep her head out of the clouds.
"This is such a tough business and there’s just not enough time in my life right now, so I try to keep my feet on the ground," she said. "If the right opportunity comes knocking though, you just never know."