Showcases
VOCAL Showcase May 2009
A small but enthusiastic crowd was present for the 214th consecutive VOCAL showcase at the Taphouse Grill. John Ellis and Darryl Ellyson treated us to their unique styles of crooning/rocking/bluesing throughout the evening.
John Ellis started the show with Just What You’re Looking For, an instrumental he wrote for his brother’s wedding. A tender, smooth melody found its way up and down the neck of his electric guitar. He then covered Gary Shaver’s A Crying Shame (blaming himself for losing his girlfriend to another guy), and moved into another instrumental, A Timepiece. I Wish You Would was co-written with a friend, and had some wonderful Mother Nature images about beautiful trees, mountains, valleys, etc. Chimes was another tender instrumental with stellar finger-picking on the electric guitar, but then morphed into a rocking Groove Thing, which reminded me of Felix Pappalardi’s early guitar playing in the group Mountain. T.J.’s Jam was a relentless, driving rock song reminiscent of ZZ Top. The Stranger is a new song (“love is a stranger I can’t get to know”)John wrote recently, and I thought I detected a bit of Carlos Santana influence in there, but who knows! Brother is another new song of John’s, where he states “When you give a woman your soul, you’ve lost control”. I thought I heard some Stephen Stills licks in that one! In My Place was another serious rocking number where a woman unfortunately had to put him in his place! Everyone enjoyed the lightning-fast guitar playing John delivers, and the cool effects he coaxes out of his stompbox!
Darryl Ellyson then took the stage with a really cool Do You Think of Me When the Sun Goes Down (oh, if we could only control someone’s thoughts and dreams!). Just No Other Way was about trying to live with a woman with darkness in her heart and whose love is like a spring tornado – hit or miss and then it’s gone. I Still Believe is a wonderful, uplifting love ballad about keeping that spark going for many years, despite challenges along the way. Done With You is a good-riddance blues tune about ten years of trying to make love work to no avail. Thinking About You is a new love song – thinking of you when you’re far away, wondering exactly where you are, I think I saw you in the moon… Maybe This Time is a form of “decompression blues” where he has to make a fishing getaway to get his head together and have his space – a battle between love and hate – I’m sure love will win! I Need a Little Help to Get By really cries the blues about how painful it is since you’ve been gone – I try to smile once in a while. I swore I heard Davie Bowie in the room when Darryl played When the Levee Breaks – just something about the catchy melody! News Man Blues instructed us to be careful breaking news and breaking rules – you might just catch the blues! I Sure Ain’t Been in Hell recounts the various travels to Georgia , Texas, etc. He wasn’t in Heaven, but was far from Hell! It Caused My Heart to Bleed was just written in April. How would you feel if you woke up to see the sunrise and realized your woman never came home the night before? Keep those blues coming, Darryl!
VOCAL Showcase April 2009
Showcase number 213, was the annual cover night for VOCAL. Performers covered at least one song from a fellow VOCAL songwriter. The night was full of surprises and anticipation as the weather kept performers at home and the night turned into a review of some of VOCAL’s outstanding long-time members.
The showcase is hosted each month by Richbrau’s TapHouse. Come join us at 1212 East Cary Street in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Slip for fine food and great beverages from this local brew-pub. Enjoy the company of our songwriters as you enjoy your meals in a great venue.
Steve Nuckolls kicked off the night with his brand of thoughtful narratives drawing on many life experiences to craft songs of deep meaning. The set started off with ‘Making My Getaway’ an original of Steve’s with good feeling and a nice easy rhythm. Steve then presented his cover song ‘Sundown in a Coal Town’ which was penned by VOCAL’s John Carter. The song is about miners expressing their passions and hopes on a Saturday night through their own music. The set then turned reflective with Steve’s song ‘When the Flag’s Halfmast’, which is about the memories conjured up when we see this reminder of those no longer with us. The first set concluded with the hopeful and spiritual song inspired by a trip to an African village ‘Simunye’. Thanks to Steve for a great start to the evening.
Gary Shaver took to the stage next for his first of two sets. Gary’s ‘Your Sweet Love’ was a great way to get started. Gary’s cover songs inlcuded a number written by the team of Nancy Walker and Cham Laughlin as well as a number from Chris Craig.
A short intermission was allowed for the attending songwriters to determine the next guest up to the stage. It seems that the weather kept many of our songwriters at home for the evening and we wanted to keep the spirit of the open call alive. About the time we were ready to pick straws to see who would play next, someone asked ‘Where’s Norman’? No sooner were these words uttered, than Norman Roscher appeared – as if Huddini had conjured him up with a magic word and a puff of smoke zapping Norman from his peaceful home to Shockoe slip. He was immediately drafted into the showcase line-up!
