Author: Zach Cooley

Wythe Shriners help fulfill life for local disabled

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

It was my honor to once again be an invited guest of the local Kazim Shriners for their annual Drawdown fundraising event at the Wytheville Moose Lodge on Saturday, Oct. 3. This year was especially meaningful to me because I was invited to speak about my own 16-year journey with the local Shriners and the care I received at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina, from the ages of 2 to 18. Being born with cerebral palsy 41 years ago meant that, if you survived at all, there was a very real possibility that you would also be diagnosed with an intellectual disability, blindness, deafness, or some combination of those conditions. Thankfully, none of those things happened to me. When I was 2 years old, I was referred to the Shriners by two local members of the organization who have since passed away, the late George Schreiber and the late Bob Dean. They connected me with the hospital in Greenville, where I was seen twice a year for 16 years. The Shriners oversaw everything from my leg braces and hand splints to walkers, wheelchairs and the countless other things I needed to live my life with cerebral palsy. And they provided all of that care at no cost to my family. Most importantly, I underwent hamstring-release surgery at the age of 8. I was cared for before, during and after the procedure by a diligent team of professionals at Shriners Children’s Hospital. Every Christmas I can remember being greeted by a local Shriner wearing a Santa suit, who would present me with a $50 Walmart gift card. As much joy as those gifts brought me, they might as well have been worth a million dollars. Recalling those memories with the Shriners also made me think about my father, who passed away a year ago this month. Every time I travel down Interstate 77, I think about the twice-a-year trips we made to and from Greenville for my checkups. Many of those trips were just my father and me on the road, and those long drives resulted in some of the greatest bonding experiences of our relationship. I miss him very much, and I am incredibly grateful for the constant fight that both of my parents put up to give me the best life possible. If anyone doesn’t believe that the care a child receives through the Shriners can affect that person’s adulthood, all they have to do is look at the example of my life. Not only do I have a career, but I have a beautiful wife and a wonderful, healthy child. I own my own home and live independently. I have been able to do these things because I had wonderful parents who fought for me to live as normally as possible, and because I have a wonderful wife who continues to ensure that quality of life through her love and caregiving. I realize, and I never take for granted, that much of this might not have been possible without the Shriners. I am incredibly grateful for everything they have done for me, and as long as I am around, I will always champion this wonderful cause. That is why I was particularly honored to be invited to speak on behalf of the organization by Mike Sarver and Del Crigger. They are both top-notch guys who are doing everything they can to ensure that local children in need receive the help they deserve. That was never more evident to me than in the story of 1-year-old Cordelia Johnson. The Max Meadows girl was initially treated in Roanoke for a rare condition called fibular hemimelia, in which a child is born without all or part of the fibula, one of the two main bones in the lower leg. After her family was ultimately turned away, they were referred to the Shriners. Cora has since received a foot amputation and continued care through Shriners Children’s Hospital, giving her access to specialists who understand her condition and can provide the treatment she needs to have the brightest future possible. After meeting Cora and her beautiful family—including her mother, Beth, her father, Tyler, and her six older siblings—it was clear to me that the Johnson family was put together and brought into our community by God to be blessed in ways we cannot even imagine. Little Cora is clearly adored by every one of her brothers and easily has the run of the show. As adorable as she is, it is equally clear that she has earned the title of queen of her world. I am looking forward to seeing the amazing things this beautiful little girl will accomplish throughout her life. The Moose Lodge always provides some of the best steaks in town, and even though the grill wasn’t working and we had to wait until almost 8 p.m. to be fed, it was well worth the wait. Everyone was even kind enough to let me take dinners home to my wife and daughter. I am also grateful to my friend Jeremy Miller for getting me to the event. I was particularly happy to spend some time with my longtime friend Tyler Hash at the event. Like me, Tyler recently lost his father, and his late grandfather Vance was also a former Shriner. His kindness and friendship are blessings I have treasured for a very long time. Tyler is every bit the loving and giving person his father and grandfather were, and I was thrilled that he and his precious grandmother, Peggy, were such a big part of the event that night. Supporting the Shriners is well worth our time, money and volunteer efforts. I hope my story can serve as a positive inspiration to anyone born with a disability that they can flourish just as any able-bodied person can, especially when they live in a community as loving and caring as Wytheville and have organizations like our local Shriners chapters standing behind them.

