Posts Tagged ‘David Atkins’
July 2026 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
It was quite a celebration at O’Toole’s Restaurant and Pub on Forest Hill Avenue in southside Richmond July 20, 2026. The Virginia Organization of Composers and Lyricists (VOCAL) had just celebrated their 40th birthday, and some of its finest songwriters came out for the VOCAL Showcase. The headliner was Gary Shaver on keyboard with his musical guests Steve Young on guitar, Larry Lyles on violin, and Marilyn Brown as a vocalist. Opening up for Gary was Steve Smithson, Rona Sullivan and Jill Chumley, and David Atkins. Such writing and performance talent drew in a large crowd for a memorable evening of original music.
Steve Smithson
Steve opened the show with a new song, written recently, a pensive tune, singing “…Rebel wind is callin’, will you now hold me dear, the time in growing near….”, as he picked the strings of his six-string guitar.
Steve followed that with a question for the audience: “Y’all feel like singing tonight?” He taught us the line “Burn my bones”, which the crowd repeated at his direction, everybody singing acapella without guitar, with Steve adding the line “…and bury my ashes.”
Next came a cowboy song with images of the West. “Another cowboy rides away…..there’s no reason to stay…”, the cowboy marveling at the majestic mountains to his left and right. Strumming his guitar, Steve sang “Praire cowboy, hang up your spurs….”, remembering the by-gone days for what they were.
Enthusiastic applause greeted Steve at the end of his set, and John Ellis, the MC for the evening, got up to the mike to thank Steve and inform the crowd about all things VOCAL. Next up, Rona Sullivan and Jill Chumley, both with their guitars.
Rona Sullivan and Jill Chumley
The first two songs were written by Rona, who introduced her first song as “…my reason for never dating a songwriter…”. She sang “Don’t put me in your book, don’t put me in your song….that’s where I know it’s over, that’s where is all goes wrong…”, with Jill adding harmony. “That’s a true story…” Rona said after she finished.
Rona’s next song she described as her divorce song, featuring Jill playing harmonica during the instrumental opening of the song. The audience laughed at the line “…you can take the house…..I’m keepin’ the truck!”.
After Rona’s two songs, Jill sang two of her own. Jill said her first song was about a relationship that ended in divorce, “…however I didn’t get a truck.” More laughter. “Roll on, wheels of love, roll on changing times…my soul is flying…”, Jill sang, adding harmonica in places. Powerful material. Jill told those assembled that “I’m sure there’ll be happier songs tonight.”
Jill’s second and final song was written about a friend who lost her dog that had been her companion for 16 years. The song is called “My Lace”, and includes the lyrics “…Can you feel my love surround you?.....Always there by my side, loving me, loving you, even when we have the blues….take me to the river, take me to the sea, you are always here with me….”, and a haunting refrain “…my life…..my life….my life…”.
A fine set from Rona and Jill, which was much appreciated by the audience.
David Atkins
Next up was David Atkins, who has not graced the VOCAL stage in quite some time. He opened his set with bouncy, jazzy chords on his guitar, with surprising lyrics: “Overlooked…..under-rated….I’m one of a kind……undeniably unique….it’s me, your friendly neighborhood jar of pork rinds….” Much awe and laughter. He continued “….I’m a crunchy treat that’s unique for the competition….the Rodney Dangerfield of snacks……I get no respect!” David got a happy reaction from the audience for his tune, saying “When you’ve been away as long as I have, you better start with humor!”
David’s second song, entitled “Two More Cards” was moving and thought-provoking: “….What I wouldn’t give for two more days…..what I wouldn’t give for two more lives…..what I wouldn’t give for two more cards….”
David’s next song referenced the year 1862, and reflected the divisions that can develop between people, even close friends and family. “….You’ve got your truth, I’ve got mine…..we never see things eye to eye, unless we want to…..emancipated…..there’s nothing more to say, we could have found a better way……” The story continues with the singer saying he’ll take his loved ones and move on…….”to a place people see beyond the hatred……emancipated.”
David congratulated VOCAL on its 40th year. His final song started out “….gather around me, and lend me your ears…..” and David sang of a subject close to VOCAL’s heart…..songwriting. “There are those who climb mountains, sail oceans……there are teachers and preachers….but the ones I would follow, ‘till the end of tomorrow, are the ones who write their own songs….” He sang that some people pursue songwriting for “….fortune or fame…..to mend their hearts….but there are those who need to put music to rhyme, as much as we need air…”. Well done. Good to have you back at the VOCAL Showcase, David.
Gary Shaver
The night’s headliner, Gary Shaver, came to the mike and opened his set by exclaiming “Lordy, Lordy, VOCAL is 40!” Positioned in front of his keyboard, Gary invited guitarist Steve Young to join him on Gary’s first song, “Taking the Easy Way Out”, from 1977, about a romance that didn’t last. Gary, sporting a floral Hawaiian shirt, sang “…one of these days, someone else will come along….”, meshing his chords on the keyboard with Steve’s excellent guitar work. The crowd gave an enthusiastic response to the song.
Gary noticed the good-sized crowd at O’Tooles, and wondered aloud about how long VOCAL has held its Showcase at this Irish pub. Norman Roscher, from the audience, joked back to Gary that at least VOCAL hadn’t caused this establishment to close down like others VOCAL has graced over the years. That got a good laugh from the assorted VOCAL members and friends.
Gary’s second song was about lost love, which he wrote about 10 years after his first song. “….I gave you all of my love, what a price to pay…”, he sang….”how could love make me feel this way…..how could love turn and walk away….”, a gorgeous song, accompanied by Gary’s deft fingerwork on the keys. After the song Gary complemented Steve on his guitar playing, calling him a living legend.
Gary took the opportunity to thank the many members, officers and supporters of VOCAL over the past 40 years, including it’s founder, Cham McLaughlin. And Gary read the names of members and supporters we’ve lost over the years, such as John Lephart, who didn’t write songs or perform, but who was a long-time regular at VOCAL Showcases, and a financial supporter of the group.
For his third song, Gary invited his good friend and fraternity brother Larry Lyles up to the stage to play violin. Gary told the audience that he met Larry when they were both in the Richmond Youth Symphony, and that later they were roommates in college. They played their respective instruments together on Gary’s song, which had a nostalgic feel, as Gary sang “…it’s a wonder I’m still goin’, with what I’ve left undone….I’m trading the present for the past….” Larry added soulful feeling through his notes that quickly climbed up the neck of his violin. Fine music from two musicians with a long history of friendship.
For Gary’s fourth song, he announced “Now to the stage, the premium singer in Richmond…..Marilyn Brown!” Marilyn, originally from Virginia Beach, once sang at Kings Dominion, and also with the bands Mirage and Spectrum. Currently she enjoys entertaining folks living in nursing homes in the area.
Gary introduced his song, a duet he wrote when he was 39 years old, of a conversation between two people about their love affair, which wasn’t working out. Gary and Marilyn traded off, back and forth, on the lines. “….there was a time you took my breath away…..but a change has come over us, slowly and surely…..we’ve gone through the whys and wherefores…..what should we do with “we don’t matter anymore”.” Great feeling and strong voices. The crowd responded enthusiastically to their duet, and Gary said he appreciated the love in the room.
Gary told the crowd he hasn’t played the Showcase in a while, then leaned into the mike and asked “Mary Margaret, could you bring me my water?” VOCAL member Russell Lawson took the opportunity to yell out to Gary from the audience “You didn’t ask for your walker, did you?”, playing on the word “water”. This joke was enjoyed greatly by the audience, and Gary, also.
The next tune was just Gary at the keyboard. He described this song as a waltz, entitled “I Stand Amazed by Your Love”. “…I stand amazed by your love, darling……and I thank you for lifting me up…..to a world of joy that I never knew of…..and I stand amazed at your love….” One of Gary’s finest.
Gary’s last song, written when he was 59, tells the tale of a man struggling with a love he can’t let go of. “…about being lied to and cheated, even though you did me wrong, my love for you is just as strong, and I just can’t walk away….” He wanders from state to state, “…there are so many things I want to ask you….I know you don’t want me to….I can’t stop lovin’ you….” So what can you do in a situation like this? Songwriter’s know….you put it in a song.
John Ellis returned to the mike to thank everyone for showing up at the VOCAL Showcase at O’Tooles. This showcase was a good example that 40 years on, VOCAL still presents the best in original music in the Central Virgina area. Thanks to all who made this possible and to O’Tooles for their food and hospitality!
Showcase Photos
Click a photo for larger view
Photo Credits: Matthew Costello
August 2022 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
August 2022 Vocal Showcase.
Another stellar night of music was provided by two long time VOCAL members, president Matthew Costello and Glenda Creamer. Hosting was another long time member, David Atkins.
Opening the program tonight, while waiting for attendees to show up, were two recorded examples of the songwriters works: "Lady You" by Matthew was a jazzy tune and "I'm Leaving Cody" a popish cowboy song from Glenda.
Matthew Costello
To start the live portion of the show, Matthew began with "Train of Thought" which outlined the dual thinking processes of the singer and the object of his attention. Next, "Life Is A Movie" described all the different contrasts one finds going through life, such as country life/city life, friends/strangers, heroes/villians, and shows the complexity of what we experience. A major piece of work by him "The Artist That Hung The Moon" (John Atkinson Grimshaw) is a picture itself by a song, of a picture by the artist with imagery and music. "If You Knew" was a song about being smitten, secret feelings the singer harbored for a woman he sees across a room and wonders if she has picked up on his feelings. Next in his set, Matthew presented "Bound By Walls of the Past" which included some lines how the title can affect a person, such as "Freedom in the future, walls in the past" and "Why pay remorse for rent". This question , "What is Happy", probably crosses most everyone's mind at least once in life. The answer, as Matthew explains, is "In The Eye of The Beholder" in his song "Get Me Some Happy". It shows up when we least expect it, and from unexpected sources, from the aura of strangers to our own inner being, it is a contagious feeling one can not ignore.
Glenda Creamer
Glenda began her set with the "Frog Song" a delightful tune describing all the antics of a frog and it's characteristics, slimy, green, hoppy, jumpy, swimming in the toilet bowl and other assorted traits, and she included some very froggy sound effects to complement the song, as well. The next song (Woman on the path?) comes from a suite of songs about Jesus and the Bible, in which the woman asks Jesus to bless the children He encounters in His walk through life. "Hit On By Older Men" tells the tale of how her wedding ring (a sapphire not a diamond) misleads men into thinking she is available and how she has to fend them off. Next in her set was "September Wind" and describes the changes the coming autumn is creating, pushing waves back to the shore, rustling leaves and cooling temperatures. One of her well known songs was next: "I'm A Witch" in which, she exemplifies all the traits of a witch, casting spells, shooting green darts and generally creating havoc in people's lives. "Ghost Town" to keep the halloween theme going, was a song about a haunted house invaded by kids who spend the night exploring for ghostly powers, to which she added spooky sounds. "Moonshine Sky" came from her experience growing up in rural Virginia, and related the exploits of local moonshiners who made their brew in the dark of night in the shadow of the mountains. Last song in her set, Glenda presented "Let The Cool In" and mister cool himself saunters in on a hot summer day to the delight of those suffering the heat.
One of the outstanding results of tonight's showcase proved that VOCAL has great songwriters who create meaningful and thought provoking lyrics and complimentary music skills.
April 2022 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
David Atkins
David Atkins then took the Zoom stage, accompanied by his backing tracks, with some of his signature tunes, including the honky-tonk bar-related favorites. When a Woman Smiles is one of our favorites, and we all know those smiles are too hard to resist! Gray is one of his newer tunes and takes a realistic view of society where everything is not black or white. The House on Leaksville Road is a haunting number recounting a visit to the house where he once lived with a love of the past. Emancipated is a newer song reflecting the ignorance and misguided attitudes of certain people stuck in their ways and unwilling to accept the truth. Wishing You Were Here takes us back to the bar where he’s crying in his beer and licking his wounds after being left by his lover. Southern Pride is another new song and bears the “three chords and the truth” philosophy of songwriting. He’s remembering some of his field trips from school in his youth where they visited homes/museums of Civil War heroes whose reputation has become tarnished through the years, making Southern Pride a dubious phrase. He then delivered his signature tune and crowd favorite Sing Your Own Song, a tribute to all of us writers out there just trying to get our stories out make sure they’re heard. He ended the evening with One Drink in the Bottle, another bar/honky-tonk number that he crafts so well (can’t waste a drop!). Way to go, David!
This concluded yet another wonderful evening of songwriting performances by two of our stellar writers!
April 2020 Showcase
These immortal words about postmen
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”
would seem to aptly applied to Tonight’s VOCAL showcase.
After all: It would seem the coronavirus, technical difficulties and just plain logistics might put the kibosh on our monthly showcase.
But, noooooooo, nothing could stop it. Thanks to Matthew Costello and his intrepid fortitude, and know how, the showcase made its first ever virtual appearance on Facebook.
After a short intro by him, the first performer to take the stage was our wonderful young lady, Keely Burn. She cranked up her ukulele, for a handful of original tunes, which included a sort of self imaged song titled “Cute girl with glasses’.
She was followed by Prof. Dean Broga, who on guitar, regaled the viewers with some tasty tunes about the road and ended with a bluesy number celebrating (?) the coronavirus or covid19.
Next up, David Atkins, a long time VOCAL member and music teacher, demonstrated his songwriting abilities with songs covering a wide range of subjects from haunted houses to barroom moroseness with “One Drink In The Bottle” .
Capping the evening, which was limited in time to 60 minutes by Facebook, our president Matthew Costello pulled out one of his signature songs “Elvis Blues” with the singalong chorus of “Diggin’ Diggin’ Diggin'” which every viewer participated in (maybe).
