What do regular people wear to the Grammys?

Back in 2017, I wrote a blog post about that time I got to attend the Grammys. With the Grammys happening this Sunday, I thought I would reshare this post.

I'm cozy in my seat at 37,000 feet on a flight to LA for my first Grammys. 

I'm two glasses of wine in, the sunset on the horizon is a spectacular array of red+amber, my Chicago coat snuggled around me, earbuds in my ears, enraptured by the sounds of Jesca Hoop's "The Lost Sky" which I've had on repeat about 20 times now -- the perfect setting to write. There's something about writing my blog from the air on an evening flight. The low-hum drone of jet engines, everyone around me cozied in as well, headphones on, reading, sleeping, working... it's peaceful up here with far less distractions; we're more grounded than on the ground.

A perfect opportunity for me to reflect and predict what my first Grammys will feel like... My husband got me tickets as a Valentines Day gift xo - it's a bucket list item for me.  With ten years in the music business under my belt, I figured I'd probably never get to go. When he handed over the tickets I went numb. My mind flooded with the list of nominees, who'd be performing, the parties, the celebs who will be in that room, my fave James Cordon as MC, and most of all: my fabulous favorite newcomer band whom I've been promoting since I heard their first note and predicted they would skyrocket: The Record Company!  I'd be there to see them and support them, amongst the heavy hitters in whose company they'll be: Beyonce, ADELE, Chance the Rapper, Keith Urban, to name a few. 

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Val Haller
How far we've come...

Back in 2017, I wrote a blog post introducing the inaugural Winnetka Music Festival. As we embark on our eighth year running, I’d like to reshare that initial blog post.

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June 1, 2017

For 10 years I've been talking about this bucket list item of mine.

I've been completely obsessed with the idea and won't relax until I've gotten to do it.  I've stated it boldly to anyone who will listen -- friends, relatives, the guy sitting next to me on the train. And I always describe it the same way: 

Bucket List Item + Why.         

I've talked about doing this for so long that I honestly believe my own story. You'll understand because you've done it too. You know, pretend-dream and brave-brag about something, believing the words that are rolling off your tongue, like you're really going to do this thing, spewing about strategy, details and execution  -- speeding up the discourse as the unlucky listener's eyes glaze over -- you blabber onward with bottomless banter. We all do it: Stand on a proverbial table. Beat a proverbial chest. Proclaim a proverbial pipe dream.  Yep, that would be me.

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Val Haller