Strictly Observing

Chicago, Frampton supergroup provide best Millwald concert yet

September 22, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

On the night of Thursday, September 17, I saw the best concert I have ever witnessed at the Millwald Theatre since it became a full-production house four years ago. Two former members of Chicago — guitarist Keith Howland and singer and bassist Jeff Coffey — along with Peter Frampton’s pianist and musical director Rob Arthur and drummer for The Doobie Brothers Ed Toth, came together to form The Players. The Players performed a two-hour show, with a 20-minute intermission, that brought about one of the most incredible rock ’n’ roll experiences our town has ever hosted. The sold-out crowd, made up mostly of senior citizens, was dancing in the aisles to the hits of Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Toto, Peter Frampton, The Doobie Brothers and Rick Springfield. The fact that each member of this incredible group is not a part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an oversight that should be eradicated immediately. Nevertheless, it was their blistering horn section that brought about the slickness and smoothness of the evening. A trio from Long Island featuring Adam Seely on saxophone, Dan Hendrix on trumpet and Michael Rubinstein on trombone, these superbly talented gentlemen could be seen playing their instruments up and down the aisles and even in the balcony for the audience, collectively serving as the heartbeat of the entire evening. As I am a much bigger fan of the Robert Lamm era of Chicago as opposed to Peter Cetera, simply because of the horns, I was thrilled that this group made the Peter Cetera songs even better than the originals by adding horn arrangements to them. Keith Howland also has special ties to Southwest Virginia, as he spent much of his teenage years in Roanoke. He graduated from James Madison University and, after forming his first band in Roanoke, says he played many gigs at Virginia Tech. After retiring from Chicago in 2021, having been the band’s lead guitarist for 27 years — a post he held longer than any other musician in the band’s history — he formed his own band with best friend Jeff Coffey, who served as Chicago’s lead singer beginning in 2016. At 59, the Orlando, Florida, native had no trouble hitting the high notes of Peter Cetera songs, as well as the myriad of other era hits that were played during the two-hour set. Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, 62-year-old Howland proved himself to be one of the greatest guitarists in the annals of rock ’n’ roll, showing that he has not lost a step in his 40-plus-year career. Nashville native Arthur showed us the workings of a talk box, which is a plastic tube threaded through an instrument and placed in the mouth. When blown through, it can make it sound as though the particular instrument is actually speaking rather than simply emitting notes. He noted that Peter Frampton was one of the first people to utilize this musical tool before launching into Frampton’s most famous 1976 song, “Show Me the Way.” Howland also shared a story about being called “New Guy” by Rick Springfield when he joined his band as guitarist. “Everybody wanted to party in my room,” he recalled. “But I just wanted to go to bed. One night, I decided I would just leave my room, and by the time I went back, the party people would be gone. When I got back, they were gone, but they had sprayed the words ‘New Guy’ all over my hotel room in shaving cream.” Howland told this story before launching into Springfield’s most famous hit, “Jessie’s Girl.” Drummer Ed Toth even took the mic for a minute to relay a story of admiration for the people he plays behind every night. “Never give a drummer a mic unless you’re someone like Phil Collins,” he said, giving a nod to my favorite performer of all time. “We just learned to play this song yesterday, and I hope it works out.” As they launched into Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” that was enough proof positive that the song indeed worked. Jeff Coffey spoke of his admiration for his best friend and fellow bandmate, Keith Howland. “When we were playing the Hollywood Bowl in Chicago for 20,000 people, we knew that if we were ever not in Chicago, we wanted to be in a band together,” Coffey said. “That’s why we’re here tonight.” Coming on strong with “Stay the Night” as an opener, the Chicago hits continued with the famous progressive suite “Make Me Smile” and “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon.” Plenty of Cetera hits were featured as well, including “You’re the Inspiration,” “If You Leave Me Now” and “25 or 6 to 4.” Of course, the horn-powered “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” was a highlight, as was Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.” “Call on Me” was another Chicago favorite offered, as was Toto’s “Rosanna.” “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News was another great horn-heavy cover provided by the supergroup. Each member of the horn section got an opportunity to step down front for his own solo, which was a highlight for the entire evening. The Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music” was offered as a crowd pleaser, bringing many audience members to the makeshift dance floor in the front row. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star” provided another funky, horn-heavy number to top off the set list before launching into REO Speedwagon’s “Roll with the Changes” as a rousing encore. It closed out a night that neither Wytheville, Virginia, nor I will ever forget.