As for turnout, a standard showcase at O’Toole’s brings around 20 or so folks out for the night, by my calculation and the figure on the screen, we peaked at 25, which is great for this first attempt a live streaming event. Given the circumstances, that will most likely remain next month, we will be anxiously awaiting the next VOCAL showcase.
VOCAL Showcase August 2009
Showcase #217 was a delightful melding of fine-aged song craft, new emerging talent, with rock, pop, folk and country influences. Sarah Kane made her showcase debut, wowing the crowd with her acoustic guitar and strong vocals. David Atkins was a great headliner bringing his fine catalog of songs along with the backing tracks to fill out the sound. It all took place August 17, 2009.
VOCAL is pleased to produce the showcase at Richbrau’s TapHouse each month. We couldn’t ask for a better host with such a fine selection of exquisitely prepared meals and micro-brew creations. Join us the third Monday of the month at 1212 East Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, in the historic Shockoe Slip.
Guest emcee Larry Cody took to the stage and put the show on the right track with a big, rockin’ start in the form of his song ‘Keep On’. Strumming along and singing his song, Larry gave the audience the wake up call that the night was something special. Then with his usual flair for making the crowd feel at home, Larry welcomed the audience to the showcase and the night’s first performer.
Sarah Kane joined VOCAL last year and was finally able to squeeze a showcase performance into her busy life. And we couldn’t be happier for the addition to the list of VOCAL songwriters appearing on the stage this year. Sarah had a great stage presence, projecting vibrant energy into the room with a relaxed, confident demeanor. She worked her way through a set list that included some wonderfully tender ballad-like songs, a few upbeat numbers that were fun, and a little bit of comic delight thrown in as well. Some of the more serious material was shown in the songs ‘Sleep’ about a friend with severe depression – a song that I enjoyed very much – and ‘Thank You James’. Showing her lighter side and the ability to capture humor that is drawn from life experience, ‘Coffee’ and ‘Polka in a Parking Lot’ were enjoyable listening. Throughout the set, Sarah demonstrated a wonderful sense of melody, a deft hand on the guitar and thoughtful, well crafted songwriting. Sarah’s special guest was her 4 year old niece who joined in on the drum for ‘Rosie’. Thanks to Sarah for sharing her talent with VOCAL and starting the showcase with a fantastic set.
Larry then returned to the microphone to transition the evening to our featured performer. No stranger to songwriting or performing, David Atkins is a long time member and one of the great songwriters of VOCAL. David came prepared to put on a show and proceeded to take the audience through a musical experience that was full of life, drama, real life experience and emotional encapsulation of the best and worst of life. ‘Actually Needs Me’ was the show starter followed up by ‘When I Dream About You’. Dave showed quite the sense of humor and captured the turn of the tables that happens to the young couple, who is wild and free, laughing at the older couple with the kids in the mini-van, in the classic song ‘This Could Happen to You’. On the more tender side ‘When She Cries’ was a soft, melodic tune. The atmosphere became a little spooky with the ghost story ‘House on Leaksville Road’. In ‘Air Jamaica’ Dave captured the wonderful experience that airlines can provide with a bumpy ride and less than desirable accomodation.
Dave took time out to pay special tribute to a dear friend in the educational system who left the world too early. With a recording of ‘Because of You’ performed by the 3rd graders of Elizabeth Scott Elementary, Dave let the children of the school send the message of the wonderful contributions made by this special person. The song and more information about this inspirational educator can be found at the school’s website www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/Schools/Scott_ES/index.html on the History page. The song is a heart warming recording with piano, and the addition of synth and brass sounds to fill out the aural background of the song.
Some of the audience favorites were the classic songs from Dave such as ‘First Table from the Bar’ and ‘Wishing You Were Here’ dealing with the trials and tribulations of relationships. And the night couldn’t have ended more appropriately than with Dave’s tribute to his fellow songwriters ‘Sing Your Own Songs’ and an encore performance of ‘One Drink Left in the Bottle’.
Our wonderful performers were but one half of the night’s festivities – it wouldn’t be a show without an audience to entertain, so thanks to everyone who turned out to support our performers. A HUGE thanks to our volunteers who make it all happen – Larry Cody with table tent cards, Matt Manion for audio support and Matthew Costello for photography and web services and one more time for guest MC Larry Cody, who did a great job presenting the performers to the audience. We’ll see you next month!
David Atkins VOCAL Songwriters Showcase Podcast August 2009
Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring upcoming Showcase Headliner David Atkins:
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Coming up on August 17
- The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at the Richbrau Taphouse & Grill.
- David Atkins
- Sarah Kane
- MC, Larry Cody
- 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Click here for directions
See you there!