Norman used an acoustic guitar loaned by our first performer Steve Nuckolls and Gary Shaver’s keyboard to put on an impromptu, and incredibly entertaining show! Sampling his song catalogue, Norman played songs that were sometimes sweet and sometimes just wild and fun! One of my favorites ‘Keep on Droolin’ was a humorous reminder that no matter how alone we feel at times, there’s someone droolin’ for you somewhere (even if it’s someone you’d be more inclined to run from than embrace). Songs like ‘Mr. Sleepy Head’ and ‘Butterflies’ had a good bit of the sweetness I mentioned earlier, while ‘Bart the Pirate’ (a Glen Hobles song) and ‘Hey Baby You’re Beautiful’ were just great fun to listen to and sing along with. We can’t thank Norman enough for volunteering his talents to keep the showcase rolling along!
Gary Shaver stepped back up on the showcase stage to present his second set of the evening. ‘Tell Me You Love Me One More Time’, written by Nancy Walker and Jeff Long was the first song of the set and a fantastic ballad with a great melody. The set was rounded out with ‘Make Everything Alright’, ‘If I Could Go Back Home’ and ‘As All Things Pass’.
Thanks to our volunteers for making the showcase a great event. Larry Cody provides table tent cards to advertise the showcase, Matthew Costello handles photography and web development and John Ellis handles sound services. Thanks as well to the performers and all who show up to the showcases each month!
VOCAL Showcase March 2009
What a night for music! Despite the dose of cold, wet, nasty weather outside, everything inside was as hot as a Richmond summer day! A fantastic crowd gathered on March 16, 2009 to witness an outstanding performance for showcase number 212. Drew Routh gave a fantastic solo performance, followed up by the team of Larry Cody, Eddy Kitchen and Doug Patrick.
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Thanks to Richbrau’s TapHouse for three years of hosting the showcase. Each month our members, fans and friends gather with the songwriters to enjoy live performances of their original music. Come down to Shockoe Slip and enjoy freshly prepared meals, at an original micro-brew as you enjoy original music performed by the song’s writer.
Drew Routh started the evening with his fine fingerwork and his unique songwriting style. In fact, the first song wasn’t a song at all, but basically a finger excercise to get the hands going – it was impressive none the less! Next Drew moved into ‘Dream Me Out of Here’, which is somewhat of a ballad, at least in feeling if not lyrical content. ‘Little Better Light’ is an evocative song, that inspired emotions of hope in my mind. Drew then introduced the song ‘No Place to Run’ as a poem, that inspired the music to accompany the words one year after its creation – sometimes good ideas take time to ferment. Drew concluded the first set of the evening with ‘Take a Little Time’, ‘Am I Crazy?’ and ‘Right Now’. Thanks to Drew for a varied and entertaining performance.
For the second half of the evening VOCAL presented a tag-team match – Larry Cody, Eddy Kitchen and Doug Patrick were on the card for an outstanding set of country, blue-grass(ish) and a touch of rock. Each gentleman had a guitar in hand for each song, trading off lead or rhythm parts, with Larry Cody taking guitar solo’s in many songs. Larry Cody took the mic first to kick off the set with ‘Ready for the Road’, an appopriate beginning for this musical journey. The trio stopped along the way for a quick game with Doug Patrick pitching vocals on ‘Put Him in the Lineup’ – a fun song. Eddy Kitchen stepped up to the microphone next and said hold on…we should ‘Drink This Thing Through’ – Larry Cody chimed in with some good lead guitar during the solo break. It was great to hear Eddy’s extraordinary voice again on the showcase stage. After this time of reflection, the trio crossed a cool running stream, passed through the valley up the hillside to visit ‘Mountain Girl’ – this song had a moving melody and the lyrics seemed to captivate the crowd who responded with a great cheer for Larry’s lead vocal and guitar solo. While on the mountain top, Eddy again told the story in song about how ‘Good Loves Can Die’. A tribute was also paid to ‘Molly’ in a somber, but eloquent and poetic song by Doug Patrick about a soldiers’ dying thoughts. On the way back down the mountain, Eddy shared more thoughts with ‘If These Walls Could Talk’, Doug proclaimed ‘Think I’ve Really Done It’ and Larry sent the crowd home with a rockin’ little number and a wish for the road ‘Keep On’. These three gentlemen put on an outstanding show that kept fellow songwriters and other attendees in awe as they presented one great song after another.
