Meet Janie Waddell | Country Music Artist & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janie Waddell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
In my experience, I have found that every risk I have taken has led to both career and personal growth. For my career I’ve taken risks like moving to Nashville to pursue an unconventional dream, deciding to write music that is different from anything I’ve ever released before, and applying to opportunities such as TV shows and performances that I’ve felt I was largely underqualified for.

Regardless of the outcome, every risk I’ve taken has made me stronger and led me to believe in the music I create even more. It’s always scary to take that chance, but at the end of the day, you are going to learn from it no matter what happens. It’s true when they say the worst thing someone can tell you is “no,” so I wholeheartedly believe that it is always worth it to take that leap of faith and chase the opportunities in front of you.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a country artist and writer, I have the pleasure of getting to take feelings and situations and turn them into piece of music. I’m currently living in Nashville, TN, writing music with other writers in town almost every day of the week, and working at a restaurant at night to help pay the bills. As of May 14th I officially have 3 singles that have been released out into the world, which is crazy for me to think about sometimes!

More than anything, getting to where I am now took a lot of honing my craft and really putting the time and effort into building my skill set. Growing up, I was always playing gigs around Atlanta, writing songs every time I got a chance to, and studying the Billboard Country charts to see what was performing well & who the power players were in the industry. One thing I’ve discovered as I’ve continued to grow in my career is that these career-building habits don’t stop once you start seeing success. I am still keeping up with all the major writers and artists in town, redetermining what I want to say with every song I put out, and working to better myself as a writer and artist.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned so far are, firstly, to build good habits from the get-go. Get used to spending time practicing, networking with people, and researching the industry you’re working in. It will benefit you much more than you’d think. My other big takeaway is to not be discouraged in the moments when the grind starts to really wear on you. You are going to have times when it all seems too hard and a part of you wonders if it is worth it – that is normal and it does not mean this is not the path for you! Remember your dream in those moments. Instead of giving up, let your goals be the fuel that keeps you going. With determination, passion, and dedication to your end goals, you will absolutely accomplish anything you put your mind to.

I want the world to know that your story is unique, so don’t try to compare it to other people’s timelines and successes. There is no rush or “set time” when certain benchmarks should be reached. I wrote my most recent single, Without Lightning, 6 years ago and am just now releasing it. Was that my plan for it from the start? No! But, the experience I have now and the incredible folks I get to work with have made this song so much better than it would have been 6 years ago. This is YOUR journey. Own it, believe in it, and enjoy the process of achieving your dreams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is such a fun question. Given that I don’t live in Atlanta full-time anymore, these are also some of the spots I miss the most when I’m away in Nashville!

First up, food! One stop would definitely be Antico Pizza. Everything is made fresh, the ingredients are authentic, and the pizza is truly unreal. It’s an unassuming spot, but easily some of the best pizza in Atlanta. A fun lunch spot would be Henri”s Bakery and Deli. The baked goods are INCREDIBLE, as are the sandwiches.

Activity-wise, one afternoon would definitely be spent exploring Ponce City Market and walking the beltline. In the evening, I’d love to take my friend over to The Battery to get some drinks and hang out. Punch Bowl Social is an especially good time, and their boozy milkshakes are some of the best.

For the museum and aquarium fans, The World of Coke, The Georgie Aquarium, and The High Museum are must-see places. On a rainy day those are great ways to spend the afternoon!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
As cliche as this is, I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my incredible parents. Chasing a career in music in risky and much less stable than other career paths I could have gone with, but my parents have been cheering me on since day one. They continuously push me to be the best I can be, encourage me on the days when the grind starts to feel like too much, and never fail to believe in me, even in the moments I don’t believe in myself. I am where I am today because of their constant support and gentle pushes to keep growing as an artist and songwriter. Grateful is truly an understatement!

Website: https://janiewaddell.com/home

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janiewaddell__/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/janiewaddell__?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Janie-Waddell-1456391341282143/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVSIAW4axL2-Mzf_D98b_2Q

Image Credits
Zachary Anderson Victoria Metzger Thomas Crabtree