Posts Tagged ‘Jim Puckett’
August 2025 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
O’Toole’s was packed August 18, 2025 for the VOCAL Showcase featuring songwriters Jim Puckett, Mark Daniel, Steve Nuckolls and Norman Roscher. The Guinness was flowing, and fish and chips, onion rings, Shepard’s Pie, salads and burgers were dished out to the enthusiast crowd of friends, family and diners. VOCAL president Matthew Costello and VOCAL vice president John Ellis tweaked the sound system before the Showcase started.
Jim Puckett
First up was Jim Puckett, who started his set with his song Riverside. Jim’s song was recently awarded VOCAL 2025 Song of the Year in a two-way tie with Steve Nuckolls, whose song One Half of the Man and a Dog was also awarded 2025 Song of the Year.
Riverside is an intriguing, moody song about hidden love and murder, “…over the railroad tracks…..well away from the preying eyes….where the secrets hide….where the weeping willow cries”. Spooky stuff, and well presented with Jim’s deep vocals and deft guitar picking.
Jim’s next two songs lightened the mood, with Breaking Ground…”it hits me that I love her in the super market line”, followed by what Jim described as a silly love song, with the lyrics ”…green bananas, taco shells and wine…”.
Mark Daniel
Next up to the stage was Mark Daniel, VOCAL 2025 Songwriter of the Year winner, in a three-way tie with Matt Manion and Steve Nuckolls, who were also awarded VOCAL 2025 Songwriter of the Year.
Mark opened his set with White Plastic Fences, an upbeat, clap-along song that describes a place “…where cows used to be…” but where now “…stands a planned community…”, with the catchy chorus “….white plastic houses, it’s a white plastic world, where you get more nuts than squirrels…” A place with a bad HOA, and “…you can’t fly your flag on a Sunday...there ain’t no way….”
Mark continued with two more songs, the first about a character who “…woke up to four gray walls that won’t let me go….” after a bout with whiskey, the devil’s water. Then came The Church That Used To Be, a song Mark wrote after coming across an old, abandoned church that was almost falling down near Williamsburg. In the corner was a piano, with its strings all sticking out, covered in dust. Mark imagined “….how it would sound, with the choir gathered ‘round…” and thought of this place that nurtured the love of Jesus, with the long-gone weddings and Sunday pot luck dinners, filled with saints and sinners. Walking away, he could almost hear the hymns Rock of Ages and The Old Rugged Cross emanating from the old structure.
Steve Nuckolls
John Ellis introduced the next songwriter, Steve Nuckolls, who, as previously mentioned, won both VOCAL awards this year. Steve started by telling the audience that many of his songs come from his experience growing up i n Galax, Virginia.
Steve’s first song, At Home on the Backroads, has the vibe of a Willie Nelson or Bruce Springsteen song.
Steve’s lyrics start out:
“Heard a song on the radio about an old dirt road
And it drove me back in time
When my heroes were real and they lived nearby
And they were friends of mine”
The chorus speaks of memories of watching over the land, a pride of place, looking out for each other, and being home on the back roads with friends.
The melody for Steve’s second song, She Remember My Beer, came to him while he was working in his yard.
It’s an ode to a favorite waitress in a special cantina who doesn’t know his name, but remembered his beer, and his hopes that maybe a relationship will develop.
Next come Steve’s award-winning song One Half of the Man and a Dog, about an old shaggy dog that always gives him the side-eye as the dog works a busy road panhandling with his owner.
Steve’s lyrical bridge:
“They get there before the morning rush
Claim their ground and get set up
Catch the divers heading in and out of town
And stay there ‘til the sun goes down”
The lyrics describe the man and dog, both with weary faces, looking like they’re carrying a heavy load. Steve’s high falsetto reminds me a bit of Neil Young.
