Dear Shannon,
It was a pleasure talking with you and hearing your music live. I am still in a state of enjoyment being able to finally tell you what your music meant to me when I was in Iraq. I’m not just saying that, the feelings I got when listening to your CD kept me going during that tough time of war and every discomfort that comes along with that situation and then I could mentally come home.
You literally saved my life and probably quite a few others with the attitude I was able to project when I counseled these young guys who had never been in war before. When the article comes out in the gazette you will be able to read about my life’s adventure. Now I can look forward to listening to you regularly from your schedule of appearances if you don’t mind a groupie. I do owe you!
Gordon Freeman
Shannon,
I was reviewing and filing the myriad of literature I brought home from the
Cedar Rapids conference at the Marriott last week, when I came across your bio.
I thought I would take the time to tell you how much I enjoyed your music and I
am still in shock from the fact that you knew and had the music for A Day In the
Life of A Fool !!!!! I request it anytime I am at a live performance that
entertains requests, rarely do I hear it. It's my theme song. You are a breath
of fresh air ! You made my evening ! I am going to revisit your website this
evening when I have time to sit quietly and enjoy. When you make your first
million with your CD sales call me, I would love to be your financial advisor.
In fact don't wait 'til that first million rolls around.
Thanks again for the wonderful sounds.
~*Lane Barton
Wow! The concert was wonderful!!! I thought the pictures added so much. I would think that the pictures were the hardest and most time consuming part of putting together the concert. I think, considering the weather, you had a great crowd. ~*Sondra
Dear Shannon,
We heard you in concert in Cedar Rapids on January 22, 2005. It was a delightful
evening and we have been playing your CD "Piano Paintings" ever since. The more
we listen to it, the more we want to play it again.
Yesterday we drove from Iowa City to Waverly for our third grandchild's baptism.
Your music took us there and it just seemed that so many songs were appropriate
to our moods. The song "Days of Innocence" and the tiny baby laughing before the
song "Mother's Day", just gave us pause to appreciate the fact that we were
grandparents again.
My husband was tuned into radio station, KCCK-FM when he heard the advertisement
for your concert and he was one of the lucky ones to call in for free tickets. I
really did not know who we were coming to see, but when we got to the doorway
and I saw your photo on the CD's, I knew immediately that I had admired your
piano talent while shopping at Von Maur, Westdale many, many times. I had no
idea you were such an artist in your own right, composing your own music. But
now that I know, I want to share my discovery with friends and relatives. Today
I ordered two more CDs of "Piano Paintings" for two of my four children. They
will be the perfect Valentine gift this year. One will go to Denver, CO to my
daughter who is a pianist and designer, and one will go to my son who is a piano
technician (like his Dad) in Chippewa Falls, WI. I hope we can help spread your
music loud and clear. It is so beautiful, peaceful and relaxing and our home is
now filled with a new discovery- Shannon Janssen!
Hopefully, you will give more concerts and we will look forward to attending
them! You have a gift and you are a gift to others!
Sincerely,
~*Don and Mary Buffington
Dear Shannon,
What can we say?! Your concert last Saturday night was so
wonderful. Every song was as special as it could ever be. You looked stunning
and gracious. Next time Maxwell will carry some flowers to you. The slide show
complimented the music so well. To draw in the visual sense with your music
helps heighten the emotions in everyone's heart and soul. I wouldn't hesitate to
repeat that exact concert again. I loved the titles and introductions you gave
to each piece. You really did share yourself with all of us. Now when this
audience listens to your CDs they will reflect back to your concert. :) What a
beautiful evening we had as a family at your concert. I am so glad we made it.
Last night I slept so sound and peaceful and I know it was because of your
lovely music. Shannon you are gifted in piano and music, I wish you all the
best.
~*Dawn, Donald, Maxwell and Stuart
Dear Shannon,
What a wonderful evening of entertainment and relaxation your concert provided.
You are truly a blessing to me! I am so proud of you to follow through on your
dream and to do it so excellently. Your music was so beautiful as usual, and
Marks orchestration was superb. Two great talents on one stage. What a
fantastic concert it was. I hope all your dreams come true. Keep 'em coming
girl! Can't wait for the Christmas concert?!
