Month: May 2025

Daughter hones musical talent with Spiller choir

May 27, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

I was so happy when my daughter, Bella, told me she wanted to join the fifth-grade choir at Spiller Elementary School. My wife has the greatest voice I have ever heard, and I was thrilled when Bella showed her mother’s natural ability for pitch and tone. I knew Leslie Mabe’s quarter-century of experience as the school’s music teacher and choir director would provide the perfect guidance Bella needed to hone her God-given talent. When I first heard my daughter perform with the choir, I was overwhelmed with pride. I thought back to the time I heard Bella’s mom sing the national anthem at Withers Park to honor our local veterans. Now, Bella was singing it for the same reason, with her Coast Guard veteran grandfather’s newly etched name on the Wall of Honor just behind her. She and her peers did a superb job on “Heart of America,” a song originally written for disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina, which included a solo by Owen Dickens. The talent of their director in both choreography and vocals resonates through every number they sing. Their Christmas concert—delayed a full month due to inclement weather—featured adorable choreography, including bell ringing during Andy Beck’s arrangement of Paul O’Neill’s “Christmas Canon.” Brilliantly colorful flashlights held by each of the 40 fifth graders lit up the auditorium during Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” which was performed in complete darkness. Rounding out the twenty-minute program, held on January 16, were the opening Jerry Herman classic from Mame, “We Need a Little Christmas,” Emily Crocker’s gorgeous “Candleglow,” and Pinkzebra’s “A Very Merry Christmas.” I loved that my baby, looking so grown up, was right in the center of the ensemble. The repertoire was an excellent selection of beautiful, mature songs. I was so proud of the job Bella did. “She has done a great job,” agreed Mabe after the show. “It has really given her confidence and brought her out of her shell.” “Heart of America” was reprised for the spring concert on Monday, May 5, 2025, with soloist Corrine Brown, and performed a final time for the Run For The Wall presentation at Withers Park on Thursday, May 22. “For Good,” the heart-wrenching song from the Broadway musical Wicked, was also performed at both the spring concert and the fifth-grade graduation ceremony on Friday, May 23. That particular song was especially emotional for Bella. On top of being sad about leaving Spiller Elementary after six wonderful years, she couldn’t help but think of the dog we lost in March. Sophie had been by Bella’s side since the day we brought her home from the hospital. The farewell song was almost too much for all of us to bear. Stephen Schwartz composed this tear-jerking ballad, which featured a solo from Liam Martin. The vocal exercise “Galop” had the entire audience in awe with its remarkably fast scale notes and key changes. It even garnered special praise from their director. “That was a hard one,” Mabe admitted. “They’ve worked so hard on that one.” I can remember my fifth-grade music teacher, Melanie Rector, singing “I Am But a Small Voice” to my class thirty years ago. Now, my daughter has learned the same song—and performed it more beautifully than I ever could. Composed by Kenyan-born British artist Roger Whittaker, the song has clearly served as a teaching tool for elementary school students for generations. The same could be said of Mary Lynn Lightfoot’s beautiful hymn, “Jubilate, Hallelujah,” which blended English and Latin lyrics. The spring concert closed with “I Bought Me a Cat,” the Aaron Copland staple, which brought a somewhat lighter end to a very rich half-hour program. At the close of the concert, before awarding each member a choir participation certificate, Mabe praised the young singers. “With most groups like this, I can only do four songs for a concert,” she explained. “This group did six—and did them all well.” Bella and the other students were delighted whenever they impressed Mrs. Mabe enough to earn a cartwheel. During one after-school rehearsal, the group had earned two, and my daughter came rushing home to tell me the news. It was a red-letter day. Emily and I are so grateful to have had someone as caring, fun-loving, and talented as Leslie Mabe to nurture Bella’s own God-given musical ability. I was especially touched when she paused after the concert to pose for a picture with Bella and offer a final word of kindness. “I am so proud of her,” she said to me with a parting smile. As I simultaneously fight back tears and swell with pride, I can emphatically agree.

Strictly Observing

Happy 11th birthday, Bella!

