Baby and Me sing-a-long

This past Tuesday was sadly the last open mic at the Mockingbird, a local restaurant and music hall in Staunton that I have been playing at over the past few years.  It is sad to see this place go, but we all have hopes that someone will come, scoop it up and reopen it soon.

One of my resolutions was to go and do an open mic before the baby came and when I heard about Mockingbird closing I knew I had to get down there one last time.  I haven't played out since September so I felt a little like a fish out of water, especially maneuvering a guitar and a bump.  It also made me realize how much I *must* pick up that darn guitar every day and play.  Muscle memory is a beast.  

I love that our daughter will grow up with music in her life and I might have a teeny, tiny, hope that she will love singing as much as I do.

1.  "Can't Run Back" written by Valerie McQueen & Jeremy Staubus
2.  "Speckled Moon" written by Valerie McQueen & Barbara Martin

not much new

What am I doing?  Playing with my new computer and waiting for the internet at home (or rather for me to find my stupid old air card)

enjoy this photo of the Mason Jars! 

white and blue

So my mom left this morning and although I feel like my life is magically "together" I am so sad that she left.  There is just nothin' like having your mom come back and take care of you.  

I am spoiled.  I will be the first to admit it.  She helped with the mountain of laundry I had on the floor and walked me through actually putting it away when clean.  *shocker*.  She got us new pillows and sheets because she said that our bed looked like a homeless persons.  (no, for real, we didn't have any pillowcases and our sheets had like, balls all over them.  Cotton balls---not real ones)

We worked outside all weekend long and I LOVED EVERY SECOND.  Hello spring, welcome to my world.

Happy Monday

ps.  I love Jack White

do re mi fa so la ti do

 

Staunton Music Guild Songwriting Circle

come on down

sit right in

put your guts and creative juices on the table

and have almost-strangers give you advice

that was my night last night.  

 words of advice:  keep stretching.  do something that scares you.  open up.  

Oh! My Mama

I had an entire post laid out in my head.  And then my phone decided it didn't want to send any pictures to my email.  

So I will have to hold onto my thoughts (scary) and leave you with a song that I have listened to over and over the past two days.

xoxo

Swanna what?

Okay.  I've come down from my Swananoa high.  It was quite a buzz and I flatlined when I got home (as expected) when you leave this utopia world.

So what is this band camp that I have been yaking about?  It is one of the most beautiful places in the world held at Warren Wilson College.  Each day I took four classes (co-writing, songwriting your story, vocal masterclass, and how to get unstuck in songwriting). I had no pressure assignments but I was constantly working on ideas.  It is amazing how your brain just sorta opens up and lets so much creativy come out when you aren't worried about cooking, cleaning, wedding planning, and that thing called work.

Every night we would have some sort of concert to go to and then we would have song circles.  A beer and food tent was set up and then people stayed out all hours of the night just sitting around playing songs for each other.  It is magical.  

It is really something to have strangers from all over the country come together and create this community that supports and loves everyone.  I cried more times in front of people than I would like to admit...but your heart really just does pour out when people let you into beautiful moments in their lives through song.  

My goals for the week were to release and stretch......and I can tell you I did a lot of both.  I'm really proud of myself (can I say that?  its my blog...yes I can).  I let myself free this trip.  I stopped myself from "proving" myself as a musician.  I let my heart open to the experience.  And I grew and grew even more.

Typical class room setting.  This was from my cowriting class with Jon Vezner.  

 Flashback to dorm living.  No ac.  No comfy mattress.  Community showers.  I do not miss dorm living. 

 First day of class!  

I even found some horses and a barn on Warren Wilson Campus.  Felt just like home!

I could go on and on and on about this place but it really is something you have to experience for yourself!  One more year until Swannanoa 2012!

life is a song

heard this song on an old mix cd.
 it's funny how you can listen to a thing over and over and then one day BAM--the meaning really hits you. 