Steve introduced What If She Likes It, sharing with the crowd that the song is about meeting his lovely wife Janice, who was seated in the audience. Years ago, Janice had been on a date with a bartender at Richmond’s Tobacco Company Restaurant and Steve had the gumption to go up to Janice and ask for her telephone number. He memorized the number on the spot and that led to Steve and Janice recently celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Janice had a sweet smile on her face as she watched Steve sing the song.
Steve introduced his next song The Stars of Ours Shows by asking the audience to imagine “…two young lovers on a mountaintop with a wise man reading their horoscopes.”
He followed that by taking us back to the mountains for his song Praying For a Rocky Top. The first verse:
“ I’m thankful I grew up in this town here in the mountains
Tucked between the treetops and the clouds
I’ve got a birds-eve view of paradise as far as I can see
And the air’s so thin my feet float off the ground”
For the finale of his song set, Steve introduced a fairly new one titled Pedal Steel, which he said was 99% true. “…that Sting Ray bike made by Schwinn painted in Sky Blue, banana seat and longhorn bars and a wide slick rear tire, the shiny metal and mirrored chrome would set the town on fire, had a paper route and mowed some yards saving for the day, I’d pay in cash including tax and ride that bike away.”
The chorus ends with “…thought I was wearing wings being carried by those wheels, never felt so close to Heaven when I would pedal steel”. A fitting end to a set from one of VOCAL’s finest songwriters.
Norman Roscher
Norman Roscher was called up to the stage, where he greeted the appreciative audience by saying “Always a pleasure to play at O’Tooles, and to part of VOCAL”.
Norman first performed a solo set, featuring VOCAL member Gary Shaver on saxophone for one song, and his daughter Melody Roscher on another. Norman then brought up The Clackwells band for several songs, ending the lively set with a song he co-wrote with Glen Habel, Norman’s bandmate in Dog’s New Clothes. Glen was in the audience and came up to share lead vocals with Norman on their song.
A natural showman in long, light-brown hair, mustache, ample beard and colorful tie dye shirt, Norman started his set with his song I’m A Fool, a bouncy number he played on electric keyboard, singing “I’m a fool…just keep fooling around…..walking on a high wire with an unbalanced mind…I’m just a simple man with no big dreams….”. Norman’s obvious talent belied the lyrics.
Norman then invited his ex-wife Charlotte up for his next song, the popular “So Long Baby Goodbye”. They have been singing together under many different names over the years. For this song, Charlotte sang backup to Norman’s lead, with the old-timey sound of the keyboard providing accompaniment.
Norman amused the audience by telling them “Gary’s going to whip out his horn” for the next song, referring to longtime VOCAL member Gary Shaver and his saxophone. Roamin’ Eyes was the song, and Norman said that when he was writing the song, he was searching for a feeling, and that Gary helped him find it when Gary started in with his soulful sax lines. The song ended and Norman complimented Gary by saying Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys had excellent musicians to play with, “…other fine musicians who are into what you’re doing…”, like he had with Gary, and he thanked Gary and the audience in attendance at O’Tooles who came out to hear the music.
The next two songs, If I Should Ever Get to Heaven, and Pictures of Irene, address the difficulty of losing loved ones. “Their memory stays with you forever”, said Norman.
If I Should Ever Get To Heaven was dedicated by Norman to his friend Pete Heiberger, who died in September 2024. Members of The Clackwells sang backing vocals from their seats in the audience along with Norman as he sang. The song was especially moving because Pete’s wife Sonni Gittelman was listening in the audience, and she smiled her appreciation to Norman at the end of the song.
Pictures of Irene was a tribute to Norman’s friend’s mother, who was like “another mother” to Norman. “…I’m looking at pictures of Irene, and it feels like love in a frame, and I’m crying for her love tonight…” After the song Norman said he couldn’t believe he’d never see her again.