May 27, 2025May 27, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

My only child, my daughter Bella, turned 11 years old on May 27th. That milestone has left me with a myriad of mixed emotions I’m struggling to articulate. She is growing into a beautiful, smart, and kind-hearted young lady, and I’m incredibly proud of her. Still, there are aspects of her growing up that I find difficult to come to terms with. For instance, I wasn’t thrilled that Spiller Elementary School hosted a 5th-grade dance for students who will be entering a brand-new middle school in Wytheville this fall. Children seem to be learning and encountering things earlier and earlier—things I didn’t become aware of until I was at least two or three years older than Bella is now. The idea of 10- and 11-year-olds having “boyfriends” and “girlfriends” feels premature to me. Whether I like it or not, though, it’s a reality of today’s world. I’m also struggling with the emergence of typical teenage attitudes showing up at such early ages. My sweet little girl—who once loved playing innocent games, like lying in the grass to find shapes in the clouds—now mimics Taylor Swift in outfits that feel far too revealing for someone not yet an adult. Still, Bella and I share many special moments as father and daughter, and I’m thankful we have more ahead. Every time I hesitate to buy tickets to a concert or event due to cost, I ask myself—especially as a disabled parent—how many more opportunities like this she’ll want to share with me. That thought often motivates me to say yes while I still have the means and ability to make it happen for her. We’re looking forward to seeing Ringo Starr again in Greensboro on June 18th. We also plan to attend Wicked when the touring production comes to Charlotte on October 19th. Bella, a big fan of Ariana Grande, invited me to watch the film adaptation of the Broadway classic. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it—thanks in large part to the incredible performance by the extraordinarily talented Cynthia Erivo and the rest of the cast. My mother is absolutely crazy about Wicked. She has seen it live on Broadway and twice more on tour. She read all the books and watched every film adaptation. When Bella said she wanted to see it live, I looked it up and was delighted to find that the tour was coming to the Belk Theater this fall. One of the highlights of this year for Bella and me was seeing Million Dollar Quartet at the Barter Theatre. In fact, we saw it twice—once with my wife (and Bella’s mom), Emily, and again thanks to the kindness of director Nick Piper, who arranged for us to meet the cast. They were a truly gracious and talented group of performers, and it was a moment we’ll never forget. I’m deeply grateful to my friends Amber Fiorini and Nikki Goodman for helping make that experience possible. The Barter Theatre in Abingdon holds a special place in my heart. I’ve made so many memories there since seeing my first play in second grade. I’ll always feel indebted to that institution and the wonderful people who make it what it is. It’s no wonder it has a global reputation as one of the finest theaters in the world—it certainly is to us. This year, Bella chose a new spot for her birthday party. Thanks to the generosity of my parents, she and three friends will be enjoying the trampoline park at Crossroads Social House in Wytheville on Saturday, May 31st, owned by local entrepreneur Nick Patel and his family. Afterward, we’ll treat the kids to pizza and an ice cream cake. Bella would never forgive me if I didn’t mention her long-time friends Olivia Hoback, Scarlett Spencer, and Aiden Boyd, who will be her special guests for the day. I’m very proud of Bella’s achievements this year. She was a member of the Spiller Elementary fifth grade choir. She’s always had a beautiful singing voice—just like her mother—and under the guidance of Leslie Mabe, she has started to hone her God-given talent. At her graduation, she performed a song from Wicked, moving all of us to tears. Transitioning to middle school has been emotionally difficult for Bella, though it’s only one of many challenges she’s faced this year. As many of you know, we lost our beloved dog Sophie this year. Sophie had been by Bella’s side nearly every day of her life since we brought her home from the hospital. Losing her has been the most painful experience our family has faced. Just two months earlier, we also said goodbye to our cat. We’re grateful for the many years we had with Sophie, but all of us have deeply felt the loss. We are a tight-knit family, and her absence is profound. In closing, I’m incredibly proud of the family Emily and I have built. Bella is the heart of it all—her beautiful personality and kind soul shine just as brightly as her outer beauty. Happy birthday to my sweet girl. I love her more than I will ever be able to put into words.

