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Janelle Sadler / Blog

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Thanks so much to my friends for checking out our live version of Elton John's "DANIEL!" We recorded it live at Cucina Rustica in downtown LA about a year ago. You all make my world, and I appreciate your interest in listening to our music! Muah!

Relocated to FLORIDA!

Sometimes you have to step back and ask yourself that nagging question: AM I HAPPY? I was forced to do this recently when my band leader partner Phil Settle suddenly passed away. To watch him coming to terms with his unexpected fate was quite the awakening and a shock to my heart. ARE YOU HAPPY? REALLY? These words rang in my head for weeks, until one day I had to admit, that no... I wasn't. Los Angeles had made my career, set into motion opportunities I never would have had, opened up my mind to new ways of thinking and more sophisticated music..It also was thrilling hanging with so many courageous artists who had left THEIR hometowns and took the chances they needed to grow. As time passes however, you begin to miss the little things like having lunch with your mom on Mother's Day. It's been 23 years of achievement and lessons in CA. Now it's onto the new phase of family, music performed on a smaller playing field and the gift of taking a breath to enjoy the moment, not just chase after the next notable gig. Of course as I write this, I've been on the phone to agents, musicians and club owners.....Starting the wheels turning in the Sunshine State! Some things never change. xox

Steve Downey
Steve Downey  (about 9 years ago)

very wise words being with and near parents is very important xx

Time for forgiveness and hope

It seems this time of year always reminds me of the good in my life and the gratitude I have for the blessings... A home, family, my music and the lessons that the 2011 challenges have brought. Fear not...fear NOT. Don't look back, look at TODAY...be happy my friends, or at least stay determined. I will never be satisfied with anything I've ever recorded or written, (because that is the life of an artist)...but at the end of the day, this flawed path testifies of someone who pushed the air around and tried to make a mark. What else can we ask of ourselves? Keep swingin', keep creating, and keep loving each other! Happy New Year! 2012baby!!

THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC

Well, it's definitely been a hustle around here in LA LA land! A positive attitude seems to helps immensely when you are scrounging up work in an economically depressed market. However, all seems to be well, hope it is the same for all of my REVERBNATION fans and friends. The guitar has become my buddy once again after being banished to the closet for a few years. I can't tell you how many memories this instrument brings back to me every time I pick it up. The memory of feeling hopeful and excited about the music, about the possibilities and the joy of singing. I just feel GOOD when I play! What can I say, except thank you GOD for challenging me to change my focus during this time of life. Nothing makes me feel sexier than being independent and self reliant. I just love it. Now if I could just pay someone to change those damn strings..... Okay. I have a long way to go..... HAA! Have a GREAT week and kick some ass out there! It isn't over until YOU say it is, so don't give in. HUGS! Janelle

Letting go

A friend of mine just posted a wonderfully edited video of me sitting in with four of my stellar musician buds in a club. We did a casual shoot of a jam on "Come Together" by the Beatles and by the time my editor friend had gotten done with it, the visuals just blew me away! He helped to convey such passion in the performance, but here is where the other shoe drops. I'm stewing about my vocal performance! DAMN!!! It was LIVE, it was RAW and it was in a loud band situation, so I can always find fault with myself. Now here's the point of this blog: I've been learning to face my people pleasing demons and be more in the moment concerning this type of anxiety. These demons have nipped at my heels for many years. A LOT of musician performers experience it. The dreaded perfectionism. If EVERYONE isn't just head over heels about that one musical moment in time, I feel like I'm being stoned in the town square, sad to say. Since my job requires me to take chances and go with gut instincts, this fear can be quite crippling if allowed to take control as we HAVE to give everything we have. You can't hold back or wait for the sound to be right, or the lighting to be perfect. You have to commit. Commitment is what creates greatness and I believe in that with all my heart. Maybe not greatness every time you perform, but knowing in your soul that you have a RIGHT to make music and to be heard...that's a powerful thing. Our job is to move people...to inspire people....If someone doesn't get it THIS time, there is always tomorrow. Who CARES? Be brave, my artistic friends and support each other in the quest. Hugs, Janelle

Red Carpet Fun

Yes, it's strange. You dress up as best you can, drive thru the pouring rain hoping the false eyelashes don't fall off and there you are. Standing there with your escort (ANUP SUGUNAN from RnR Fantasy Camp) and facing a lengthy stretch of cameras and flashbulbs.