Norman next treated the audience to a song written by VOCAL member Bill Wellons entitled I’m Gonna Take My Baby Dancin’. Norman said Bill told him the foot-tappin’ number, which describes a man who takes his baby dancing because she said they don’t go out anymore, was inspired by Norman. “….maybe shake a leg or two…..rat-ta-da-da-da…”
Norman’s daughter Melody Roscher joined Norman for Waiting for the Moon. Norman said it’s one of the favorite songs that he’s written, and has fond memories of Melody recording the song in the studio with him. “Chokes me up every time” he thinks about it. Melody added her ethereal vocals to the dreamy, gentle piano music Norman played and sang.
After the song, Norman noted that Melody wrote and directed a film entitled “Bird In Hand” that was in the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. The narrative feature film will be shown in Richmond on September 25 at 7:00 PM at the Byrd Theatre as part of the Richmond International Film Festival. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Melody splits her time between Brooklyn and Richmond.
Joining Norman for the rest of his set were The Clackwells: Christie Wright (Pistol Clackwell) on drums, Eliza Brill (Slinky Clackwell) on percussion and vocals, and Eliza’s husband Evan Esche (Stinky Clackwell) on upright bass, fiddle and vocals. Deanna Lorianni (Blinky Clackwell), who usually adds vocals and percussion, was out of town this night.
Norman and The Clackwells started with Yer Beautiful, a song of positivity….the title pretty much says it all. Eliza, with two blonde whorls falling over her shoulders from under her baseball cap, strummed the washboard and blew on the kazoo, with Evan joining her on an ooo-ahhh harmony. After the group finished, an audience member yelled out “So are you!”, spreading the beauty back to the performers.
For the next song, The Hat, Norman donned his dazzling multi-colored top hat and coat. He explained that he wrote this song for children and it was part of Dogs New Clothes repertoire. “…I live in my hat….oh lucky me….my hat is the perfect place for me to be…..I’m a magic hat….it grows as tall as a tree…..” Evan energetically plucked his bass on this magical song.
Norman shared with the audience that he was notified many years ago that his next song, Someone’s Droolin Somewhere, had won a spot on an album released as part the local XL102 radio song contest. That was until he received a call the next morning explaining that there had been a mistake someone else had taken his spot on the album. Oy vey! Gary came back up to add his sax to this number, along with The Clackwells. “Someone’s drooling over, you….better believe it!”
Strapping on his guitar, Norman introduced I Don’t Play Doctor Anymore, with Gary again on sax with The Clackwells. Describing this well-loved Roscher classic, Norman said “It never got released, but it escaped.” Christie provided a steady beat on drums while Norman sang about the one game he liked best, playing doctor, “…because that’s the game he played best”. He was determined to be the best doctor in the world. “…You won’t find me with the boys, I’m playing with my doctor’s toys….” “Go Gary…” Norman cried, and the sax notes went flyin’ for the solo. And, finally, “….Now that I’ve grown up, I’ve found what I’m lookin’ for….so I don’t play doctor anymore”.
Sweet Nector, a song about weed, conjured up images of the Virginia hills where Pappy rose at down to care for his beloved pot plants. Then at night ol’ Pappy would enjoy a taste of heaven, and live for tomorrow again.
And the final song for the night was Did I Hear Ya Say, which Norman co-wrote with Glen Habel, who came up to the stage and shared lead vocals with Norman. A great song about friendship and helping each other realize their dreams, with nice harmony from Evan and Eliza.
Norman shouted “Peace and love…..thank you!”, putting a cap on the evening of original music from our local Richmond-area songwriters. 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, John Ellis, Norman Roscher
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
August 2024 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
The August 2024 showcase featured the 2024 VOCAL Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year winners. Veteran writer Glen King was honored with Songwriter of the Year at our annual banquet and long-time VOCAL member Doug Patrick received the Song of the Year award. Jim Puckett and Steve Nuckolls rounded out the slate of performers.