Strictly Observing

Mother’s Day ‘Beatlemania’ in Marion

May 26, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

On Saturday, May 10th, we celebrated an early Mother’s Day and my daughter Bella’s 11th birthday with a special outing to the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia. Yesterday, a Las Vegas-based Beatles tribute band, delivered a phenomenal 93-minute performance—an unforgettable gift for the two biggest Beatles fans I know. The show was a masterclass in tribute performance, featuring a 26-song set over two acts, with every song performed in its original key. It’s no wonder Sir Paul McCartney himself endorsed Yesterday as the ultimate Beatles tribute band. The four musicians—each portraying a member of the Fab Four—have been performing together for nearly 25 years, and their synergy, vocal range, and instrumental finesse were nothing short of astounding. The show began with a nostalgic clip of The Beatles performing “I Want to Hold Your Hand” at the Washington Coliseum in 1964—the closest the original band ever came to Southwest Virginia. With the mood perfectly set, Yesterday opened their performance with “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You,” dressed in outfits reminiscent of the Beatles’ legendary February 9, 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. We were then treated to the Beatles’ first UK No. 1 hit, “Please Please Me,” followed by a heartfelt rendition of “All My Loving,” set against a Hollywood Bowl backdrop. The first act continued with hits like “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Eight Days a Week,” and more. The tremendous vocal blend of the group was very remarkable. When John Auker, performing as George Harrison, introduced “Yesterday,” my daughter Bella—who idolizes Harrison—was moved to tears. His speaking voice bore such a striking resemblance to Harrison’s that it caught her completely off guard. She became emotional again during his rendition of “Something,” which was beautifully faithful to the original. Rich Fazzi, portraying Paul McCartney, was equally remarkable. As a left-handed bassist like McCartney, his skill as a multi-instrumentalist shone, effortlessly trading between piano, and bass alongside Auker. As the group transitioned into their Shea Stadium-era costumes, we were shown archival footage of The Beatles’ arrival at the stadium, followed by their iconic introduction by Ed Sullivan. This perfectly set the stage for “Help!” and “Ticket to Ride.” Don Bellezzo, channeling John Lennon, delivered a stunning version of “Nowhere Man,” an autobiographical classic, and nailed “I Feel Fine” with impressive ease. They closed the first act with a rousing “I Saw Her Standing There,” bringing the crowd to their feet before intermission. “Sergeant Pepper just flew in,” quipped Bellezzo as the group exited the stage. “They’ll be here in 15 minutes.” Act two opened with a video montage of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district at the height of the peace and love movement. The segment featured voices like Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia defending their counterculture lifestyle, juxtaposed against figures like then-Governor Ronald Reagan. With the band donning their iconic psychedelic Sgt. Pepper’s outfits, they launched into “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” title track of the album that helped define progressive rock. From there, we were treated to hits like “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “A Day in the Life,” “Penny Lane,” and a raucous “I Am the Walrus.” Bellezzo credited “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” as the track that helped launch the peace and love movement. I couldn’t take my eyes off George Harrison’s rainbow guitar, while Lennon’s sunburst one was equally striking. Fazzi moved to the piano for a crowd-pleasing “Hey Jude,” and the energy only built from there. “Something” and “Come Together” delighted the audience tremendously with a very impressive vocal & high range of Bellezzo on the latter, followed by explosive Rock n Roll renditions of “Back in the U.S.S.R.” and “Revolution” from The White Album—the latter a powerful protest anthem of its time. Tony Felicetta possessed an incredible talent on the drums as Ringo Starr. He also embodied his effervescent personality. He properly amped me and Bella up to see the real Ringo Starr and his All-Star Band on June 18th in Greensboro, North Carolina. The night ended on an electrifying note with two encore performances: “Twist and Shout” and “Can’t Buy Me Love,” sending the crowd home with hearts full and spirits high. I want to extend special thanks to Don Bellezzo for graciously agreeing to an interview for my podcast, and for giving my family the chance to meet and take photos with this incredibly talented group. I’m also deeply grateful to Bob Watkins, the Lincoln Theatre’s new executive director, for inviting us to this remarkable show. It was an evening my family will never forget. To top it all off, the band gifted Bella a T-shirt featuring the silhouette of the Fab Four and the phrase “I Believe in Yesterday.” That’s no understatement—this group carries on the legacy of the greatest rock band in history with extraordinary talent, authenticity, and heart. Bella will proudly wear her new shirt when we see Ringo Starr live in concert next month in Greensboro. All three of us—especially Bella—are eager to see them again. Any Beatles fan would be lucky to witness what this exceptional band brings to the stage.

