By Margaret Schell

H er work in the entertainment industry speaks for itself. Jan Smith (‘78) is a Grammy-nominated producer, Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee and a multi-platinum, certified vocal coach who has worked with pop artists and movie stars such as Justin Bieber, Drake, Janet Jackson, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Shania Twain, Sugarland, Usher and more.

Smith’s name can also be found in movie credits for Disney, Fox Television, New Line Cinema, Paramount, Tyler Perry Productions, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros Pictures.

“I’m most noted for a song I produced in Justin Bieber’s ‘Never Say Never’ documentary,” said Smith, who earned the 2025 College of Arts & Sciences Alumni Achievement Award from GCSU. “Justin’s song, ‘Born to Be Somebody’ (2011), was produced by me and my co-producer in my studio.”

The track went on to earn a nomination for Best Song in Visual Media at the Grammys, and Smith remains a part of Bieber’s team, having toured with him for 86 dates of the first “My World Tour.”

“I continue to be his vocal mentor and – more importantly – friend, to this day,” said Smith, who’s earned the showbiz moniker “Mama Jan,” also worked with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on the movie set of “Jungle Cruise.”

“I’ve traveled all over the world and in nearly all 50 states, touring with artists,” Smith said. “My work has taken me to China three times, Israel, London, Africa and Europe. I also work with artists virtually from Sweden, South America and Asia.”

A few years ago, Smith was even called to assist Janet Jackson in getting back into vocal shape, after the megastar had taken a break from touring. Jackson was in London at the time.

Big Reputation

Success with a few pivotal clients put Smith on the map.

“I became sought after in the industry following my work with Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, and Usher,” she said. “Those two relationships were early on and have continued to this day.”

Smith’s interest in music began when she was first old enough to talk. She’s written several hundred songs and has several albums available to stream online.

Smith also orchestrates, plays guitar and keyboard, and is involved in most of the programming on her tracks.

Regarding her success, Smith calls it “an homage to my education at Georgia College & State University.”

She cherishes her former professors Drs. Robert Wildman and Claude Miller (psychology), Lucy Underwood (music) and Dr. Sarah Gordon (English). She also calls her time as a student intern at Central State Hospital “life-changing.”

“I saw classic living examples of what can happen when one’s life passes a breaking point,” Smith said. “In the music industry, I deal with artists everyday who live on the fringe, setting them up for a surreal existence. My training gave me the skills to deal with all kinds of individuals while helping them remain grounded in reality and focused on what really matters.”

In that way, “Mama Jan” finds a greater purpose in her work.

“It’s a blessing to help others and be compensated for doing so,” she said. “Who could ask for anything more?”