Jim Puckett kicked off the evening with three of his well-crafted tunes. Learning How to Say Goodbye is a love-gone-wrong song about coming to grips with the fact your lover is gone and trying not to cry about it. “Don’t let my heart get in your way” and “writing another letter to the trash can” describe it all! Vegas By Now is an ode to doing stupid things you regret and now you find yourself in the county lockup instead of winning lots of money and getting married in “Lost Wages”. Mab Sky is a tribute to his ancestors who lived and worked in the mining camps, where his grandad drove a grocery truck delivering to the miners. They gave it their best while there but worked hard to escape the camp and find a better life.
Glen King then took the stage with his keyboard and backing tracks and treated us to six songs from his vast catalog. A Rainy Day With You is a jazzy, uplifting tune about being with your lover on a rainy day, not a care in the world about the stormy, wet weather outside. What We Leave Behind is an award-winning ecology song depicting all the environmental abuses going on today, such as the wave of plastic floating on the sea, oil spills, etc. A Song on the Radio reflects his thoughts on the tune he hears continuously over the air, reminding him of this lover and wishing he had said those words about her. It’s Always Sunny is a beautiful love song to his wife, a testimony that everything is great when she’s around, no cloudy skies, brighter than all the summers since the dawn of creation! Glen recounts the wonderful memories of his beloved cat with You Left Your Mark on Me. They watched the young cat as he learned his way and cared for each other when one was under the weather. We all know how sad it is to lose a close furry friend. I Don’t Mind The Rain is an optimistic tune telling us it’s okay to enjoy the rain and all that goes with it as the sun will shine another day! This song involved audience participation in accompanying Glen on the chorus.
Steve Nuckolls then took the stage with three of his tunes. The first was Morning Glories, a song co-written with Glen describing a couple’s life along with the happiness and sadness accompanying it. The song’s setting always ended where the morning glories grow wild by the road. One Half of the Man and Dog is a new song describing a man and his dog who are often seen panhandling along the median in the city streets. You Get To is another new song recounting his father’s words of wisdom, that you don’t have to do something, you get to and should see it as an opportunity!
Doug Patrick finished up the evening with four of his finely-crafted numbers, including the Song of the Year. He opened his set with the self-described “dysfunctional relationship” song You Don’t Cross My Mind. Yes, he certainly remembers all the good times they had but the bad memories are much more vivid and forgettable and now he can do what he wants when he wants! He then took us to the horse track with his memorable Watch That Red Horse Run, a tribute to the horse racing champion Secretariat. It’s a cool tune with great imagery about being at the race track, numbers in hand, just waiting for that underdog to blow everyone away! He then performed his Song of the Year winner Where the Wild Wind Blows. This is a beautifully finger-picked song about his life on a desolate mountaintop and the woman he loved. She was all he needed to fill the hole in his heart, but she couldn’t resist the pull of the city lights so left him high and dry. He still sees her silhouette today against the pure white snow. He ended his set with an ecology song Leave It Like We Found It, offering some very sound advice on some simple things we can do to help the planet and leave no trace.
A great time was had by all listening to excellent original music!
Showcase Photos
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Photo Credits: Matthew Costello
April 2023 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
Monday evening, April 19, marked VOCAL's return to live performances!! Well, sort of...
There were over 20 people gathered at O'Tooles' Forest Hill location, to celebrate our first "live" Songwriters Showcase since the pandemic lockdowns. However, the perfect storm of miscommunications and misunderstandings. Due to the confusion, Jeff Wagner, who was scheduled, wasn't in attendance. He was missed.
Hours before the show it was discovered that O'Toole's closes its kitchen at 9 PM on Mondays and were advised that we shouldn't play past that time as the whole restaurant may close down if there's no bar business. We had a good crowd, and some people had driven a some miles to get there, so someone suggested that we just play without the sound system and see how things went.
So what is one to do? You gather in the bar side of the restaurant, place your drink and food orders, pull your guitars out of their cases, and you stage an unplugged, impromptu "guitar pull"! Erik Gaines, Steve Nuckolls, Jim Puckett, and Ken Roller, passed around their guitars and performed before an appreciative group. Before the evening ended, even a few of the O'Tooles regulars found their way over to our side of the bar.
