Janice Gilbert

Janice Gilbert is an award-winning songwriter, performer, and music educator.  Gilbert grew up in rural South Dakota. Like most performers, she started singing at an early age, mostly in her church and community. Gilbert’s talent earned her the coveted spot of being the 2004 Dakota Star Talent Search winner at the South Dakota State Fair. As a result of this contest she won the opportunity to record with Chad Shank of the Minneapolis, MN based independent record label C-Sharp Productions. This turning point in Gilbert’s career inspired her to focus on songwriting and to become more involved in the music industry. 

In June of 2006, Gilbert moved to Nashville, TN where she taught music and wrote with many talented writers, often playing at various writers clubs in the Nashville area including the world renowned Bluebird Cafe. In 2012, she won the infamous cafe's 30th Anniversary Songwriting Contest and an Epiphone guitar for No One Has to Go to Be Gone, written with David Graham and Vaughan Daniel. During her tenure in Nashville, Gilbert wrote, co-wrote, recorded, and released three full length albums.

In June 2013, Gilbert returned to her roots in South Dakota and continues to play her original music at various venues and events, most recently headlining at Levitt at the Falls for the 2024 "Sounds Like Summer" Country Concert Series. 

She writes music using her experiences growing up in the Midwest combined with the craft she learned during her time in Nashville.  Gilbert finds inspiration in the people in her life, most notably in songs like Summer, Stay With Me, written about her son. Gilbert says "I just want to write music that people connect with. We have more shared experiences than we realize and if I can use music and storytelling to connect us with one another, I have hope that we can close the distances between us."

Gilbert is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Sioux Falls NSAI Chapter Co-Coordinator, and a member of the Midwest Country Music Organization. Gilbert has had several songs signed to single-song publishing contracts as well as had her songs recorded by several independent artists.

Notable Performances

* 2025 Minnesota Twins God Bless America

* 2024 Minnesota Twins God Bless America

* 2024 Levitt at the Falls - Headliner

* 2024 Opener - Deana Carter - Washington Pavilion

* 2022 Minnesota Twins Star Spangled Banner

* 2021 & 2020 Minnesota Twins Star Spangled Banner (video/covid)

* 2005 Chicago White Sox Star Spangled Banner

Awards:

* 2025 KQKD Radio 99.9 FM and 980 AM - Singer Songwriter Contest

* NOMINATED 2024 Sioux Falls Stage Award - Best Variety or Dance Performer - Live & Local (Washington Pavilion)

* 2023 Sioux Falls Stage Award - Best Variety or Dance Performer - A Culinary Cabaret (Good Night Theatre Collective)

* 2013 SD Country Music Hall of Fame - Album of the Year Award - Choices

* 2012 Bluebird Cafe’s - 30th Anniversary Songwriting Contest Winner No One Has To Go To Be Gone

* Inducted into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame on September 11, 2011

* 2011 TSAI Co-Writer of the Year – Chase Me (Gilbert, Adams, Rives)

* 2011 TSAI Board of Directors' Award

* 2010 TSAI Most Promising Female Songwriter

* 2004 Dakota Star Talent Search Winner

Discography:

2021 - Home EP - Note Head Music (BMI)

2013 – Choices – Note Head Music (BMI)

2011 – Bloom – Note Head Music (BMI)

2008 – Pickin’ Life’s Pocket – Note Head Music (BMI)

2005 – All I Ask of You (CD Single) – C-Sharp Productions (BMI)

Education:

2024 - SD-ACDA Encore Award

2025, 2024 - Lead Instructor - Levitt Songwriting Jam Camp

2019 - Tea Area School District Teacher of the Year

2012 - Lipscomb University Masters of Education

2011 - Scales Elementary School - Teacher of the Year

2002 - South Dakota State University - Music Education