Strictly Observing

Why ”Millie’s Big Dream” is my best work yet

May 5, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

My latest book, Millie’s Big Dream, is also my dream come true. It says all the things I have tried to say in previous books about my relationship with Emily in ways I could never sufficiently express before. Relayed in a novel that combines romance with hardship, I relay the narrative in an honest, but lighthearted way. I use humor inspired by my lifelong fandom of I Love Lucy, while maintaining the authenticity of a real-life inter-abled couple. I wanted it to be romantic to inspire other disabled people who long to give and receive love, that it can happen for them, too. Of course, it is important to show the everyday difficulties that accompany your wife being your caregiver. It is a 200% effort every moment of every day. Oftentimes, however, happy endings do not accompany real life. Therefore, I took extra care to incorporate these unpleasant themes with a carefree tone. I didn’t think I could ever achieve it. I have made many unsuccessful attempts as a self-published author in the last thirteen years, but I believe Millie’s Big Dream has finally reached the mark. It has also helped me reach another milestone in my career, which is to become a bonafide novelist. The pandemic years were particularly difficult for our family, to the point where I thought we might lose Emily. If anything ever happened to this angel on Earth, it would destroy our entire family. As a result, I never expected my head to be clear enough to write another book of any kind, let alone in the world of fiction, where the entire workings of the world are dependent on your own creativity. However, not writing at all is stifling for a creative person. After a read-letter year of blessings in 2024, the current year dawned with the tapping into a well of creativity I have never experienced. My first and only novel up to that point, Face Value, took five years to write. On March 25, 2025, I released Open Secret, which only took three months. I had not planned to write Millie’s Big Dream on the heels of another brand-new book, but it just came flooding out of me. The book I have tried to write for fifteen years finally became a reality. I completed the initial first draft in twenty-five days. Now, I am ready to show it to you. Although this book is a dream come true for me, you’ll notice my name is not in the title. “Millie” is the character inspired by my wife. She chose the name because “Millie” sounded similar to “Emily.” Our surname is “Shanklin” and my character’s name is “Robert,” after two very dear friends of mine, Chase Shanklin and Robert Fallon, who were younger than me when they left the world way too early. I know their guiding spirits helped bring the book to life. At any rate, it is my wife’s dream of becoming the next queen of rock and roll that takes center stage in this story. Anyone who has heard a note escape her golden throat knows she possesses an otherworldly talent only God could sanction. The book follows her dream to rock and roll stardom with comedic mishaps and a blithe look at the real-life struggles of a person unafraid to think outside the box. Of course, no comedy is complete without the perfect supporting cast. Sarah Taylor has been “Ethel” to me for the last fifteen years, as best friend to both Emily and me. She acts our freelance publicist, agent, editor, chief advisor, and all-around lifesaver. Her character of Leitha, the closest name I could derive when I spelled “Ethel” backwards. She is every bit the flamboyant wealth of knowledge embodied by her character. Her husband, Chucky, the character named requested by Sarah’s actual husband Greg Taylor, is a composite of him and several of my other dearest friends including Jacob Sharitz and Jeremy Miller. Their surname of “Gardner” represents a departed friend of Sarah’s, Beavertown, Pennsylvania mayor Bill Wagoner. Take a look at the official description: “Meet Millie Shanklin, a voluptuous blonde with a heart of gold and a voice that can light up a room—if only she could fill a stadium. A talented nightclub singer with big dreams of stardom, Millie is convinced that bigger is better, and she’s determined to make both herself and her husband, Robert, the biggest fish in the pond. Robert, her wheelchair-bound husband, is a journalist and book writer who finds comfort in the smaller, quieter aspects of life. With cerebral palsy and a penchant for order, Robert’s steady career as a local columnist is everything he wants—though Millie has other ideas. Their contrasting personalities and devotion to one another make for some hilarious misadventures. Enter Leitha, Robert and Millie’s incredibly smart and relentlessly charismatic agent, whose advice is always well-intentioned but rarely taken seriously, and her husband, Chucky, who can be counted on for two things: a love of golf and an endless supply of sarcasm. Together, these four friends are inseparable and fiercely loyal, despite their wildly different personalities. In this quirky comedy of dreams, misunderstandings, and unlikely alliances, Millie’s Big Dream is a laugh-out-loud romp that proves that friendship, love, and chasing your big break are never as simple as they seem—but they are always worth the ride. If you love witty banter, lovable oddballs, and a comedy that’s as heartwarming as it is hilarious, Millie’s Big Dream will have you laughing all the way to the stadium… or at least to the nearest golf course.” This book is so special to me that I am offering it in a pre-order special only. I will only be signing the first 100 copies. I am making them available to my readers prior to its official July 10th release date. To place your prepaid order of $20 per book, which will be autographed and numbered, visit https://zachcooley.us/millies-big-dream-local-pickup/, send money to paypal.me/ZacharyGCooley or www.facebook.com/zachcooley. You can also send or deliver…

Millie's Big Dream, Strictly Observing