Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Shawhan.
Hi Jenny, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a full time performing musician, singer songwriter and recording artist. I started out singing and playing church hymns at the piano with my grandma. That slowly turned into lessons, choirs, and going to Nashville’s Belmont University for music. The songwriting and guitar playing came much later for me. And it has been a lot of love and experimenting ever since, and building a network of support around me. I walked away 10 years ago from the last day job I had. I started playing an open mic at a coffee shop in Lafayette, CO. My first gig came from that and last week I flew back to Nashville for my debut at the world famous Bluebird Cafe “in the round” show. Definitely a full circle moment for me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think it’s the life part that’s been my greatest challenge and accomplishment. I’ve had physical and mental health stuff to sort out – being a vulnerable, sensitive human is a wonderful super power as a creative, and the trade off is constant dedication. My main instrument (my voice) is in my body, and for me that requires extra TLC.
And the rest of it I just go and mess up and figure it out. Everything from managing my health to how to talk to people, create appropriate boundaries, speak up for yourself, what to prioritize, what to hang on to and let go of…what do I really want, what is my “why”?
I recently heard someone say, “You’re not crazy, you’re just first.” This was so affirming for me. I was the first in my family to go to college, to pursue music, to move out of state. I think some of the struggle just goes with the territory when you’re blazing your own trail.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an independent artist and play music professionally from solo to full band – ticketed venue shows, opener slots, festivals, writer’s nights, corporate and private events, from golf clubs to dive bars. Lately I am playing more of my original music and covering songs that fit my vibe/style. I have released two records now, the first of which we kick-started during covid and received an all star review from Steve Wine at Associated Press. I am starting some new endeavors and collaborations I am currently having fun adding more opener slots and listening rooms to my resume, starting a streaming partnership with Volume.com, and working on a new female lead rock review show.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Maybe more than I give myself credit for. I have kind of always been a “follow your heart” kind of person, whether it met other’s approval or not. I’ve lost people over it for sure. I think a lot of times when I take a risk it feels more like – “Ok, I will regret this, or my heart will literally stop beating if I skip this” so then I jump in, ready or not for the consequences and just go for it.
For me, my marriage and my divorce, the decision to leave my day job and pursue music in my 30’s seem like the major ones. And even now, continuing this wild and unpredictable “Alice in Wonderland” like path everyday feels like risky business;)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennyshawhan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyshawhan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyshawhan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JennyShawhan/featured
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jennyshawhan
Image Credits
Shana Cook Photography
