I love flowers too especially gerberas. They always brighten up my home. You have been so busy, I don't know how you have the stamina. You are blessed with good health and you look like a teenager!
Great stuff as always KV! We have our perennial flowers in our garden and I can't tell you how much joy I get seeing them come to life each year after a long winter.
I love when you you regale us about stories about your brushes with greatness and connections to legends. And a forum like this makes it easy for us to forget that you are a legend too!
I think there is a glaring exception to your point #2 about connecting with the audience by being connected to your music: John Entwistle. He always looked like he was too cool to give a shit, and was all the more compelling because of that.
Finally just a random question because I've been curious: Do you still have the yo-yo from the Vacation video?
I can relate to absolutely everything you wrote about being in a band and writing songs. I was in a couple of bands when I was younger and I've been writing songs since I was a teen. Most are unfinished, LOL. I am retiring this month and one of my goals is to get back into playing and writing again. And finishing those songs! Thanks the inspirational words!
A wonderful, eclectic, "etc." post. I also consider flowers to be a "necessary luxury" -- although I've had to forego my beloved oriental lilies as I now have two 3-month-old kittens in my life. (My late elderly cat ignored the flowers, even when they started to "shed" onto the floor, but the kittens want to get into everything.) I tremendously enjoyed Taylor when I saw her in Austin not long ago -- and I've become a huge fan of Josh Johnson, whose work is a great blend of humor and humanity. And I was thrilled when I heard that Die Spitz had been signed by Third Man Records and sent off on a European tour. Already pre-ordered their forthcoming album.
Kathy, it’s cool to see how much you are enjoying living in the UK. And nice that Audrey is there too. I signed up to her substack and have been enjoying her writings too. :)
In that Neil Young video, it looks like Willie Nelson’s son Micah is playing guitar in that clip with Neil. That’s cool. I’ve been following Micah and Lukas on Instagram for a while. Talented dudes! We used to see Neil at San Jose Sharks hockey games back in the 1990’s with his son who is in a wheel-chair. I attended many of Neil’s “Bridge School Benefit” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_School_Benefit concerts at The Shoreline Amp that he and his then wife Peggy used to run. The proceeds went to their son’s school. My oldest daughter and I were lucky to see so many bands and musicians over the years at these annual concerts. Neil always closed the show with several of the artists who were on the bill during those weekends. One of the most pleasant surprises of a band I really liked was seeing Phish! I miss those shows. Glad you got to see so many bands with Audrey! It’s one of my favorite mother-daughters activities I’ve enjoyed doing for decades! LOL
Happy Birthday to your mom!! We almost share a birthday.
"If you play guitar or bass, train yourself not to stare at your hand on the neck. ..." Very true! I've noticed the best tend to use their eyes to direct the attention of the audience. When you want to engage the audience, look at them. When you want them to look at your cool solo, look at the guitar, but don't hang out there too long. Eyes are kinda like a spotlight(?)
As a retired opera singer & now voice teacher, your words ring so true: If the singer can’t connect with the text, and let the audience in on how the combination of text + music makes them feel, then singing is just pretty noise.
Thank you for the privilege of letting us into your world, through your writing, Ms. Valentine.
Love this and am sharing it with my son, who also is a creative and performer. Also, this line in particular resonated with me:
“Being aware, in real time, as it’s happening, that I was in the midst of an experience that I’d likely cherish for the rest of my years made it all the sweeter.”
Thanks for the list of bass tips, Kathy! I really like “like a hammer with foam around it” to describe bass tone. Love these posts, originally subscribed as a musician as always interesting to hear from other musicians but this has turned into one of my favourite Substacks.
Another very great read!! I've been so busy with work and with my Mom's eye appointments but coming home to this read makes me so happy and calm ❤️ ☺️ I talk with her everyday and let her know everything that I am doing. I ask her first about her and what she is doing. She surprises me everyday because she tells me that she is planting plants around the house. She is doing this with only one eye. and she can finally see color again. It makes her so happy. Can't wait for the next read! Love you 🤟😘 -renel
my Creator likes it when I create, and we are never more close than during those times. thank for reminding me
I love flowers too especially gerberas. They always brighten up my home. You have been so busy, I don't know how you have the stamina. You are blessed with good health and you look like a teenager!
As ever—thank you. The flower photos, the advice, all of it (any Led Zeppelin song—hahahahaha). So good.
