May 2025 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
The May 2025 showcase featured the relative newcomer George Harris, followed by veteran members Jim Puckett and the husband-and-wife duo Gene and Gayla Mills.
George Harris
George kicked off the evening with a few of his quite clever and rocking numbers. He doesn’t mind turning a few heads with some of his risqué titles but once we hear the words we know they are safe for consumption. He’s Got the Devil in His Genes conjures up some lewd thoughts but his clever wordplay tones it down into a fun song that many of us can relate to. As he is a preacher, George knows that not all his songs may be appropriate for church so he prayed about For a Poor Soul before deciding to play it. What better place than a church to pray for a poor soul filled with temptation? The X in Sexy teeters on the brink of racy as it describes the voluptuous woman who wows the bar crowd. Give Give Give describes the one-sided relationship between a man and woman where you try as hard as you can to please but are always asked to give more. He then delivered Tomorrow’s Memory where we see our life slipping away as we age so can only hope that we create lifelong memories. George put on his rock and roll hat for You Feel the Thrill, asking his lover to feel the thrill inside as the passion rises. He then revealed his heartfelt tender side with The Tender Side of Me describing the sincere love and devotion that he has in his heart. Too Many Rocks in the Road is just as it sounds, navigating a life full of obstacles while the Devil is constantly breathing down your neck. He then treated us to A Hat Named Jack describing his new cowboy hat that went flat as his soda. George ended his set with I’m Gonna Try, introducing us to a good-for-nothing individual whose soul belongs to the Devil, so the least he can do is try his hardest to be real good.
Jim Puckett
Jim Puckett then took the stage accompanied by his harmonica. He opened with the minor-keyed Riverside, a murder ballad set in the dark shadows by the river where prying eyes can’t see. Mississippi Line recounts the numerous experiences of standing in a line, whether for unemployment benefits, emergency water, etc. Orleana Hawks Puckett was the mountain midwife of Jim’s song Orleana. She supposedly delivered over 100 babies and had twenty-four herself! Friend of Mine is the sad tale of a man who was down on his luck and lost everything he had, resorting to buying a gun and taking his own life. Only a Moment is a very touching personal song in memory of his mother who passed away recently at the age of 95. Breaking away from his sad and somber tunes he treated us to For the Bold, a beautiful love song for his wife. Jim left us with Chinese Butterfly, an enchanting mythical tune arising from a very vivid imagination!
Gene and Gayla Mills
Gene and Gayla then took the stage for the final set, treating us to some finely-crafted tunes and awesome vocal harmonies. Coal Miner’s Wife leads us on the black dusty trail into coal mining country depicting the harsh life of those who choose to live this life. Give me a Boat was inspired by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and recounts the life of a fisherman whose life was turned upside down by this disaster. If he’s left on shore he doesn’t have a chance but give him a boat and he’ll make it dance! Oregon Hill has vivid images of an early life in this working-class neighborhood whether you chose drywall repair or working in the steel or paper mills. The Blue Runway Lights are definitely something to look forward to when returning home to a loved one after a trip! Ten Thousand Napkins is a really cool song about a guy who saved all the “love letter” napkins from the lunches packed by his wife over the years. His co-workers ribbed him a bit after his honeymoon but he knew he was onto a good thing and stuck with the habit. Next up was an ode to the USDA food triangle. They offered a different perspective on how to consume the various food groups, such as drinking my grapes and corn, consuming vodka for my potatoes, etc. Filling Up With Holes describes a man’s life who is finding nothing but holes in his life – in the walls of his house, in the yard, and even in the stair landing where the family dog used to lay. Gene and Gayla ended the evening with the poignant Talking to a Stone, where we are advised to express our feelings to our loved ones while they are here on this earth instead of waiting until they’re in the ground. Good advice!
Hats off to George, Jim, Gayla and Gene, and thanks to all who came out to enjoy some excellent original music!
Showcase Photos
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Photo Credits: Matthew Costello
