Known as one of the great American troubadors since the 1960s, singer/songwriter Janis Ian is still going strong into the 21st century. Raised on a farm in southern New Jersey, Ian began playing piano at the age of 2. In 1967, at age 16, she released her first album,
Janis Ian, and earned the first of nine Grammy nominations. Ian’s star soared in the 70s when her hit single “At Seventeen” sold over one million copies and won two Grammys.
Ian continued to release albums throughs the 80s and 90s. Concerned about the growing loss of artistic control when dealing with major record labels, Ian struck out on her own by self-financing her 1993 album
Breaking Silence, which garnered her another Grammy nomination for best folk album. Ian’s latest album,
Billie’s Bones, features a duet with one of her musical heroes, Dolly Parton. Showing no sign of slowing down, Ian plans to spend much of 2004 and 2005 on the road performing. She’s also one of the most thoughtful and outspoken critics on the music industry and the current digital downloading controversy.
Janis Ian joins Jim Blum live in the FolkAlley studios while touring in Northeast Ohio in support of her recent release,
Billie’s Bones. In her four-part interview, Ian discusses her web site and unmasking the CD creation process, her respect for Billie Holiday and building on the work of past generations, her mother and the effect of aging and losing loved ones, and the origin of songs and the enduring nature of ballads.
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Janis Ian Web site
“Ethics In The Music Industry”
Article from
Performing Songwriter, March 2004
“Music Industry Spins Falsehood”
Editorial by Janis Ian on the music downloading controversy
Janis Ian on Life in the Music Business
Celebrity Cafe Interview
Janis talks about songwriting, life, and most importantly keeping the balance of “normality” in life
“Janis Ian: From The Heart”
The “Unofficial” Janis Ian Home Page