You say life is a dream where we can't say what we mean
Maybe just some roadside scene that we're driving past
There's no telling where we'll be in a day or in a week
And there's no promises of peace or of happiness

Well is this why you cling to every little thing
And pulverize and derange all your senses
Maybe life is a song but you're scared to song along
Until the very ending

Oh, it's time to let go of everything we used to know
Ideas that strengthen who we've been
It's time to cut ties that won't ever free our minds
From the chains and shackles that they're in

Oh, tell me what good is saying that you're free
In a dark and storming sea
You're chained to your history, you're surely sinking fast
You say that you know that the good Lord's in control
He's gonna bless and keep your tired and oh so restless soul
But at the end of the day when every price has been paid
You're gonna rise and sit beside him on some old seat of gold
And won't you tell me why you live like you're afraid to die
You'll die like you're afraid to go

Oh, it's time to let go of everything we used to know
Ideas that strengthen who we've been
It's time to cut ties that won't ever free our minds
From chains and shackles that they're in
From the chains and shackles that they're in

Well life is a dream 'cause we're all walking in our sleep
You could see us stand in lines like we're dead upon our feet
And we build our house of cards and then we wait for it to fall
Always forget how strange it is just to be alive at all

can't stop listening

 somtimes it feels like music burns into my soul, real deep down like.  

You know that feeling, right?

go time.

"art, especially the stage, is an area where it is impossible to walk without stumbling. There are in store for you many unsuccessful days and whole unsuccessful seasons, great misunderstandings and deep disappointments. You must be prepared for all of this, accept it and nevertheless stubbornly, fanatically follow your own way." -Anton Chekhov

I have this quote in a frame in my bathroom.  I read it everyday, just about.  It was given to me my senior year of college from my favorite Theatre professor and I cherish it.  It makes me feel good about falling on my face a million times and having the courage to get back up again.  

"Timon of Athens" starts it's run this evening.  Please think of me tonight at 7:30.  My guts will be hanging out on a stage singing, and probably stumbling, but fanatically following my way.

FREEDOM Friday

 I had way too much sugar today (bake sale AND birthday cake at school today) but I just wanna jump onto a rooftop and scream today!!!!!!!! 

FRIDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOOHOOOOOOO!

And to end the week, I thought I would pass along some good tunes that have been in my head lately.  (i have eclectic taste, can you tell?)

Happy Weekend Folks!

put this on in your car, turn it up and roll the windows down.

 swoon.  this is beauty.  

this has been in my head non-stop lately, why?  I'm not sure.  but I do love this song.

we always rap "we put on for Mt. Sidney" (the town we live in)-----it's legit.  And if you are ever in the car when this song comes on, I will rap Jay-Z's part with all my heart and soul.  That's what's up.

张悬 - 宝贝

(V, my chinese counterpart)

I don't think it is any coincidence that I am currently writing a Grammy award winning song on the very same night of the Grammys. It's all in the cards. I just need like 4 more verses & good melody for the chorus.....almost there.

I'm also simultaneously trying to learn the words of a Chinese song that I told my friend from school I would learn. She is 14 & from China and is starting to learn how to play the guitar (but like, she can read music and already blows me out of the water ). We practiced for about 2 hours on Saturday. We are going to tour the world one day--a U.S. tour and a China tour at first--and then the world. Her American name starts with a V too, so we planned out a perfect peace sign trademark.

Learning a Chinese song is hard. It reminds me of when me and a friend in high school were obsessed with the soundtrack/movie to "Selena" and we would just butcher Spanish words and just make up what we thought she was singing. It wasn't until my fourth year in Spanish that I realize what she was actually saying. I'm going to try and respect the Chinese language a little more on this one.

We had our "VALERIE Day" today. I woke up A by singing my new Chinese song at the top of my lungs to him while he was still waking up. He really loves me. Brunch was amazing, but then we went for like a 500 mile hike, I fell into a creek, busted up my knee & I dropped my cell phone into the water and had to hike out with cold wet feet. : (

So there goes the pictures to accompany that adventure (but maybe talks of a fancy phone were brought up?!)

"V Day" was a little bit of a flop. But I am cozy at home in a robe, knee propped up, learning Chinese and writing grammy winning songs.

Can't stop, won't stop. Peace out.

Givin' the Goat

(picture from my non-fancy phone)

Last night was sooooooooooooo good for my (our) souls!

I love the stage at Mockingbird because you feel like you are in someones living room--we sat just one table back from the stage. The Black Lillies were awesome.

At one point Andrew turned around and said, "Is he giving you the goat eye?"
Now, I don't know where the origin of the "goat eye" comes from, but I have a feeling that this is something that came straight from the hills of W. VA. It means giving someone, well, you know, that kinda look. ;)
I'm pretty sure that he was giving everyone the goat eye from the stage but I smiled and said, I don't think so, and kept on dreamily staring, maybe hoping that he was giving me a little goat. (what, engaged doesn't mean blind.....)

