Jan Smith

Mama Jan Smith began her musical career as a performer, singer and songwriter, releasing her first album at the age of 15.{{cite web|url=http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/15397848/article-Behind-the-music--Jan-Smith-earns-her-spot-in-the-Georgia-Music-Hall-of-Fame?instance=lead_story_left_column |title=The Marietta Daily Journal - Behind the music Jan Smith earns her spot in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame |publisher=Mdjonline.com |date= |access-date=2013-03-07}} She has recorded albums both as a solo artist and with music projects, including her 1995 solo release Rain on Rogue Records, and releases from the Jan Smith Band and the Eclectic Cowboys.{{cite web|url=http://www.roguerecords.biz/about.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306054943/http://www.roguerecords.biz/about.htm |archive-date=2005-03-06 |title=Rogue Enterprises, Inc. - About |date=2005-03-06 |access-date=2013-03-08}}{{cite web |url=http://atlanta.thebackstagebeat.com/2011/08/33rd-georgia-music-hall-of-fame-awards/ |title=GA Music Hall of Fame Awards | The Backstage Beat Atlanta |publisher=Atlanta.thebackstagebeat.com |date= |access-date=2013-03-07 |archive-date=2012-04-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429100503/http://atlanta.thebackstagebeat.com/2011/08/33rd-georgia-music-hall-of-fame-awards/ |url-status=dead }} She also provided background vocals for Atlanta Rhythm Section on their 1997 release Partly Plugged.{{cite web|author=Jan Smith |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jan-smith-mn0001232965/credits |title=Jan Smith - Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date= |access-date=2013-03-08}} As the founder of Jan Smith Studios, Inc. in Atlanta, Smith is a vocal coach/producer providing services for a wide range of vocalists, including Rob Thomas, Usher, Ciara, Sugarland, India.Arie, TLC, The Band Perry, Legarda, Drake, Justin Bieber and MattyB.{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/justin-bieber-usher-to-honor-vocal-coach-producer-jan-smith-on-sept-17/9207209 |title=Justin Bieber + Usher to Honor Vocal Coach/Producer Jan Smith on Sept. 17 @ARTISTdirect |publisher=Artistdirect.com |date= |access-date=2013-03-07}}{{cite web|url=https://www.johnjarrardfoundation.com/artist/jan-smith/ |title=Jan Smith |publisher=The John Jarrard Foundation |date=2013-01-18 |access-date=2013-03-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015111612/http://www.johnjarrardfoundation.com/artist/jan-smith/ |archive-date=2011-10-15 }} Smith has appeared as a guest on television and in documentaries, including Duets, Behind the Scenes, R U the Girl?, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and in the documentary Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.{{cite web |author=Blazetrak |url=http://www.blazetrak.com/professional_bio_credits.php?proid=21530 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410155527/http://www.blazetrak.com/professional_bio_credits.php?proid=21530 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |title=Blazetrak |publisher=Blazetrak |date= |access-date=2013-03-07 }}{{cite web |url=https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2010/12/06/real-housewives-of-atlanta-auto-tune-acting-other-annoyances/ |title=Real Housewives of Atlanta: Auto-tune, acting & other annoyances |publisher=Atlanta INtown Paper |date=2010-12-06 |access-date=2013-03-07 |archive-date=2012-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012161710/http://www.atlantaintownpaper.com/2010/12/real-housewives-of-atlanta-auto-tune-acting-other-annoyances/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4291477/ |title=Jan Smith on IMDB |website=IMDb |access-date=2013-03-07}} She also co-wrote and produced the Justin Bieber song "Where Are You Now?", which appeared as a bonus track on the Australian and Wal-Mart versions of the singer's debut album My World 2.0.{{cite web|last=Ross |first=Kevin |url=http://www.radiofacts.com/justin-bieber%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98secret-weapon%E2%80%99-vocal-coach-jan-smith-talks-about-prepping-teen-idol-bieber-for-his-rise-to-stardom/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411164602/http://www.radiofacts.com/justin-bieber%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98secret-weapon%E2%80%99-vocal-coach-jan-smith-talks-about-prepping-teen-idol-bieber-for-his-rise-to-stardom/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-11 |title=Justin Bieber'S 'Secret Weapon' Vocal Coach Jan Smith Talks About Prepping Teen Idol Bieber For His Rise To Stardomradio Facts |publisher=Radiofacts.com |access-date=2013-03-08 }}

