Iconic Producer Mama Jan Smith Celebrates 4 Decades as Vocal Coach to Stars

ATLANTA - Sept. 15, 2026 - PRLog -- Multi-platinum, GRAMMY®-recognized producer, vocal coach and Georgia Hall of Fame inductee "Mama Jan" Smith, 70, celebrates four decades of legitimizing vocal production and elevating some of the biggest voices in pop culture. Her achievements are even more astounding by the fact that women make up only 2-3 percent of all music producers. Smith has worked with more than 10,000 artists over her career, including Rob Thomas, Usher, Janet Jackson, Shania Twain, Justin Bieber, The Band Perry, Ludacris, as well as award-winning actors Liam Neeson, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Christina Applegate. Smith's long-awaited autobiography, "Mama's Babies Sangin' Everywhur!" will be released this fall. (https://www.jansmith.com)

"Four decades ago, God set me on a path championing other artists, shaping songs, sounds, and lives all over the world. Breaking barriers and helping to legitimize the craft of vocal production has allowed me to understand the power of my own voice in an industry where fewer women are seen and heard. I am humbled to work with the most iconic voices in pop culture, as well as the next generation. Mama J is ready for ya...just make sure you're ready for Mama J!"

"I don't know what I would do without Mama Jan," said multi-Grammy-winner Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty). "Thirty years ago, I did not understand the intricacies of my voice at all. Mama Jan stood in the sound booth with me, and as I sang, she taught me about timing, elongating vowels, etc. I still use her vocal warmup tapes! She cares about the artists she works with and about music deeply. She literally has been a lifesaver for vocalists for four decades, and I could not love a person more."

Thanks to Smith's efforts, the Recording Academy Board of Trustees voted to finally include vocal production as a Grammy-eligible craft. She runs a very successful artist development and music production recording studio in Atlanta, Jan Smith Studios, and is the vocal coach of choice for artists, on-air personalities, faith leaders and vocal health surgeons across the globe.