After the show I rushed over to buy their new CD. I walked up up to Trisha, one of the singers, and asked her if I could hug her...because, I'm all touchy-feely-and-slightly-awkward like that. I saw Cruz, the lead singer, to the side and smiled as I asked him to sign my CD. I was face to face with the goat eye. I left really fast because, well, you just shouldn't linger around handsome musicians with goat eyes. This is a very important lesson in life.

Givin' the "goat".


It's a good thing I have already fallen head over heels for a boy with the biggest blue eyes on the planet.


Plans for the weekend: High School Valentine's Dance tonight! I already told all of the cheerleaders to ask Andrew to dance. He will die. For reals.

Saturday I have to work from 9-4 (boo) BUT I also get to work on some music during that time. I can deal with that. Sat. night we are going over to a good friends house (who has babies that I can play with!) and Sunday is our full day celebration of V-Day! (Valerie Day!)

xoxox Happy Weekend lovers.

runaway music

Tonight I am going on a date night with A-dog to see the Black Lillies. Have you heard of them? I fell in love with their recent CD and I am really looking forward to being around live music tonight. It's been too long and it's just good for the soul.



I also discovered this band called The Civil Wars. They kinda make me swoon. *sigh*


and while we are on the subject of music, I am sponsoring a dance this Friday with the cheerleaders and I have been instructed to learn the "dougie". Andrew has to help chaperone with me. HA. I am so excited/scared about what I will see and how many grey hairs I might leave with.


My guitar is sitting next to me in my office--ready for practice after work. March is going to be a busy music month for me---but it will be an exciting month (not to mention by birthday month) It's moving along----even on days when I feel like it is moving along at a snails pace....it's movin'.

the head and the heart

I'm a wee bit obsessed with this band.

I feel fresh today. Like spring. You know when you can feel something changing in you deep down? I feel that way today. Maybe it's the bone chilling wind that brought this change. Maybe that wind blew in goodness from all over the world and smacked me in the face this morning.

I don't know what brought it but I like it.

peace out.

music like this...

It just makes me want to curl up on a couch and write, write, write.

I wrote a song a few days ago. It was the first time something has come together in awhile. I really struggle with writing because I battle this thing called ME. But when I finally push fear aside the words and music just drip out of the pen and I just feel liberated.

I was supposed to sing in an open mic night with my friend Peter last night. Peter is amazing at the guitar and I love playing music with him. He unfortunately got sick and couldn't come leaving me naked on the stage (I mean..not forest gump style..but you know what I mean). Guess what?

I made mistakes.
I was a bit nervous.

But. I did it. Solo. Guitar and all. And it felt absolutely wonderful.

Baby steps my friends. xoxo

"decide what to be and go be it"

This is my new favorite song.
Thanks to this gal.

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

good 'ole boys

If you ever venture into Virginia (which I hope you do) and you mosey on down to the city of Staunton (which I hope you do) you have to go down to Marino's on a Tuesday night.

For over 30 years this has been the best place for burgers, beers and bluegrass pickin'!

I have been for the burgers before, but never the bluegrass. This past Tuesday, Andrew and I went with two of our friends, Michael & Kim for....you guessed it....burgers, beers and bluegrass.

It was an amazing night. We don't usually leave the farm for the city at night (like, ever?) but this is one place that Andrew and I felt at home in. Here's some proof:

I must have been so caught up in singin' and smilin' that I had to give a HALLELUJAH!

Here's a little video from the night. Everyone was singin' "Long Black Veil". It makes me happy.

Untitled from Valerie McQueen on Vimeo.

Who's comin' next Tuesday?

i'm alright

There is something very right about listening to Madeleine Peyroux on a rainy office day.

Happy Thursday!

and we'll all float on, okay.

thanks for showing me this song Eric.

This is a perfect, rainy, chilly day in Virginia.

Happy Sunday.

Peter Bradley Adams

Guess what?

I am opening for Peter Bradley Adams Saturday night at Mockingbird, in Staunton VA.

woo hooo! I "won" this spot from the All Star Open Mic Night. Remember? Sure you do.

Here is a lil' video of Mr. Adams.

He's pretty darn cute, huh?

Oh. And if you DO happen to be able to make it, you should come a little early and have dinner. Mockingbird uses local farmers and has deeeelicious food.

You can find more information here.

I'm just pluggin' away aren't I?