If you’ve listened to MIX 100.5 (KPSI FM) during the midday hours, you’ve heard local radio DJ Valerie Kattz. Valerie has been on the radio locally since 1993, when she moved to Palm Springs and started with RR Broadcasting. She donates a lot of her time to local animal-related charities, such as Loving All Animals. She recently took some time away from her busy schedule to answer The Lucky 13.
What was the first concert you attended?
George Strait and Highway 101 in Lake Charles, La. I was 15 at the time.
What was the first album you owned?
The first album I remember begging my parents to purchase for me was Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
What bands are you listening to right now?
I’m at work, and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” by War is playing on the overhead at this time. Oh, the joys of working at a radio station!
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I do not get rap/hip hop music. Apparently, I am just not THAT down with my homies, yo.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
My dream performance would be to see Journey reunite with Steve Perry. Journey is my all-time favorite band, and I would love to see them in concert one day.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
1980s music is my favorite, and I don’t feel guilty at all!
What’s your favorite music venue?
I think we have a lot of nice venues in the desert. The casinos offer good acts, and the rooms are intimate enough to make you feel like you’re pretty close, even if you have the worst seats in the house. The Show at Agua Caliente is a really nice venue, as is the McCallum Theatre. For bars, I love the Palm Canyon Roadhouse. It’s a fun place; the owners are great, and they always have great local musicians playing. But my absolute favorite is whichever one my boyfriend’s band, Lost in Los Angeles, is playing at—so call me if you want to book them.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Don’t stop believin’, hold on to that feeling,” from Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” (It runs on a loop non-stop in my head.)
What band or artist changed your life? How?
I would have to say there were different bands for different stages of my youth. It started out with Duran Duran, then in junior high, it was Mötley Crüe and all the “big hair” bands. In high school, I became a huge of alternative music, with Depeche Mode being my favorite. My all-time favorite is Journey.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Steve Perry: “Will you PLEASE get back with Journey and go on tour?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Don’t even like thinking about this one.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Journey, Greatest Hits.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
You can probably guess where this is going by now: “Don’t Stop Believin.” I will never stop believin’!