Month: April 2025

Why I’m Promoting Another Book So Soon

April 20, 2025April 20, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

A lot of people might be wondering why I’m promoting a new book so soon after releasing another one. The truth is, I never intended for Open Secret and Millie’s Big Dream to be released so closely together. After completing my first novel in 17 years—Open Secret—I never expected the surge of creativity that would soon become Millie’s Big Dream. But it happened. I wrote the foundation of Millie’s Big Dream in just 25 days, and it took probably another 25 to refine and perfect the manuscript. To put that in perspective: the person who took five years to write his first novel, Face Value, just finished a 100,000-word manuscript in under two months. I never imagined that kind of prodigious output was possible for me. But then again, this is the story I’ve been trying to write ever since I became a published author. It’s the story of a tremendous love—my love story—as a disabled man who found the love of his life and started a family. I’ve tried to tell it through numerous nonfiction travel memoirs, but the magic of storytelling through a novel never fully left me, even though I had long convinced myself I couldn’t do it justice. Not only did I want to highlight the love between Emily and me, but I also wanted a bit of an I Love Lucy vibe woven into the story. I didn’t just dream of the girl of my dreams—I longed for an inseparable best friend too. Emily felt the same. We wanted another couple with whom we could be completely ourselves, laugh until we cried, and lean on through anything. Instead of a couple, we found that deep friendship in one amazing person: Sarah Taylor. That’s why she has the nickname “Ethel,” and that’s also why the book is dedicated to her. Sarah understands the disabled life as I do, and she also understands what Emily endures every day with PTSD and other challenges. Ethel has been the answer to so many unspoken prayers. When you read Millie’s Big Dream, and you meet Millie, Robert, and Leitha—you’re seeing the three of us as authentically as I could possibly portray. And the character of Chucky? That’s the true alter ego of Ethel’s real-life husband, Greg Taylor. So why is the book called Millie’s Big Dream? Because my wife is the star of the show. She’s the one with the biggest dream of us all: to become the next queen of rock and roll. Unlike most of us, she has the raw talent to actually make it happen. We have the title. We have the characters. We have the story. And if you want the early scoop on how this all came together, follow my blog right here on this site. You can pre-order your exclusive, numbered, autographed copy of Millie’s Big Dream now for just $20—before it even hits the online shelves. There are 81 days left to claim yours. I don’t often toot my own horn when it comes to writing, but this is the best work I’ve ever done. If you’re wondering which of my books to start with, Millie’s Big Dream is the one to choose. Order your copy today—and let me know if you agree.

Millie's Big Dream

Persuasions

April 16, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

In my February 20 phone interview with Dave Revels ahead of his May 2 performance of his Motown tribute revue, Shadows of the ‘60s, at the Millwald Theater in Wytheville, he kept me hooked throughout our entire 45-minute conversation with stories about being a member of the Drifters and touring with the Four Tops. However, he was particularly eager for me to report on his time as a member of an a cappella group. If you haven’t heard of The Persuasions, you are missing out on a collective talent that is otherworldly. Their iconic vocals have reimagined the music of U2, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Barenaked Ladies across over two dozen albums. They have recorded with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Jefferson Airplane, Aretha Franklin, and Bruce Springsteen. “This group belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Revels, who became a member of the group in 2006 and later its lead singer and arranger, said. “It’s one of the most unique legacies in the history of music.” The group was formed in 1962 in Brooklyn, New York, where they sang on street corners. All the members lived in the same neighborhood, and some met in the park, while a couple of others connected in an elevator. Their group name was chosen based on the biblical fact that Jesus had to persuade others to follow Him. It was a fateful day in 1968 when jazz-fusion rocker Frank Zappa heard them singing over the telephone from outside a New Jersey record shop. He hired them on the spot to open his tour, taking them to perform in front of a segregated Virginia Beach audience. Surprisingly, the all-white, punk rock crowd went wild for their spiritual rendering of “The Lord’s Prayer.” From there, The Persuasions went on to open for Zappa at Carnegie Hall. While researching the group, I discovered Spike Lee’s 1990 PBS documentary Do It Acapella. The first song I heard them sing was “I Love You for Sentimental Reasons,” the Nat King Cole standard that has served as the romantic song for my wife Emily and me throughout our entire fifteen-year relationship. That nearly brought me to tears. As they told their story through song, the group reminisced about going to parties and locking themselves in the bathroom, searching for an echo to respond to their harmonizing. They didn’t intend to form an a cappella group, but became one out of necessity, as they couldn’t afford a backing band. While The Persuasions never claimed to have invented a cappella singing, they certainly revitalized it. By the 1960s, doo-wop groups singing on street corners had given way to the British Invasion and Motown sound, leaving a cappella as a largely forgotten genre. Despite record executives constantly dismissing the genre as extinct, The Persuasions stayed true to their art and earned the moniker “The Godfathers of A cappella” from the successful groups that followed in their wake, such as Boyz II Men, Rockapella, Take 6, and The Mint Juleps. The original members were Jayotis Washington, Jimmy Hayes, Herbert “Toubo” Rhoad, Joseph Russell, and Jerry Lawson. Rhoad died in 1988 while on tour. Russell died in 2012, and Lawson died in 2019. Hayes passed away in 2017. Washington is still alive and resides in Brooklyn, New York. Revels produced and arranged background vocals for The Persuasions’ most recent notable collaboration, a 2017 project with the Barenaked Ladies. “We recorded sixteen songs in under forty-eight hours,” he recalled. “We did them live on the floor, meaning there was no overdubbing.” On an album of Beatle covers, Revels can be heard whistling to “Octopus’s Garden.” Their last major production before disbanding in 2023 was a performance on Steven Van Zandt’s Soulfire in 2017. Revels made the decision to dissolve the group in 2023. Jayotis Washington remains the only surviving member of the Persuasions. With the dominant signature absence of bass singer Jimmy Hayes’s voice as the root sound of the group, Revels made the decision to dissolve the group in 2023. “As the producer of the group, it is my job to protect their incredible legacy,” he stated. “I didn’t feel like it would do justice to the group to continue touring, especially when the people who are responsible for that amazing sound have passed away. You can’t replicate it. I feel honored to have worked with four of the original five members and have dedicated the future to bring attention to their achievement and advocate for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Strictly Observing

