We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie Peaches Embry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie Peaches, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?

I am from Gary Indiana. I was raised in a predominately black community of blue-collar workers who mostly migrated from the south, bringing traditions and music with them. Family, church, and neighborhood meant everything and was tightly intertwined. Music flowed within, around, and throughout these groups for any and all occasions. People played and sang alone, together, to one another, to their God, to audiences, and because of circumstances, to get through circumstances, to celebrate, to mourn, to ponder.  There seemed to always be music, even if through a faint transistor radio in the background.  Weekends rang of backyard music circles of old friends sharing familiar tunes. This included our backyard with my father leading off with his trombone. And there were the corner groups of Motown wannabes/shouldabes under the spot of the streetlamps.  Sundays were non-stop gospel. It started early with tunes coming out of the homes as families readied for church, during the time my mother would belt away at some old slow spirituals.  Throughout the all-day services, there were lively call and response hymns, complex gospel choir selections (where I learned to belt tunes), heartfelt solos, and rhythmic testimonies, that lasted into the night.  For me, music has always been a part of life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Doing music. I love music. What a way to share yourself with people! I love collaborating through music.  There are genres I like singing, that are second nature to me – but that isn’t the end to my reach. Its truly art.  Music exploration is an experience that gives you insight into other ways to look at the world, situations, people.  That’s why I enjoy songwriting as well. I get a chance to layer my audible, emotional and mental voices. So I spend time on writing tunes and preparing them for “consumption.”  And then performing – I get to communicate and reach out from soul to soul.  Its an ultimate experience for me.  When you get in sync with the band to create the vehicle for delivery and then serve it up!!   My main challenge is to find a group of musicians that “get” where you are headed and see/feel themselves going that same way musically.  Throughout my career I’ve learned that talent alone can only take a project so far.  Collective passion is what gets you over the top. Creating the right package is key.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

There are a few must-go places. Ft. Collins has so many fun places and so much history. Horsetooth reservoir for a view of the city, walk by the water, followed by a sunset hike. Then we would have to do Old Town. A day walking tour to include Jazz Alley (featuring me there), and the galleries, while hitting Moe’s BarBQ for an appetizer of smoked wings and the Crown Pub for a burger. Another day would end at the Rio with food and their famous Margs. If during the summer, it would be great to take in one of the Friday concerns at the Foothills Mall and enjoy and meal and beverage at one of the  restaurants there.  A couple of beer tours would definitely be in order – New Belgium, Odells and/or Budweiser with one evening ending at the Coast for dancing.

A visiut to the CSU campus should be on the itinerary for sure. Probably get there on the Maxx and do a walking tour of the old campus. A visit to the Music District  to learn about the continuing music legacy of Fort Collins. Then a trip across the tracks to Avos, another longstanding food and music establishment. Then the Maxx back to vehicles.  A driving tour around the city to check out natural areas like the North College Poudre River Park, Running Deer Natural Area, Fossil Creek Reservoir, stopping in between for lunch at the Moot House then getting dinner at Young’s Vietnamese Cuisine and ending up midtown at Lirano Wine Bar where people of all ages go to dance from the first to the last song.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

There are many I would love to thank.  Probably starting with Delores and David Blakely at Faith Temple COGIC in East Chicago IN.  They pushed me vocally to lead songs in our reknown 50+ voice children’s choir when I was very shy.  Also Walt Jenkins who has always encouraged my singing and performing.  And a huge shoutout to Hazel Miller who taught me to just get up and sing! Irma Thomas who took the time to explain to me the importance of interpreting the songs I sing. John Magnie for helping me look for more as a songwriter. Gemma Segrue for opening up voice as science.  Monique Ford who helped me connect with some key music people who have “learned” me a lot.  The Music District for their support in providing a platform (and personnel) to further my musical development.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachesembry/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-peaches-embry-920b5591/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeachesEmbryLiveMusic/

Image Credits
Ernie, BackStageFlash

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