Posts Tagged ‘Jill Chumley’

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

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Photo Credits: Matthew Costello, Matt Manion