February 2026 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase

After a snowed out cancelled VOCAL Showcase in January, live music returned to O'Tooles. February 16th's VOCAL Showcase was an open mic affair with performers both members and non. Performers were (in order of appearance) Jim Puckett, Bill Kaffenberger, Russell Lawson, Dominic Nunziato, Nylah Simone, and Jesse Spencer.

Jim Puckett
MC'd by Jim who started the evening off with a couple of tunes "WinterTown" with his desire to find a more hospitable place and leave the harsh weather behind, followed by: and, "My Paycheck Is Just Passing Through" a humorous take on how his money doesn't make his life work any better.

Bill Kaffenberger
He was followed by Bill Kaffenberger with "What Am I Doing Here" wondering how he fits into the world and “She's So Real" Detailing his infatuation with someone with a "smile as wide as a mile" and eyes that shine.

Russell Lawson
Russell found a common thread in his tunes about being in prison; "Bryant's Life" describes life behind bars, looking at concrete walls and running out of cigarettes. "Life Sentence" shares the singer's anguish how being locked away is a life sentence from being loved.

Dominic Nunziato
Next up: Dominic, a non-vocal member, performed two songs: "Better Days", concerning his broken relationships with family and friends. Then: "Can't Leave It Behind" sad descriptions of military service with the words profanity, insanity and humanity as negatives.

Nylah Simone
Nylah is a young college student who came to the open mic to show off her talents as singer and songwriter. Using pre-recorded tracks off her phone, she delivered two songs, "Changes" and "Honey", which were enthusiastically received by the audience which offered her encouragement to continue in her music career.

Jesse Spencer
Jesse, another non-member of VOCAL, followed her with two original songs in the country genre "For a Hundred Reasons" which outlined "why I Love You" and why I want to leave you. Then "Another Song" about trying make it in the world as in "Another road on the stop, trying to reach the top".

Jim Puckett returned to the mike to close out the night with two more songs: "Sand With Candy" which gave us a mixed picture of what life will hand you and "Mab Scott" unsettling pictures of life in West Virginia coal towns and working through "Tough Times".