Thanks to all of those who attended and supported our performers. A great big thanks to VOCAL volunteers, Matt Manion for sound assistance, Larry Cody for the table tent cards, Matthew Costello for web development and photography. We’ll see you next month!
VOCAL Showcase February 2009
It was a fantastic winter night February 16, 2009 as we settled into the warm, inviting atmosphere of the showcase venue. As the showcase counter flipped over to 211, we ordered our meals, shared thoughts on songwriting over drinks and readied ourselves for the musical experience that was unfolding. VOCAL re-introduced a newer member to the showcase stage, James Lester, who is a great blues picker and a fine songwriter. VOCAL also welcomed back a steadfast musician who is a gifted poet and always a fine performer, Gerry Laverty.
It seem like just yesterday that VOCAL held its first showcase performance at Richbrau’s TapHouse, but it has been about three years now that the live music event has been hosted by the TapHouse. Join us every third Monday of the month at 1212 East Cary Street, in Shockoe Slip, for live music, great food and a welcoming staff. Thanks to the management of Richbrau for continuing to support live, original music in Virginia.
Many styles of blues music were on display in our first set, when James Lester took the stage to show his skills with the pen and the guitar. The set included instrumentals and songs that dabbled in the blues and country genres. James warmed the crowd with three instrumentals including ‘Almost Blues’ and ‘Rugged Cross Blues’ showed his abilities with finger-style blues music. The timely and widely applicable ‘Why I Sing the Blues’ gave everyone something to relate to – “…because times are hard…”, “…depressed watching the news…” and “…laid off…” were some of the reasons to sing along to this great blues tune. James said ‘Whatever Makes You Happy’ before he spoke his mind on ‘All About Money’.
James’ song ‘Circus Blues’ reminded me a bit of the bluegrass guitar style, with fast, alternating flat picking and strumming. And the blues/country themes were present in this song with the line “That clowns’ been knockin’ at her door”. ‘I Like Your Love’ was a little bit rock-a-billy to my ear. The song ‘W Blues’ had a political theme and a bit of reflection on a past presidency. James wrapped it all up with ‘Lame Pony Blues’. Thanks to James for sharing his music and giving us a great variety of styles in his set. We look forward to a quick return from this artist! Gerry Laverty found James’ blues so compelling, he dubbed him ‘Little Jimmy Lester’.
It was great to have Gerry Laverty back to present his poetic lyrics and fine fingerwork in the folk style. Gerry started off with ‘By the Blood of the Nazarine’. He introduced some new material ‘Delta’ written on a train from Richmond to Seattle – thanks to Gerry for introducing this great new song. It was a welcome sound to my ears to hear Gerry perform a fan favorite ‘Lonesome Blue Eyes’ which is a wonderful blend of emotion and harmony. Another favorite of mine and a powerful folk song addressing the problems revealed during the hurricane Katrina disaster was ‘Details of Catastrophe’.
Gerry delivered his own dose of the blues, a song for the insomniac, ‘Blues in the Night’. Gerry’s guitar was ringing out with sweet blues tones in a slow and easy riff. The set closed out with ‘Jerusalem’ and another Laverty classic ‘Zion Crossroads’ about a mysterious red haired lady at a mysterious location in Central Virginia.
Thanks to our performers for presenting a great evening of live, original music! Each showcase is pulled together by a team of volunteers – special thanks to Matt Manion for sound services, Larry Cody for announcing our performers with his table tent cards, Matthew Costello for web services and John Ellis for sitting in as MC. Thanks to you for supporting our performers and visiting our website. See you next month!
VOCAL Showcase January 2009
The showcase counter turned to 210 as the VOCAL members prepared the stage sound for the monthly installment of live, original music in Central Virginia. The heavy double doors of the TapHouse entrance kept the cold out as the instruments were tuned up and the house was warmed up with the sounds of VOCAL songwriters. Performers Bill Wellons and Norman Roscher treated the audience to a night of great songwriting. It was a great night for music, January 19, 2009.
We thank Richbrau’s TapHouse for hosting the showcase each month. Join us every third Monday of the month for great food, home brewed beverages and the best of live original music from Virginia artists. The location is 1212 East Cary Street in historic Shockoe Slip.
