ShackJen & Friends - Meet Jennifer Lewis

Praise for ShackJen & Friends:

ShackJen and Friends were the hit of my son's and new daughter-in-law's wedding celebration party!! Shack was professional and listened to what we wanted during the planning process. The event was held at Country Club of Roswell and so most of my friends who came were accustomed to quality musical groups; this band was no exception. Everything went smoothly and everyone had a wonderful time dancing to the music.

Hosts of Private Party

Dear Jennifer and Shack,
I have meant to call or drop you a note and let you know how much Don and I enjoyed coming to your group's gig in February! It was so much fun and we were amazed with the talent of your group. I always love to hear you sing, Jennifer and Shack got into that keyboard that night!

The Taylors

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Jennifer Lewis was emotionally charged by music in her early pre-school years, belting out songs like "Free to Be You and Me" and "Frere Jacque." According to Mom and Dad, the real turn came when she saw her first musical at the famous Atlanta Fox Theater "Annie." Feeling a connection with another red-head that loved to sing, Jennifer passionately sang and acted out the song "Tomorrow" from the Annie soundtrack over, and over and over. From that point on, music became the center of Jennifer's life, singing in school choirs, church choirs and local community choirs.

In 1983, Jennifer became a member of the Young Singers of Callanwolde, studying for the three years under the direction of Steven Ortlip and the late Robert Shaw. She toured nationally and internationally with the YSC and performed with The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

As a member of Roswell United Methodist Church, Jennifer was an active participant in numerous choirs and was the lead in the musical "Jezabel." As a graduate of Roswell High School, Jennifer was actively involved in all the choirs, voted "Most Talented" in her graduating class, and represented the school and City of Roswell as Miss Roswell High in 1988. Jennifer also studied classical piano for eight years, winning the Dekalb County Music Teachers Guild.

Jennifer's strongest childhood musical training influences were of the Broadway/classical genres and family influences of Folk & Country. A staple in her childhood home were 8-track tapes and albums of The Statler Brothers, Tanya Tucker, Kenny Rogers, The Judds, Juice Newton and Sugar & Dave.

Attending the University of South Carolina on a Voice Performance Scholarship, Jennifer further immersed herself in the music program, serving as president of the University Concert Choir and vice-president of "Carolina Alive", the university's traveling cabaret. Studying classical voice, opera, and theater at USC enabled Jennifer to perform for such luminaries as President Jimmy Carter, President George Herbert Walker Bush, Senator Strom Thurmond, Ray Charles, Charlie Daniels, Florence Henderson, Andy Williams and many others.

Following graduation, Jennifer studied film and theater at The Workshop Theater in Columbia, South Carolina. Returning to Atlanta, she worked in the film industry as a stand-in in the Spelling Production of "Savannah" and performed with the local band "Flashback". It was while playing with "Flashback" in 1992 that Jennifer met her husband Shack. Later that same year, Jennifer began a second career in Real Estate to support her love of music.

In 1999, Jennifer and Shack married and currently have two children, Harrison and Sarah. Shack joined Jennifer in Real Estate in 2000, and shortly thereafter, they formed their own company, The Lewis Group, Inc. Currently, Jennifer and Shack are agents with RE/MAX Greater Atlanta.

Jennifer enjoys her career in Real Estate but longs to perform full-time again, doing what she loves best – singing. ShackJen & Friends has been wonderful, allowing Shack and Jen to perform together again. Jennifer also enjoys singing in her church choir "Testify" at Alpharetta United Methodist Church.

Jennifer counts among her many influences Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams, Ben Harper, Martina McBride, Bette Midler, Ray Charles, and — last but not least — two singers to whom she has often been compared: Bonnie Raitt and Eva Cassidy.