This reviewer gave up trying to identify titles by the third song, because as good as the songs and performances were, that wasn't the point. What caught my attention were the smiles and hugs, the handshakes and laughter, the music and applause. For the first time since March of 2020, VOCAL was gathered together in the same room, at the same time...that was the point!
And a good time was had by all...
Showcase Photos
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October 2022 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
The October 2022 VOCAL Songwriters’ Showcase took place virtually via Zoom and FB Live on Monday, October 18, 2022. Two of VOCAL’s long-time members, Glenda Creamer and Jim Puckett, shared their well-crafted tunes with the group.
Glenda opened the evening with a spook-filled set and she was dressed for the occasion with her black witches hat! She opened with Saurena’s Song, describing the melodic hook reeling her in – swallowed the bait – he’s the best fisherman, and she’s waiting to see if she’ll get thrown back in or if she’s a keeper. Lazarus recounts the Biblical tale (a bit creepy/spooky) where Lazarus awakes from the dead. Scary, indeed! She then delivered her signature (and timely) song I’m a Witch Today, conjuring up evil emotions, vibes, etc. that you don’t want to come your way! She then brought us Ghost House, which was inspired by a crazy dark dream. They had just moved to a rental house and started experiencing really weird things, realizing then that the house was haunted. Moonshine Sky is another one of Glenda’s signature songs, a minor-keyed haunting number inspired by the moonshine-making days in Franklin County, VA during the Depression. Fortune Teller is a cool song she co-wrote with former VOCAL member and UofR Speech Professor Jerry Tarver. It “tells” about his love foretold, which then he stupidly betrayed, so he’s now asking the Fortune Teller to tell him a lie – he’ll even pay her double to reward her for her trouble! Glenda ended her set with another haunted tune Never Sing About the Moon (the crescent moon is for the witch, the full moon for the werewolf, but no moon is when all the creepy things come out!) If you don’t want him to fall in love with you, then don’t sing about the moon when you’re looking into his eyes, and don’t act pleased when he gives you a surprise.
Jim Puckett then took the virtual stage with his numerous guitars, swapping them depending on the desired tuning. He opened with Mabscott, an ode to the old coal-mining town, remembering his grandad driving the grocery truck around the mines. The Only Stars is a cool number about not only seeing billions and billions of starts in the sky, but also seeing millions in the darkness of your lover. Mississippi Line reveals a current theme of standing in line for assistance in some form or another, whether it’s food, gas, or most recently bottled water in the case of Jackson. You never know when you may be the one who has to stand in line, especially when your life and dreams have suddenly dried up. In Richmond is a tune where the city is calling out and waiting for you from all corners of its rich and sometimes dark history. From “Hollywood on the James” to the church on “The Hill” there is something for everyone. Jim brought his harmonica for Giving Me Ideas, where he and his lover are taking a drive in the country, the music cranked up to free them. Don’t have to tell me twice, she’s giving me ideas! It’s Okay is a new song from Jim with a “don’t worry, be happy” attitude to life and what comes along. Doesn’t matter what it is, someone borrows and wrecks your car, someone crashes on your sofa, etc. there’s always room at the Inn! Into My Arms is another cool song in alternate tuning that Jim describes as an “apocalyptic love song”. Regardless of all the gloom and doom and despair, I will always be there with arms wide open to take you in. Riverside is one of Jim’s signature tunes, a dark “Appalachian Murder Ballad” tale of taking your lover down to the river where the cool water feels good on a hot summer night. What begins as young passionate lovers trying to get away with everything they could ends with her being shot by a jealous lover who is then “taken to the water”. When The War is Over was written several years ago but is very applicable today with the situation in Ukraine. The parent compares the noises of war to the weather, with the rain and thunder – it will all be better when the war is over. Things Happen Fast describes the situation of many when they are living high on the hog, taking things for granted, when suddenly they find themselves in a free fall and lose everything they had. Jim ended the evening with Winter Town, where he initially is inclined to get out of town when the cold and snow arrives, but then realizes that is where his roots are, so decides to turn around and stay.
