LifeBeat Follow-up: Randi Driscoll

Welcome to the next installment of my follow-up conversations with guests of “LifeBeat: Conversations with Purposeful Womxn.” The next spotlight is on Randi Driscoll, one of three guests featured in episode number two that happened in September 2020 (watch the original episode). Randi responded to my questions via email between trips as she was getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and visit friends. Her music schedule has also picked up so I was glad she took some time to give us an update on how she’s been since we last spoke. The following Q&A was conducted over email, and Randi provided her answers on November 19, 2021.

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Lizzie: When we last talked, we started off our conversation talking about comfort food. You said your favorite is your Nana’s linguine and clam sauce. Is that still your answer?

Randi: Absolutely yes! I’ve almost mastered it…as close to Nana’s as possible.

At the time of our last conversation in Sept 2020, you were still doing livestreams once a week after your long stretch of 70+ consecutive nights. Are you still doing regular livestreams now?

Very irregularly now. Occasionally, when an event occurs, or to premiere new music, or if a friend (like Noah [Heldman]!) happens to be in town. 

I know that you’re able to do in-person gigs again. How has that been?

There’s nothing like that connection with a live audience, but also a sense that things are not, and never will be exactly the same. It’s wonderful and sobering all at the same time. 

We’re almost into our third year of Covid affecting all our lives, especially kids. What have you learned from how your daughter, Skyler, is dealing with everything? Do you foresee this era being part of how she thinks about her life?

I wish I could answer that better. She definitely knows what is going on, and she is aware of how our lives are forever changed, but I’m very curious to see how she looks back on these times. 

We recently passed the 23^rd anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death. How do you continue to honor him beyond all the amazing work you’ve already done?

23 years….and still so much work to do. We come together every October to remember, to honor, and to remind ourselves that we’ve come a long way, but we’re not done yet. I share Matthew’s story, and I continue to create room for a bigger, more diverse and loving world. 

We talked briefly about food banks and their importance. With the holidays approaching, are there any charities you want to bring attention to?

We support Room in the Inn in Nashville, TN, and several local food pantries. I think this is one of the largest areas of need right now.  Shop local, eat local, we try… every little bit helps. 

Finally, we talked about joy. Connecting with friends and loved ones was part of what was bringing you joy. How are you sustaining and creating joy these days?

Baking, cooking, and making up silly songs with Skyler, dinners with our family, MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC, and thinking that Ted Lasso, may in fact, be real.

Is there anything you want to promote or anything else you want to say about where you are right now with everything?

We have Randi’s Damn Jingle Ball in San Diego on Dec. 10th, with a great line up of musicians and friends! Tickets are on sale now! AND this year a very special RDJB in Nashville on Dec. 17th! Plus you can expect my new CD in early 2022!

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One thing she didn’t mention was a new video that she premiered this past summer called, “The Year That We Stayed Home,” that, as the title implies, recounts what we all went through together in 2020. I expect it will be on that new CD next year!

It was so great to catch up with you, Randi! Whether you’re in San Diego, Nashville, or points between, try to catch a Randi Driscoll show any time you possibly can! Be sure to keep up with Randi on her Facebook page or Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to her YouTube channel where you can see all her music videos as well as all the live shows she did in 2020.