Artists name/Band : Shantell
Music Genre : Pop
Websites or Social Media Pages
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantella-martin-475820187
https://www.shianneladalemusic.com
Facebook and Instagram: Shantell Kettrell; Shianne Ladale
YouTube: Shianne Ladale
Bio – Shantell
Singer/Songwriter/Entertainer Shantell, AKA Shianne Ladale, born in Tyler, TX and raised in Dallas, is one of the most charismatic and soulful singers on the scene today. Growing up in the west she was used to listening to country and western music all the time. She began her music career as a professional country artist and recorded her first project at Sam Phillips Recording Studio in Memphis, TN. Ed Morgan(Rockabilly Hall of Fame) introduced Shianne to Sam Phillips just before his death in 2012. This was shortly after that recording. She was a part of Morgan’s last project and was referred to as “the next Patsy Cline.” Iris Jackson Woodson became Shianne’s manager, and she remained at this position until her death in 2008. Her husband was none other than Elbert “Woody” Woodson, who was the drummer for Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, The Isley Brothers(“It’s Your Thing”), and others. She started getting notoriety by working with an Elvis impersonator as a background singer. Shianne was used to wearing various costumes during performances, such as her Tina Turner routine, 50’s poodle skirt, hairdo, and saddle shoes. When the music of the 80’s changed to House and Club music(we call this EDM today), Shianne was recording such dance music. Texas blues guitar legend Bugs Henderson met Shianne and they worked together with Paul “Pappy”Middleton, the road manager and tour sound engineer for Bonnie Raitt. Shianne recorded “Trapped” and “Gonna Move” with Bugs. She has shared the stage with national recording artists Johnnie Taylor and Betty Wright. In addition, she sang with smooth jazz recording artist Michael Walker and has traveled throughout Texas, Nashville, the California Bay Area, West Virginia, and Florida. She is the founder and former lead vocalist of the band Pristine Raeign, based in Wilmington, DE, which began in 2013. She named the group Pristine Raeign, because she loves the rain, and said they are God’s tears washing the earth’s pain away. Water takes shape of any form, liquid, solid, or vapor. Pristine means in its first state. As Shianne Ladale she brought the band to new heights with her catchy, witty songs, as well as her gift for enthralling audiences that gave PR its creative and engaging edge making it one of the most sought-after groups in the TriState area of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Her band even traveled to engagements in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts—as far north as New Brunswick, Canada and as far south as Nashville. PR hit its stride in 2016…Since Pristine Raeign was working at least 3 weekends out of each month, they were able to secure endorsements from top music brands such as RevSound, Tsunami Cables, Woodland Percussion, Allen Eden Guitars, ghs strings, etc. The band was chosen as the entertainment for the UnderArmour Preakness(Baltimore Horse Race) corporate brunch, where the group dressed to the nines in classic formal wear playing top Billboard hits in PostModern Jukebox style. PR also brought on the rain as the official hype band in the lobby for the Delaware 87ers, the sister basketball team for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018-2019 season at their New Castle stadium. The band has opened for top acts such as guitar legend George Benson. She departed from Pristine Raeign to strike out a new career in a new direction.Shianne is a multi-genre artist, from country to rock to doo-wop, to rhythm and blues to pop. Her versatility is one of her greatest assets. During 2017 until the pandemic, she was a member of Mo Better Entertainment(Wilmington DE), where she thrilled senior audiences in Delaware and Pennsylvania with her blend of music from way back when. Her music took the crowd down memory lane and she made them feel like her own family. Shianne was always asked to return for encore performances.Currently this amazing powerhouse entertainer has reinvented herself as Shantell. She has penned and released two new singles, “Lies” and “Doin’ It”, which are played on the platform, ReverbNation, and she has been one of their Top 5 Artists in the Singer/Songwriter Genre ever since she joined as a member. Her sound is unique…there is no mistaking her for any other artist, her voice is her own, as are her lyrics! Shantell plans to share her music and tour the world. There is no limit to what this phenomenal artist can achieve. She has a very bright future.
Shantella Kettrell,
What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?
First and foremost, I am a singer/songwriter, so I feel the best way to describe my music is that it is beyond category. It may be a little bit of this, a touch of that. If I had to put it in a genre, I would say Pop, because it can reach and touch millions of people. People can relate to the message, no matter from what walk of life they are from. I don’t like pigeonholing my style. It is what it is.
How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?
My new persona is Shantell. This is similar to my real name, Shantella. I just dropped the “a” for a more formal stage name. I formerly used the stage name Shianne Ladale. Someone used to say I was shy, So as a little change from my real name, I put together “Shy-Anne,” or Shianne. So that stuck ever since. It also makes you think of the western city and Native American tribe, “Cheyenne.”
