Imagine the voice of feminine smoky silk, the face of an angel, with a Medusan tangle of locks as thick and strong as her family ties and her musical roots in the flatlands of West Tennessee…then you’ve manifested Valerie June, a true original - emerging star from the legendary and still vibrant Memphis music scene.
A ‘self-taught’ guitar player, composer and troubadour of heartbreak ballads, folk songs, spirituals, soul-stirring blues and what she calls “Moonshine Roots Music”. Valerie is poised to reach a wide audience as one of the stars of the ballyhooed new MTV web series “$5 Cover” which is written and directed by Craig Brewer, creator of the Oscar-winning movie: Hustle & Flow.
Valerie’s alluringly haunting voice of distinction appeals to fans similar to those of Linda Thompson, Michelle Shocked, Jeff Tweedy, Sinead O’Connor, Jessie Mae Hemphill along with the music world’s most famous Bobs; Dylan and Marley. She pursued song-writing and performing at the age of 19, while a member of the husband-and-wife team, Bella Sun. Her relatively early marriage wasn’t a surprise, the oldest girl in a strict Christian family of five children, she was domestic as well as ambitious — she pretty much raised her siblings and, as Valerie says: “Granddad always feared for my hips because I always had a baby on ’em.”
The marriage may have died but, where there’s death, there’s birth and Valerie’s talented life unfolded to nourish the souls of others. Shedding her possessions, this daughter of a brick cleaner from humble Humboldt, Tenn., left the South and traveled up & down the West Coast as a sort of “gypsy nightingale”. While traveling, Valerie always kept it ‘real’ and had no shame playing for tips on the streets and in bus & subway stations. Interested in natural living as well as her music, she learned to make soap to supplement her income.
Valerie's journey thus far, has led her to record her most recent collection of songs, Valerie June & The Tennessee Express, with producers Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show and Beau Stapleton. She has also written and performed with Grammy-nominated, John Forte who produced and co-wrote on The Fugees' album: The Score. Her voice has taken her down the back roads to the late Jim Dickinson's Zebra Ranch to write and record with his son, Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars and Hill Country Revue.
In January 2010, the documentary created by Alan Spearman: Manifest, won an Emmy award for Best Documentary. Manifest is the compelling story of Valerie's organic musical journey and how she came to write the song: "No Draws Blues".
She is a mainstay at events such as the; Memphis Music & Heritage Festival and the International Folk Alliance Conference all while releasing albums: The Way of the Weaping Willow and Mountain of Rose Quartz, both recorded at Ardent Studios (Big Star, Replacements and ZZ Top). Valerie is currently mastering the banjo and the lap steel guitar along with creating the new sounds vibrating with the splendor & tension that occurs when mountain-spring freshness meets river-town grit. The results are beautiful - generous – authentic, brimming with gratitude for life and filled with all its hardships, joys, tears and laughter.
Valerie June - MTV Shows
Valerie June - New Music - More Music Videos