Bill Wellons took the first set and showed the audience a great time with songs ranging from the ballads to the blues, from slow and easy to upbeat boogie rhythms. Bills voice was accompanied by fine fingerwork on the piano. He blew the crowd away with ‘Hurricane’ a moderate tempo song with sort of a bluesy, folk lyrical content, but a light, easy, steady piano pattern. Bill then injected a little humor into the evening with ‘In a Family Way’, a humorous look at expecting the arrival of a baby – this song had an upbeat “boogie” rhythm to my ear. The instrumental ‘That’s How it Goes’ was a beautiful song and an interesting change from the earlier songs. The emotional content of the music swept from tender reflection to humor and love with the next series of songs including a tribute to Bill’s father ‘When I Needed You’ and another boogie tune ‘Unlucky at Love’.
It was great to have Bill on the showcase stage and we hope to have him back soon. Until then, you can hear some of Bills music at www.myspace.com/billwellons.
At the request of Bill Wellons and Norman Roscher, time was set aside for special tributes to Cham Laughlin, VOCAL’s founder, who passed away January 5, 2009. Cham was a great inspiration and source of support for many songwriters and performers in Virginia. VOCAL took time to honor Cham with a few songs.
First to pay tribute to Cham was Darryl Ellyson with his song ‘The Final Hour’ a very moving song about contemplating the end of life www.myspace.com/darrylellysonbluelightdistrict. Next, Eddy Kitchen performed ‘This Beer’s on Me’ which is a light-hearted country style song featuring Larry Cody on lead guitar. Eddy’s song was somewhat the reason for Cham and Eddy first working together. Norman Roscher gave the final tribute with ‘If I Should Ever Get to Heaven’. We thank Bill and Norman for remembering Cham by setting aside this time and thanks to each performer for taking time to honor our founder.
For the closing set of the evening, Norman Roscher took to the stage with family and friends in the formation of ‘Norman and the Clackwells’ to bring his unique, imaginative music to life. The first song was the reminiscent, fun song ‘I Don’t Play Doctor Anymore’. Keeping the fun alive, the act moved on to the song ‘Fat Alice’. The Clackwell portion of the band was made up of Evan Esch on upright bass, Eliza Brill (Evan’s spouse) on backup vocals and washboard rhythms, and Norman’s daughter Deanna Lorriani on vocals. The Clackwells rounded out Norman’s live sound nicely! Another special guest, Charlotte Roscher joined the group with backing vocals for ‘So Long Baby Goodbye’.
So much of Norman’s music has lively rhythms and catchy words that make you want to sing along. Norman included some of his lively material in the closing portion of the program, which included ‘Kazooka’, ‘Burn Baby Dynamo’ and ‘I Don’t Want to Grow Up’ for the Peter Pan’s in the audience. Catch Norman on the web at www.myspace.com/normalnormannortledorfband .
I can’t give enough thanks to Norman, Bill and my cousin Kenneth Sebera for making themselves available to help out on the showcase as I recovered from a back injury. They showed up early to make sure the showcase was ready to roll and helped me pack up as well. It was truly a group effort this month!
VOCAL’s thanks goes to all of our performers and to the showcase crowd who supports our wonderful artists. Thanks to Larry Cody for making the table tent cards to announce the performers, thanks to Matthew Costello for web support and John Ellis for sound services. Until next month, be sure to support other live, original music events!
VOCAL Showcase December 2008
VOCAL songwriters, performers and the public gathered together at Richbrau’s TapHouse to start off the holidays with live, original music. A selection of VOCAL’s membership turned out to perform their material for a lively, attentive audience. The showcase counter flipped to 210 as we kicked off the event on December 15, 2008. You can find more information about the upcoming showcase at www.vocalsongwriter.org/showcase.html.
For over two years now, Richbrau’s TapHouse has hosted the VOCAL Showcase every third Monday of the month. VOCAL’s original music is complimented by original, home crafted beverages and fine cuisine. Join us at 1212 East Cary Street for the best in original songwriting from Virginia artists.
James Lester kicked off the night with his own style of instrumental blues. Much of James’ music was finger-style picking on a sweet sounding, hollow body electric that rang out with a cool, jazzy feel. The eight song set included ‘Bucky’s Blues’ as well as ‘Bernie and the D Blues’, written in honor of two cats. James conveyed a rich, bluesy feel as he moved his hands about the fretboard, demonstrating dexterity and creativity. We look forward to James’ return to the showcase in February 2009.
Gary Shaver and Jim Uzel joined forces for the next round of music as they took turns featuring their own material in an in-the-round format. Gary’s songs included ‘Somewhere Between Her and You’, ‘Right Through My Mind’, ‘Calling You Back Home’, ‘Take Me Back’ and ‘I Stand Amazed’. This sampling of Gary’s music reflected the ballads and love songs that he is known for. ‘Calling You Back Home’ was written on Thanksgiving weekend a few years ago – the song title reminds me of someone reflecting on a loved one during the holiday season. ‘I Stand Amazed’ is Gary’s self-described ‘happy song’, which he dedicated to a friend in the audience.