What Are or Have Been Your Musical Influences?
There are too many to name here, but I’ll try…Diana Ross! She captured my attention at a very young age when I saw “Lady Sings the Blues” and she played the role of Billie Holiday. That is how I managed to write a jazz album of my own songs in one day later in life. Patsy Cline, James Brown, Charlie Pride, B.B. King, Otis Redding, Denise LaSalle, Sam Cooke, Bonnie Raitt, Etta James, Randy Travis, Shania Twain, the list goes on.
What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?
I have projects in the works because now I am ready to bring my music to the forefront. I have been hiding too long, I tried to bury myself in 9 to 5 jobs, just to sustain myself, especially during the pandemic. Best believe that there’s going to be a lot of new material from me coming out–including songs that I wrote some years ago that never got released. Sure, I’d love to collaborate with other artists. I’m working on that right now.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?
My ultimate goal is to continue to create/record quality music that speaks my truth and to travel to places around the world, touring as an artist. I want to touch as many lives as I can to have a positive impact on them, to make people’s life better, to make the world a better place through music. My first stop will be the UK, United Kingdom, in Great Britain. That has always been my dream. I plan to make that a reality. I write down my mission and my goals. Then I plan a strategy. I have strengths–I have always engaged well with people. I’m a people person, so I’m great with networking. I’m great at networking with the right people who can help pivot my career. I create great music, and I believe in my heart that my music can go somewhere. All I need is a team of people that are strong in areas where I need improvement for support and guidance–that will allow me to focus in order to achieve my goals.
What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?
Wow, that’s a tough one. I’d say “Love Turned Me Around” because I connect with that song in many ways. I really put my energy into it when I sing it. I FEEL that song in my bones, because I’ve lived it. It’s my theme song. And everyone in the audience may not have had the same experience I’ve had, but no one’s life has been peaches and cream always. You need the peaks and valleys to make you get stronger and resilient. The road gets rocky, even with family, even in relationships. But the song says it’s “LOVE” that “turned me around,” so THAT is the KEY to how you overcome any challenging situation.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
My biggest challenge has been technology and social media interaction. Promotion. Boosting my presence on YouTube. If I conquer these hurdles, I can go a lot further in my career. I’m surrounding myself with people that can help me do just that.
What’s Your Typical Songwriting Process?
It depends. God is at the center of this process. I create free flowing ideas where I record myself singing, and there is no exact format at first. I may have a verse idea, or a hook. There may or may not be a rhyme scheme. That comes later. I may write down lines on paper. Sometimes I have a bass line, drum beat/rhythm, or guitar lick in mind and I record that. I may find a track that catches my ear, and I make it my own and add other music tracks to it. Sometimes it takes me collaborating with someone, another songwriter or producer to make the music come to life.
How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?
People somehow have found me through Divine intervention! I have a network of people on Linked In, on ReverbNation, among other places, and my fan base has grown considerably since I began my life as Shantell. I am reconnecting with old fans who knew me as Shianne, and making new ones simply on the strength and power of my music. My songs catch people’s attention. They like the vibe. As I build my knowledge base in platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, I have the determination that my career will grow even more.
What Are Some Tracks and Artists Currently On Your Playlist?
Currently I enjoy an artist from the UK, Rosette Cribben. There are a few I listen to from my peers–today’s songwriters, and plenty of old school country, soul, reggae, Tejano, and rock. However, mainly, I’ve been listening to my own music, writing, refining ideas, and trying to promote myself.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
Well music found me way before I was making a living at a regular job. I have a career of work as an armed security officer.
Any Advice For Young People (Men or Women) That Want To Succeed In The Music World?
Never compromise your integrity. And do this (play/write/perform music) because you LOVE it, not for the fame. I see so many people that have destroyed their lives and reputations just to make a buck in the music world… that it somehow is supposed to be a part of the journey because it seems “everybody is doing it.” I always have made it a point to respect myself and never let someone make me do something against my principles or that is unhealthy for me. I have a value system, and that’s going to have to work for me when it comes to achieving my musical goals.
What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?
The Music Industry is full of top execs that only care about making money. That limits the number of creative and talented artists/musicians out here that have great ideas, lyrical content that has substance, and just music in general that sounds good and unique which is promoted on the airwaves. So in that respect I would allow these artists to thrive, shine, and not be cast aside shoved under the rug. Variety is the spice of life.
How Do You Feel About Originality?
My work is my own individual style. I don’t want to sound like someone else. I have been writing songs for 30+ years, and I sound like me. And I believe other artists should have their own voice. We can learn a lot from each other without sounding the same.
Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?
I would be happy to speak on this when the time comes.