Symphony gives rousing tribute to rock queen

April 16, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

The Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra was in full swing on Saturday, April 5th, delivering a tribute to the Queen of Rock and Roll with Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner. The 85-minute concert was performed to a packed house at the beautiful and historic R.J. Reynolds Auditorium. Under the direction of conductor Michelle Merrill, the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra provided a gorgeous backdrop for a fitting tribute to my favorite female artist. While I typically find vocalists to be a hindrance in orchestral performances, the trio of vocalists selected for this program were surprisingly well-matched for the performance. Two-time Grammy Award winner Tamika Lawrence brought the rough edge needed to execute a Tina Turner song properly. She also connected playfully with the audience, bending and twisting to the songs, captivating everyone with her energy and the appropriate rock and roll flair of her flowing mane of hair. Broadway sensation Shaleah Adkisson had a surprising edge to her voice, which allowed her to execute Tina Turner ballads beautifully. She showcased a flowing voice without sounding overly conventional or parochial. Then there was Scott Coulter, who captured my envy from the first note that escaped his throat. Growing up as a young Caucasian male who only dreamed of being able to sing Tina Turner songs, Coulter completed the task with effortless ease—leaving those of us who couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket filled with a combination of jealousy and endless admiration. The 15-song program, spread over two acts, began and ended with “Simply the Best”—the song originally covered by Bonnie Tyler, which went on to become a distinct hit for the Queen of Rock and Roll. The title itself defined Tina Turner’s legacy. “We are here tonight because of I, Tina,” Coulter said, holding up a copy of Tina Turner’s 1986 autobiography. “This book has been with me in every home I’ve lived in—from my parents’ house to my current home. I bought this book when I was a teenager, using money I saved up from mowing lawns. The story has been a constant source of inspiration for me.” Her breakout hit, a cover of Al Green’s signature song “Let’s Stay Together,” followed next, spawning the Private Dancer album in 1984. This was followed by her signature number-one hit, “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” “This song has served as sage advice from my aunt and mother,” Lawrence shared. “When I had a history of dating losers, trying to convince my family that I loved the guy, they would respond with the title of this song.” I absolutely loved that the setlist also included a couple of songs from Wildest Dreams, the 1996 album that was largely unnoticed by the mainstream public but also sparked a record-breaking tour. It was during this tour that I had the opportunity to see Tina Turner live for my very first concert on June 20, 1997, at the Blockbuster Pavilion in Charlotte. Less than two weeks later, on July 2, she performed in Winston-Salem at the Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. According to conductor Michelle Merrill, this concert was supposed to be a private event where she was flown to Winston-Salem by the makers of Hanes pantyhose, her sponsor for the tour, to see the place where the Hanes brand originated. One audience member even shared her presence at that concert with the crowd, leaving everyone impressed. Scott Coulter performed two songs from Wildest Dreams: the theme from James Bond’s Golden Eye and the John Waite cover “Missing You,” the latter of which Coulter delivered in a hauntingly beautiful rendition with guest pianist John Boswell. “When I saw Tina Turner as Auntie Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” explained Shaleah Adkisson, “that was the first time I realized that a singer could be an actress as well.” With that, she launched into the song’s main theme, “We Don’t Need Another Hero.” The performers then discussed how Tina Turner was the first female artist and the first African American to ever appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. She also sold more than 100 million albums as a solo artist and collected a dozen Grammys, along with countless other accolades throughout her 50-year career. The trio then offered a selection of relatively unknown tracks that Tina Turner performed while struggling on the road, including a little-known cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Review, a rendition of Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights,” and The Tramps’ “Disco Inferno.” The latter was a personal highlight of the show for me, performed with the full effervescence and soulful grit of Tamika Lawrence. The first half of the show closed with the orchestral delight of “River Deep Mountain High” before opening the second half with Tina Turner’s original “Nutbush City Limits,” which paid tribute to her rural Tennessee hometown. Adkisson joined Boswell at the piano again for an emotional rendering of “I Don’t Wanna Fight,” Turner’s last top-ten hit that served as the main theme of her biographical movie, What’s Love Got to Do with It, which showcased the horrendous abuse suffered at the hands of her ex-husband, Ike Turner. The evening culminated in the epic showstopper “Proud Mary,” brilliantly executed in both vocal performance and dance by Lawrence. She also nailed “Private Dancer,” complete with a dead-on saxophone solo from Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra member Ron Rudkin. The three vocalists then took the stage together for the final number, “Better Be Good to Me,” leaving the crowd in a joyful and celebratory mood. I must thank Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra Public Relations and Marketing Manager Joe Bolenbaugh for inviting me to review the show and giving me an evening I will never forget. I also thank my friend Jeremy Miller for getting me there. It was a fitting tribute to the one and only Queen of Rock and Roll.

Strictly Observing

Million Dollar Quartet rocks Barter stage

April 16, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

In 2017, I had tickets to see Million Dollar Quartet at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon. I was more than a little excited to catch this local adaptation of the historic night of December 4, 1956, when four pioneers of the rock and roll genre gathered under one roof for the first and only time in history. The mix of reality and myth surrounding the impromptu jam session between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash at the iconic Sun Records—founded by Sam Phillips—has fascinated music lovers for decades. This remarkable night has inspired an equally amazing production. Million Dollar Quartet had just debuted on Broadway in June 2010 when my wife and I, newly engaged, visited New York City. But when I was supposed to see the show eight years ago at my favorite local theater, the lift on my wheelchair van broke down, causing me to miss what I assumed was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Fast-forward eight years: my wife, our 10-year-old daughter, our dear friend Jeremy Miller, and I finally had the chance to experience this unforgettable show at the Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia. Directed by Assistant Artistic Director Nicholas Piper, this electrifying 100-minute production is pure energy and joy from start to finish. It’s easy to imagine the thrill rock and roll brought to American teenagers during its explosive rise in the mid-1950s. After seeing Million Dollar Quartet, you feel as if you’ve lived through one of those groundbreaking early concerts. The actors portraying these legendary figures truly embodied their characters—not just mimicking their talents but channeling their spirits. As “The Father of Rockabilly,” Carl Perkins, Will Riddle was the true standout of the show. The story always leaves me with the deepest sympathy for Perkins. He wrote “Blue Suede Shoes,” which became the first record to top the pop, country, and blues charts. Yet, it was Presley who became forever linked to the song after performing it on national television during an appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” By 1956, some critics were already accusing “The King of Rock and Roll” of selling out to the movie industry, overshadowing his incredible musical versatility. Johnny Cash later recalled in his memoirs that Carl Perkins, could upstage Elvis in those early traveling rock shows. But after Presley exploded onto the scene as the first Caucasian to sing African American music, Perkins was largely forgotten. Meanwhile, in the distant town of Ferriday, Louisiana, another musician was listening: a wild, explosive pianist named Jerry Lee Lewis. Lewis had just signed with Sun Records and was on the cusp of releasing his career-defining hit, “Great Balls of Fire.” Played by Dominique Scott, “The Killer” is portrayed with breathtaking energy, acrobatic stunts, and a truly insane level of musical skill. He flips over the piano, plays it with his feet, even straddles it backward. When Phillips hushes him, he bites his fingernails nervously, as if barely able to contain the fire burning within him. Nick Voss brings swagger and charisma to his portrayal of Elvis Presley, capturing the essence of a man who changed music forever. Peter Oyloe plays Johnny Cash, the more grounded, big-brother figure of the group. “The Man in Black” serves as a mediator between the high-strung personalities of Perkins, Lewis, and even Elvis. At the time of the session, Sam Phillips—played by Adam Poole—is faced with a major decision: whether to sell his beloved Sun Records, which he built from scratch in a former auto parts shop, to RCA (where Presley is now signed). Phillips also hopes to renew Johnny Cash’s contract for another three years, unaware that Cash and Perkins have already signed with Columbia Records. The drama is driven by egos as big as the talent, making for a compelling and emotionally charged storyline. The supporting cast is equally impressive. Bassist Justin Bendel plays Carl Perkins’s brother Jay, while Mike Luchetti brings great rhythm as Fluke, the drummer. Cali Newman portrays Dyanne, a fictionalized version of Elvis Presley’s girlfriend, who contributes sultry renditions of “Fever” and “I Hear You Knocking.” Of course, all the beloved hits are here: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “That’s All Right,” and “Hound Dog,” among others. But the most touching moments are the gospel numbers, which feature stunning four-part harmonies from the quartet. “Peace in the Valley” and “Down by the Riverside” are highlights that remind us, at their core, these young men were not just stars—they were Southern gentlemen and friends. Set designer Derek Smith delivers a visually striking version of the Sun Records studio, immersing the audience in the sights and sounds of that unforgettable evening. Every second of this show makes you feel you were there—not just at the studio, but at the dawn of something powerful and new in American culture. Million Dollar Quartet runs through May 11 at the Barter Theatre. Visit www.bartertheatre.com or call the box office at 276-628-3991 to reserve your seats. I’m beyond grateful I finally got to see this production. It was worth every minute of the eight-year wait. But trust me—it’s not an opportunity you want to miss. Thank you so much to my lifelong friend Barter Theatre Marketing Director Amber Fiorini and the wonderful Associate Director of Sales and Services Nikki Goodman for making it all possible. No organization in the world does theater like the Barter and I feel privileged when these incredible folks make my family feel like an extended part of theirs. All of my Barter experiences serve as lifelong treasured memories. This one certainly ranks among the greatest of all time.

Strictly Observing

Yacht Rock wows Millwald

April 16, 2025April 17, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

Yacht Rock Schooner made its triumphant return to the Millwald Theater on Friday, March 28th. Despite not receiving the sellout they deserved, the Wytheville crowd gave an uncharacteristically enthusiastic response, which made it feel like a full house. Named after a genre for the easy rock of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the term “Yacht Rock” swept the world by storm after a YouTube craze twenty years ago spoofed a fictitious meeting between Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins and their subsequent creation of the song “What a Fool Believes.” However, Yacht Rock Schooner offered nothing during its 2-hour show that resembled easy listening. Instead, they delivered a 25-song set list that showcased the rock and soul blend of pop music during an era when flashy trends and a lack of talent did not overrun the mainstream. Back then, pop music had to be polished and inventive to become number one, and these eight musicians from Atlanta, Georgia, showed us exactly how the professionals did it in an electrifying evening filled with songs by the Bee Gees, Steely Dan, the Little River Band, Michael McDonald, Jackson Browne, and many others. Each of the eight members walked out on stage with the presence of an artist who could carry their own show. No doubt they could have, but together, they were on fire. Brenda Nicole Moorer brought a soulful touch to numbers like Fleetwood Mac’s “You Make Lovin’ Fun” and “Thunder Only Happens When It’s Raining,” that Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie would surely envy. Moorer’s rendition of Barbra Streisand’s “Guilty” had an R&B edge that Streisand could only wish for. Her performance of Carly Simon’s “You Belong to Me,” with its sultry feel, brought half the audience to their feet by the end. Her fellow vocalist, Cleveland P. Jones, matched that soul on songs like the Doobie Brothers’ “Taking It to the Streets,” the Bee Gees’ “Nights on Broadway,” and Steely Dan’s “Peg.” A highlight of the show for me was drummer Ganesh Lee’s impeccable drumming and unstoppable vocals on two of my favorite numbers: Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” and Kenny Loggins’ “Heart to Heart.” He delivered show-stopping performances in both areas. My lifelong hero, Phil Collins, has often said that singing behind the drum kit is difficult. Lee exploded that theory, effortlessly delivering Loggins’ breathy tenor and soulful growl while maintaining tireless drumming. To watch his swagger and precision at the drum kit was an awesome sight. At the very least, he never missed a beat and was the driving force behind the band, proving he could lead it with zero struggle. Described by Lee as the “blunt force trauma” of the band, saxophonist Jordan Shaloup stole the show several times, especially during the iconic solo in Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street.” The final song before the encore, someone shouted a request for the song just as the band was gearing up to play it. It was the perfect cherry on top after the band flawlessly performed two of my other favorites during the evening. When I thought Lee couldn’t top his performance of the Hall & Oates’ dance favorite, he launched into the fabulous yet rarely heard Kenny Loggins track “Heart to Heart.” We had a brief conversation a few days before the show, and I had to ask him if he had Loggins ready to play. “You know it,” he assured me. When that number kicked off, I flattered myself by thinking maybe he had me in mind as he played it, knowing I’d be in the audience. In fact, I wouldn’t have been there if Ganesh Lee hadn’t secured spots for my family and me. Interviewing him for his appearance at the Millwald Theater last year was one of the most exciting interviews I’ve ever had in my career. For him to invite me and my family to see the show was more than just an unforgettable evening—it capped off my week-long celebration of turning 40. Not only did he add to the festivities, but he also reminds me I could still be cool, even at an “over-the-hill” age. If I possessed even half the smoothness Ganesh Lee displayed onstage that night—right down to the hair and sunglasses—I’d never have to worry about going out of style. All the clichés about drummers catching the eyes of the ladies and the admiration of the guys came to life when you watch him perform. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to see this unbelievable show. I was also happy to bring my Aunt Pam along. Although she has spent her adult life in Raleigh, she returned to her native Wythe County to help me celebrate my milestone birthday. Having spent much of her childhood at the Millwald, she was eager to see its renovation and its continued success as a production house. She couldn’t have been more impressed with the results. We even had dinner at a revitalized version of another hangout from her teenage years, Burger Haven. The delicious food brought her back in time, and we topped it off with wonderful desserts from Frozen in Time. I hope that Yacht Rock Schooner will return to Wytheville soon. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that music lovers can only fully appreciate in person. These musicians are top-tier, and in a single evening, they turned our sleepy little town into the most happening place in America.

Strictly Observing

Saying farewell to Sophie

April 16, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

On the morning of March 14th, my wife and I had to make the decision that no pet owner ever wants to make: we had to have our 14-year-old Bichon Frise, Sophie, put down. For a dozen years, she was our first baby and the queen of our roost. She was the sweetest, fluffiest, prettiest puppy that God ever created, and Emily and I were so lucky to be chosen as her mom and dad. She was born on February 21, 2011, and arrived as an early birthday gift to Emily, just two days after her second birthday. Emily had insisted on getting a dog, which I didn’t want because my parents gave us their dog when they moved away, and he had passed away the previous July. I didn’t want another pet because I couldn’t face the pain of losing another animal. Now, that’s exactly what we are going through, but I can’t imagine the last twelve years without Sophie. More than anything, Sophie was a lifeline for her mommy. She was with Emily during two mental breakdowns, a diagnosis of a congenital heart condition, and many other hardships and joys. Before we even knew Emily had heart problems, Sophie would lay on her chest, trying to heal her before we knew what was wrong. We couldn’t figure out why, in October 2013, Sophie was constantly laying on Emily’s belly. We would later find out that Sophie was trying to comfort Emily, who was pregnant with our only daughter. Bella and Sophie were sisters in every sense of the word. Sophie would patiently let Bella dress her up in whatever costume she chose, always be her student when Bella played school, and ride along as her passenger in the electric Jeep around the yard. From the first day Bella was born, she and Sophie belonged to one another. We brought Bella home from the hospital, set her car seat on the floor, and let Sophie sniff her. Not long after, Sophie would sit on the edge of the couch to keep a napping Bella from rolling off. She was also quick to fetch Emily if she heard Bella crying before we did. They were also tremendously protective of each other, but insanely jealous of our attention. They were as much sisters as a dog and human could be. This is a tremendous loss for Bella, especially after having to put her cat down just a month ago. We are so grateful for the kind, patient, and efficient services we received from my former schoolmate, Dr. Tiffanie Walters of Animal Care Clinic in Wytheville, and her wonderful vet technicians, Katie and Lynn. They were exceptional and did their best to make us comfortable during this loss. They gave Sophie the best of care, and for that, we will be eternally grateful. There are so many of my friends who were honorary family to Sophie. I know you hurt with us, and we appreciate the love you had for her. Thank you for helping us give her the best life we knew how. My extended family was Sophie’s family, too. She loved being the spoiled “grand-dog.” She thought my mother was the most wonderful person on Earth, next to Emily. We couldn’t even say “Grandmommy” without Sophie running to the door, barking excitedly, thinking my mother had come for a visit. When we couldn’t afford vet visits, Grandmommy always rescued us. Had it not been for my mom, we would have lost Sophie a few years ago when I bad urinary tract infection almost took her one Christmas. It was a malignant eye tumor that finally claimed her at fourteen years of age. From me, she quickly got the nickname “Monkey” because she was into everything. #MonkeySoph was the only hashtag I ever used. I always said I couldn’t live without “Monkey Soph Cotton,” which was a term I coined because for the softness of her fluffy head. “Give Daddy cotton,” I would say as she would put her head where my hand could reach it. Oftentimes, she would tease me by moving her head as soon as my hand touched it. If I hadn’t petted her sufficiently, she would paw the footrest of my wheelchair, knowing I’d continue petting her until she’d had enough. I would also ask for “lamb chops,” which meant I would kiss her ears, the fur of which looked like the fleece of a lamb. I got my lamb chops and cotton just before she slipped away, with the final assurance that her daddy loved her. I hope she carries with her, across the Rainbow Bridge, the love that we all had for her. I know when she crossed it, she took a large part of our hearts with her. There are people and other animals in our family who have gone before her, and I know they are in Heaven, looking after her. But I just want her here with us. The silence of the house after coming home from the vet’s office is miserably deafening. I worry most about Emily, because Sophie was by her side during the darkest recesses of her depression, and was often her only lifeline. I also worry immensely about my daughter, who has slept beside Sophie every night for years. There has not been a day in her almost eleven years of life when Sophie has not been a significant part of it. There may be other animals in our future, but I will still protest, just as I did when we first got Sophie. No one will ever replace my cotton-headed little love. That cotton was so special because it belonged to a beautiful little dog with a heart as rare as her fluff. I will never feel that cotton again, nor will I get to look into those precious big brown eyes and be completely smitten, as I was every day for the last twelve years. Sophie gave so much more than I could have ever…

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Lodge lends hand to those in need

April 16, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

When I became a member of the Wytheville Moose Lodge #394 four years ago, I was already aware of some of the wonderful things the organization does for the community. I have known Dan Biertzer for the last sixteen years and consider him one of the greatest assets to our community as the administrator of the local organization. When I was a member of the now-defunct Heavenly Angels Foundation, which benefited the disabled community of Southwest Virginia, we held our annual fundraiser there every year, and they always gave us a sizable donation. I’m always deeply touched whenever anyone in the community reaches out to the disabled population. Being born with cerebral palsy myself, I know how difficult it is for wheelchair-bound individuals to function as normal members of society. We have to overcome obstacles and jump through hoops that are often hindered by the government. I was honored to be invited to a monthly meeting of the Wytheville Moose Lodge on March 11th, during which my 17-year-old friend, Mikey Watson, who suffers from the same affliction as I do, was presented with a $1,000 check subsidize the cost of a travel wheelchair with a power accessory. Mikey received the chair from a non-profit organization called Wheelchairs 4 Kids, based out of Florida. This organization provides mobility equipment to children nationwide under the age of 21. Mikey had the help of his devoted aunt, my dear friend Sarah Taylor, in securing the chair free of charge. However, the cost of the chair is subsidized by local and corporate donations. Even though the full amount for the chair had not been raised in terms of donations, Wheelchairs 4 Kids advanced Mikey the chair. In their usual generous fashion, the Wytheville Moose Lodge was on hand to cover $1,000 of the chair’s cost and presented Mikey with the check. “We are so glad we are able to help Mikey with this endeavor,” Dan said. “We are thrilled that this chair will give Mikey a new sense of independence and help him be able to travel more.” Philanthropic actions such as this make me so proud to be a part of such an organization. I must admit that I first joined the Moose Lodge because of their terrific food. It is my favorite place to eat out and one of the only places I care to travel for that purpose these days. However, after attending the March 11th meeting, it occurred to me that I want to assist the Moose Lodge more in their civic activities. I have admired Dan Biertzer from day one for his ability to give so selflessly to the organization and the community. The people of the Moose Lodge have become part of my extended family in many ways, and I feel that I could come to them with any need that I might have in the future. More importantly, maybe I can help other people in my situation, like Mikey, to have a better quality of life. My wife and I became members of the Moose Lodge after being sponsored by Greg and Sarah Taylor, Mikey’s aunt and uncle, who not only arranged for the acquisition of the chair, but also for the donation from the Moose Lodge. The Moose Lodge, in their efforts, reaffirm my pride in being a lifelong citizen of Wytheville, and I encourage all members of our community to join this worthwhile organization. There are a number of fun community activities happening regularly at our local Moose Lodge building at 1350 West Main Street, not to mention excellent food, daily specials, and live entertainment. My monthly trips to the Moose Lodge for a steak dinner have become a highlight of my family’s social activities. My 10-year-old daughter even enjoys going there, and I’m thankful that, even though it is primarily an adult organization, it is a safe place to bring the entire family. I am very grateful for all the Moose Lodge has done for me and all that it continues to do for the community. It’s people like Mikey who deserve to be championed, and I’m delighted to have witnessed that firsthand. “I really want to thank the Moose Lodge for all they’ve done for me,” Mikey said. “I love coming to the Moose Lodge and hanging out with my family and friends, and I’m very happy to receive this generous donation from them.”

Strictly Observing

Jim Messina

April 15, 2025April 16, 2025 Sarah T No Comments

A highlight of my childhood was riding through the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel over the West Virginia state line to the Mercer Mall in Bluefield. While most children my age were begging their parents for toys or candy, my requests most often involved a cassette tape. I loved going to the Disc Jockey record store and purchasing a tape, even if I didn’t have a particular song in mind at the time. When I was four years old, I can recall coming home with the single “Call It Love” by Poco. I never dreamed that 36 years later, I’d be talking to the bass player of that particular song on my podcast for my editorial column. However, Jim Messina was the subject of an interview ahead of his March 12th performance in my hometown at the Millwald Theater in Wytheville. I started the interview by telling him that, having been born with cerebral palsy and bound to a wheelchair my entire life, music took me to places that life otherwise did not afford me. “Call It Love” is one of those songs that takes me back to that era of my life. I was also a big fan of the other half of his famous duo, Loggins and Messina. Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone” represented a much larger part of my childhood. My mother had originally bought the Top Gun soundtrack because she liked the songs, and as big a fan as she was of Kenny Loggins, I think I made her play that song so much that she began to hate it. At any rate, Jim Messina was kind enough to share with me his thoughts on the making of the Poco hit, sung by his former bandmate from Buffalo Springfield, Richie Furay. However, Furay wasn’t keen on singing the suggestive lyrics to the song, nor the steamy nature of the video. It was Messina who played mediator and made minor modifications to both the lyrics and video content to satisfy the newly ordained Christian minister. The Top 20 hit single was featured on a 1989 album called From the Inside, which represented a reunion of the original Poco members, who had disbanded in 1970. “There was a group of Nashville writers who had written the song for us,” Messina recalled. “We heard the original guitar solo that became the hook of the song, and I wrote it down. “It’s a fun song,” he said. “I’m looking to see if we can get Richie to do some dates with us so that we can include that in our repertoire on the road.” Unfortunately, that could not be done in time for the March 12th show at the Millwald Theater. It was the summer of 1970 when a 6-foot gangly kid with a long beard and braces came into Jim Messina’s studio for an audition to potentially be his next artist for production. He asked for demo tapes. Loggins didn’t have any. As it turned out, he didn’t even own a guitar. Messina let him borrow one of his own for the recording session. Despite his lack of preparedness, Jim Messina quickly learned that Kenny Loggins had an extraordinary ability as a singer. But could he play the songs he wrote? Loggins sang to his future partner what would become some of their staple songs, including “Danny’s Song,” “Return to Pooh Corner,” and “Vahavelia.” “Since he didn’t have a guitar or tapes, I asked him how he made a living,” Messina recalled. “It turned out that he worked for a publishing company who called upon Kenny to do whatever song they needed. If they needed an Elton John song, he could sound like Elton John. If they needed a Leon Russell song, he could sound like Leon Russell. As I soon discovered, Kenny would be a great marketable artist with such an epiglottis of various sounds he could sing.” Legendary producer Clive Davis was head of Columbia Records at the time and was very impressed by the demos the duo produced. Messina, however, was not looking to return to the road. But Davis was so impressed with his playing on the demos that he gave them representation and the means to create their first album, which took almost two years to make. This was due to Messina’s incredible ability to record a song to perfection. It was that precision with which Kenny Loggins learned how to record a great album. In his 2021 autobiography, Still Alright, Loggins calls Messina a “master of recording.” I asked Messina why he never considered writing his own story. “I’ve had many offers but turned them all down,” he told me frankly. “All the publishers ever want to hear is the nasty, salacious stuff about the music business, and I’m not that kind of guy.” I told him if he was ever interested in putting down his story with a co-writer who would honor his every word, I would be more than happy to be the guy for the job. The stories that he imparted to me about being present in the demo process of Joni Mitchell’s debut album, as well as working with the likes of David Crosby and Neil Young, had my mouth agape for the entire time we spoke. I was only supposed to be on the phone with him for a maximum of 30 minutes, but he was generous enough to give me twice that amount of time. I truly felt like I had come a long way from that 4-year-old boy listening to a cassette tape of “Call It Love” on the car radio. I am very grateful to Mr. Messina for his time and for giving me this opportunity. I will always treasure it. Wytheville can thank Jim Messina for making history on March 12th as the first-ever living rock and roll legend to grace the stage of our beautiful Millwald Theatre. In his electrifying, jam-packed 90-minute set, the former member of Poco and Buffalo Springfield left some 300…

Dusty Springfield

April 15, 2025 Sarah T No Comments

Twenty-six years ago this week, the world lost Dusty Springfield, the woman widely considered the “White Queen of Soul.” Known for her hits in the 1960s such as “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’,” the London born singer also pioneered the beehive hairdo and panda-eye makeup crazes that swept the fashion world. Universally regarded as one of the first white women to sing black soul music, Springfield’s style served as a blueprint for modern followers, such as Adele. I first fell in love with Dusty Springfield’s voice when I was two years old. I saw her on MTV in the video for The Pet Shop Boys’ “What Have I Done to Deserve This?” in 1987. From there, I discovered the 1960s icon she would forever become in her native Britain. Few knew the lady herself better than her longtime backup singer, Simon Bell, who agreed to an email interview in November 2024. “I was working with Madeline Bell, who had been Dusty’s backing singer in the ‘60s,” he recalled of their first meeting in 1978. “One night, after a show, we got back to Madeline’s home, and Dusty was on the answering machine asking for recommendations for backing singers, as she was coming back from LA to do Top of the Pops with ‘A Love Like Yours.’” There is a single photograph and an existing recording of under a minute featuring Springfield on her Ready, Steady, Go television series, duetting with another favorite of mine, Tina Turner, in the mid-’60s. Bell mentioned having heard the clip. “When Dusty had the success with the Pet Shop Boys, she got a congratulatory message from Tina,” Bell said. These British TV shows exhibited Springfield’s incredible versatility in duets with artists like Mel Tormé and Jimi Hendrix. Her version of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street” surpasses the original. While I would love for American fans to hear these outstanding performances, Bell said the likelihood of them appearing on CD is slim. “Though not impossible, different companies own all those recordings,” he explained. “I think that would be a challenge.” “There is no surviving footage of the Hendrix duet,” he added. I also wanted to know if there was any truth to the rumor that Phil Collins was supposed to produce a never-released Dusty album around 1989. If so, that would have been the greatest musical collaboration in history—and a golden opportunity missed for worldwide music lovers. “I remember the Phil Collins rumor,” Bell recalled. “But Dusty never mentioned it.” “Neil [Tennant] was a huge fan of Dusty,” he said of the Pet Shop Boys collaboration. “He simply wanted to have her on the record.” Of course, after hearing that song, I discovered “Son of a Preacher Man” in Pulp Fiction, which led me to the Dusty in Memphis album. Not only did it become an all-time favorite, but it also inspired my book Dusty in Memphis: Chronicle of a Classic, which I published in 2019. “I think it’s because there is a kind of cohesion between the tracks that makes it a solid body of work,” Bell said of the album’s enduring legacy, though he was not quick to list it as her crowning achievement. “Other fans from the ‘60s hold other albums in higher regard,” he added. “That’s worth noting.” Not mentioning my work, I asked Bell to recommend a writing on the Memphis sessions. “I haven’t read anything I would recommend,” he said. It is tragic to me that America never properly recognized Springfield as the rock pioneer she was. “I think Philips [her record label] badly handled her American releases,” Bell offered. “There was no coordination with her UK successes.” Despite being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two weeks after her passing, Bell says Springfield, at 59, was aware of the accolade before her premature death from breast cancer on March 2, 1999. The Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame included Springfield on their list of inductees just last year. Still, I can’t help but wonder if a tour of the American South, particularly during the Memphis era in 1969, might have endeared Springfield to fans in the States. To Bell’s knowledge, she never performed in our area. She recorded in Nashville twice: once with the Springfields, the group that became the first-ever British act to have an American hit with “Silver Threads and Golden Needles” in 1962, and again in 1994 when she recorded her final album, A Very Fine Love. As for how Springfield might have reacted to a wheelchair-bound, crazed Southern fan like me, Bell did not venture to comment. Wherever she might be now, I hope she knows there are Americans who loved her as the world should have. We will never see the likes of Dusty Springfield again.

