“From Randy Rhoads to Precious Metal, Lindsey Buckingham to John Carter Cash and all points in between – like a stint working with Meredith Brooks, Midge Ure or appearing with Monte Montgomery – the ongoing tale of guitarist/songwriter Janet Robin is a fascinating journey.” – Pollstar
Janet Robin can be defined in a single word: Musician.
Many people attempt to make music, but few earn that illustrious title. Those in this business reserve that label for the rare individuals who consistently demonstrate a high level of talent, perseverance, taste and sensitivity over a period of time. To these people making music is not simply a pastime; it is a matter of blood and guts. That a serious addiction to making music runs through Robin’s veins is made clear from a quick review of her career. A Southern California native, Janet Robin’s musical education began the moment she met her guitar teacher, Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne). Under Rhoads’ tutelage, Janet became an ace six-string player and, while still in high school, parlayed this education into a position as the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band Precious Metal. Discovered by Rodney Bingenheimer of the legendary L.A. rock radio station KROQ, Precious Metal was soon signed to Polygram Records. Later moving to Chameleon/Capitol Records, Precious Metal released several albums, wrote with Heart, Poison and Cheap Trick, toured extensively and gained accolades from both fans and critics alike.
Following the demise of Precious Metal, Janet was hand picked by Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, band in support of his 1992 solo album, Out of the Cradle (Reprise Records). A consummate pro, working with Buckingham profoundly influenced her own guitar playing, singing and songwriting, as well as her general approach to the music business. She has stated, “Lindsey became sort of a mentor and inspired me to do my own solo work.”
This new direction led to her 1998 debut solo album, Open the Door. Released on her own label, Little Sister Records, Buzz Weekly described the CD as “smart, savvy, fuzzy, hooky pop.” She has seen songs from this album featured in film and television; most notably on the then popular T.V. show Felicity. Ever the road warrior, she supported the disc by opening for such acts as Heart, Colin Hay, Loudon Wainwright III and the Smithereens, steadily building a wide fan base. Encouraged by the warm reception of her debut, she released three more albums on Little Sister Records.
Also among these records is 2007’s Days of Summer. Recorded with producers David Bianco (Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub, Mick Jagger) and Steve Baughman (Eminem, 50 Cent), this acoustic based EP is the work of an artist willing and able to explore the poignant emotional states of adulthood while avoiding the stereotypes brought on by most acoustic singer-songwriters. Working on the album was an experience that greatly affected her style and led Janet to many new and exciting opportunities including multiple tours in Europe.
2012 here in the USA, saw Janet release her album Everything Has Changed that bridges the gap between passionate acoustic music and gutsy rock n’ roll. With the help of her dedicated fan base, she was able to raise the funds from fans for that studio effort. The loyal support enabled her to team up with producer John Carter Cash at Cash Cabin Studios outside of Nashville. The son of Johnny and June, Carter Cash was a producer on the Johnny Cash biopic Walk The Line and produced several records with his father as well as a Grammy Award winning record for June. Built by Johnny in 1979, this studio is where the country legend recorded much of his later work including his final recording, American V: A Hundred Highways, which was released posthumously and co-produced by Rick Rubin and John Carter.
Janet had previously released “Everything Has Changed,” in Europe, with Hypertension Music based in Hamburg, Germany. Coupled with the strength of her growing European following and introduced to the German based label by friend and frequent touring partner Colin Hay (Men At Work), Janet signed a licensing and distribution deal with Hypertension for a Winter 2010 European release of Everything Has Changed. The company also did the booking for her throughout Europe and after the initial release in Europe, she secured a January 2010 tour with Midge Ure (Ultravox – co-organizer of Live Aid, Band Aid and Live 8).
Janet enjoyed the experience of working with Cash so much that she returned this 2016 to record her latest studio effort "Take me as I am" again with John Carter Cash as executive producer and Chuck Turner producing and engineering: "We have talked at great length about this project and he understands my desire and vision to record an album that is representative of the energy brought out in my live performances," Janet says of John Carter Cash. "It’s just great to work with a producer that lets me be myself, yet brings out the best in my work.
She began touring in Europe with successfully headlining in the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, UK, and France where she played 100’s of solo acoustic shows, and with a band to sold out crowds in clubs and festivals across Europe such as The Colours of Ostrava (CZ) and the renowned "Blues & Jazz Festival" in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland.
