Vaughn Walters Speaks!
| Published 12/10/04

Graphic by: Ande Hearn

As this semester wraps up, Radford University's student population will lose a lot of veterans with students taking that diploma and hitting the real world for the first time. I've taken it upon myself to profile one of these students who will soon be leaving the comfort of childhood behind for good.

  Vaughn Walters, 23, has a face you might recognize from a variety of places throughout the small town of Radford. Maybe you would recognize him as a frequent occupant of the computer lab in Walker Hall, or perhaps you've attended a show performed by one of his various bands: the Tobaccotones, A Fine Line, or his solo project, known to all as "Ol' VW."  Hailing from Rowlesburg, WV, the classical guitar major is set for adulthood.

  David: First, Vaughn, what are your plans upon leaving Radford University?

Vaughn: "Iım going to move home to West Virginia for four weeks and work in a bluegrass venue, and then I'm moving to Ireland, and then probably to India after that, for just a few months. The rough plan eventually is to move to the west coast and work crappy jobs and play in horribly talent-less rock bands until I die."

David: Do you plan on missing Radford after you're gone?

  Vaughn: "I'll miss the friends I've made, but Radford, no, I won't miss it at all."

David: What are the most important things you've learned thus far in your short adulthood? 

Vaughn: "Dude, this is a sappy answer, but I've learned how to love and that's about the most important thing I can learn."

David: What do you want out of life, and how does that contrast with what you'll realistically be doing? 

Vaughn: "I've found thus far in my life that I accomplish about half of what I set out to accomplish, which I think puts me in at least as good of a position as most people, because I talk about doing a lot of stuff. For example, in the next year, I hope to move to Ireland for four months, teach at a music summer camp and possibly move to India until the end of the following year or maybe teach English in Finland or Japan. Since my plans change on pretty much a daily basis, I'll be happy if I can do about half of that. In the long run, I want to settle into a city that has a lot going on musically and eventually stop working jobs that I have no interest in working. Hopefully I'll someday be able to make enough cash playing music and teaching/recording that I won't have to subsidize my income with dishwashing jobs. I dream big 100% of the time and follow through about 50% of the time.  Also, I figure it will take me about twice as long to accomplish anything goal related as I hope it will take. For example, four colleges, five majors, 5 and a-half years later, and I am finally graduating."

David: If you were to leave Radford University with a quote to remember you by, what would it be? 

Vaughn: "I'll give you my favorite quote, it's a John Trubee quote: 

Creed of the Creator

I do what I do

I create what I create

If the world disapproves

The world can blow it out its ass.

I do not exist

To submit

To your *#@$."

After asking Vaughn what fond memories he'd have after his departure, he decided the best (and funniest) way of answering would be delivered through a handful of stories involving his time here.

  Vaughnıs Memoirs, Number One:  "After a night of smoking dope, eating an entire box of donut sticks and passing out in the middle of playing bass guitar, a few of my dudes and I woke up and decided to float down the river. It was a beautiful day, and we were enjoying the sun and the New River. After about an hour though, the sky became black. It started thunder-storming. One of the two people I was rafting with couldn't swim, and his raft burst. I thought he was joking and ignored his pleas to save his life. Fortunately, my other friend did not. It turns out he was not joking and was scared he was going to die. We floated on down to Bisset Park in the thunderstorm. It was no longer fun. I was cold. We were going to reward ourselves for not dying by eating some Chrusties. But the power was out in Radford. So we waited an hour. Then we ate some Chrusties. They were good."

Vaughnıs Memoirs, Number Two: "I played in a lot of bands and did a lot of solo music in Radford. Fond memories include playing solo in Yummy's, in Blacksburg with A Fine Line, at my house with the Tobaccotones after not practicing for four months -- the absolute worst, but most fun show of all time --, and staying up late as hell and playing at 409 Downey during the summer. Less than fond memories include playing at Rileyıs and deciding to even enter Riley's in the first place."

Vaughnıs Memoirs, Number Three:  "A couple of nights ago, I drank a lot of moonshine and stayed up until 3:30 p.m. the next day. I fell asleep with my friendıs boa constrictor in my hands and while I was asleep, the boa wrapped itself around my neck. Fortunately, my friends removed it before it was able to kill me.  I am glad I am not dead."

So with this, I say farewell to one Mr. Vaughn Walters.  Good luck to you and your undoubtedly crazy and adventurous future.