Meet Valerie Jeanne, born and raised in sunny southern California, until her senior year of high school when she moved to Coeur d’Alene. Her life hasn’t been all sunshine, however. She has faced several storms in her life—one of which nearly ended it. At the age of 39, Valerie began her battle with Stage 3 breast cancer. Against all odds, she beat the vicious disease after enduring 33 rounds of radiation. Ultimately, Valerie’s most terrifying moments in life inspired her to uplift lives through her songs. Dealing with a double mastectomy and radiation while battling cancer is a challenge no one can be ready for, but she rose above it.

Music has always been a source of comfort for Valerie’s family. Her parents, Barbara and Dave, instilled a love for music in her at an early age. Like many great artists, Valerie started singing in church—her first solo debut at six years old was “Step Into The Sunshine.” The talent she possessed was first acknowledged at a young age and would later take her to the top of Christian Country Radio charts. Valerie knew music was her calling in life. “My favorite saying is, ‘when words fail, music speaks,’” she says.

The song “The Rainbow After The Storm” is her most successful song yet, reaching number one on Christian Music Weekly Charts and in the top 40 on Nashville Christian Connection Chart. “This song was written for me by songwriters Michelle McCammond and Mellad Abeid,” she says. “This song I sang from going through a major storm of life and almost losing my life to declaring hope to inspire others. It was a declaration of God’s miracles. The biggest hardship in music life was having to walk away from it for several years to battle cancer. In this industry, to take a break is like having to start from scratch again when you return. I have worked most of my life in the music industry. You work hard to build a name for yourself.  In some regards you have to start all over again.” 

Valerie’s outlook and faith is inspiring and refreshing. The depth of her faith and rejuvenating spirit of hope can be heard in her music, and is illuminated in how she lives her daily life. For anyone currently facing a battle, whether it is cancer or any other life challenge: let her story give you courage.

Valerie has shared the stage with the legendary Oscar and Academy award-winning Patty Duke in Laura Little Theatricals, musical Traditions of Christmas Northwest. She has also performed for many private parties, entertaining guests such as Wayne Newton and Jack Hannah, as well as opened for big name acts, including Sherrie Austin, Freddie Fender, Doug Supernaw and Big House.  

KREM2 News recently interviewed Valerie about her battle with cancer and how she turned to music to share her story with the world. After beating stage 3 breast cancer, Valerie continues to be a miracle and a blessing and light of hope to those struggling with battles of their own. Add her on Spotify to follow her journey and let her music speak life to your heart. valeriejeannemusic.com