~*Sharon
I'm sorry for it taking so long for me to get this off to you after that wonderful concert. That was the most beautiful evening I've enjoyed in a long, long time. An evening with you and your music is the absolute greatest way to spend time. Thank you for that. I am really looking forward to another such evening. I am hoping and wishing that you will be doing many, many more such concerts in the future. So keep up the wonderful work. Oh, and if you want to record more CDs, I will be there to get mine. And I know a few more that will be there also. Keep up the good work.
Virginia
Dear Shannon,
I am having a wonderful time with my family. They all love your music and my
sister Vicky, was so pleased with her autographed copy of your album. Being able
to be at your concert was truly a gift to me. I was so sad thinking I would miss
it. You are a gift to many and your gift is there to help many revive in their
life and life journey. Thanks and you have a wonderful trip and vacation in
Mexico.
~*Shari
Your daughter, Holly, is lovely and your family seems like the family next door --good Iowa people. The song about Margaret, and words with the pictures were exquisite. However, the last frame where you said what you learned most from Margaret was flashed really quickly, and we did not get it all. What did it say?
~*Carol
Paul and I had such a wonderful time at your concert the other night. It was so good to see you guys again. I absolutely loved the whole experience. We plan on coming to more of your concerts. Hope you have another one soon.
~*Paul and Karla Robinson
Shannon,
Just a quick not to wish you a great vacation and thank you for the
wonderful concert. We loved it so much. I'm excited that new songs are
coming along. You looked so beautiful this evening. I thought you had a good
crowd, next time you'll fill the house. Two weeks will be a long time for me
to go without seeing you or hearing your wonderful music, but you will
surely enjoy your well deserved time off.
God's Blessings,
~*Char
Dear Shannon,
You are a genuinely joyous spirit, and your personality enhances your multimedia
concert. We're glad for you. ~*John and Cheryl
Wanted to let you know we all enjoyed the concert last night very much!!!! It was a relaxing way to spend an evening listening to two very talented people. your songs really speak from the heart, and the images on the screen were great. Thanks for letting us sell tickets and be a part of your evening. Please let us know if we can help in any other way.
Good Afternoon Concert Diva!!!
You did such a great job last night....you looked beautiful, graceful and
natural. I'm so happy for you! I loved the slide show! Wendi and I especially
loved the stories, Margaret's Song and Gretchen's Place. That rocked! I also
loved the slides for Favorite Colors. You're so creative! You did such a great
job of performing. I can't believe how Mark can switch to different sounds so
fast....he's very talented!
Love you,
~*Hol
Dear Shannon,
Almost every night you put me to
sleep. Your music is so peaceful and relaxing. It just carries me to dreamland.
A lot of people are taking sleeping pill to relax so they can fall asleep. Just
once they should listen to your beautiful music. They could throw away all those
darned pills. A lot of the time I start my day with your music too. Sure makes
for a much better day. Now if it would bless you it would be a great blessing to
hear a Christmas CD.
~*Virginia
Hi,
I just wanted to thank you for the gift of Shannon’s CD. I’ve listened to it
several times. There is something infectious about her music. The way she
twists and turns her melodies makes listening to it very appealing. I can
understand why you describe yourself as a groupie. There is a lot of feeling in
the music. One gets the idea that this just isn’t music for her, rather like
life’s blood, or the air you breathe. I get the impression she isn’t just
playing the piano, she is playing or performing part of her life. If I close my
eyes it is very easy to get lost and carried away in the sounds. A rare and
beautiful talent. Whoever put the orchestration together also did a wonderful
job. It complements her performing very well. It would be an experience to
hear her in person. Thank you.
~*Bob
"So, in the background all day I am playing HEART JOURNEY. Isn't that lovely? Thank you abundantly for giving me that CD. I believe I did not realize when you spoke of it that it is all instrumental. And how I love that! "Shannon Janssen" is a name to be remembered. Love her creative work!"
Dear Shannon,
Thank you for adding me to your email list. I love hearing where you are and
envy the experiences you are enjoying with something you love so much! You have
an incredible gift AND you are using it very well. Keep up the good work.
~*Sally Johnson
P.S. I have shared the CDs I got with my family and friends and they love your
talent too!
Just again wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your concert last night. I think you are just amazing with all the songs you have written. You have such a gift. The slide show was wonderful and added so much to the presentation. You did a great job putting that together in such a short time. Wish you were playing for my daughter's wedding this summer. Thanks again for a wonderful evening of music.
