If there was ever a positive takeaway from the pandemic, it’s The Janeways, a rock ‘n’ roll cover band jamming out popular songs from the 80s and 90s; this high-octane group of strong women formed with goals of merging musical passion with a fun hobby. What started as a project went full-on IRL in November 2020.
Seeking a unique and timeless vibe, the five ladies opted for the name The Janeways. The Janeways is comprised of locals: Ellie Brown on lead vocals, Amanda Leet on lead guitar, Joan Champagne on rhythm guitar and vocals, Debbie Shook on bass, and Amber Nunes on drums.
This ragtag group of ladies, who started as School of Rock students, now wow their own crowds across Boone County. You can hear their music being blasted at corporate events, community gatherings, Zionsville Street Dance, and local bars and restaurants.
“As we’ve evolved, it’s been incredibly fulfilling to achieve our goals of learning and performing. Even more importantly, we realize how much our story can inspire others. We love to share the message that it’s never too late to learn something new, to challenge yourself, and to have fun doing it,” says Leet.
As newbies, the group received an outpouring of support from their families, friends, local groups, and the musical community. Now, they are learning from some of the top names in musical entertainment.
“Every person we met was more than willing to share their experience and knowledge and help us choose songs, learn to play, perform better, and book local gigs. We have been fortunate to be mentored by the likes of Dane Clark, drummer for John Mellencamp, and Jason Hayes, frontman for the Flying Toasters. Dane even gave us one of his original songs to record,” says Leet.
Most of the band members also manage mom duties alongside their playing schedule. Despite the additional challenges this poses, they feel that the benefits outweigh the struggles.
“We want our kids to know that it’s important to invest in yourself and not to be afraid of hard work and taking risks. As for our husbands, we like to think they are in awe of being married to rockstars,” says Leet.
Additionally, The Janeways love to support a good cause. They often play nonprofit events to help raise awareness and funds for meaningful causes such as mental health, breast cancer awareness, foster care, and heart health.
You can see The Janeways live at one of their upcoming performances. They’ll be playing at Grand Junction Brewery on April 25, White River Yacht Club on May 2, Urban Apples on May 24, and Boone County Summerfest on May 30.
