Valerie June Covers ‘Lean On Me’ With Larry & Joe For ‘eTown’

Singer-songwriter Valerie June shared the eTown Hall stage with Larry & Joe for recent taping of the eTown syndicated radio program. Valerie, Larry & Joe, along with host Nick Forster, Helen Forster and The eTones came together for a vibrant cover of Bill Withers’ classic “Lean On Me.”

Larry & Joe consists of multi-instrumentalists Larry Bellorín from Monagas, Venezuela and is a veteran of traditional Llanera music and Joe Troop who hails from North Carolina and is steeped in bluegrass and oldtime music traditions.

June spoke admirably about the duo and collaborating with the pair, telling eTown:

“It’s just amazing. I mean, this combination of Southerners and Venezuelan sounds, and just the beauty of those instruments together — it’s just like, in my soul, I’ve always felt this oneness with music and how that is a reflection of the oneness of humanity. So, it doesn’t matter your race, your beliefs, or which nation you’re from; there is a common thread between all humans and all living things, really.

“To have that all onstage tonight, I think, was a representation of that oneness that we share. To me, that is a pretty light-hearted, pleasant, and joyful kind of connection that we can share with each other, with nature, and with all of our existence here. I would love to see that be more prevalent in our world, more intertwined, integrating, and mixing. Music, to me, is the best place to start with. The arts.”

With host Nick Forster on mandolin, Helen Forster on backing vocals and the program’s house band, Valerie June sang lead on a rousing rendition of Bill Withers’ beloved “Lean On Me.”

Watch the joyous performance below: