Posts Tagged ‘Steve Nuckolls’
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
January 2025 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
Kudos to those hearty folks who came out on this chilly winter night to listen to some original music. The first VOCAL showcase of 2025 featured three performers: new member George Harris, Steve Nuckolls, and Glenda Creamer, all with original songs and styles.
Coming up to Richmond, from the Lynchburg area was songwriter George Harris making his first VOCAL showcase appearance. " You Feel the Thrill Inside" described how love resonates in different body parts regardless of the awareness of it. This was followed by "Give, Give, Give" and then "He's Got The Devil In His Genes" a song about seduction with the line "took her to his room, tried to make her bloom". "When Hearts Go To Heal" talks about using love as a healing agent finding the tender side. Next song "Tomorrow's Memory" gives wisdom to "things change as we age". Lastly: in "It Comes in Blues" George described how no matter how you sing it, country, pop or rock, the song comes out with a blues feeling.
Steve Nuckolls is a long time VOCAL member and showcase performer. Tonight's program featured many of his pop and country songs, some old and some new. Starting off with "There's a Future For Us" sung to his beloved to "never stop believing" that love would prevail. "If You Wanna Know My Love" says to the listener all it takes is to get know me, and the door to love will open for both of us. In a humorous vein, "She Remembered My Beer" tells the tale of a frequent traveler who stops at the same diner to get food and drink during his trips, and even though the waitress didn't know his name, she remembered what brew he favored. Next on his list was "Something About Your Love" a song full of heartfelt lines like " your love keeps me on the ground and always lifts me up". "QR Code For Cuervo" brought us in a new slant for the use of technology. A regular song in Steve's repertoire is "Praying For a Rocky Top" which describes the folksy atmosphere of a small country town and he says" Everywhere I travel, I hope to find another place as wonderful as the place I've left". In "Six Feet Away" the singer wishes to protect the people in his hometown from contagion by suggesting it is better to stay six feet away than be six feet underground. "The Gossan Mines" is an ominous tale of shady goings on in an old mine where criminals and crooks hang out. The singer advises his children "don't go near the saw mill, don't play in the mines". In his last tune tonight "Saturday Morning, Singing with Emmy Lou (Harris)" Steve sings about how gets prepared to sing along with his idol by restringing his guitar and writing down notes on a fresh pad of paper.
The last performer of the night was Glenda Creamer, another long time VOCAL member. Her music always has a quirky side to it with subjects one would not consider writable. Tonight was no exception. "In After Christmas", No need to stop celebrating. Joy can be found even after taking the tree down, and stop singing carols. It is the spirit of the holiday that continues on, not the accoutrements. "Wherever You Go" has a religious undertone that says the singer will follow whom she is singing to. "Easy Way Out" is an escape from facing your weaknesses: " No one will hear you when you weep and wail" say the song. One of Glenda's standard tunes is "I'm A Witch Today" in which she warns folks to be aware her mood in one to be trifled with. "You'll need patience" to deal with me. This was followed by "Lover of Origami". "Frogs" delights us with a tale of the amphibian that pops up everywhere you might not expect like in the toilet bowl and makes the singer "jumpy". This was followed by "Mrs. Grizzard's Wringer Machine" another quirky tale from Glenda's mind tells us about an old-fashioned washing machine that has mind of it's own: a demon possessed thing that moves all by itself across the laundry floor. Finally, "Dumplin’". gives us a picture of a hefty lady who likes her sweet stuff and isn't ashamed about her large frame. "I like it when you say I'm voluptuous" she intones among other self-descriptive nouns. Funny stuff.
A good night was had by all.
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
May 2024 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
Our May VOCAL Songwriter’s Showcase was again live at O’Toole’s with performances from long-time members Steve Nuckolls and Rona Sullivan.
Steve opened the showcase with a great tune reminiscing about his childhood home in southwest Virginia, a town that was “Two Hours From Everywhere.” Then his solid tenor took us to “The Gossen Mines”, a place he knew in his childhood near Galax where you would get “iron your clothes” just by walking through. His song spoke of the risky thrills of exploring the old mine that his dad warned him about. The minor key infused the memories with a tension and longing well suited to his range.
Steve introduced us to a song “rewritten a hundred times” concerning “you know when you toil Monday and it seems you’ve already worked the whole week.” Despite the “workplace bull”, the singer is still headed for “Destination Party Time.” Next, he gave us a new song about a lesson from his dad on the subject of appreciating life and understanding rather than “things I have to do,” “You Get To” participate. “There’s a Future in Us” called on Steve’s high register and expressed the singer’s longing for relationship and the opportunity he felt was eluding him with someone who was once part of his life.
Another new tune was a stellar story about “my favorite waitress” who might not know the narrator yet but at least “She Remembered My Beer.” There was a nice sense of anticipation in the lyric that paid off at the bridge when they “finally got to know one another” and the lady “knows my beer by heart and now remembers my name.”
The song “Married to the Same Person” was based on acquaintances whose first marriages had been unsuccessful because of the similarities of each other’s spouses. The good news in the song is their new relationship represented “a just reward for our painful past…now that we’re married to the right person.” Steve closed with “Praying for a Rocky Top” where the singer hoped to find in his new home a place that recalled his fond childhood memories of a hometown “Rocky Top” establishment. The tune was another that rested in Steve’s higher register and you could hear the yearning for the security and sense of belonging from an earlier time. Well done.
Rona Sullivan’s set reintroduced VOCAL to her powerful alto and muscular songwriting after a couple of decades absence “because I lived on a farm.” She brought “Just Gimme the Truck” alive as the narrator told off her ex and dismissed the settlement for the mode of transportation most desirable at that time. Using an off-meter line to highlight the titled refrain made the message even more clear.
Next, she softened the delivery for a finger-picked “Beside the River,” an ode to her current home and the charms of waterside living. This used several augmented and ninth chords to accentuate the poignancy and allowed the nice vibrato in her voice to be accentuated in the longer notes during the mournful melody. Next, Rona took us to “a scary place in Virginia” to tell us the story of Three Forks, where “the snakes they handled” and the “secrets held by folks in the grave” spooked her so much, she was glad she “got out alive.”
The next song performed (she said it was out of her “angry” period) matched the stronger female narrator against a less skilled guy to whom “For the Cowboy at the Bar” was dedicated. The singer asserts, “I’m a gypsy [and] you think you are a cowboy.” However, the storyteller could see right through the bluster and wouldn’t be put on the “chain around your neck.” Similarly, “Expert” took issue with a narrow-minded fellow who claimed Rona wasn’t the right person to sing the blues, so she immortalized his appraisal by writing a blues tune to give him “your 15 minutes like Warhol said you would” while dismissing his “expert” opinion and proclaiming “I’ll sing whatever I want to.”
“Woman in Black” was the tale of a self-described confident woman who is “a little bit weird” but sees herself in demi-god terms with “wings on my back” and later “flames on my back.” This was followed by a newer song about relationships where she admitted “Wherever I Am” she was always the person making the choices. She had some regret that “I follow me wherever I am” and she “can’t get far enough away from me.”
Songs can come from the weirdest places, Rona explained, introducing “I Don’t Need You” as an example, taking that phrase as a title when a friend asked her to stop looking over his shoulder in a project. The lyric confirmed her goal of making her own way as a singer/songwriter and not be silenced.
A lightly picked “Words” featured Rona’s compelling vocals in a folky ballad reminding listeners that she’s “got stories to tell.” The creativity will be in lifting the stories from her own life says the lyric. The final “Boggie Man” was a raw blues number about a character who “curse[d] the day he was born.” With “friends in high places” there’s a threat that he’ll “put you down” if you don’t steer clear. Glad you’re back in the fold, Rona. Let’s hear some more.
Showcase Photos
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Photo Credits: Matthew Costello and John Ellis
August 2023 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase #2
Our August VOCAL Showcase featuring 2023 Songwriter of the Year Carol “Torch” Torricelli continued the recent “live at O’Toole’s” performances that we have returned to after three COVID online showcase years. What a relief!
Steve NuckollsSteve opened the showcase with a song reminiscing about “Gossen Mines“, a place he knew in his childhood near Galax, and spoke of the risky thrills of exploring the old mine that his dad explained to a small boy while the minor key infused the memories with a tension and longing well suited to Steve’s solid tenor.
He followed that with the jaunty “Everything’s Just Two Good” that included some excellent and unexpected word play in a story about being grateful for a significant love relationship. Some great high notes in the melody showed off Steve’s mature vocal control. “What If She Liked It” was a memoir about meeting the woman who would become his wife, another relatable song drawn from his personal life. He explained that this tune was co-written with another musician in New England through a Zoom meeting.
“What Keeps You Up At Night“, Steve explained, was one of many of his tunes that he didn’t “know where it comes from,” as he began writing with just a title and a guitar riff. What developed was a message about his significant other being able to count on him to be around to comfort her at tough times. “If You Want To Know My Love” had some strong guitar lines surrounding a tale of starting a relationship while feeling vulnerable from other hurts because “sometimes it’s not what’s said, it’s the words that go unspoken” that can reveal the truth of someone’s love. “A Future In Us” wrapped up his set with a song about compromise and a plea for patience and understanding to build up a relationship he believes in.
Carol “Torch” TorricelliHeadliner Torch also won (with co-writer Glen King) the Song of the Year award and she opened with that, delivering “Give Me The Simple Life” on her ganjo, a six-string banjo tuned like a guitar, with a tune that showed off her finger-style skills and her firm and flexible vocal delivery. Her next was COVID-inspired, her song “People Need Each Other” evoking the craving for intimate connection during the pandemic-necessary personal isolation, where touching wasn’t physically possible but forced us to reach out into a virtual space.
Switching to “Highway to Your Heart” (also co-written with Glen), she sang of missing home and a lover while her fingers kept a percussive beat on the strings. “Come to Virginia” was a love song to our state with details drawn from Torch’s long service with the state tourism agency. This opened with a nice descending guitar line and moved to minor sevenths while Torch’s high-register vocal delivery and vibrato brought thoughts of early Joni Mitchell to mind when the melody ranged over several octaves.
“Don’t Slow Me Down” drew on a “bucket list” trip to Italy some years ago to visit the origins of her immigrant parents. The trip included “my guitar, too” to help “lose the winter blues.”
“Swinging and Swaying” recalled a trip to a national meeting, discovering a new friend that she was now missing, and used a compact chord structure to demonstrate the feeling of a desired closeness in the melody, which showed off her vocal chops and emphasized her expressive vibrato. Continuing the stories of personal liaisons, “Tossing Like A Salad (Over You)” used the fun and memorable metaphor to describe the difficulty of a long distance relationship that included unanswered messages by text, Facetime and email that “tossed” the singer’s feelings. This tune was distinguished by an interesting jazzy chord structure and arrangement that brought a “samba” feeling to the room.
The final two songs both concerned her nephew, Tommy. They showed a clear distinction in Torch’s songwriting development as the first about his birth, “Miracles Like This,” was written early in her musical life and the second, “Major Dad,” was penned decades later as Tommy concluded a long military career. “Miracles” used a simple straightforward chord pattern and a sweet melody line for a heart-felt homage to her sister and the new baby. “Major” was more melodically complex and leaned on Torch’s songwriting maturity to point to Tommy’s admirable strengths and accomplishments. Torch’s strong and accurate vocals and fine guitar work made both songs shine at the showcase.
~ Russell Lawson
Showcase Photos
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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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November 2022 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
In November VOCAL presented three singer-songwriter members in a program simulcast on Facebook and Zoom. Chaired by VOCAL President Matthew Costello, the showcase began with some sample songs by each of the participants while waiting for the live viewers to assemble before their devices.
John Ellis
Once done, the showcase started off with John Ellis who amped up his Taylor guitar and began with the instrumental "Chimes" which was complemented by a nice run of arpeggio chords that suited the title. This was followed by "Sweet Blues" a sad reflection of lost loving. Next came "Honestly" a more honest title would not have sufficed to describe the lyrical content of this song. "You gave me very little of yourself", "unending agony" were a couple of the lines and the kicker was the singer saying "you can go to hell". "Winter Solstice" is a staple instrumental in John's repertoire and this tune rang out with some big chords perhaps describing the darkness that the title suggested. "Autumn Hour" included some picturesque lyrics of the changing season and the declarative by the singer "I find my tranquility" in this time of year. Closing out his set was "Band of Silver" extolling the virtues of an inexpensive wedding ring preferring to offer this rather than a gold one as "there's no such thing as a second had wedding ring, (when) a band of silver will do".
Steve Nuckolls
Steve is a long time VOCAL member and a frequent performer on the showcase. Tonight he offered some old and new material less often done. "Lines of Love" is a tender tale of the connection between two people in love and their means of communication in silent but meaningful glances. Picking up hitch hikers can be a dangerous thing. But, when its Eugene, as Steve tells us in "Much Obliged" it can be an entertaining ride. Full of stories he always ended his travels with the phrase "Much Obliged" no matter who was taking him to his destination. Next " The Gosson Mines" was a cautionary tale to youngsters about the dangers of getting too close to the people who worked the mines and sawmills. Something new, " A Week To Over, Time" described the mundaneness of work as the singer proffered "daydreams are my lifeline" as an escape from the boredom of it all. Closing out his set, was "What If She Likes It". His set offered a nice contrast to John's with less rock musical overtones and more soft pop tones.
Jeff Wagner
Jeff has been in VOCAL for a couple of years and has played his songs for the members in meetings and in a previous showcase. He has more of a folk sensibility. Tonight he began with "House Burning In The Town Tonight" a tale of a traveling musician who vacillates between being on the road and being at home, mostly away from those loved ones at home. This was followed by "Sacred Mountain" a song full of descriptive images of being out in the desert landscape, as something like a rejected lover might feel, living in the sagebrush, under a red sky, cold nights and out where the coyotes howl. Redemption seems like a far away mountain. Aging has it drawbacks, for sure, but it can be fun, as well as Jeff tells us in "The Old Guard" which is a self reflective song in which he and three of his buddies star. They hang out together and each one has a life talent that distinguishes them one from the other, but they have one thing in common: they "Suffer no fools or cheap whiskey". "Sometimes" "how I miss that Joy and pain" gives us an overview of a relationship and the good and bad that can accrue over the years. "Reckless Kind" pictures a lifestyle of difficult choices that put the singer in jeopardy as his life comes on "like a big red storm". Last song in the set "The Devil Claims Your Soul" is a tale of an out of luck cowboy who can't get it together as in this line:"the wind calls your name, but, plans you made are like broken bottles on the barroom floor" Heavy duty stuff.
Three different singers, three different styles of music, great variety.
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
May 2022 VOCAL Songwriters Showcase
Steve Nuckolls
The live portion began with a set from Steve who started with "Looking For a Rocky Top" which included a picturesque description of a small country town in mountainous Virginia of which the singer hoped he would find elsewhere in his travels. "Lines of Love" told the tale of the things that hold love together, Next song was "A Higher Bar" in which the singer holds up for esteem for the actions of two young boys who saved some classmates. In the next song, "Gibson Guitar" the singer takes the role of a young boy who visits his local furniture store that sells other items, one being a Gibson Guitar which is displayed on a wall. The singer hopes one day he can own such a desirable object. The following song by Steve was a new one entitled "When To Pray". the substance of which was we don't need a church or calendar to tell us when to pray, it should be spontaneous. "Week To Be Overtime" tell us about the drawback of work day to day. The last song in Steve's set was titled "A Future For Us" and it told the tale of giving and taking in love and that in true love the people work out their differences and continue in their relationship.
Matthew Costello
With the help of some backing tracks, Matthew began his set, with "Bound BY Walls Of the Past" . In it he describes a past relationship and how the memories of that still come back to haunt, which segues in "You and I" about a different relationship in which the participants are bound together. "All Things Pass" ( from 1978) sets out a laundry list of what we experience in life and how they come and go such as life, love, night and day etc. The centerpiece of Matthew's program tonight revolved around "The Artist Who Hung The Moon" a haunting tale of an artist and his struggle to paint, that which he observed, and the complications in his life that stymied his creation(s). A well woven tale in words and music. "Subway To Brooklyn" was presented as a recitation about a hook up in a stentorian tone much like a Guy Noir story heard on Prairie Home Companion. This was followed by a moving tribute to moms, (his, particularly) and how she was the backbone of the house and the reliance thereof by husband and family. The final song in Matthew's set "Life Is A Movie" outlined all the characters we meet and ourselves play in life; friends, strangers, lovers and others.
Another fine night of music from two accomplished songwriters.
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.
VOCAL Feb. 2019 Showcase
VOCAL Showcase–Feb. 2019
A great night for music, hosted by Norm Roscher, at O’Toole’s bar and grille, before a huge crowd of music afficiandos.
Steve Nuckolls
The showcase began with long time member and audience favorite Steve Nuckolls. Steve brings a high lonesome tenor voice to his original songs that rings with authenticity, sincerity and truth. “that Old Road” tells the story of the back road country of Western Virginia where he grew up and paints a fine portrait of the countryside. Continuing in the country vein, “Rocky Top” wishes that all the little towns in the hills of Appalachia would have the atmosphere of old time country living, friendly people, and hospitality. “Gibson” is a sweet song about the singer’s longing to own a guitar he sees hanging on the wall in a furniture store. The song “Where The Morning Glories Grow” is a sad, yet happy tale of making choices in life that have profound effects. Next in Steve’s set was “Daddy Come Home, Soon” was the tale of a mother’s task of overseeing her kids and making sure they keep attending their activities such as church and sports till daddy comes home. One song that always shines and pleases the audience, is “Something About Your Love’ which is a sweet love song that tells of the singer’s attraction to his love and sports a singable chorus. “Normandy” was a sorrowful tales of visiting that site of a horrendous WWII battle and the memories it evokes. Where can you find inspiration for a song? How about in your own backyard, or alley as the next song demonstrated. Al the “Alleyman” goes around collecting cans for recycling and refuses to take charity from the neighbors whose alley he prowls, proving that even the down and outers have their dignity. Last song of the set was “Everything’s Just Too Good’ which was the VOCAL song of the year in 2018 and relates with what body parts the singer can appreciate his love interest as in two good arms to hold, two good eyes to see you etc. adding up to it all being too good.
Jeff Wagner
Jeff Wagner is a relative newcomer to VOCAL, and has done an open mic but never been a featured performer on the showcase. Tonight he corrected that with his set of original tunes. “The Reckless Kind” spun a tale of wild and crazy folks trying to get by in the world, followed by “Sometimes The Fire” in which the singer is a bartender offering advice to a heartbroken customer and swearing he’ll stand by and give support to her as it is needed. “a House Burning In The Town, Tonight” perhaps is autobiographical as it tells the tale of a musician who decides to quit music, but can’t stay away and eventually goes back to playing with a vengeance. Another sort of autobiographical story, to which most of the older folks in the audience could relate, was “I’m Not Ready To Go To Seed” in which the singer tries to adapt to advancing age by wearing longer hair (hippie style?) and reliving the old songs of his youth. The audience joined in on the chorus. Following that, the song “My Big Brother” was a really nice tribute to a long ago deceased brother who the singer keeps alive in memory, even though, he barely got to know him. “She Was Raised On Sad Songs” tells us of a lady who was in remorse, until she met a guy with a guitar and through making music together, found a source of happiness. A little bit of musical musing can next in the song “Bazouki” somewhat cryptic in nature, which then followed by “Song Songs We Need To Play” encouraging us to not give up to early on those songs which have meaning in out life. The last song of the set, and a stirring bit of musicality, was a tribute to the indigenous people of the Mattoponi tribe. This song filled the room with images of native American life, touching on tribal rituals and symbols such as drum beats, eagles, full moon and talking to the “old ones” for wisdom. Jeff even included some drum beats on the guitar to emphasize the subject.
Once again: the showcase proved the versatility and depth of the writers who belong to VOCAL.
2019 VOCAL Open Mic,
January 2019 VOCAL Showcase
Norman Roscher
Welcome to the first open mic night of the year. While the temperature took a dive into frigidity, the atmosphere in O’Toole’s was warm and toasty for some original music.
Hosting the event was stalwart entertainer Norm Roscher. To kick off the night he exhibited his exuberant piano styling with a couple of his tunes. “Yer Beautiful” was a tribute to an an attractive lady who evinced the qualities of the title in her style of dress and looks. “Apple Wine”, an older song rarely done by Norm, was a wistful journey into a young romance that ended sadly with one participant leaving the country.
Steve Nuckolls
Next up was another stalwart of VOCAL, Steve Nuckolls, who regaled the huddled audience with a trio of his well written songs. “Saturday Morning With Emmie Lou” Was tale of learning to play along with her (Emmie Lou Harris’s) songs, proudly gearing up for the session with new guitar strings and picks. He followed that with “Each Town Has It’s own Rocky Top” which illustrated how small towns have a great country vibe of people and atmosphere. A song written while running, was next. “When Like Turns to Love” which analogized the transformation of emotions to the weather.
Jeff Wagner
A fairly new member of VOCAL, Jeff Wagner, on guitar, followed Steve. “Wide Open Wyoming” was a tale of two separated lovers who fouhd a way to come together by compromising their geographic differences, in a hurricane, no less. “I Think I Might Forget, This Time” details a desire to get over a past relationship but the singer keeps getting images of her, that won’t go away, and leaves him perplexed. Jeff closed his set with “Who’s Your God” a sort of self explanatory song that asks the listener to think about what they worship.
Keely Burn
Keely Burn, a younger member of VOCAL, came on stage next with her newly acquired baritone ukulele and tested out her chops on “I’m Not Afraid” a work in progress, but still well done. Next, she performed “Come Down Love” , which she opened with a whistle intro, before getting into the song. This was a plea to an unrequited lover to recognize her and give her a chance at romance with the line “Plant your flag on me”. “Lightning” was the next tune. In this one, she seems to be mad at a love interest for being jilted, somewhat amazed at quickly emotions can change.
To round out the night, Norm returned to play a few more of his songs. In his more bawdier manner, the first song was “Mr. Calls Got Big Balls” followed by a co-written ( Pam McCarthy) tune “Idle Time” and closing out with a standard of his”So Long Baby, Bye Bye”.
Once again, a great night of music was provided and enjoyed by all present.
Happy New Year from VOCAL.
VOCAL Showcase February 2011
-by Matt Manion
Collaboration between VOCAL members was on display February 21, 2011 at February’s VOCAL Showcase at O’Tooles Restaurant. Headliner Steve Nuckolls was joined on stage by fellow VOCAL members John Ellis and Larry Cody. Gary Shaver, who opened the evening, brought up Norman Roscher and friend Alan Cole, and surprised a few songwriters in attendance by performing their songs. Bill Kaffenberger, who was originally scheduled to perform, was unable to make it, but hopefully Bill will join us for a future showcase.
Gary, at his keyboard, opened his set with two of his own love songs. The first contained the refrain “my love is somewhere between her and you”. Gary’s performance caused one member of the audience to comment that Gary sounded like Floyd Cramer, the American Hall of Fame pianist who was one of the architects of the “Nashville Sound”. Gary followed it with a song about lovers who look back on their affair, the only thing left being “words on a page, yellow with age.”
The wood and brick interior of O’Tooles came alive for the next number when Gary invited Norman Roscher up to the keyboard to perform a rollicking Norman song called “Roamin’ Eye”. Gary blew alto sax as Alan Cole added tenor sax, and Norman sang in his distinctive, rich, gravely voice “…can’t put a leash on them dog-gone roamin’ eyes.”
Gary then announced that he was going to play a composition written by his friend Frank Lucas, who was in the audience. Alan added sax over Gary’s keyboards and showed how lovely and complete just two instruments can sound. Frank seemed pleased at the unexpected surprise.
Falling scales and deft fingerwork highlighted Gary’s next song, which he said sat unfinished for 10 years at the end of his piano bench. Expressing the struggle of human communications, he entoned “we’re just lost at sea, if you won’t talk to me.” And later…”let’s not sink too deep, just believe in me.”
Gary had another surprise up his sleeve. This time he honored Jim Uzel, another VOCAL member in the audience, by performing a Uzel composition. A sad, last song to a once lover, the lyrics tell the story: “…now that our love is gone, all that’s left is a sweet, sweet love song.” The song ends with a beautiful chord change.
Gary dedicated his last song, a Shaver original, to Marg, who was enjoying the music at a nearby table. A heartfelt love song, Gary sang “…and I stand amazed by your love”, and “…I thank you, my darling, for lifting me up”.
John Ellis served as MC for the evening and announced that Steve Nuckolls would be up shortly. After a brief interlude, Gary introduced Steve, who introduced his first song: Simunye.
Steve explained that the inspiration for Simunye came from a trip Steve and his wife Janice took to Africa. They had ridden an hour on horseback to a Zulu village which had no water or electricity. A reunification effort was going on at that time after a civil war, and “Simunye” can be translated as “we are one” or “we are one with this land”. John added guitar to this moving song, and member Larry Cody added harmony from the audience during the chorus.
Next was one of Steve’s newer songs, the genesis of which came this past New Year’s Eve as he was out running. “My Prayer of Thanks” is an expression of appreciation of each day, with the recognition that it could be our last. Steve dedicated his next song, “Grayson Lady”, to Ethel. It was an uptempo song with images of forests and hills.
John added guitar, and Larry plucked the bass, for Steve’s next song, “Making My Getaway”. The three musicians fell right in together and their instruments and vocals blended as if they had just come off the road after a long tour. During “When the Flag’s Half-Mast” that followed, a member of the audience commented “That Larry Cody can keep some time. He’s just got a good ear.”
Next up was “Sunrise” featuring Steve’s high, clear tenor sailing over the guitars. John’s lead was perfect, sounding almost like a banjo. A hopeful, gorgeous, song with lyrics “…you know there’s always a sunrise”.
“There’s something about your love that keeps me on the ground…” sang Steve for his next tune, followed by a song he described as a “true story told second hand”. One audience member commented that Steve hits those high notes like Dan Fogelberg. Coincidentally, Steve joked from the stage “I think I’ll do one with my high voice.” Steve ended his set with his “At Home on the Back Roads” and “Living Out This Love” rounding out a great set for the appreciative audience.
A fine evening of original music, made finer by the collaboration between our members and friends. Please join us for the next VOCAL showcase April 21 and watch for our newsletter for details.