In addition to pursuing her solo career both in the U.S. and abroad, few musicians are able to work with the great variety of artists that Robin has been fortunate enough to be around. Besides the aforementioned Lindsey Buckingham, Robin has toured, performed with, recorded, or written songs with Tommy Emmanuel, Peppino D’Agostino, Meredith Brooks, Monty Montgomery, Michelle Shocked, Maia Sharp, Marcy Levy (co-writer with Eric Clapton on “Lay Down Sally”), Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart), Garrison Starr, Anne McCue and many more. She was also the touring guitarist of Air Supply in 2007-2008.
Janet has also had her original songs placed in TV and films such as “One Life to Live,” “All my Children,” “Felicity,” “Free Enterprise,” and many more. Along with placements she has also composed original scores for short films such as “Traces” directed by Joseph Culp (actor Robert Culp’s son) and the film was accepted into the prestigious Palm Springs Short Film Festival and the Hollywood Film Awards, in June 2012. In 2017, she had an original song in a short film “Casting All Corpes” which won the “Best Comedy Short Award” for the Reel Hollywood Film Festival.
In January of 2015, Janet was hired to coach and consult actress Jennifer Jason Leigh for 2 months on location and in Los Angeles for a special guitar scene in the Quentin Tarantino film, "The Hateful Eight." The actress was nominated for an Academy Award. Also in 2015, she was hand picked for the guitar position in the musical "Girlfriend" to rave reviews at The Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City, California and in 2018, for another musical, “Soul Doctor” formally on Broadway. In 2022, she was again a guitarist in another musical "Staring into Nothing" at The El Portal in North Hollywood, Ca.
Along with Janet's busy solo career, she formed another band, guitar trio: The String Revolution. TSR combines each guitarist with their own unique contribution to a "band" sound. They have produced and released 2 cd’s and several singles, all mixed by Matt Hyde in London who worked previously with guitarists Rodrigo y Gabriela. Their EP “Red Drops,” reached the Top 10 Spotify Instrumental Charts and many of their songs are in full rotation on SiriusXM Instrumental Channel. TSR's Spotify channel has reached over 5 million streams. The band has toured in the US and has performed at The Grammy Museum twice as well as major festivals such as The Alaska State Fair, The Laguna Beach Arts Festival and many more.
In 2022, TSR released a unique cover version of "Crazy Train," featuring Billy Idol's longtime guitarist, Steve Stevens. It was to honor Janet's late guitar teacher, Randy Rhoads for his inclusion into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. This release led The String Revolution to sign a management deal with legendary manager, Miles Copeland.
In 2023, The String Revolution recorded another cover song, this time “Folsom Prison Blues.” It was produced by Johnny Cash’s and June Carter’s son, John Carter Cash and recorded at the famed Cash Cabin Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. This time their special guest was none other than guitarist extrordinaire, Tommy Emmanuel. There unique arrangement and recording magic led The String Revolution to their first Grammy® Nomination and eventual Grammy Award® WIN for “Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella” in 2024 at The 66th Grammy Awards®.
However, one need not base their judgment on Janet solely on those with whom she has been associated. Only a listen to her recordings or a ticket to one of her shows or with The String Revolution will prove the opening claim to be true. For what underlies the Janet Robin labels of guitarist, songwriter, singer, arranger, producer, and road warrior is a single word: Musician.
Grammy Award® Winning Guitarist, 2024
"Top Acoustic Guitarist" - Guitar Player Magazine, 2017
"Top 10 Female Guitarist" - Guitar World Magazine, 2012
“Working with Janet was an unforgettable experience. She followed her spirit – no limits. Janet’s love for her art is evident in her impassioned musicianship and inspired songwriting. The music we created together, vibrant and full of energy, encapsulates all that she is.”
Janet Robin conducts guitar workshops, has hosted DVD recordings for Alfred Music Publishing, and is a respected clinician for Turner-Renaissance Guitars and Line 6. She currently endorses Taylor Guitars, Fender Guitars, Martin Guitars and strings, Turner-Renaissance Guitars, Cordial Cables, Goldtone Instruments, Radial, Seymour Duncan, Sennheiser, Warm Audio, DR Strings, Clayton Picks, Jodi Head Straps, Visenut Cases, Case Xtreme, and the Thimble Slide, amongst others.
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