Strictly Observing

Mikey Watson: Wheelchairs 4 Kids

April 15, 2025 Sarah T No Comments

Mikey Watson celebrated his 17th birthday on February 8th with an extra special gift. Like me, the Marion resident suffers from cerebral palsy and desperately needed a travel power wheelchair. When insurance denied his claim, Mikey’s devoted aunt and my longtime friend, Sarah Taylor, located a Florida-based company that funds mobility devices for children up to the age of 21. Through sponsorship, Mikey received his power wheelchair from Wheelchairs 4 Kids just in time for his birthday. “I like the opportunity to be more independent,” Mikey told me. “I want to go on more trips and the new chair will make that easier. It is easy to lift and travels at a walking speed, not too fast and not too slow.” I spoke with Programs Manager Nina Shaw, who explained to me how they helped my young friend. “A lightweight power chair gives Mikey the independence of a motorized device without the need for a special vehicle,” she explained. “They can fold up like a stroller and be stowed in the trunk of a car, which opens up a whole new world of opportunities for Mikey.” Wheelchairs 4 Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with physical disabilities, founded in 2011 by Madeline Robinson, who formerly with another wish-granting organization. She founded her organization with her loving husband Lonnie who encouraged her when she was dismayed at the disheveled condition of these children’s equipment. “Well, are you going to talk about it or do something?” he asked. As a result, Wheelchairs 4 Kids was born. Since then, more than 1,800 children with mobility impairments from across the country have been aided at no cost to them. Nina Shaw joined the organization just over eight years ago when she moved to Florida. She started out as a program coordinator before being promoted to project manager, where she now leads a team of five. “We have the most fun job in the company,” Shaw stated. “We get to talk to the kids and their families and be there when they receive their equipment.” She also noted that kids aren’t always as thrilled about receiving wheelchairs as their parents are. So, Shaw and her team go the extra mile by bringing gifts for the kids and creating presentations to make the experience more enjoyable for them. For Shaw, it is particularly heartwarming to see the tears of joy on the faces of the parents when they receive the equipment that insurance had previously denied for their child. “These families have fought with Medicaid for basic needs for their children and been turned down,” she said. “We get to come in and give them what they deserve—free, to keep forever. It’s a really awesome job to have.” Shaw also mentioned their Wheely Fun Day program, an inclusion event created by the organization, which allows wheelchair-bound kids to experience things like zip lining at Gatorland in Orlando. “I just got a letter from a parent expressing gratitude because she never believed her child could experience anything like that,” she added. “Most people are not aware that things like this are possible for their kids, and it’s great to make families aware of that.” Shaw says these events also foster a sense of community, where parents of disabled children can connect and form support groups. Disabled children also have the chance to meet peers who are like them. Though Shaw did not meet Mikey personally, she acknowledges that the company is growing, which allows them to sponsor children nationwide. Wheelchairs 4 Kids reaches out to local charities and social clubs for sponsorship and conducts social media campaigns encouraging friends and family to donate. “I tell family and friends that we will do whatever it takes to find the equipment their kids need,” she asserted. “We will look under rocks for the money if we need to, but we will make it happen.” Besides wheelchairs, the organization provides other mobility equipment, such as standers, gait trainers, and walkers. They also assist with small home modifications, like widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, and provide entrance and exit ramps and bathroom remodels for roll-in showers. They can even subsidize the addition of small lifts to modified vehicles, enabling unoccupied wheelchairs to be properly transported. “Even though power chairs are often obtained through insurance, families are often faced with only being able to use the power chair inside their homes or on the school bus,” Shaw noted. “These are problems we try to solve.” Shaw says she has learned about the endless variety of individual equipment needs for every person. No two cases are the same, so there is no blueprint for mobility equipment. “The prices of these equipment modifications are astounding,” she said. “They are unnecessarily high simply because they are for special needs.” “People don’t know how to interact with people with disabilities,” she added. “They don’t understand that they’re just like everyone else. I enjoy getting to be an advocate for them to help break the barrier between the disabled community and the rest of the world.” In closing, Shaw mentioned the Guardians of the Wheel Kids Club, where donors can set up automatic monthly donations to the program, starting at a minimum of $10. As for Mikey, he plans to celebrate his birthday by hosting a Wheelchairs 4 Kids fundraiser party. For more information on the organization and how to donate, visit www.wheelchairs4kids.org.

Strictly Observing