Valerie Borman Blog - NOVEMBER To Do List

So I’ve got til the end of the year to write 3 songs – and to date I’ve never written a single thing.  It’s not for lack of trying; it’s just that I’m a perfectionist and I always want my first draft to be a hit!  I know how unrealistic that is, how could I let anyone hear a song I wrote unless I knew that it was really good?

As a singer, I know that I have nothing without songwriters.  Furthermore, I think that the writers of songs should get all the attention lavished upon the artists who perform them.  I remember reading an interview of Tim McGraw after the release of “Live Like You Were Dying.”  In the article Tim spoke of the death of his father, Tug, and the meaning behind “his” song – but he never even mentioned that he didn’t write it or give credit to Tim Nichols who did! I was flabbergasted!!!

I am so overawed with songwriters – I had pretty much convinced myself, “I could never do that!”  Well, I’ve got to overcome that notion now – there’s no room in my contract for psyching myself out!  So this month, I will be writing, writing, writing!!  I’ve been invited to write with Grammy-winning Songwriter, Duane Hitchings.  Yep – he’s got 18 gold and platinum albums – no pressure there!!

I can say that I am really excited to begin the songwriting process.  Although I’m still intimidated, I’m concentrating on the outcome – when I can perform a song that people love and think, “I CREATED that!”  You’ll have to check back to see how my writing venture is going!

Work.  Work.  Work.

I’ve worked professionally in the music business since I was a teenager.  (And that’s the reason I’m still a teenager!!)  I have had the most blessed career, working full-time as a musician for more than 20 years.  But I also had the good fortune to be a “big fish in a small pond.”  While there was an abundance of male vocalists in the Lehigh Valley, female vocalists were less plentiful – and GOOD female vocalists were even more of an endangered species.  So with the blessing of this incredible voice that God gave me, I was always able to make my living doing what I loved.

Things are now different for me.  I’ve jumped into a much larger pond and now I’m starting over.  Apparently, no one is impressed with 3 ½ octaves.  The idea of being able to emulate Celine Dion with ease is not even important.  Will I work for free or for tips?  That’s all anyone wants to know.

I realize that I have been spoiled.  I have played the most beautiful rooms.  I have been paid premium wages.  I have been around the world.  I don’t want to go back to smoke-filled bars filled with patrons who have no interest in the quality of my music or the level of my vocal skill.  And I can’t believe that is the state of the music business in Nashville.  This is MUSIC CITY for goodness’ sakes.  Shouldn’t the level of quality be greater all around?

I have found one venue that I think is a fit for me/my music.  I’ve met with Joe Peters at the Walking Horse Hotel in Wartrace, TN.  He designed his Chais Music Hall, named for his beloved wife who succumbed to cancer in 2007, to be the most acoustically perfect musical experience.  I will be sitting in with Joe’s band during November and performing with my own group in December.  So keep checking the calendar for those dates!!

In the meantime, I will be pounding the pavements of Nashville, looking for more venues in which I want to play.  Performances will be listed on my calendar page.  Sign up for my mailing list and you’ll be notified as soon as gigs are scheduled.  Then, if you’re in the area, you can stop by and pad the tip jar!!

See you at the show!

~ Valerie