Jim Uzel’s portion of the set included songs with a seasonal theme. Jim’s songs ‘Spirits in the Rain’, ‘Christmas Love’ and ‘Gifts of a Child’ were accompanied by his resonator acoustic guitar, which sometimes provided a haunting feel to the melody. It was good to have Jim on stage again.
Darryl Ellyson stepped up to the microphone next with some great time tested songs as well as one song written since his November showcase performance. ‘I’m Not Afraid’ is a favorite of mine, with a powerful, moving melody, strong vocals and intense lyrics. The rest of the set included ‘You and Me Baby’, ‘I Don’t Know’ and Darryl’s new song ‘Pushin’ Against My Heart’.
Gerry Laverty closed out the evening with some of his most popular songs. ‘Details of Castrophe’ started the short set, followed by the song ‘Lonesome Blue Eyes’ which is a fanatastic song that is an instant favorite with the first listening. ‘I am a House’ was inspired by the sudden death of a friend. ‘Zion Crossroads’ is another crowd favorite and sample of Gerry’s ablilities with creative, poetic songwriting.
Thanks to our performers for making the holiday season ever more enjoyable with their talents on the showcase stage. The showcase event and coverage was made possible by a team of VOCAL volunteers made up of Larry Cody (tent cards), Matthew Costello (web updates), Gerry Laverty (photography) and John Ellis (sound services). We thank all those who come out in support of live, original music and we hope that everyone can join us again next month for the longest running, original music showcase in Central Virginia!
VOCAL Showcase November 2008
It was a cold, windy night in Richmond, Virginia as the showcase stage was set up and the equipment turned on to warm up. Our performers were ready to go to keep the pre-holiday spirits up and present some of the best original music that VOCAL has to offer. The showcase counter flipped to 209 and the performers tuned up for a night of great music. It was November 17, 2008.
As always, we like to take a moment to thank Richbrau’s TapHouse Grill for hosting the showcase every 3rd monday of the month. Join us at 1212 East Cary Street in historic Shockoe Slip for great food, home brewed beverages and live entertainment from Virginia’s songwriters.
The evening’s first performer was Justin Brown. This was Justin’s first Showcase appearance, but he is not a stranger to the stage having performed in his former band Plaid Rose. Justin also enjoys recording his own material in his home studio. Joining Justin on stage was a great local harmonica player from the band Barrelhouse, Tom Mayer. Justin and Tom are both members of the River City Blues Society www.wegotblues.com where they work to ensure that the blues tradition is kept alive in Virginia.
Justin kicked off the evening with a Beatle-esque tune ‘Lead Me On’ followed up by ‘Whiskey Towne’. The song ‘Footsteps’ was written by Justin right after graduating High School and moving out into his own home. ‘Mississippi Railroad’ is a tune penned just six months prior to the showcase and a song with a steady, driving rhythm that reminded me of a train chugging down the line. The next two songs were written by Tom Mayer and they were heavy on the blues! ‘All My Wife’s Relations’ was a somewhat humorous and lyrically interesting song with the line ‘…of all my wife’s relations, I like my self the best…’. The song ‘Blue Eyes’ was an upbeat number with a theme that things are not always as they seem. Tom’s harmonica work filled the TapHouse with the spirit of the blues, ringing out sweet riffs just dripping with feeling and grit. Justin and Tom closed out the set with ‘Shake the Dew’ and ‘Turn Your Damper Down’. Thanks to Justin for getting the evening off to an inspiring, blues driven beggining!
VOCAL was pleased to welcome back a Showcase regular and a great local song writer. Darryl Ellyson has a songwriting and performing history going back at least twenty years including performances in different local bands. Since becoming part of VOCAL, Darryl’s songwriting has been quite impressive with the ability to turn out many catchy, well written songs of many styles sometimes completing songs in a single day.
Darryl started off his set with ‘Raindrops Fallin” and ‘Final Hour’. The second song highlighted Darryl’s ability to convey an emotional, soulful feel. ‘I’m Gone’ is a new song written two weeks before the showcase. ‘Teardrops Cover my Pillow’ has a lyrical meter and melodic structure that really allows Darryl to show the power of his voice – it’s a light-hearted, blues inspired song. The country-blues song ‘That’s Just the Way Love Goes’ uses the lower ranges of Darryl’s voice and demonstrates his songwriting talents with the line “…remember the good times, forget the bad, that’s just the way love goes…”.
