By: Christina Dore

Country musicians Angela Hacker and Zac Hacker are not newcomers to the Wrightsville Beach area, but this September they’ll be returning to Kefi with songwriter James LeBlanc, along with some brand new prestige under their belts. The brother-and-sister duo participated in the most recent season of “Nashville Star”—essentially a country music version of “American Idol”—and both came out in the top ranks; Angela was the winner of Season Five, and Zac was a Season-Five runner-up.

Stopping by Kefi, a fondly remembered hangout of the Hackers, I spoke with Karen Pennington, a Nashville native who is both an employee at Kefi and one of their good friends. I discovered a lot about the siblings and their passion for music, even what it was like before they earned their newfound fame.

Pennington, who has connections with the country-music business, was lucky to have Angela Hacker delivered to her when she was doing a local fund-raiser in Wrightsville Beach about four years ago. Hacker, along with two other songwriters, was able to help raise about $10,000 in one single night.

“Over the course of the weekend, Angela and the other two songwriters took a boat ride, came to Kefi, played one night here, and they also played at Wilson’s on Market Street, and had a really good time. And she has remembered us over the past four years,” Pennington says.

Pennington recounts how during and after “Nashville Star,” Angela remained in contact with the folks at Kefi and was eager to return to the “cool little beer joint by the beach.”

Ever since its opening, Kefi has had a broad spectrum of music genres coming in, assembling a diverse mix of reggae, acoustic one-acts outside on the porch, raw Southern rock and the occasional bluegrass group. Still, country musicians like the Hackers and James LeBlanc are always welcomed and remembered with sincere affection.

“I think they’re a little edgier at times than some country artists; they certainly have some roots in traditional bluegrass and country music,” Pennington explains, informing me that the brother and sister grew up with a family and home of music. “It’s in their bones.”

After winning “Nashville Star,” Angela Hacker scored a contract with Warner Bros., and cut and released her debut album, The Winner Is Angela Hacker, in April 2007. With her brother Zac and two other finalists from the show, they toured extensively to over 30 cities, and made live appearances at Nashville’s Fanfair and the Grand Ole Opry. Zac Hacker is also focusing on his career as a solo musician.

James LeBlanc has had three songs appear on the charts and has gained enormous momentum in the country music world. His album I’m Here was recently released this month on iTunes, Napster and other download sites.

The Hackers and James LeBlanc will be at Kefi on Friday, September 5th, and Saturday, September 6th, to perform an acoustic show. The show begins at 9:30pm both nights, and tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door. In an intimate setting that’s conveniently close by, take this opportunity to spend a night with the stars!