Valerie Borman Blog – Nothing like coming home

When I began planning my sets for the Heidelberg-Lynn Township historical Society’s Pioneer Day 2010, I had no problem choosing the first number. For years, I’d waited for the opportunity to sing Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s “Simple Life” in my hometown of New Tripoli, PA because for me, it is autobiographical – so much so, I was asked if I wrote the song… I WISH!!!

“I have wandered this world far and wide. I’ve been all around and to the other side, but there’s nothing like coming home….nothing like coming home.”

Singing Carolyn’s lyrics under the most beautiful sunny sky on October 2nd was one of the most memorable moments of my career. I grew up a “stone’s throw” from the Ontelaunee Park on Borman Rd. (Yep – I’m not kidding. The state named the road after my family.) I remember as a kid hearing the music coming from the Park every Sunday afternoon. I also remember driving past the entrance and seeing the names of the artists who were playing there: Porter Wagoner, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty and Buck Owens – ahhh, Hee Haw. The Ontelaunee Park had a history of hosting the biggest names in Country Music like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams – and I wanted to be part of that history. My childhood dream had finally come true.

But the magic of my perfect day didn’t end there. It’d been a long time since I lived in New Tripoli and worked at my parents’ butcher shop/retail store, Rose Valley Farm. It had been years since I graduated from Northwestern Lehigh High School. (Just remember – I’m only 29!!) October 2nd became a homecoming AND reunion all in one. Everyone with whom I spoke was a part of my personal history: people who knew me as a kid behind the counter in the butcher shop; alumni from dozens of graduating classes of NHS; my former teachers and classmates; friends with whom I’d participated in the Relay For Life of Northwestern Lehigh. There were lines of people just waiting to chat with me. I have never felt so loved and appreciated. And the best part of all of this – my family was there with me. My Mum and Dad were feeling well enough to come to the show. It was THE perfect performance.

I am so thrilled that I got to share my personal history and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage with my wonderful friend, and guitarist, Tom Williamson. He flew from Nashville to PA to join me on my “personal high for a day.” (Sorry about the tour of Philadelphia, Tom!) I took him on my personal tour of Borman Rd and Mosserville and even got him to ask my Dad over the mic, “Kuscht du mikka funga?” I still laugh every time I think about it.

When the gig ended, we took the party to the Leather Corner Post Hotel, the “Home Of The Boombas,” to see the Dr. Jim Band. (I will have to find the video of me playing Boomba and post it here on the website!) The members of this awesome rock ensemble were also classmates – and neighbors – of mine “back in the day.” The musical magic led to an all-night kitchen jam in Jim and Laura’s kitchen. And at 5 a.m., I still wasn’t ready for the best day ever to end. There is “nothing like coming home!”

Valerie Borman dates added Oct 07, 2010

The following new dates have been added to the Valerie Borman Calendar.

For additional dates and details, visit the Valerie Borman Calendar section.

You can also subscribe to Valerie’s E-mail Newsletter to be notified of her latest news, events, and website updates.

Date	Venue	Details
Saturday Oct 16, 2010	Music at Lenox Village 6901 Lenox Village Drive Nashville, TN Get Directions	10AM-1PM Open to Public
Friday Dec 17, 2010	Christmas Party Allentown, PA	Private

Valerie Borman Gallery – Pioneer Day Festival

Photos of Valerie Borman performing at Pioneer Day Festival in New Tripoli, PA on Oct 02, 2010.

Valerie Borman Gallery – Friends and Fans

Photos of Valerie Borman with some of her friends and fans.

Valerie Borman Dates Added Sep 15, 2010

The following new dates have been added to the Valerie Borman Calendar.

For additional dates and details, visit the Valerie Borman Calendar section.

You can also subscribe to Valerie’s E-mail Newsletter to be notified of her latest news, events, and website updates.

Date	Venue	Details
Saturday Sep 18, 2010	Music at Lenox Village 6901 Lenox Village Drive Nashville, TN Get Directions	10AM-1PM Open to Public
Saturday Sep 25, 2010	Music at Lenox Village 6901 Lenox Village Drive Nashville, TN Get Directions	10AM-1PM Open to Public

Valerie Borman Calendar Update Aug 05 2010

New dates have been added to the Valerie Borman Calendar.

For additional dates and details, visit the Valerie Borman Calendar section.

You can also subscribe to Valerie’s E-mail Newsletter to be notified of her latest news, events, and website updates.

Date	Venue	Details
Sunday Sep 05, 2010	Silver Creek Athletic Association Picnic Springtown, PA	1PM-6PM
Saturday Oct 02, 2010	5th Annual Pioneer Festival Ontelaunee Park New Tripoli, PA Event sponsored by: Lynn-Heidelberg Historical Society	1PM-4PM

Valerie Borman Calendar Update

New dates have been added to the Valerie Borman Calendar.