Flowers, news, observations, and wisdom.. this makes me smile thank you
Great stuff as always KV! We have our perennial flowers in our garden and I can't tell you how much joy I get seeing them come to life each year after a long winter.
I love when you you regale us about stories about your brushes with greatness and connections to legends. And a forum like this makes it easy for us to forget that you are a legend too!
I think there is a glaring exception to your point #2 about connecting with the audience by being connected to your music: John Entwistle. He always looked like he was too cool to give a shit, and was all the more compelling because of that.
Finally just a random question because I've been curious: Do you still have the yo-yo from the Vacation video?
Thanks again!
I can relate to absolutely everything you wrote about being in a band and writing songs. I was in a couple of bands when I was younger and I've been writing songs since I was a teen. Most are unfinished, LOL. I am retiring this month and one of my goals is to get back into playing and writing again. And finishing those songs! Thanks the inspirational words!
you should think about writing. yer pretty good at it.😺
A wonderful, eclectic, "etc." post. I also consider flowers to be a "necessary luxury" -- although I've had to forego my beloved oriental lilies as I now have two 3-month-old kittens in my life. (My late elderly cat ignored the flowers, even when they started to "shed" onto the floor, but the kittens want to get into everything.) I tremendously enjoyed Taylor when I saw her in Austin not long ago -- and I've become a huge fan of Josh Johnson, whose work is a great blend of humor and humanity. And I was thrilled when I heard that Die Spitz had been signed by Third Man Records and sent off on a European tour. Already pre-ordered their forthcoming album.
Kathy, it’s cool to see how much you are enjoying living in the UK. And nice that Audrey is there too. I signed up to her substack and have been enjoying her writings too. :)
In that Neil Young video, it looks like Willie Nelson’s son Micah is playing guitar in that clip with Neil. That’s cool. I’ve been following Micah and Lukas on Instagram for a while. Talented dudes! We used to see Neil at San Jose Sharks hockey games back in the 1990’s with his son who is in a wheel-chair. I attended many of Neil’s “Bridge School Benefit” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_School_Benefit concerts at The Shoreline Amp that he and his then wife Peggy used to run. The proceeds went to their son’s school. My oldest daughter and I were lucky to see so many bands and musicians over the years at these annual concerts. Neil always closed the show with several of the artists who were on the bill during those weekends. One of the most pleasant surprises of a band I really liked was seeing Phish! I miss those shows. Glad you got to see so many bands with Audrey! It’s one of my favorite mother-daughters activities I’ve enjoyed doing for decades! LOL
Happy Birthday to your mom!! We almost share a birthday.
Thank you once again for your Substack post!! :)
"If you play guitar or bass, train yourself not to stare at your hand on the neck. ..." Very true! I've noticed the best tend to use their eyes to direct the attention of the audience. When you want to engage the audience, look at them. When you want them to look at your cool solo, look at the guitar, but don't hang out there too long. Eyes are kinda like a spotlight(?)
As a retired opera singer & now voice teacher, your words ring so true: If the singer can’t connect with the text, and let the audience in on how the combination of text + music makes them feel, then singing is just pretty noise.
Thank you for the privilege of letting us into your world, through your writing, Ms. Valentine.
Love this and am sharing it with my son, who also is a creative and performer. Also, this line in particular resonated with me:
“Being aware, in real time, as it’s happening, that I was in the midst of an experience that I’d likely cherish for the rest of my years made it all the sweeter.”
Thank you for your ongoing work and insight.
Thanks for the list of bass tips, Kathy! I really like “like a hammer with foam around it” to describe bass tone. Love these posts, originally subscribed as a musician as always interesting to hear from other musicians but this has turned into one of my favourite Substacks.
Another very great read!! I've been so busy with work and with my Mom's eye appointments but coming home to this read makes me so happy and calm ❤️ ☺️ I talk with her everyday and let her know everything that I am doing. I ask her first about her and what she is doing. She surprises me everyday because she tells me that she is planting plants around the house. She is doing this with only one eye. and she can finally see color again. It makes her so happy. Can't wait for the next read! Love you 🤟😘 -renel
Wonderful as always KV.
An excellent perspective on flowers, long may you bloom, and advice on the art of creating music – on the page and on the stage.
Feeling the connection between what you're doing and how the audience is reacting is the best there is.
Never stop!