Great sets, Glenda and Jim!
If the video below doesn't play when you click it, follow this link to watch it on Facebook: October 2022 VOCAL Showcase Facebook Live
March 2020 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
The March 2020 VOCAL Showcase took place on Monday, March 9, 2020 at O’Toole’s Irish Pub. The showcase had a Spring theme, so performers were asked to perform at least one song with that in mind.
Joan Smith opened the show with Emergence, a Spring-like love song calling for the awakening of her heart. She followed with Pot of Gold, a search for something more in life, possibly even leading to a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow! The Yes Man is a unique a cappella doo-wop style song, giving it back to the man dangling too-good-to-be-true offers in front of you. Let’s see your credit score and I’ll see what I can do!
Gary Luong, who’s only been writing for a year or so, opened with a really cool heartbreak song, You’re the One Who Taught Me Guitar. His next room-quietening tune was a very delicate Ed Sheerin-ish number, recounting the advice from his father (I’ve Got to Give Back My Love to You). He enlisted the grooving help of a looping machine for his last tune, saying we’re still young and have plenty of time to live out our lives together.
Bill Kaffenberger returned to the VOCAL stage with three of his offerings. Early Spring was written by his friend and local RVA songwriter Steve Antonacci, who recently passed away. This is a really touching song about the promises Spring will bring, and Bill plans to play this at Steve’s upcoming memorial service. She’s So Real describes the girl with a heart a million miles high, and a smile a million miles wide. If only he could get near her to tell her! What am I Doing Here has him sitting on his hands, with no one listening to what he has to say. Things have never been good to him, and probably never will be. You may never strike a chord anywhere near fame, but you can’t give up or you’ll lose the game.
Jim Puckett then took the stage with The Sunshine Knows Your Name, where the warm Spring sun trumps all the bitterness that Winter can throw at you. Lenten Roses delivers on the promise of Spring, with the beauty of the blooming flowers, showing the fruit of your labors. Doesn’t the Rain Still Fall had some really cool images of the sun always shining, the wind sneaking down the mountain, babies always crying, etc.
Long-time member Karen Trump graced the stage after quite a long absence. It was great to hear her stellar roots/folk/blues offerings. God’s Redeeming Grace was reminiscent of the Carter Family, a Spring-ish number about falling in love when the flowers are in bloom. Silver-Tongued Devil was a delightfully dark number about succumbing to temptation. No Spring Chicken is something most of us can relate to. While we’re still quite able in a lot of areas, there’s certainly nothing wrong with hitting the sack at 9:30! Welcome back, Karen!
Martin McNeil brought us some fine British muse with Back in Your Arms Again, asking for his lover to hold and soothe him. Give Myself Up to the Night was a poignant number, crying all the tears at the station, and hitting the road on the 8:39 train. He ended with In My Breakdown, receiving an arrow through the heart from his former lover.
Norman Roscher ended the evening of original music as only he can do. My Bitch Lad was a very irreverent (but tender and loving) tune about a young lad walking through the woods when he was “taken in” by a woman for her personal needs. So was there a loser in this transaction? He then delivered a tune written by fellow “Vocal-onian” Bill Wellons, Gonna Take My Baby Dancing. This is just a really happy, feel-good song about kicking your feet up on the dance floor! Waiting for The Moon is a signature Norman tune from the Dog’s New Clothes era, and is always a crowd favorite!
Feb. 2020 VOCAL Showcase
Feb 2020 VOCAL Showcase
(due to a complete delete of a full review, I am only listing a set list of each performer. Sorry about that.)
Tonight’s performers included two returning songwriters, Jim Puckett and Steve Nuckolls. who was the featured performer.
Jim went first and did six songs.
