Posts Tagged ‘Steve Nuckolls’
VOCAL Showcase October 2009
The October 19, 2009 showcase was a little new, a little old, a little folk, blues and soul! We welcomed new member Cheryl Fare to the stage for her showcase debut, Darry Ellyson brought out some new songs as well as some of his great older material, and Steve Nuckolls treated the showcase crowd to his featured performance including new material. Showcase #219 was a great event for live, original music in the river city!
Cheryl Fare kicked off the evening with her mixture of folk, jazz and blues. In addition to songwriting, Cheryl’s creative endeavours include 17 years in theater. Her website www.cherylfare.com includes a blog and bio – check it out! Cheryl started her set in a laid back fashion with the first song she recorded ‘The Messy Song’ which sounded wonderful with the piano accompaniment of Sonny Baharloo. Many sources in life provide inspiration for her songs like ‘Roll Me Under’, which is based on a book she read. Throughout the set, Cheryl’s smooth, but strong vocal was a pleasure to drink in, made all the sweeter by strum of her acoustic guitar and Sonny’s work on the keyboard. The song ‘Stones in my Pocket’ was a wonderful lead-in for the next song, which celebrated the bygone days of the Ford Pinto, ‘Springfield’. This song brought back a lot of memories for those of us in attendance. It is wonderful to have Cheryl as part of VOCAL and to have this opportunity to hear her original works on the showcase stage – we hope she’ll come back in 2010!
Darryl Ellyson was up next with new material, and the beautiful tone of a Martin guitar for accompaniment. The crowd did not have to wait too long for a sample of Darryl’s new material, because he started off with the fresh new lyric ‘Romeo’s Hot Tonight’. Darryl kept the theme of love going through much of the set as he worked his way through ‘I’m Still in Love With You’ and ‘I’m a Fool for You’. As always his booming vocal was strong and carried throughout the venue like a thunderclap across a summer sky. After the song ‘I’m Late Again’, Darryl decided to treat us to his attempt at his own version of Bluegrass music ‘The Diamond Ring’, then closed out the set with a favorite ‘When I Get Home’. Learn more about Darryl’s music and where he’ll appear next at www.myspace.com/darrylellysonbluelightdistrict.
After Darryl packed up and mingled with the crowd, it was time for the much anticipated appearance of our featured performer for the night, Steve Nuckolls. Steve is a Virginia songwriter who is originally from a musical hot spot known as Galax, Virginia. Known for thoughtful songwriting with a very human quality to his subject matter, Steve has written many great songs based on his travels, whether overseas or in the small town where he grew up, often inspired by the people he has met along the way. Love was the theme of choice for the first part of Steve’s set as he began with ‘Living Out This Love’, then moved right into ‘Die for Love’ (one of the first songs he wrote) and ‘Your Loving Arms’. ‘Hand Me Downs’ is a wonderful song about making due with what you have as seen from the viewpoint of growing up as a younger sibling. Amidst some classic songs such as ‘Greetings from Normandy’, ‘Much Obliged’ and ‘Alley Man’, Steve offered a new song to the crowd ‘Something About Your Love’, a wonderful surprise for the crowd. The song ‘Alley Man’ has a true backstory to it, from Steve’s interactions with a gentleman who would patrol the alley’s in his neighborhood just looking for the time and maybe some tin cans to take away. With his quiet, but confident vocals and a guitar style that jumps between strumming and fingerpicking, Steve evokes images of James Taylor and other singer/songwriters who have made major contributions with an acoustic guitar and a thoughtful lyric. The set closed out with a song inspired by a trip to Africa ‘Simunye’ and a song inspired by a trip down Interstate 95 ‘Sunrise’.
Thanks to all of our showcase attendees for supporting live, original music, it would not be a showcase without you! And since we are a volunteer organization, we could not get the showcase off of the ground without help from dedicated members like Larry Cody who provides table tent cards (and a whole lot more), Matt Manion for sound services, as well as just being there when you need him, and Matthew Costello of Costello Media www.costello-media.com for photography and web services. We’ll see you next month at a new location O’Tooles Restaurant and Pub www.otoolesrestaurant.com . See you there!
VOCAL Showcase September 2009
Showcase #218 was an electric night of musical variety and prime songcraft. From solo artist to full-blown band, from classic, crisp acoustic sounds to fiery electric rock, there was a little something for each listener and a whole lot of music for everyone. John Ellis, Steve Nuckolls, and The Taters were the musical livestock and they were corralled and put to work on the showcase stage by guest emcee and ringmaster Norman Roscher. September 21, 2009 was a night to remember.