Darryl continued the set with a second new song ‘It’s So Hard’ followed up by ‘I’ve Got to Walk On’ and the rocking blues number ‘Been Out Travelin”, where Darryl’s vocals were strong and powerful. The set wrapped up with ‘Tell Me Baby’, ‘I’m Not Afraid’, ‘I Don’t Know’, ‘Broken Dreams’, and ‘When I Get Home’.
We must thank the volunteers that make the showcase happen each month. Larry Cody provides the table tent cards to inform the audience, John Ellis provided sound services and we thank Matthew Costello for keeping the showcase information on the website. And, of course, thanks to each performer who made the showcase a great musical affair. And thanks to all who support the performers. Join us again the third Monday of next month for the best in original songwriting and performing on the VOCAL Showcase!
Songwriters Showcase August 2007
Songwriters Showcase August 2007
The August 2007 Showcase was a night full of surprises! As the Showcase counter flipped to #193, we found ourselves moving upstairs to one of Richbrau’s other halls while the TapHouse staff took a break for a few nights. The new venue gave us an opportunity to configure the seating to our stage set-up and to experiment with the sounds of a new space. We will be back in the TapHouse for September, so be sure to join us there.
Gerry Laverty provided sound for the evening and acted as MC as well. Thanks to Gerry for the hard work!
First to the stage was John Ellis for a quick two song set to get the crowd warmed up to a night of fantastic songwriting. John performed a ‘near studio’ version of ‘The Stranger’ with backing tracks consisting of rhythm guitar, bass, conga and drums. This was an expanded version of the simpler version that he has been performing at recent Showcases. John also performed ‘Gentle Persuasion’, with lyrics written by his good friend and fellow musician Jeff Cuneo.
Glenda Creamer wowed the audience in a six song set with her strong vocals and bright guitar that she used to take the listener on an emotional journey. She put fear in our hearts with ‘I’m a Witch Today’, then put a joyful smile on our faces with ‘That’s What Country Kids Do’, gave us a touch of heart break with ‘Never Sing About the Moon’ and ‘Fortune Teller’. She wrapped up with ‘Broken Pieces’ and one of my favorite songs ‘Moonshine Sky’. The song ‘That’s What Country Kids Do’ always reminds me of some good times as a kid ‘...making mud pies, catching worms and bugs...’. Glenda’s howling vocals on ‘Moonshine Sky’ adds intensity to the drama of the underlying lyrical story telling.
Gerry Laverty had a surprise in store for those in attendance as he called a long time VOCAL member from the audience to the stage. Norman Roscher kindly accepted the invitation and treated us to three great songs. ‘You & Me & Baby’, included Norman’s own skat in the middle, ‘Dogs New Clothes’ featured an audience bark-along, and ‘Mr. Sleepy Head’ was a soothing lullaby. Thanks to Norman for supporting his fellow songwriters and entertaining the audience with a fantastic, spontaneous performance!
After Norman’s performance, Gerry Laverty stepped to the mic and plugged in his acoustic for a Featured Performer slot that included many sensitive and thought provoking songs, all of which are thoughtfully written. ‘Details of Catastrophe’ dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Gerry followed up with ‘84th Floor’ and ‘I am a House’. A VOCAL favorite was performed next with Glenda Creamer adding a wonderful vocal harmony - ‘Lonesome Blue Eyes’ has been covered on stage by several VOCAL members and is one of those songs that tends to stay with you long after the performance is over. I like this song for the beautiful melody accompanied by Gerry’s skillful finger picking, adding a great supporting guitar melody. ‘Blues in the Night’ was described by Gerry as an insomniac’s dream. ‘Zion Crossroads’ is another of Gerry’s classics that recalls an experience late one night (early one morning) near Charlottesville, dreaming of a beautiful lady. The set was closed with ‘Lead me on to Paris’ and ‘This Lethal World’. You can keep up with Gerry at www.gerrylaverty.com.
Thanks again to all performers, to Larry Cody for producing our play bills, and to those of you who come out to listen to live, original music from VOCAL songwriters. Special thanks to Richbrau’s TapHouse for hosting the monthly Showcase! See you next month!
Songwriters Showcase August 2007
Showcase 188 was a big improvement for VOCAL’s image, since the men were cleared from the stage and the night was opened up to the ladies of VOCAL. Kim Gammon, Marti Hartung, Jen Smith and Stephanie Boarman entertained a crowd of enthusiastic supporters as Ladies’ Night 2007 was presented at the TapHouse Grill.
