Valerie Bertinelli Was Hanging Out With Family In Grand Rapids

Actress Valerie Bertinelli has ties to Michigan and she was spotted in Grand Rapids hanging out with family over the weekend.

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Valerie Berntinelli

When I was a kid, I watched a television show called "One Day at a Time." I used to drive my parents nuts playing guitar during family TV time. I would use my fingers during the show to play quieter, then grab a pick and play louder during the commercials.

I remember while watching the show one time while I was playing my guitar, I said to my mom, "Someday when I become a rockstar I going to marry Valerie Bertinelli." I grew up and Valerie grew up and I was a bit older and able to drive and I came home one day and my mom said, "Your hero married Valerie Bertinelli."  It was the only time I ever had a beef with Eddie Van Halen.

The beef lasted about 30 seconds when I said to Mom, "Eddie is a much better guitar player than me," and then I moved on.

Valarie Bertinelli's Ties to Michigan

Valarie Berteinelli was born in Wilmington, Deleware but because her father was an executive for General Motors their family spent part of her childhood in Clarkston, Michigan.

I played in a band in Clarkston back in the day and some of the guys had gone to school with Bertinelli is the only reason I knew any of this but she still has family and friends in Michigan.

Why Was Valerie Bertinelli in Grand Rapids?

Bertinelli's son, Wolfgang Van Halen, and his band Mammoth WVH performed at Elevation on Saturday night. Mammoth performed the night before at Ford Field with Metallica the night before.

I was lucky enough to be introducing the band and after I walked off stage I ran into Bertinelli who witnessed my introduction and was able to have a conversation with her. It's not often you get to meet your childhood crush but I wasn't disappointed. Bertinelli was as nice as I thought she would be and like any mother, she is so proud of her son and was there showing him support performing at a sold-out show at Elevation.

Bertinelli had invited family and friends to both the Ford Field and Elevation shows. My friend and I were lucky enough to be able to enjoy the show from the side of the stage with Valerie and her family. I didn't take a picture because I have learned in the entertainment business that there is a time and a place, and family time is not the place. It was fun watching Bertinelli's nephews and nieces watch their cousin Wolf play in his band like any other family would do. It was a fun time to be a fly on the wall and a moment I will never forget.

On another note, Mammoth WVH was absolutely great at Ford Field and Elevation. I own both records and highly recommend them because there is not a bad song on either, on the contrary, they are both outstanding. Wolfgang Van Halen plays all of the instruments on those albums and writes all the songs. Wolf is one of the most talented musicians I have ever met and he has assembled a top-notch group of guys to perform those songs live. Do yourself a favor and go see Mammoth WVH because they are the real deal.