September 2026 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase

On the cusp of Fall, three songwriters gathered to present a night full of original music. From the confines of O'Toole's Restaurant, Matthew Costello, Bill Kaffenberger and Jim Puckett filled the air with their melodious compositions.

Matthew Costello
Matthew, president of VOCAL began the evening with some fine original tunes. First up: "Catch A Ride" followed by "The Blanket" , and "Shadows Of September" a fitting tribute to the month as "they come and go they can cast a spell that sets me free" "3 Days In 69" recalled the turbulent times and how music of the Woodstock era influenced the social and political movements of the 60's.could soothe the heaving breasts of the restless crowd. Next up: "Life Is A Movie" took us through some pictures of similarities to the imaginary and the realities of life. Closing out his turn: Matthew ended with the song "You Are Always There" A paean to the James River."

Bill Kaffenberger
Bill is a long time member of VOCAL who recently returned to Richmond from a three year stay in L.A, pursuing a career in acting. Among his talents is songwriting and he presented that tonight. A fan of the Byrds, his first song "I Got Nothing To Prove" had the group playing in the background of the singer, as he observed the goings of a lady from afar. Homeless is a problem almost everywhere, and Washington D.C. is no exception. So, in "Little Old Man" we get a picture of one such person out on the streets. People walk by and "nobody helps and nobody cares" No one pays any attention to an outsider. Tribute songs are a genre that many songwriters employ in their portfolios. Bill is no exception. In "Dad" he sings about his own father and the remembers the joy he felt as a youngster and the influence on his life forth going. "I wish you were here" and "I miss you" are heartfelt lyrics. In "Zombies" we get a description of youth aimlessly wandering the streets staring into their phones. And lastly, this song with the extended title, "Brian Wilson's Double at the Nine Mile Grill". If only it was the real one..

Jim Puckett
Jim was the featured performer of the night. In true troubadour style he enhanced his set adding a mouth harp to his guitar strumming. "Stand In The James" was a song exhorting listeners and himself to enjoy a cooling off with a dip the James river. What's a guy to do when there ain't nothing happening? Jim's suggestion, sleep in. So in "Sleeping In" that's what he does. Stays in bed and listens to the birds singing in trees outside his window. "Learning How To Say Goodbye" is a self-explanatory. It's hard and it hurts. Sometimes, the only way to ease the pain is to "tell one's self a story." As mentioned above, tribute songs are not unknown in the history of songwriting, and Jim adds his own to the mix. "Storytellers Blues" continues the form. This one honors the memory of Todd Snider who passed away in Nov. 2025 at 59. He was a master at story telling in song and Jim reveres his talent. They were so real to life and Jim believed their content. Another genre that fill the annals of song, is the blues. And in "Time To Get Ready" we get an example of that. Nobody is exempt from the blues. We must be prepared when, at any time, they can strike. Last song in his set was "Salvation" in which he urges us to "get to a place where we can find some peace and quiet, "whisper secrets" in the atmosphere, and find solace and contentment.

A great night for enjoying a wide range of music and styles.

Showcase Photos

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Photo Credits: Matthew Costello