By Lola Rossi-Meza
Born and raised in Woodbury, New Jersey, with one younger brother, Nicky Vallee, loved music ever since she was a child. “Music has always been near and dear to my heart. I played piano and started playing guitar when I was thirteen,” said Vallee. “My brother is also a musician.” She attended Villanova University and majored in Communication Arts. After college, she worked as a newscaster and Anchor for ten years. Her last job in TV was working for CBS-2 from 2005 until 2007.
While living in the Desert, she answered an ad on MySpace. They were looking for a girl singer who could be part of a Fleetwood Mac Trio. “This was a great opportunity for me. I stared performing there in Idyllwild and met a lot of great people who encouraged me to make a career out of it. So, I started working at a few venues here in the Valley and it has snowballed from there.” Singing and playing guitar has always been her passion.
“This past summer, I went back East and performed at the Jersey Shore with my brother, Joe, who plays drums. It was a very nice experience. Him on drums and me on guitar, a sister and brother act. We played at The Crab Trap, Yesterday Bar and Grill and Harry’s Oyster Bar at Bally’s. We do everything from The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty and Billy Joel, you know, all the good stuff. It was really great to be there for four months to perform for my family and friends.”
Vallee performs most of this repertoire with guitarist Will Bonnar. They have returned to the bluEmber every Wednesday from 6 until 10 p.m. and also perform at venues in Idyllwild.
This very talented and creative woman has her own wine label called Gypsy Red, which has sold out for this year. “The Merlot Zin blend vintage was well received. I am waiting to taste the new blend for a release in early 2014 for the second vintage. I am already getting calls requesting it.” The wine was on the menu at Fleming’s Steakhouse, Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse, both at The River in Rancho Mirage; Dish Creative Cuisine in Cathedral City; and the Cork and Fork Restaurant in La Quinta. “It was nice to perform in a venue that carried my wine. I can’t explain it, but it is a good feeling to have people enjoy my wine while enjoying my performance.” A very creative marketing concept that has not been done, until now.
She currently works at O’Bayley Communications. “It gives me an opportunity to work closely with many non-profit organizations here in the Coachella Valley. I enjoy promoting the things they are doing. It is a great balance for me. I take one day at a time and don’t let my busy schedule overwhelm me. I have a great sense of humor and don’t take myself too seriously. I have been very blessed and I am very grateful.”