The stylish blonde women interview you intently for a couple minutes at each stop, the camera men yell your name...and you silently remind yourself how glad you were that you studied up on the event. Yes, it's good to be in the press bowl, but you have to know why you are there..if you DON'T, it can be quite embarrassing! In THIS case, it was the MOVIEGUIDE AWARDS, which honors family entertainment of all forms. I did pretty well and promoted my video single "Nothin' Stupid" with fervor. What's more "family" than a video with bondage overtones? Yeah, baby!

Meeting Pat Boone was fabulous. He has always had a soft spot in my heart since he covered the heavy metal tunes on an album he made in the eighties. The church was in an uproar about it at the time and he took his lumps, but he never flinched. LOVE THAT!! Pat Boone BRAVELY sang OZZY, folks! He da' man!

I hope you enjoy the photos I posted from the event!

Hope you all will keep in touch, I love to hear what you are doing. Cheers, Janelle

JANUARY NAMM SHOW in ANAHEIM, CA

There is something incredible about attending this huge convention every year in Southern Cal.... First of all, it's like a high school reunion..you walk the massive showroom floor and run into folks you haven't seen in ten years, so you KNOW you'd better make sure you're lookin' good when you arrive. And don't wear some outfit that looked good on you in the early nineties. You'd better work some new approach..something current, my friends, but I'd avoid anything that smacks of Lady Gaga. :D Oh what the hell, on second thought: DO IT! The Namm show is all about making a splash and getting attention...so go ahead and wear the meat dress, ladies. The main reason I'm excited this year is I actually get to perform my single "NOTHIN' STUPID" during the ICON NAMM JAM that takes place in the convention lobby area around 5:30 or 6pm on January 14th. It will be my first time singing this tune LIVE! The NAMM jam is hosted by Alan White from YES, so you KNOW it's going to attract allll the name drummers in LA and boy DO they show up. It's a blast and I'm starry eyed the whole time I'm onstage. If you are in town and "doin' the hang"...be sure to stop by and check out the excitement. HUGS TO ALL MY REVERBNATION BUDS and hope the 2011 brings you new opportunities to move forward and create your new path! XXO Janelle

"NOTHIN' STUPID" VIDEO GAINING MOMENTUM

Hey youse!! Janelle here. Great news! The video "Nothin' Stupid" has hit the 3,000 mark and continues to rise in viewership! I'm super excited and I can't thank YOU enough for checking it out. The quest is to get the tune reviewed and re mixed for markets in Europe, Australia and Japan by the beginning of the new year. I think this tune has "legs" and if you've seen the video, you know what I'm talking about! LOL! Hoping that YOU, my RN fans/artists, will have a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR with family and friends! Courage, Janelle XXOO

The big RnR Fantasy Camp FINALE!!

Hi Everybody! How's it going out there in Reverbnation land? I LOVE NOVEMBER! Winter is coming and this is my fav time of the year! SOOO, looks like RRFC is airing the final episode tonight on VH1 Classic! It's been an incredible tough week, but I've worked thru most of my tears. LOL! TONIGHT we have the final concert performance which is actually a BATTLE OF THE BANDS at the KEY CLUB in Hollywood. I"m so nervous about how the show will end! All the cast members are meeting in a pub to watch the finale together. We shared something very special and it's going to be fantastic to hug each other again. Everyone of us had SOME kind of "breakthru" on this show. I hope you watch! Thanks for your support of the music, my dear friends! There is going to be an interview in the LA EXAMINER coming up soon with Denise Vasquez. I'll be posting all the interviews and press for you to check out! She asks me some great questions about my experience and growth on the show. God knows I love to "jaw" so it should be entertaining. Hugs and all the best to you this month! I LOVE Thanksgiving! Have a lovely holiday and don't forget to stay in touch. It's fun hearing your comments on the show. XXO Janelle

EPISODE THREE!!!!! FINALLY!!!

Tonight the TUGBOATERS finally pulled together as a team and life is starting to smell sweet again! Even Mark was smiling a little bit, imagine THAT!! Lita Ford stopped by our little room and gave us some love, which went a LONG way to inspiring me to step up and start taking chances. The BIGGEST SURPRISE was her giving me that incredible JACKET before our acoustic set!! To have a singer/guitarist in my own age bracket, a woman who has slugged it out with those tough rocker dudes onstage for 30 odd years, say that she dug my singing, well...that made my world.... I GIVE HER TONS OF RESPECT AND LOVE! Thank you LITA FORD!!! LOVE YOU!!