Smith has written two books. The first, So You Want To Sing Rock-n-Roll, is a guide for singers who want to become artists. The second, Run The Other Way, is a compilation of her autobiographical writings on her spiritual beliefs.{{cite web|url=http://www.womenetics.com/Arts-Entertainment/newest-inductee-georgia-music-hall-of-fame |title=Newest Inductee, Georgia Music Hall of Fame | Arts & Entertainment |publisher=Womenetics.com |date=2011-08-23 |access-date=2013-03-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502151758/http://womenetics.com/Arts-Entertainment/newest-inductee-georgia-music-hall-of-fame |archive-date=2013-05-02 }} In 2002, she teamed up with producer Huston Singletary to form Smith & Huston Productions, a production facility that worked primarily with unsigned artists to produce demos.{{cite web |url=http://www.izotope.com/artists/huston_singletary.asp |title=iZotope, Inc - Audio Processing Technology and Plug-Ins for Pro Tools, VST, MAS, Audio Unit, and DirectX |publisher=Izotope.com |date= |access-date=2013-03-08 |archive-date=2013-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117003006/http://izotope.com/artists/huston_singletary.asp |url-status=dead }} In 2010, she founded Plumbline Music Group with business partners Andre Young and Jeffrey Wooten. The company offers a range of music industry services, including production, marketing, management and legal representation.{{cite web|url=http://digital.modernluxury.com/publication/index.php?i=135971&m=&l=&p=113&pre=&ver=flex |title=JEZE December 2012 |publisher=Digital.modernluxury.com |date= |access-date=2013-03-07}} In 2011 Smith, along with businessman Jim Ramseur, founded the Bridge Music Foundation, a non-profit that teaches aspiring musicians the business aspects of a musical career.

Smith was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September 17, 2011, and presented with the Chairmen's Award. Usher and Justin Bieber were present at the ceremony, joining her on stage.{{cite web|url=http://infostarcelebrity.blogspot.nl/2011/09/video-justin-bieber-performs-in-honor.html |title=InfoStar Celebrity: Video - Justin Bieber Performs in Honor of Mama Jan Smith – Backstage Pics! |publisher=Infostarcelebrity.blogspot.nl |date=2011-09-18 |access-date=2013-03-07}}{{cite web|author=Justin Bieber & Usher Honor Vocal Coach Jan Smith |url=http://m.etonline.com/v/Music/JustinBieberUsherHon/?KSID=6599fac7a8276a7fbdb523e5d77610a0&ints_viewed=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130409060655/http://m.etonline.com/v/Music/JustinBieberUsherHon/?KSID=6599fac7a8276a7fbdb523e5d77610a0&ints_viewed=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-09 |title=Entertainment Tonight - Music - Justin Bieber & Usher Honor Vocal Coach Jan Smith |publisher=M.etonline.com |date=2011-12-20 |access-date=2013-03-07 }} She was also recognized by ASCAP, when she was honored in 2011 at ASCAP Rhythm & Soul's 3rd Annual Women Behind the Music Series.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/backbeat/1159609/backbeat-janelle-monae-jan-smith-uwonda-carter-honored-at-ascap-rhythm |title=Backbeat: Janelle Monae, Jan Smith & Uwonda Carter Honored At ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Event |publisher=Billboard |date=2011-11-23 |access-date=2013-03-07}} She has served as a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, for 25 years, including as a trustee of the Atlanta Chapter, and is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and the Georgia Music Industry Association.{{cite web|author=GRAMMY.com |url=http://www.grammy.com/news/jan-smith-is-atlantas-secret-vocal-sauce |title=Jan Smith Is Atlanta's Secret Vocal Sauce |publisher=GRAMMY.com |date=2012-10-09 |access-date=2013-03-07}} In 2005, she was named as a member of the expert committee for the Chinese Golden Disc Awards, awards that recognize artists, acts and members of the Chinese recording industry.{{cite web|author=|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200410/11/eng20041011_159713.html |title=People's Daily Online - China unveils second "golden disc" award |publisher=English.people.com.cn |date=2004-10-11 |access-date=2013-03-08}} In 2012, Smith was nominated for a Grammy for the Diane Warren song "Born To Be Somebody."{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/277725/complete-list-of-nominees-for-the-54th-annual-grammy-awards |title=Complete List of Nominees for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards | E! Online |publisher=Uk.eonline.com |date=2011-11-30 |access-date=2013-03-08}} Produced by Smith and co-produced by Brandon Hamilton, the song was part of the documentary Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, and earned a nomination for Best Song for Visual Media.{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/playback/2012/02/wecreatemusic/brandon-blue-hamilton.aspx |title=Brandon Hamilton's "Blue" Streak |publisher=Ascap.com |date=2012-02-22 |access-date=2013-03-08}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.jansmith.com/ Jan Smith Studios]
• [http://bridgemusicfoundation.org/ Bridge Music Foundation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217132216/http://bridgemusicfoundation.org/ |date=2013-02-17 }}

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Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:American rock songwriters

Category:American rock singers

Category:American gospel singers

Category:American women singer-songwriters

Category:Musicians from Atlanta

Category:American vocal coaches

Category:Record producers from Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:American women record producers

Category:21st-century American women

Category:Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)