Posts Tagged ‘Bill Kaffenberger’
October 2024 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
In October the VOCAL Showcase featured a variety of stories, insights, and musical infuences from Bill Kaffenberger and Matthew Costello.
Matthew Costello
Leading off the October Showcase at O’Toole’s Pub and Grill for the Virginia Organization of Composers and Lyricists was the group president, Matthew Costello. A long-standing member and officer, Matthew brought his pleasant baritone to some ghostly originals for seasonal flavor as well as other notable originals.
“Ghosts of Center Hill” was a recounting of the memories of a rumored haunted house where creaks, cold spots, wispy shades and a “voice like the silent wind” was evidence enough of the spooky residents. “The Blanket” deliver a rocking account of the intensity of a relationship that was “meant to be” and included a “magic blanket ride.” This new tune had a catchy Springsteen vibe in the beat and melody. “What Is Happening” probed the feeling sparked by a new infatuation for a girl who “sits on my row in class” and wondered “is her smile a clue” to the potential for love?
“Get Me Some Happy” was a celebration of rediscovered joy in recovery and life where the singer realized and embraced surprising happiness. “Shadows of September” was a beautiful impressionistic tune and the pop ballad was a pleasant homage to Matthew’s favorite season. “Walking Willie” was the story of a small-town big man and was propelled by an insistent rock beat that mirrored the intentional and steady forward movement of the song’s protagonist. “That Kind of Love” told of a relationship that drew the singer in even though he recognized from the start that it was doomed to end sadly. “Catch a Ride”, a just penned tune, was an expression of the songwriter’s creative process that recognized all events, encounters and feelings could be what “the muse will provide” to craft another song.
Bill Kaffenberger
In town from his current home in California, Bill brought longtime sideman Dwayne Hearst for support in his top spot in the set. He kicked off with “She’s So Real”, a song to the irresistible girl with a “smile a million miles wide.” “Dad” was the singer holding on to the memories of his father many years after he passed on. “If I Asked You To Dance” had a nice pop feel over the invitation to begin a relationship through the “first dance.”
Tapping some of his early catalog, Bill and Dwayne then delivered “Atom Bomb Song” a plea to the nuclear nations to “don’t drop no atom bomb on me.” “Lonesome Rider” featured excellent harmonies in a Kaffenberger classic from the Open Door Ministries coffee house days down on West Grace Street in the VCU campus. That gospel tune entreated the “lonesome riders” in the audience not to “let your life slip away” in regret. The follow up “Something Greater” spoke of the assurance that “someone greater than you or I” was evident in the wonders of the world. Finally, “Thy Will Be Done” included more tight harmonies and a driving rhythm in Bill’s powerful song about surrender.
“Maybe By Then” used a nice repetition of phrase in a lyric about a girl the singer hopes will eventually realize she belongs with him. “Why Did You Give Our Love Away” highlighted a rueful remembrance of a woman who spurned the love of the singer. In a bow to the upcoming Halloween event, Bill gave listeners “Zombies,” a song not about the undead but about the unaware cell phone users wandering aimlessly through streets and their lives, missing everything around them. “Sun’s Going Down” was an acknowledgment that, even with life bringing hardship, there is a beautiful sight on the horizon available every day. “The wrap up “Take That Train Trip” was delivered with a audience sing-along chorus in a tune about making time for the things you imagine will be joyful in life, encouraging listeners to “take that train trip, take than nap, bounce that grandbaby on your lap.”
Showcase Photos
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Photo Credits: Matthew Costello
July 2022 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
The July 2022 Songwriters Showcase took place on July 18, 2022 via Zoom (streamed live on FB). Two long-time VOCAL members Bill Kaffenberger and Matt Manion were the featured writers.
Bill Kaffenberger
Bill opened the show in a dropped-D tuning with Acts of Random Blindness, the story of someone out of control with serious non-earthly problems who defied everything and cashed it all in – don’t mess with God or he’ll mess with you! In The Morning was a partially-written tune from the late 60’s – early 70’s that he had written with a friend who has since passed away. He’s sorry he walked out on his friend when he needed him most and doesn’t blame him for anything that happened in the past – I’ll be heading out when the morning comes. The Ghosts of Laurel Canyon is the title track of his newest release, describing his ventures into the canyon in search of the muse from past musicians who lived there. The ocean breaks for miles and miles – are these ghosts of the canyon even real, or are they walking these hills? Dad is a very sentimental tune about his father, remembering all the great times they had together. Summer Day Summer Sun was co-written with his high school friend Jim Howard, a salute to the summer fun and sun and the idea of leaving everything behind and dream on a new horizon. The next tune, also co-written by his friend Jim, was inspired by the Don McLean’s song Vincent. Asking what Van Gogh’s life could have been like, he encourages us to never give up on our dreams despite how despondent things may seem at the moment. She’s So Real is a signature tune of Bill’s that most everyone can relate to – trying to find that special person in your life who’s the “real deal”! She’s got a heart a million miles wide, so how can you go wrong with that? Maybe someday he will have the nerve to tell her how he feels about her. And So it Goes was written after attending a John Prine concert, where Prine encouraged all songwriters in the audience to go home and write a song. Bill took that to heart and wrote a pleasing-to-the-ear Prine-ish number. You can’t cook an egg in a toaster or comb your hair in the wind – reminded me of the advice dispensed in Prine’s Dear Abby song! He then introduced his new single Summer Rain, a rhetorical apocalyptic tune that will make you stop and think about what’s going on in our world today. His next tune, She Was Meant For Me, was written in the style of Gene Clark, a member of the former Byrds. He can’t believe that he’s the only one who understands that when all is said and done, and after a lot of time has passed, maybe she’ll see that she was meant for me! Bill ended his set with Someone Greater, a song he wrote back in the 70’s while at VCU and playing at the Grace Street Coffeehouse. After witnessing all the majestic mountains, newborn babies, etc. you certainly will believe there is someone greater! Great set, Bill!