~*Barb Stone
Hi Shannon!!
First off - your debut at Barnes & Noble was absolutely wonderful! I had a not-so-good week, but after I listened to you play for that hour, it all turned around and I've been pretty darned happy since! You touched everyone that night - I even saw tears fall from a few faces and one was mine!
Your CD is hardly ever out of the CD player... it has a permanent home there. Now the only dilemma is which one to play?? Music touches me all the way down to my soul and always have... it's not something I share with many people because when I try to talk to them about it, they never seem to get it - or just kinda nod and say -"yep"... I've never found anyone that truly feels the moments of music like you or I do. Well, I shouldn't say that – my sister does, but that doesn't count. : ) I just don't know what I would do without music.
My only regret growing up is not sticking with piano lesson thru the snotty teenage years. Being a teen though, is an experience in and of itself and must be done, but still I have that regret now, like so many do. It's been 8 years since I've touched a piano or my trumpet and I truly miss it... so, I had to make a decision, and after watching you play again on Friday, the decision was to buy a piano... well, it will be a Clavinova - but some day, I'll have the real thing! Since I'm home all day and always bored, I'll now have time to re-teach myself and my husband. Also – our daughter, we found out - just loves to bang on the keys of a piano and she's only 5 months old...we called her first song "Grace's First Concerto in E". : ) I think she has the music gene in her as well because she loves to listen to soft music and will instantly stop crying as soon as I sing to her.
So - tomorrow is the big day - going to look for a Clavinova. We're not sure where to go though - I'm assuming West Music would be our best bet in the area?? Do you know of anywhere else we can look? And too - what are the best lesson books these days for an adult to learn?? I remember most of everything, but I'll need to start from square one with my husband... any names you can give would be great!
Well, I've written a book here - but again - Shannon, God has graced you with one of the most beautiful of gifts... thank you for sharing it! You touch many with it!
All my love and prayers are with you!
~*Julie
Shannon,
What a gift you have, I have truly never heard such beautiful music before! I play your music on a daily basis, sometimes
2-3 times! You play with such passion and love for music. Keep up the awesome work. Thank God for you and your talent. When
is CD #2 coming out?
~*Mary Jo
Dear Shannon,
I received Heart Journey as a gift from a dear friend. I play it often, it relaxes me. I especially love Margaret's Song.
I play your CD at mealtime and when I am alone, which is a lot as I lost my dear wife 2 years ago. We were married for 63 years.
When I hear your music, I think of her.
~*Love You, Don
Dear Shannon,
My sister-in-law gave me your CD for Christmas and I just had to write and tell you how beautiful your music is. Some of the
songs are so beautifully written, they make me cry! I love the simplicity of the arrangements because they bring out the true beauty
of your songs and your playing-no heavy violins or background music, just your beautiful music. God has given you a wonderful
talent and I thank you for sharing that with me. Whenever I am having a bad day, I play your CD and feel so comforted by the
music. Please continue to use your talent and I'll be looking for your next CD!
~*Teresa
Shannon,
I love your CD. I sit there with my eyes closed, listening to it and see an angel playing. God has blessed you with your
beautiful playing and writing. Thank you.
~*Lee
Dearest Shannon,
I am so glad I bought your CD. You have such a special gift from God. You have exposed your heart in your music for all
to listen to. Your music has touched a part of my soul that only our Lord has seen when I cry out to him in secret. Just
one more thing Shannon...your music makes me cry. In your music, I can feel what makes you happy, I can feel your heartaches,
and what brings joy to you. You have me going places as I sit back and relax in your sound.
~*Love, Donna
Dear Shannon,
Just a note to let you know how much I am enjoying your CD, Heart Journey. It's really beautiful. I played it every day for
2 weeks straight. You have a wonderful talent.
~*Dolores
Dear Shannon,
About a year ago I was walking thru the mall in when I heard the most beautiful sounds. The music seemed to draw me to
where you were playing, I felt like I was in heaven listening to an angel play, and to my surprise, there you were and I
was right, you must be an angel to play that way. It was so hypnotic, I sat there for almost thirty minutes before I had
to leave. You play with such passion, and sitting there with my eyes closed was like traveling through all the beautiful
memories of my life. Thank you for that wonderful feeling, never stop making the world more beautiful, it is a far better
place because of you.
~*Paul