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Life & Work with Janet Wirth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Wirth.

Janet Wirth

Hi Janet, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Milwaukee WI and music has always been my passion. For as long as I can remember, I loved singing. I would spend hours upon hours in my oldest sister’s room listening and singing along word for word to all her albums over and over, knowing every note and every lyric to every song. This would include the Ktel albums that were a hot number if you are old enough to remember those.

We were a musically driven family and both my sisters played guitar and we sang, we had all the gear, guitars, amplifiers, and microphones and we were entertainment for gatherings at our home and away, I was in every music offering going through school, competed in the school held vocal competitions, was in all the musicals, Chorus, Glee Club, Swing Choir.

There was our 4H Club that offered a Music and Drama offering and we had an amazing group that would compete annually and then would perform our show at the retirement communities which was always fun and rewarding. I loved doing a local variety show for many years with a local church that was quite the production. Back when I was younger the Karaoke when first evolved was called “The Singing Machine” and that is how I met my first band “Crossroad Country”. Which then led to several bands over the years while still in Milwaukee playing gigs for private parties, festivals, local clubs, and the like.

Then met my husband Blane while he was in town traveling for business and heard me playing at a club. Got married and detoured away from music. Transplanted to Shakopee MN in 1998. Call it 25 years of a break from music. But the passion was not gone. I picked up my first guitar 5 years ago and had a vision to become a solo artist.

Started attending open mics and meeting some incredible artists that have been amazing mentors and friends. Also got introduced to a Singer Songwriters Challenge Group that has changed my life. You are given a prompt to write a song every couple of weeks, then record a video and share it with the FB group for all to hear and comment. I have recently gone into a studio and recorded and released two of my original songs! “Some Turn and Walk Away” and “Expectations”.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The hardest part for me was making the solo artist’s vision become a reality. I went to my first open mic just over a year ago. Sat there and listened not signed up to perform at that point and said to myself “You are going to chicken out and not get up, aren’t you?”

Well, I also said to myself “What the heck have you got to lose… get up there!” And I did it! So, the open mics and Singer-Songwriter Spotlights are special to me and have become some of my favorite places to perform. And the awesome people you meet, have led to gigs at some amazing places!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My professional life has been in the floor covering industry in the commercial flooring arena. Now able to enjoy part-time Retail Sales at Floors To Go in Shakopee MN. Which allows more time for MUSIC!

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Open mics and Singer-Songwriter Spotlights have been amazing for finding all kinds of mentors that I call friends, family, and my tribe. I truly believe we as artists all support and network through each other.

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