Matt Manion
Long-time member Matt Manion then took the virtual stage, opening with one of his signature tunes I Don’t Need to be Perfect. Definitely a message many folks can relate to – let me just be myself and get on with my life! Looking for a Man’s Man describes the search for that perfect mate – doesn’t have to be rich, just someone who will grab me by the heart. Blue Springs Hideaway recounts the heavenly trip to the mountains in southwest Virginia, soaking in Mother Nature miles away from the city lights – rocky ridges and forest trails. Definitely a peaceful place for a great weekend! Another dreamy ode to Mother Nature is Life Can Be Funky Down on the Pamunkey, a really cool song describing all the wondrous aspects of natural life along this lazy river. Matt then treated us to a new song using sampling from the Simple Minds’ song Don’t You Forget About Me. I Just Wrote a Song Today asks the listener to just let him know if you don’t like it and he’ll stop it! Matt took us home with Rolling Sea, which included soothing backing tracks he recorded on the beach by the ocean. I could almost feel myself floating and bobbing peacefully with the gentle roll of the waves. Way to go, Matt!
March 2020 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
The March 2020 VOCAL Showcase took place on Monday, March 9, 2020 at O’Toole’s Irish Pub. The showcase had a Spring theme, so performers were asked to perform at least one song with that in mind.
Joan Smith opened the show with Emergence, a Spring-like love song calling for the awakening of her heart. She followed with Pot of Gold, a search for something more in life, possibly even leading to a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow! The Yes Man is a unique a cappella doo-wop style song, giving it back to the man dangling too-good-to-be-true offers in front of you. Let’s see your credit score and I’ll see what I can do!
Gary Luong, who’s only been writing for a year or so, opened with a really cool heartbreak song, You’re the One Who Taught Me Guitar. His next room-quietening tune was a very delicate Ed Sheerin-ish number, recounting the advice from his father (I’ve Got to Give Back My Love to You). He enlisted the grooving help of a looping machine for his last tune, saying we’re still young and have plenty of time to live out our lives together.
Bill Kaffenberger returned to the VOCAL stage with three of his offerings. Early Spring was written by his friend and local RVA songwriter Steve Antonacci, who recently passed away. This is a really touching song about the promises Spring will bring, and Bill plans to play this at Steve’s upcoming memorial service. She’s So Real describes the girl with a heart a million miles high, and a smile a million miles wide. If only he could get near her to tell her! What am I Doing Here has him sitting on his hands, with no one listening to what he has to say. Things have never been good to him, and probably never will be. You may never strike a chord anywhere near fame, but you can’t give up or you’ll lose the game.
Jim Puckett then took the stage with The Sunshine Knows Your Name, where the warm Spring sun trumps all the bitterness that Winter can throw at you. Lenten Roses delivers on the promise of Spring, with the beauty of the blooming flowers, showing the fruit of your labors. Doesn’t the Rain Still Fall had some really cool images of the sun always shining, the wind sneaking down the mountain, babies always crying, etc.
Long-time member Karen Trump graced the stage after quite a long absence. It was great to hear her stellar roots/folk/blues offerings. God’s Redeeming Grace was reminiscent of the Carter Family, a Spring-ish number about falling in love when the flowers are in bloom. Silver-Tongued Devil was a delightfully dark number about succumbing to temptation. No Spring Chicken is something most of us can relate to. While we’re still quite able in a lot of areas, there’s certainly nothing wrong with hitting the sack at 9:30! Welcome back, Karen!
Martin McNeil brought us some fine British muse with Back in Your Arms Again, asking for his lover to hold and soothe him. Give Myself Up to the Night was a poignant number, crying all the tears at the station, and hitting the road on the 8:39 train. He ended with In My Breakdown, receiving an arrow through the heart from his former lover.
Norman Roscher ended the evening of original music as only he can do. My Bitch Lad was a very irreverent (but tender and loving) tune about a young lad walking through the woods when he was “taken in” by a woman for her personal needs. So was there a loser in this transaction? He then delivered a tune written by fellow “Vocal-onian” Bill Wellons, Gonna Take My Baby Dancing. This is just a really happy, feel-good song about kicking your feet up on the dance floor! Waiting for The Moon is a signature Norman tune from the Dog’s New Clothes era, and is always a crowd favorite!
