July 2024 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase

The July 2024 showcase was attended by an intimate crowd who braved both the scorching heat and John Ellis’ guitar licks. John and Stephen Rockenbach were the featured performers for the evening.

John kicked off the evening with several of his signature tunes accompanied by his acoustic/electric and all-electric guitars. A Band of Silver was conceived after overhearing a conversation of a bride-to-be and reminds us that the “circle” of the ring is much more important than the materialistic shiny stone. Walking With Sharon is a very pleasant instrumental featuring John’s finger-picking finesse and would be the perfect accompaniment while you are walking with your favorite companion. Autumn Hours reveals numerous elements of the transition between summer and fall, which is a very delightful time many folks look forward to. John turned to his electric guitar for Talah’s Revenge and I do believe was channeling Jimi Hendrix with his hot licks! In this tune he’s being haunted by a past lover who won’t leave him alone. He wonders if perhaps he was focused too much on the physical aspects of the relationship rather than getting to the “heart” of the matter. The Stranger is probably John’s most well-known song and also featured some blistering guitar work. It seems like everywhere he turns he is eluded by love. Talking To Myself is an older tune of John’s where he’s almost in a dream state, wondering what the night will bring. There may be faceless people drifting by on the street or he may be alone, but he’s only talking to himself after observing the disconnected stares and expressionless smiles. John ended the set with Put Me In My Place, a love-gone-bad number where his lover turned out to be way different than he originally thought. The body was open but the heart was locked! I thought I detected some Rory Gallagher licks in this one. Way to go, John!

Stephen Rockenbach, a relatively new member, then took the stage spinning his folky homestyle and quite catchy tunes. Morgan’s Great Raid is the story of a Confederate cavalry raid that occurred during the Civil War. Stephen, accompanied by his clawhammer banjo playing, led us along a vivid journey through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio as the Union cavalryman pursued the Rebels. The Narcissist’s Waltz (fingerstyle banjo) is a catchy song co-written with his wife Tre describing the self-centered individuals in this world. The Last Song of the Night summed up all the experiences of playing country rock cover songs through the years and trying to decide what goes into your set list. The rest of the band (Goats on a Leash) joined him at this point (guitar, mandolin and fiddle) for The Pollinator Song, a wonderful singalong that the crowd enjoyed. This was written for the Chesterfield County Honeybee Festival to stress the importance of the pollinating bees, butterflies, etc. Goats on a Leash is another catchy song inspired by the guitar player who owns a “goat mowing” business and is dedicated to a late friend and bandmate Gary Whaley. Can those goats play a kazoo while munching kudzu? Unsinkable Sam is a “tail” of a cat that survived several naval battles in World War II. He lived in five different warships during his time at sea and is recognized in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. Pull Me Up By My Boots is a tribute to the family that raised him and especially the musical influences they had on his life. I Say See You Later is a relevant suggestion to the world when taking leave of friends and loved ones. Saying “Goodbye” sounds so permanent and short-sighted, so focus on the long-term and say see ya’ later! Stephen finished out his set with The Happy Bunny, another great singalong written for his wife in an effort to cheer her up. Inspired by a plush bunny sitting on a shelf, the bunny only wants for you to be happy, so if you’re not you can kiss his derrihare! Great job Stephen and the Goats!