For additional dates and details, visit the Valerie Borman Calendar section.

You can also subscribe to Valerie’s E-mail Newsletter to be notified of her latest news, events, and website updates.

Date	Event	Location	Details
Friday 7.23.10	Trumbauersville Volunteer Fire Company Carnival	Trumbauersville, PA	7PM-10PM
Thursday 7.29.10	Trumbauersville Volunteer Fire Company Carnival	Trumbauersville, PA	7PM-10PM

Valerie Borman Calendar Update

A new date has been added to the Valerie Borman Calendar.

For additional dates and details, visit the Valerie Borman Calendar section.

You can also subscribe to Valerie’s E-mail Newsletter to be notified of her latest news, events, and website updates.

Date	Event	Location	Details
Sunday 5.30.10	Silver Creek Athletic Association Benefit	Springtown, PA	1PM-6PM

Valerie Borman Blog – Going Solo

This month, I’ve booked a few solo gigs in my home state of PA. It’s been a while since I’ve performed as a single, but it’s quickly coming back to me how I do the job. While there are SO many single acts everywhere with a singer and an acoustic guitar –especially in Nashville – that’s not what I do. I wish sometimes that it was – it seems like it would be so much easier.

For years, I have worked with sequences and tracks. As the keyboardist for The Starlites, I spent years actually recording the sequences myself. Now THERE’S a time-consuming job!!! I started back in the days of my Ensoniq SQ-80 which only had 8-note polyphony. Graduating to Cakewalk and a sound module was a dream – and a nightmare – as cover tunes became more and more complex. (Do we really need 48-tracks of stuff going on??) I finally conceded to purchasing the sequences to make my life easier. But just having the sequences isn’t the whole deal – I spend a lot of time re-mixing the tracks, adding tracks and assigning outputs to get the best sound I can from this canned material.

If I had my choice – I would always play live. But the economy and my need for versatility put a damper on that option. As entertainment budgets tightened through the years, sequences gave our band the option to continue working with fewer band members on stage. I know – it sucks!! And as a single, I can work ANY room, gig, event, etc, because I am not limited to the type of material I can perform. So the setlist for my show includes country, rock, hip-hop, adult contemporary – and, YES! I will do all those genres in one set. Why not? I can – so I do!

ADDENDUM:

So far this month, I’ve packed my venues with friends and fans. Again, I would rather be performing live, with a full band, and I will be doing so in the coming months (it’s fair and festival season!!!) But the bottom line is I WANT TO BE ON STAGE. Singing with sequences allows me to work – so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! I’ve got to get to work!

See you at the show!

Valerie

Valerie Borman Blog – First Songwriting Credit

I’ve always said that I would rather perform in front of a million people than share anything that I’ve written lyrically – or musically for that matter. It is so easy for me to jump on stage and think nothing about performing. I have no anxieties or stage fright whatsoever. But the idea of sharing something that came from my head – or more personally, my heart – strikes a fear in me of no compare. It reminds me of the lyrics of “Breathe 2 a.m.” : “…..I feel like I’m naked in front of the crowd, cause these words are my diary screaming out loud….” REALLY – it feels THAT personal to me!!

But I am so proud to say that I’ve finally taken the plunge – or at least got my feet wet – thanks to the help of two very special guys at Restless Hands Music. Tom Williamson and Bill Fillson took me under their wings this month and with their tutelage and patience, helped me to find the courage to “open up.”

I met Tom when he was performing with The Midnight Special Band at the Walking Horse Hotel in Wartrace. If you’ve not yet checked out The Chais Music Hall there, you are missing out on a musical/acoustical experience. Furthermore – The Midnight Special Band rocks!! After sitting in with the band, Tom invited me to check out the studio at Restless Hands, and introduced me to the President, Bill Fillson. Tom and Bill are two of the nicest, most talented folks I’ve met in Nashville. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with them.

In addition to penning a few lines in our co-write, I’ve also had the chance to sing on some song demos at the studio. I would LOVE to get into the demo market, and working with Tom and Bill is giving me some much needed experience in the recording booth. (For those of you who’ve never recorded – it’s NOTHING like performing live. I find recording vocals MUCH more difficult than performing live. Every slight “mistake” I make is captured digitally for all eternity – not that I make any flubs while singing! And there is no playing off the other musicians, or feeding from their energy – just a small booth with a mic in your face. It’s SO different from my 25 years stage experience.)

So now that I’m officially a songwriter, you’ll have to stop back to see/hear the finished products. I’ve got to head to PA for some performances, but when I return to TN, I’ll get back to the studio and pass the final product along to all of you!

See you at the show!

Valerie

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