The March 19 Showcase was kicked off by Kim Gammon who produced and hosted the special event. Kim played ‘Long Road (Going Home)’ to start the evening of great music.
The next two performers traded off songs in the popular in-the-round format. Marti contributed ‘Sing the Blues’, ‘It was Yeah’ and ‘Sitting on a Window’ (nicknamed ‘The Cat Song’). Demonstrating a skill for blues infused licks as well as gentle rolling melodies, Marti gave a multi-faceted performance.
Jen showed a lot of soulful insight with ‘Not By My Own Strength’, ‘Whisper’, ‘More Than a Survivor’, taking on themes from religious experiences, to empathetic humanity accompanied by passionate six-string rhythms.
Kim transitioned the evening from the first set to the featured performer with her heavenly voice on ‘My Angel’. Accompanying Kim for the song was mandolin player Barry Lawson, who was part of Stephanie Boarman’s featured performance with husband Jeff Boarman.
Stephanie was in great form, captivating the audience with select cuts from her bluegrass catalogue including the more melancholy and passionate tunes such as ‘Bury Me in Kentucky’ and ‘Don’t Take My Baby Away’, as well as the light-hearted and humorous tunes such as ‘Cappucino Cowboy’ and ‘Don’t Mess With Daddy’s Little Girl’. The set was high energy and beautifully played as the performers stayed true to the bluegrass form with one condenser mic and each member moving in or out as the song required.
Thanks goes out to all of the performers for a fantastic evening, to Kim Gammon for pulling the night together, to Jim Uzel and Gary Shaver for making the sound and MC thing happen and to Richbrau’s TapHouse for providing a great venue.
Songwriters Showcase July 2007
VOCAL Showcase #192 escaped the thunderclaps and potential summer time torrents of Richmond’s weather. The July 16, 20007 event at Richbrau’s TapHouse Grill was another ‘come as you are’ format, where the play bill was built around the songwriters in attendance.
The team of Shaver and Uzel once again provided the sound and MC duties for the Showcase. Gary Shaver started the evening off with his songs “Telling Me Goodbye” and “I Still Burn”.
Steve Nuckolls took to the stage to offer his songs “Making My Get Away”, “Hand Me Downs” and the newer “Sunrise”. Steve’s “Hand Me Downs” has become one of my favorites, but all three songs are indicative of his thoughtful and well crafted songwriting.
Marti Hartung captured the feelings of the VOCAL membership on a rainy evening at Dogwood Dell, immortalized in the lyrics to “Disappointing Rain”. “Hoover Town” was a comment on at least one Richmond audience who sucked the life out of musicians by treating the band as little more than musical wallpaper. Marti closed out the set with “Mystery”.
Matt Manion had travel on his mind when he took the stage. Matt gave the Showcase crowd a look back to 1978 when he worked in the oil fields of Louisiana staying at the “Royal Roach Hotel”. And I think a lot of travelers can relate to the idea of “Sit Down for Stand By”.
Jim Uzel was in fine form when he gave the audience three unique songs to ponder. “Winter, Summer Dreamer”, “September Rain” and “Too Many Angels” made up Jim’s set and featured Mark Branch during “September Rain”. Gary Shaver added support to “Winter, Summer Dreamer”. “Too Many Angels” was inspired by the events of September 11.
Mark Branch brought Marti Hartung back to the stage to perform his own song “I’ll Be Alright”. My personal take is that this is one of Mark’s best offerings yet, with that great blues back beat, his booming baritone blues voice and that wailing harmonica blended in to one great song.
Gary Shaver was kind enough to close the evening out with two more songs, “Trading the Present for the Past” and “Somewhere Between Her and You”. What a great way to end an evening with so much variety and great song writing.
We have had a great group of volunteers over the past year who support the Showcase. Larry Cody produces the play bills that are distributed to all of the tables. Our dedicated sound man Jim Uzel will be turning the duties over to John Ellis for the next year. Thanks to Jim for all he’s done and we hope to see him at all of the Showcases. And finally to Gary Shaver who has done MC
Songwriters Showcase June 2007
VOCAL Showcase #191 happened at Richbrau’s TapHouse Grill June 18, 2007. It was a night of ‘come as you are’ performances, where songwriters showed up and played in no particular order as time allowed.
The Showcase also served as a warm up to the Dogwood Dell “We Write the Songs” VOCAL event on June 29, 2007. Unfortunately that event was washed out by mother nature after only two performances, but what an accomplishment by VOCAL volunteers to organize and prepare such a monumental event for the membership!
