Biography
Valerie June Hockett, born in Jackson, Tennessee, grew up in a musically rich and hardworking family environment, with her father working as both a construction company owner and a music promoter. Early exposure to gospel music in both Black and white churches, as well as her father's involvement in promoting local gospel acts, deeply influenced her formative years. After her family's home burned down when she was 14, June's resilience and creativity were further shaped by hardship and a strong sense of connection to the land and her roots.
June moved to Memphis as a teenager to pursue her musical ambitions, immersing herself in the city's vibrant scene. She taught herself guitar, banjo, and ukulele, developing a unique sound she calls 'organic moonshine roots music,' which blends elements of folk, country, blues, gospel, soul, and Americana. Her early career involved self-released recordings and collaborations, notably with Old Crow Medicine Show, before her breakthrough with the critically acclaimed 2013 album 'Pushin’ Against a Stone,' produced by Dan Auerbach and Kevin Augunas and featuring Booker T. Jones. June's music is celebrated for its genre-defying eclecticism, distinctive vocals, and deeply personal songwriting, drawing comparisons to artists like Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison.
Throughout her career, June has continued to expand her artistic reach, working as an author, poet, and mindfulness instructor, and contributing songs to projects by other notable musicians such as Mavis Staples. Her legacy is marked by her refusal to be confined by traditional musical categories, her advocacy for creative freedom, and her influence on the modern Americana and roots music landscape.
Fun Facts
- Valerie June calls her musical style 'organic moonshine roots music,' blending rural roots, country, and indie-blues influences.
- She taught herself to play guitar, banjo, and ukulele, and often performed in Memphis bars and restaurants to hone her skills.
- June once worked numerous odd jobs—including housekeeper, dog-walker, and herb shop clerk—to fund her early music career.
- She is a certified yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor and has worked as a Turnaround Artist in arts education initiatives.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Her father (Emmett June) - Music promoter and early supporter, exposed her to gospel and local music scenes (Childhood musical experiences, early church singing) [1980s-1990s]
- Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Joan Baez - Stylistic inspirations for career longevity and genre-blending (General influence on approach to songwriting and artistic identity) [2000s-present]
Key Collaborators
- Old Crow Medicine Show - Collaborated on the EP 'Valerie June and the Tennessee Express' (Valerie June and the Tennessee Express (EP)) [2010]
- Dan Auerbach - Producer and co-writer on breakthrough album (Pushin’ Against a Stone (2013)) [2013]
- Booker T. Jones - Featured musician on 'Pushin’ Against a Stone' (Pushin’ Against a Stone (2013)) [2013]
- Carla Thomas - Guest vocalist on 'Call Me a Fool' (The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers (2021)) [2021]
- Mavis Staples - Contributed the song 'High Note' to Staples' album (Livin’ on a High Note (2016)) [2016]
Artists Influenced
- No widely documented direct proteges - June's genre-blending style and independent spirit have inspired a new generation of Americana and roots musicians, though specific artists are not widely cited in available sources [2010s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Order Of Time | 2017-03-10 | Album |
| Pushin' against a Stone | 2013-05-01 | Album |
| Pushin' Against A Stone | 2013-01-01 | Album |
| The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers | 2021-03-12 | Album |
| The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers (Deluxe Edition) | 2022-01-21 | Album |
| Under Cover | 2022-08-26 | Album |
| Goodtime Charlie | 2023-09-15 | Album |
| Yèlèma | 2025-05-29 | Album |
| Pushin' Against a Stone | 2013-05-06 | Album |
| Live At KCRW | 2017-09-08 | Album |
| Mountain of Rose Quartz | 2013-04-23 | Album |
| Pushin' Against a Stone | 2013-05-06 | Album |
| The Way of the Weeping Willow | 2013-04-23 | Album |
Top Tracks
- You And I - Moon And Stars / Acoustic
- Astral Plane (The Order Of Time)
- Sweet Things Just for You
- You And I - Moon And Stars / Acoustic (The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers (Deluxe Edition))
- Joy, Joy!
- Wanna Be on Your Mind (Pushin' against a Stone)
- Call Me A Fool [Feat. Carla Thomas] (The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers)
- Wanna Be On Your Mind (Pushin' Against A Stone)
- With You - A Sweet Little Love Song Demo
- Long Lonely Road (The Order Of Time)
External Links
Tags: #americana, #bluegrass, #blues
References
Heard on WWOZ
Valerie June has been played 12 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 29, 2025 | 15:17 | Joy, Joy!from Owls, Omens, and Oracles | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 23:36 | Let it Snowfrom Let it Snow | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 22:21 | WINTER WONDERLANDfrom An Americana Christmas | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Nov 28, 2025 | 23:59 | Imagine | The Rhythm Roomw/ Allan "Alski" Laskey | |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 15:21 | CRY BABYfrom Armagedon In A Summer Dress | Soul Serenadew/ Marc Stone | |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 15:14 | rollin' and tumblin'from Rollin' And Tumblin' | Soul Serenadew/ Marc Stone | |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 14:09 | WORKIN' WOMAN BLUESfrom PUSHIN' AGAINST A STONE | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Nov 2, 2025 | 14:45 | Maybellene | Homespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River | |
| Oct 25, 2025 | 22:43 | Runnin & Searchin | Awake and Willingw/ Peggy Lou | |
| Oct 5, 2025 | 23:57 | Joy, Joy!from Owls, Omens, and Oracles | What's Neww/ Duane Williams |