Jan White

Jan expresses an honesty and openess in her songwriting that reveals emotions many people feel but are unable to express.
She was introduced to folk music as a child, joining in with her father and his friends as they sang the folk and protest songs of the 60's. Her dad played guitar and his friend, Bob played banjo. "I was always happiest when we were sitting around playing and singing. I could have stayed there forever."
Growing up in the 60's in Ann Arbor was colorful in itself but Jan's father took things one step further as a physician and political activist. Ed Pierce created the "Peacemobile" from which literature against the Vietnam war was distributed freely and conscientious objectors were employed and welcomed into their home. Pierce was a "street doctor" who served the poor from Summit Street Medical Center and started the first Methadone treatment program for heroin addicts in the Midwest. He later served as mayor of Ann Arbor and as State Senator, working to improve healthcare statewide. Jan was greatly influenced by her father's activism as she searched to make her own mark in society.
Jan began her musical career at 19 when she bought her first Epiphone guitar and told her father she was going to become a performer and share her songs with the world. She moved to Santa Barbara the following year and began learning the songs of Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan. She was encouraged by friends and neighbors who would overhear her practicing and tell her they thought it was the radio. Jan relocated to Sonoma County in Northern California where she settled and has lived for the past thirty years. She began studying songwriting and working with local musicians, sitting in at clubs in Davis and Sebastopol. Then along came marriage and three beautiful children and Jan's music began to take a back seat. After her marriage ended Jan returned to college to study music and public relations. During that time she followed in her father's "community service" footsteps and founded The Boys and Girls Club of Rohnert Park to serve families like her own. All the while Jan continued to play her guitar and perform for small community events.
Then, as her youngest child approached the age of 18 she realized she could still pursue her dream of becoming a recording artist and share her songs with the world. Her father passed on the 4th of July 2002 and left her a small inheritance that she used to buy a PA and Taylor 914ce guitar. She left her job and dedicated herself to writing, recording, and performing. "I think my kids thought I was nuts. They had always seen me as "Mom" and they weren't too sure about this new person they saw me becoming. Now that they have heard my new record though, they are totally behind me and as enthusiastic as I am. It feels good to me because I'm able to show them that you can make your dreams come true with hard work, determination, and guidance from your higher power."
A touch of luck is always helpful too and that came in the form of Pat Campbell, who Jan met at a Cajun dance in May of 2003. She asked him how she could play with some really good musicians. Pat told her to get a paying gig. That conversation began a musical relationship that led Jan on the course she was destined to follow. "Pat has been my angel. He is an amazing musician and human being. I wouldn't be where I am today without his support and guidance. I am so grateful. He truly opened a whole new world for me."
Pat Campbell is well known for "playing within the groove" as a bass player. He has recorded with Don Reno, Chubby Wise, Frank Wakefield and David Nelson on "Pistol Packin Mama." He has worked with John Herald of The Greenbriar Boys, Big Joe Turner, Michael Bloomfield, Jerry Garcia, Mark Naftalin, and Bernie Leadon, to name a few. Pat is also an accomplished Dobro player and adds some beautiful solos to several of Jan's songs.
So now Jan's all set with a fantastic debut album of seven original tunes joined by three covers written by Gram and Emmylou, Rodney Crowell, and Bob Dylan. She was blessed to have Bill Cutler as producer and some of the top Bay Area musicians as her backup band. David Nelson on guitar, Pat Campbell on bass and Dobro, Paul Revelli on Drums, Steve Shufton on keyboard, Barry Sless on Pedal Steel, and Chuck Prophet on guitar. Stephanie Finch added some lovely harmonies and Bill Cutler contributed his own accents on guitar and percussion. The record is beautifully produced with a solid groove by the rhythm section that is right in the pocket every time, solos that leave you wanting more and the vocals up front, pure and honest.
Jan has already played many of the best venues in the area including The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, Sweetwater Saloon in Mill Valley, Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley, Grafitti's in Petaluma, The Sandpiper in Bodega Bay, Aroma Roasters in Santa Rosa. The list goes on