Amanda Jane
I am a brand new artist trying to break ground by combining Rock with other genre elements into an original, radio-friendly format. I try to pack my sound with substance, high-quality production, and the best original songwriting that I can. I have found that the substance-packed lyrics seem to capture the appreciation from listeners of all ages and walks of life. My goal is to make my music about the listener, not about me so much. I love to write about everyday people and try to shed light on the fact that there is always more going on outside of your own world. Even if you don't like Rock with these elements combined, I hope this will capture your attention.
Tenacity (noun): doggedness; persistent determination.
That’s me, Amanda Jane.
It is ironic that I grew up in a very non-musical family because I cannot remember a day when I did not have a tune flowing through my head. I was singing at the age of three and creating melodies by five. My parents always encouraged me but they were, well, my parents…
Like every evolving artist I have had my share of detractors. For example, despite making the state honor choir in sixth grade, in High School, I was told I wasn't good enough to be in the select show choir. However, I refused to let anyone turn me away from music and was determined to stay with it.
Vindication (noun): the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure.
I studied music privately and got prepared to apply to colleges. I also sang as much as I could in church. I ended up attending a private liberal arts college in Iowa and received a music scholarship. I immediately auditioned for the elite college choir that toured nationally and internationally. I made the cut as a freshman and spent the next four years traveling the United States, Europe, and South Africa singing and as a lead soloist on some of the tours.
Iconoclast (noun): breaker of images…
During my time as a college student, I also decided that I didn't want to major in performance, because I didn't want to turn it into something that wasn't fun to do. So, I wrote my own major for Music Business. I was also offered an internship with the college's artist-in-residence, which I accepted.
Devastation (noun): total destruction…
Despite my progress I was still immersed in a world where John Deere was king and Clive Davis an unknown. Needless to say I felt very out of place. My despondency would soon be amplified a million-fold. In January of 2005, my brother was murdered. He was only 24, I was 21, and my world collapsed. I managed to complete an international tour and finished up my last year in college, but I had hit rock bottom. I moved home in an effort to find myself as an artist because I had decided that since life could end so abruptly, I would spend however many remaining days I was granted focusing on what I loved most and was passionate about. Singing at my own brother's funeral was the pivotol moment that made it clear to me what I was here to do-create music that can connect emotionally to other people. I was so broken that I was faced with a choice: unending depression or emerging from the ashes stronger than ever. I chose the latter.
Perseverance (noun): commitment, hard work, patience, endurance.
I started from ground zero and rebuilt my entire musical knowledge base. I struggled to find who I was as a musician and to focus on that truth rather than try to create a fragile artifice so that I could fit a trendy mold. I made ends meet by working for Childserve, assisting children with special needs while sculpting my music in the modest studio I built in an unused corner of the basement. I was tired of hearing other performers talk about themselves all of the time through their music. I wanted to put myself in the shoes of others and make the music about them-not me.
Epiphany (noun): an awakening.
Finally, I had the personal revelation that the most debilitating obstacles that can stand in your way are the ones that you create for yourself. It took me almost three years to truly lock down and nurture my own personal writing style. I developed street smarts and a thick skin and finally found the right people to work with to cut my original material.
Help me make the rest history.
See you at the show,
Amanda Jane
Musical Influences: Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Wynonna Judd, Heart, Melissa Ethridge, Sheryl Crow, Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, ZZ Top, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, Neil Young, Hank Williams, Jr., Bruce Springsteen, The Doobie Brothers, John Cougar Mellencamp, Metallica, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Slash, Guns N' Roses, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Ray Charles, Buckcherry, Green Day, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Daughtry, Evanescence, Shinedown, Trace Adkins and the list goes on.
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