February 2025 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase

February 2025 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase

The February 2025 showcase featured three of VOCAL’s very talented writers, Russell Lawson and the husband-and-wife musical duo Jeff and Sherrie Wagner. There was a fairly large and attentive crowd present which added to the intimacy of the performances.

Russell kicked off the evening treating us to a variety of his tunes traversing mostly the earlier years of his songwriting. He opened with A Few Old Favorites which is a “relax and have a home-brew” approach to dealing with a hard days’ work and running in the rat race. Just grab a cold beer, pull out your old guitar and everything will be fine! Moments reflects the lingering heartache after a breakup that always feels like it was just yesterday, and the only happy memory is that of her laughter. Russell then led us on the dusty trail with his country-and-western themes. After a sun-up to sundown day of driving the cattle hard to Santa Fe he finds comfort at the Lazy Gal Café. Underneath a Prairie Sky takes us back home on the range illuminated by a full moon rising in a sea of stars. Been working on the trail, in and out of jail, and whiskey ain’t no cure for feeling strange! Pause is a sad blues song in three-quarter time lamenting the absence of his friend, but maybe the sunny day ahead will dry those sad tears. Friend is a very heartfelt song about a dear musical friend who “went quiet” and he’s desperately reaching out for “signs of life” in their relationship – shine a light if you’re there! Sometimes people just need to have space and take time for themselves in order to improve their relationship, and (Got to Give Her Up to) Get Her Back describes that situation. Russell ended his set by taking us on a virtual tour of Charleston, SC, his hometown. The vivid imagery in this song (Charleston) tells us all we need to know, and all of a sudden, we are transported to the low country amidst the Spanish Moss, beaches, etc. Great set, Russell!

Jeff and Sherrie then took the stage with their magical blended harmonies and guitar playing. They started off with I Think I Might Forget You, where’s he’s not sure if he should answer her phone call or just ignore it and cut his losses with this one-sided relationship. The Border is a new tune of theirs that vividly describes the desperation of migrants doing everything within their power to ensure the safety of their families. “Trust runs deep when it comes to knowing me” is the theme of Fierce Friendship, a testament to the meaning of true friendship. Sometimes a Fire Can Stop the Rain was born in a bar where the bartender witnessed the pain in the face of the customer, with the advice that a strong heart can also ease the pain! Soft Petals is a very beautiful Carter Family-ish tune written by Sherrie that describes a late bloomer (give me a little time, a little room, a little care, etc.) In Just a Little More Jeff calls out the need to expend a little more effort to feel the heart and soul of his wife. A relationship song between father and daughter, The Forgiving Type is a tender ballad recounting watching his daughter grow up and playing his guitar, the same one he used to play while singing her to sleep. Get The Hell Out of Your Barn is an ode to an old band mate who has faced some medical issues and they’re simply trying to get him back out and in action! In a Small Town has some really cool lines like “small towns grow big dreams” and tells the story of a dreamer growing up in a small town and not being held back if they’re ready to go out into the world. His daughter leaving home was the genesis for Devil in the Details where his Devil is his memory of her walking out. Jeff and Sherrie ended their set with a singalong cover tune from their friends Robin and Linda Williams. Together All Alone says to not worry about the weather ‘cause it’s gonna do what it’s gonna do! Great job Jeff and Sherrie!