Larry Cody warmed up the Showcase audience for the night’s festivities with his classic ‘Now I Know’. This song is always a pleasure to hear with a gentle strum on Larry’s guitar and his mellow, raspy vocals.
Steve Effinger and Mari Hartung were two performers who were on the printed playbill, since they had signed up for the Showcase prior the show date. Marti took the second slot of the night to deliver four great songs. Marti’s guitar was ringing out loud and clear in perfect unison with her vocal delivery on the play list that included ‘That Kind of Music’ and ‘What’s Doin’ Here’.
As an interlude between Marti and Steve Effinger, an old friend of VOCAL, Steve Smithson, was called to the stage to re-acquaint himself with the VOCAL membership. What a treat it was! ‘For a Moment Young’ was a finger picking guitar style with very bold, bright strums intermingled for a great sound. ‘Would not Last a Year’ showed quite the vocal ability with sounds that went from great howls to low roars. Thanks to Steve for stepping up!
Steve Effinger was next to the stage and ready to entertain with a five song set that included two new songs ‘Vieux Carre’ (a Louisiana reference) and ‘Why Can’t He Love Her Tonight’. The crowd was revved up with Steve’s light hearted and rhythmic style of ‘Sing My Song to Jesus’. Steve also included ‘Then She’ll Cry’ and ‘The Best I Ever Had’ to round out the set.
John Ellis came to the stage with the electric guitar slung across his shoulder. Unfortunately the single coil pickups were demonstrating why the ‘double humbuckers’ were invented, but the show must go on, hum or no hum. John covered Gary Shaver’s ‘Cryin’ Shame’ and played his own composition ‘The Stranger’.
Larry Cody came back to the stage to complete the evening. ‘Winter is on the Way’ opened up Larry’s second performance. Then in a great effort to make the following week’s Dogwood Dell performance all it could be, Larry performed David Atkins’ ‘Sing Your Own Songs’, which was going to be VOCAL’s grand show closing number at Dogwood Dell had mother nature held out just another couple of hours! Never the less, Larry did a great job with the song and it was great to hear another performance of this tribute to songwriters.
As I wrap up this month’s review, I would like give Larry Cody a big thank you. For quite a while now, Larry has been typing up, printing and laying out the playbill for each VOCAL performance and he has not always been acknowledged. And I would be remiss if I forgot to mention our sound and MC team of Jim Uzel and Gary Shaver. Thanks to Richbrau, to all who show up to support the performances and to all of VOCAL’s volunteers.
Songwriters Showcase May 2007
Showcase number 190 happened at the Richbrau TapHouse on May 21, 2007, offering up a big sample of fine VOCAL songwriting talent. Gerry Laverty, Steve Nuckolls and Jim Westlyn wowed the crowd with great performances.
The Showcase was hosted by the welcoming, attentive management and staff of the TapHouse Grill. Thanks from VOCAL to the TapHouse for the continued support.
Our dedicated soundman, Jim Uzel had the show ready to roll as always and John Ellis was sitting in as MC for the dynamic Mr. Gary Shaver.
First to the stage was Jim Westlyn. Jim kept the crowd rockin’ and engaged with upbeat rock styles and blends of jazz. “What are the Chances”, “Heaven Knows”, “Maybe I Won’t” and “Long Road” showed Jim’s variety of finger styles and interesting chord changes. “Ring True” is a song that took 3 years to ‘pull together’ with a bridge, but it finally came to Jim and completed a great song.
Steve Nuckolls was kind enough to bring his thought provoking and heart-felt lyrics to the Showcase stage to share his brand of subtle, melodic song craft. “Living Out This Love”, “This New Found Love”, “Making Memories” and “They Died for Love” kept the crowd enchanted. Steve also included his true song about a friend “Hello from Normandy” and a song about and African trip to the ‘Land of the Zulu’s’, “Simunye”.
Gerry Laverty took the last slot of the evening and amazed the crowd, with his folk-style ballads and social commentary. “This Lethal World”, the New Orleans inspired “Details of Catastrophe” and “Zion Crossroads” offered a sample of styles and tempos, and all were examples of Gerry’s inspiring lyrical abilities. Gerry also gave a brief history of “Time” and shared a song born of a midnight walk in the darkened halls “Blues in the Night”. Gerry was in fine form even with a scratchy throat challenging his vocals.
Thanks again to all performers, the sound crew and our supporters. Keep your calendars marked for the 3rd Monday of the month – we’ll see you then!
