Rising Stars: Meet Jannelle Means of Donelson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jannelle Means.

Hi Jannelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I, Jannelle Means, am originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, now presiding in Nashville, Tennessee. I am the youngest of four girls. My sisters and I always had an adoration for all types of music. I began to be an avid lover of the music that my parents listened to. My momma would always tell me how I would dance when she put Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” on the stereo. That’s probably when my love for Michael Jackson started and my true love for music began. My parents listened to a lot of soul and funk. I heard everything from Earth, Wind and Fire, to the Emotions, to Al Green to the Dramatics, to my favorite group, the Isley Brothers. My musical influences range from the gospel sounds of Karen Clark-Sheard, the Christian contemporary sounds of Crystal Lewis, soulful sounds of Chaka Khan, the rawness of Etta James, the funk sound of the Isley Brothers, and the musical universality of Michael Jackson. As a young girl, I sang in school and in church. I was always a part of the school choir. I participated in talent shows occasionally. In high school, I was part of the Acapella Choir and captain of the band’s dance team. I went on to college and continued to sing, but also developed other interests, such as radio/journalism, as well as counseling and teaching. In 2000, I received my Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication with minors in African-American History and Sociology. I worked in radio, as well as behind the scenes in television. I began taking on a role as a worship leader at a church from 2002 to 2008. In 2010, I received my Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. I soon began to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the counseling field, such as Group Counseling, Aging, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. I worked in the counseling field through private practices and agencies. I continued working in higher education, while regularly singing or performing in the music field. In 2011 there was a shift to more music. Throughout this time, I would occasionally write my own songs. I began to do studio session work, as well as performing with bands at weddings and other events. In 2015, I began and continue to regular work with Music for Seniors, a wonderful non-profit organization that brings entertainment to senior adults. In 2017 I decided to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology, with the specialization in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership. With different obstacles and events, such as losing my parents, and my everchanging schedule focusing on my degree has been a challenge. My doctoral study will focus on the influence and notoriety of the Isley Brothers. I am almost at the end of completing my degree. All the way up to 2019, I worked in the counseling field and higher education. In 2020, I shifted to doing more with my music career. I left working in higher education and focused on musical opportunities. I performed regularly with two bands through the week (The Carl Stewart Band and the Music City Toppers) as well as performing with my own band, the Jannelle Means Band. I also worked with several other bands and artists and continue to perform in and outside of Nashville. I continue to do more studio session work. I have regularly performed on various Nashville stages with different musicians, including the 5 Spot, Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, Douglas Corner, Commodore Grill, ACME Bar, BB King’s Blues Club, 12/30 Club, the Ascend Amphitheater, and the legendary Ryman Auditorium. She performs with her band (The Jannelle Means Band – main musicians include Beth Garner, Kenney P, Giovanni Rodriguez and Joseph Wooten) and other bands in Nashville and around the world, including the Carl Stewart Band, After 5 Tux Band, Music City Toppers, The Groove Line, Nashville All-Stars, and Voda. She recently toured with Americana artist, Kyshona Armstrong in 2024. She recently was in Paris, France performing at a conference for a consulting firm. In the studio, Jannelle has recorded for various artists including Sara Evans, Brothers Osborne, Lauren Daigle, Andy Bell of Erasure, and Shemekia Copeland. Ms. Means has also sung in various local church groups and choirs, serving as worship leader in many of them. In 2018, I co-founded with drummer/artist Louis Winfield Soul Vibes GLOBAL (Global Love of Building Arts’ Legacy), an entertainment group (www.soulvibesglobal.com) that focuses on performing, celebrating and educating the community on soul music through different events and projects. In 2021, I co-founded along with artist Rachel Rodirguez Magenta Expression, a music performance and life coaching company. In 2024, I started Soul Vibes Radio in partnership with Acme Radio Live. I hope to continue to expand Soul Vibes Global through different entertainment and educational ventures, continue creating music, and get back into teaching in higher education with creative music and performance courses.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road. In the younger years, I have had many internal struggles with how I feel about myself and if I have the ability to achieve my goals and aspirations. Currently, being that I am someone who is a few years older than many of my colleagues who do some of the same things that I do, it can be a challenge to continue the journey and believing that I am still someone that can have these opportunities and for doors to open. The last two years, I have dealt with the loss of my parents. My father passed away in June of 2023. My mother passed away in November of 2024. It has been a new normal I have been adjusting to one. day at a time. Through all of this, I have continued to push through and believe that God is with me in every situation. I strive to focus on the motto that whatever God has for me, is for me. We are all on a different journey and I embrace that my journey is uniquely mine. I celebrate what has been, what is and walk in expectancy for what is to come.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Currently, I am a performer and doctoral student. I am known for events with Soul Vibes Global, as well as being a vocalist with many bands in the Nashville area. I am most proud of being a mom to a cute little dog named Leo and my determination to create different projects. I am also proud of being the daughter of two strong people: William and Jannie Means, who I miss dearly. I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability to work with so many types of people in the performing arts field, be supportive and bring them together for different events. I am a vocalist with a wide range and knowledge of many songs and can sing in many different genres. I have the ability to use music, counseling and education altogether.

Any big plans?
As stated in the first section, I hope to continue to expand Soul Vibes Global through different entertainment and educational ventures, continue creating music, and get back into teaching in higher education with creative music and performance courses.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jannellemeans.com; www.soulvibesglobal.com
• Instagram: @jannellesingsandloves
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jannellemeansmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jannellemeans8293