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Catholic Music Star Lives Her Dream and Shares Her Faith
Catholic Music Spotlight Interview with Janelle,
Livin' for Something
By Lisa M. Hendey
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Music Spotlights
Catholic
Recording artist Janelle is not your typical Catholic Mom.
Twenty five years of age and married to her “dream guy” and manager
Jason Reinhart for nearly seven years, Janelle was recently
nominated for a “Juno” – Canada’s music awards, for Album of the
Year in the Christian Music category. This busy wife and musician
is mom to three year old Eric, who she describes as a “little
treasure”.
Along with singing and evangelizing, Janelle loves to bake,
especially pies (from scratch!) and host friends in her home. “My
dream is to open a Bed and Breakfast one day,” shares Janelle.
Catholic music fans are hoping Janelle doesn’t go into the Bed and
Breakfast business too soon. Along with her recent Juno nomination,
Janelle has recently released her second full length CD,
Livin' for Something.
Janelle’s CD single
Be Not Afraid
was team written as a tribute to
the legacy of Pope John Paul II. Written during his illness, two
versions of the original were recorded and sent to the Vatican prior
to his death. Janelle received personal thanks from the Vatican for
her special gift.
Additionally, Janelle has become a role model for young people in
many senses, but particularly through her participation in “Pure
Fashion” shows promoting modest styles for today’s youth. Janelle’s
recent calendar has her touring Canada, planning bilingual and US
concert venues and pursuing her passion for writing.
I had the opportunity to catch up with Janelle recently and am happy
to share the following interview with one of the Catholic music
industry’s rising stars:
Q: How did you come to the decision to dedicate your life and your
musical career to praising God with your talent? Did you ever
contemplate a career in secular music? What has reinforced the
choices you've made to record Christian music?
A: I think entering the Christian music industry scene was a natural
progression of my faith journey. Christ and the Church have always
been a big part of my life and my parents always encouraged me to
server where I could, using the talents God gave me. I would say my
formation at home really paved the way for my mindset. My parents
lead the way in that regard too by their example. They were always
helping out and organizing music concerts and your activities in our
town and for our church. I just figured this is what all families
did!
I never really contemplated a career in secular music unless it was
with the purpose of doing Christian music in that scene in order to
bring more souls to Christ. It was never a matter of, “Oh, I want
to be famous like Celine Dion” or anything. My career in Christian
music was birthed out of many years of using my talents at the
service of the Church and others by singing at Mass, weddings,
funerals, senior homes and such. People liked what I did and the
demand grew, and God seemed to open doors…so I just simply walked
thru them.
God then allowed me to fall in love with Catholic music’s top
manager and booking agent (ok, so maybe I’m biased!) and together we
sought God’s will for us, our family and this specific “music with a
message” mission he entrusted to us.
 Q: How do you mesh being an artist with being a wife and mom? Has
your music changed since you became a mother?
A: I think the “mesh” of wife, mother and artist is a beautiful one
and a never ending display of the natural “flow” of life. I liken
it to the Northern Lights. It’s spectacular experientially and yet
it’s constantly changing colors and shape. It’s a balancing act,
but with Christ all things are possible! Thankfully I have a
wonderful husband who loves me very much and yet pushes me to always
give my best in each area. He’s excellent at maintaining our
priorities. He’ll be the first to ask how my prayer life is or is
always doing “calendar checks” to make sure we’ve scheduled our
“dates”. I also make sure I have time to spend with other moms and
women who encourage me in my faith walk. Songwriting, rehearsing
and music business research and study is also all part of the
picture.
Of course, Eric is the joy of our lives and he continues to make me
laugh every day with his new discoveries or cute questions (like in
Mass – “Can I have a party hat like him?” – pointing at the
Archbishop’s miter!). All these experiences contribute to my
songwriting and my deliverance in concert, but each role never
opposes the other – they just complete me.
Q: I've read about your many wonderful life experiences! Can you
tell us about a few of the performances you've had that have really
shined for you and been the most special?
A: There are three performances that stick out to me. The first
was the “Pure Fashion Show” (promoting modesty) in Atlanta last
year. It was so encouraging to see so many young women take a stand
against the pop culture of immodesty to say that they were part of a
counter revolution that was out to change the world for Christ. It
filled me with hope, not to mention it was an artist’s dream stage
to perform on.
The second event is the junior high schools. The kids come in with
hard hearts, crossed arms and looks as if to say, “You’d better come
out with something good or I’m outta here!” And the, over the
course of an hour with them, God softens their hearts and they are
on fire! God is so awesome! His love is truly irresistible!
And the third was when I opened for Michael W. Smith. I had always
dreamed of sharing a stage with him and it was like a kiss from
heaven when God said, “Here you go my daughter, I love you this
much: enough to grant your this desire of your heart!” (Even if I
made it as a child!)
Q: What makes your new project,
Livin' for Something,
unique and different from your previous work? How would you
describe your musical style?
A:
Livin' for Something
is an album with a very defined theme. It’s all about people
finding the urgency of the mission to conquer souls for Christ and
the reality that that mission is the only reason and purpose of our
existence. We were made to know, love and serve God. Knowing that,
we are compelled to share this message with others. And time is
precious – let’s use it well!
My musical style has definitely evolved since
New Day.
It’s a little edgier and more rock. The response from the youth has
been great and I’ve been really enjoying performing the new tunes!
The energy of the songs live is really palpable and driving – it
makes you want to go out and change the world!
Q: What advice would you give to young people who have a dream and
want to live their faith in their vocations?
A: God plants dreams in our hearts for a reason – it’s because He
has confidence in our potential to do great things for Him. Follow
Our Lady’s example and “ponder it in your heart”. Then take steps
to make it happen without necessarily announcing to the world what
your big vision is! (I always dreamed of singing on big stages, but
at 13 years old, who believes you?! So I just kept singing at every
chance I got and prayed confidently, knowing God had a plan.)
Then keep your priorities straight and be obedient to God’s will
even if what He asks you to do doesn’t seem to fit into your plan of
how the pursuit of your dream should go!
Who would have thought changing diapers would make me a more
effective pop artist? I thought having a baby would be the end of
my career as a pop/rock artist, in Christian music or out of it.
But it hasn’t! Changing diapers after concerts keeps me humble –
praise God! If you do that, you’re set! Happiness and fulfillment
will be yours in Christ Jesus!
For more information on Janelle and her music, visit her web site at
www.janelle.cc. To order her CD
Livin' for Something
visit
Catholic Music Network.
Lisa M. Hendey is webmaster of
www.CatholicMom.com , a wife and mother of two and a Catholic
music fan and supporter. Visit her at
www.LisaHendey.com for more information.
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