The showcase is produced each month at the fine location of VOCAL’s host, Richbrau’s TapHouse, every 3rd Monday. With a seasonal list of fine micro-brew and some delightful meals masterfully prepared by the chef, the TapHouse is an ideal location for the songwriter’s showcase. Join us each month at 1212 East Cary Street in Shockoe slip for the best in food and music.
Setting a festive mood and delivering the first musical offering of the evening was VOCAL’s own dreamweaving, creative maestro, Norman Roscher. With a special tribute written just for the showcase, Norman immediately set an atmosphere of fun with a circus-music theme, lyrics that included the names of the evening’s performers and a salute to Richbrau’s micro-brew creations. Thank you, Norman for getting the night off to a rousing start!
After the completion of Norman’s introduction, Norman introduced the first of two short set artists. John Ellis had electric guitar in hand, with backing tracks queued up to deliver a 15 minute set of rock and blues-based songs. Starting off with an instrumental number, the first song was divided into two parts, a guitar only, finger-picking prelude called ‘Chimes’ which led into the all out rockin’ ‘Groove Thaing’. With blues inspired licks and a high energy backbeat, the song was a good excuse to jam. John then moved into the bluesy, rock number ‘The Stranger’, which is a song about the isolation that can be felt in the realm of the search for love. The next song was another instrumental with a heavy blues influence ‘Blues No1’ complete with backing tracks that covered bass, rhythm guitar and drums. The song was part slow blues and part melodic rock. The set wrapped up with one of John’s favorite closing numbers ‘In My Place’, a rocking, electric number about the frustration of a relationship where one party was only there until something else came along.
Norman then introduced the next performer of the evening, a long time VOCAL member who has written many wonderful songs that show a lot of thoughtful reflection from life experience and the ways of the world. In addition to his participation in VOCAL, Steve Nuckolls is an active member of the Nashville Songwriters Association. ‘Making My Getaway’ was Steve’s first song followed by the reflective and inspiring ‘When the Flag’s Half Mast’ . A new song added to his great catalog, ‘About Your Love’ was a wonderful creation consistent with Steve’s thoughtful style. The set closed with a favorite of mine ‘Sunrise’, which is about driving down I-95 one New Year’s day. Thanks to Steve for a great performance that really set a nice mood for the evening.
With a quick switch of the guitars and the addition of a bass, electric lead and a drummer, the featured performance of the night was none other than Richmond’s The Taters! In support of their upcoming release Menagerie, The Taters put on an hour long set of their amazing blend of ‘eclectic roots pop’ as they like to describe their music. With a scaled down drum set for Buz King and the electric guitar finger work of Greg Marrs, The Taters had a full, rich sound that really adds a sonic backdrop to the wonderful vocal work of Craig Evans and T. Bradley (Brad) Tucker. With Craig on bass and Brad on acoustic guitar the duo are formidable on their own, but it was quite a treat to hear the full band in the setting of the TapHouse. Most of the set featured music from the new CD Menagerie, including the first song of the night ‘No I Don’t’ , which had the kind of vocal harmony that Brad and Craig are well know for. ‘Oceans Apart’, also on the new CD, included a bit of guitar from Greg that was somewhat reminiscent of surf guitar. Taking the audience back a few years to the CD Recess, The Taters played two songs from that release, ‘On Our Own’ and ‘The Kiss’ – the song ‘The Kiss’ has a rather dramatic sense to it with the strong emotion in Craig’s vocal. Another song from Recess, which has been redone for the Menagerie CD is ‘That’s Me’ – an interesting rework of a familiar Tater tune! ‘Wolfman Told Me Tonight’ is a new song which will also be featured in the film Virginia Creepers, www.virginiacreepersmovie.com – check out the website for info! The documentary will feature highlights of 50 years of late night TV horror host shows. The Taters played many more songs from their extensive catalog and wrapped up the night with three more from Menagerie ‘Spend a Little Time’, ‘Such a Good Day’ and the encore performance of ‘Sing a Little Sunshine Song’, written by Roger Miller. The performance certainly builds the anticipation for the new release which will be coming out within the next few months. Keep up with The Taters and all things Tater related at www.thetaters.com.
What a fantastic night for live, original music!! We can’t thank John Ellis, Steve Nuckolls and the The Taters enough for performing and an extra special thanks to Tater soundman Mike Gribik for running sound. Thanks to Larry Cody for table tent cards, to Matthew Costello for his web services and photography and our guest MC Norman Roscher. And the biggest thanks of all to fans and the general audience members who come out to listen – it wouldn’t be a show without you. Thank you and we’ll see you next month!
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!