- Runaway Horizon (a travelling song that ook us from east to west and back)
- In the Bargain ( it’s hard enough to love yourself musch less lose the one your love)
- On Your Mind ( you can forget me, i’m in your mind)
- Last of the Lonely Girls ( he ends up the last of the llonely men when all the girls are gone)
- Opalena ( a mountain doula who delivers many babies but has no surviving choldren of her own)
- Song of Love ( a song strangely enough, about love)
Steve Nuckolls followed with a 13 song set including the following:
- Making My Getaway (doing what it takes to supress one’s pride)
- Sitting In With Emmy Lou ( a Saturday session to sing along with Emmy Lou Harris)
- Sunrise ( equivaling a sunrise with the idea of hope)
- Something About Your Love (She is the singer’s answered prayers and a gift from heaven)
- The Flag’s At Half Mast (pondering the reasons why the flag is at half mast)
- Open Door ( Being thankful for the things on your life that make it what it is)
- Everything’s Just Two Good (body parts as a metaphor for loving someone)
- The Gibson Guitar ( a surprising place to see a guitar for sale, in a furniture store)
- Praying For a Rocky Top ( hoping good old country values still exist)
- Lines Of Love (how the words we say reflect on those we love and those that love us)
- Higher Bar (describing the sacrifices made by heroes in war and at home)
- Sumanye ( An African term for togetherness and pride in unity of a homogenious group)
- Two Hours From Everywhere (living in a town that is 2 hours from all the major cities and their offerings)
As seen by the above: there was a wide range of topics and ideas spun together by the two performers , and highly appreciated by the audience at hand.
Nov. 2019 Showcase
One of Richmond’s longest songwriters showcase, probably the longest, presented its #340th, this Monday, Nov. 18th, at O’Toole’s Bar and Grill. Two sets of songs were on the menu.
Sherry Heath Wagner and Jeff Wagner
First up, the duo of Sherry Heath Wagner and her husband Jeff Wagner, starting off on two guitars. . They did 7 songs which included the opening number “Reckless Mind”, followed by “She Was Raised On Sad Songs”, “Scarecrow ( Jeff on mandolin), “Ghost Rider”, “Borderline” , “Is It Still You” (again with mandolin) and lastly, Musicland”. The songs ranged in scope from painful experiences to relationship doubts, to a trip to Nashville. Their singing blended well and they instrument playing was exceptional and versatile.
After a brief pause and new setup, the show was back on with Jim Puckett. Jim is an extremely proficient guitar player and he showed off his skills on the set of mainly folk style songs he presented. Beginning with “Breaking Ground’, “I Will Take You Into My Arms”, a rocker “Keep’em Comin’ Around’, “Looking Down”, and followed by “Our Own Blues” Learning How To Say Goodbye”, “Letter To a Friend”, “Riverside” ( with harp accompaniment) and lastly, The Rest Of Our Lives”. A well planned set of songs, which covered wide ranging subjects from heartbreak, love, pep talks, sadness and secret rendezvous’.
The nearly full house showed their appreciation for the talents of these 3 people with hefty rounds of applause and in some cases, clapping along with the song. Be sure to mark your calendars for the big Christmas showcase on Dec. 16th. Lots of good cheer and prizes will be dispensed.
Jim Puckett
After a brief pause and new setup, the show was back on with Jim Puckett. Jim is an extremely proficient guitar player and he showed off his skills on the set of mainly folk style songs he presented. Beginning with “Breaking Ground’, “I Will Take You Into My Arms”, a rocker “Keep’em Comin’ Around’, “Looking Down”, and followed by “Our Own Blues” Learning How To Say Goodbye”, “Letter To a Friend”, “Riverside” ( with harp accompaniment) and lastly, The Rest Of Our Lives”. A well planned set of songs, which covered wide ranging subjects from heartbreak, love, pep talks, sadness and secret rendezvous’.
The nearly full house showed their appreciation for the talents of these 3 people with hefty rounds of applause and in some cases, clapping along with the song. Be sure to mark your calendars for the big Christmas showcase on Dec. 16th. Lots of good cheer and prizes will be dispensed.