Strictly Observing

Mochrie, Sherwood return side-splitting improv to Bristol

September 22, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood returned to Bristol, Tennessee, on Friday, September 18, bringing their unique brand of improvisational comedy back to the Paramount Theater, two years after their first performance there on March 29, 2024. Once again, they proved why they are legends of improvisational comedy with a tour named after the television show that turned both talented performers into household names. I grew up watching both of these gentlemen on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and having the opportunity to see them perform live, for my third time, is a genuine thrill. It is a singular honor to know them both and to call them friends, especially Colin Mochrie, who has been generous enough to allow me to interview him five times over the past 18 years. His two appearances in Bristol, along with his 2024 appearance in my hometown of Wytheville, Virginia, where he shared the stage with comedic hypnotist Asad Mecci, have proven that Southwest Virginia and the surrounding region have a genuine appreciation for improvisational comedy. Friday night’s performance was no exception. For 90 minutes, Mochrie and Sherwood delivered entirely improvised hilarity that seemed to fly by in an instant. Despite having undergone knee replacement surgery and surgery for a detached retina, 68-year-old Mochrie proved himself to be in tip-top shape. The show opened with a popular Whose Line game called “Moving Bodies,” in which Mochrie and Sherwood must remain perfectly still unless two volunteers from the audience move their bodies. Based on suggestions from the audience, Colin and Brad found themselves in France preparing to celebrate “Yay for Cheese Day.” Before beginning, Mochrie warned the audience about his recent surgeries. Sherwood then pretended to hand one of the volunteers a piece of paper. “Would you please sign this waiver?” he quipped. That set the tone for the evening. In the next game, “Motivational Speaker,” Mochrie and Sherwood were tasked with delivering a seminar on how to improve your partner. Audience suggestions included being more submissive, naked, quiet and competent. Using the word “juxtaposition” as an acronym, the comedians proceeded to deliver “The 13 Steps to a More Submissive Partner,” with the kind of inexplicable hilarity that only Mochrie and Sherwood can create from audience suggestions. Before choosing a woman from the audience to represent each comedian in the popular “Sound Effects” game, the pair asked the audience to provide a fictitious name for a store. The response was “Bobsleds R Us.” That left Mochrie and Sherwood trying to sell an array of bobsleds in the middle of a blizzard, while their volunteer sound-effects artists provided the noises necessary to bring the increasingly ridiculous scenario to life. In “Interview,” Mochrie and Sherwood once again demonstrated why their ability to work together is so impressive. They acted as one person while bringing various audience members with different occupations onto the stage. Each audience member was instructed to ask the duo a question related to their profession. Mochrie and Sherwood then had to answer by alternating one word at a time or, at times, speaking the same words simultaneously as if they were a single voice. A history teacher asked, “In what era did Homo erectus live?” “Homo erectus lived during the time of large ferns,” the two answered, one word at a time. The response only became more absurd from there, as the comedians constructed a completely improvised history of ferns, Homo erectus and human evolution. Instead of performing a musical dedicated specifically to Bristol, as they had done during their 2024 appearance, Mochrie and Sherwood gathered a new assortment of audience suggestions, including Tennessee football, groundhog, aggressively, desperate redhead, indignant wombats and front desk at a seedy hotel. Those ingredients were then transformed into a musical performed to the tune of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and a number of other tunes. The song contained a note just a little too high for the now 61-year-old Sherwood, who otherwise had no trouble carrying his tune throughout the evening. Closing the show with their trademark improvised lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” Colin and Brad recapped the evening with an uncanny memory of each game and volunteer. The laughs from the audience during the finale earned the pair a rousing standing ovation in appreciation of the one-of-a-kind evening. As with every show, it was a memory that could never be replicated. A native of Chicago, Sherwood told me after the show that he has step-siblings in Tennessee and that many of his relatives attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He and Mochrie were leaving Bristol that night to perform at the beautiful Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville on Saturday. To have interacted with these two talents personally is among the greatest thrills of my career. Both comedians were once again very pleased with the Bristol audience and said they looked forward to returning within the next couple of years. One can only hope they might bring their show to the Millwald Theatre in Wytheville sometime soon as well. Sherwood genuinely inquired as to whether I thought they were as funny this time as before, a question I considered futile. I consider their work among the greatest comedy I have ever witnessed. Their live performances only heighten the hilarity and joy they have brought to audiences across the country and around the world. Here’s hoping they continue for at least another 30 years.

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Symphony Under the Stars returns to Wytheville

September 16, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra provided a stellar concert at Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park in Wytheville on Saturday, September 13, with a beautiful backdrop of a made-to-order sunny evening. Continuing the celebration of the 250th birthday of our nation, which was honored earlier in the year during a concert at the Millwald Theatre, the Millwald hosted an outdoor concert at one of our town’s most beautiful parks. RSO’s “Symphony Under the Stars” was just as big a success as it was last year, opening with the national anthem. The classical piece “The Light Cavalry Overture” by Franz von Suppé, featuring RSO’s new principal clarinetist Amy Hur, was followed by one of two John Williams pieces offered during the first half of the show. Music from one of my late father’s favorite films, Jurassic Park, was accompanied by assistant concertmaster Dr. John Hugo, dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume. He mingled with some audience members, danced along, and even received his own baton from conductor David Stewart Wiley to help direct the piece. Handel’s “Let the Bright Seraphim” from the opera Samson was next, featuring tenor vocalist Brian Thorsett. Having performed worldwide in live performances and recordings, the Blacksburg-based singer teaches in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, according to Wiley’s introduction. Thorsett also sang the most emotional piece of the evening, “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables. When Wiley introduced the song in the context of a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, many audience members wept throughout the number. Remaining in celebration of our nation’s milestone birthday, John Williams was given another nod with a medley from another of his iconic film scores. The Revolutionary War film starring Mel Gibson, The Patriot, featured Williams’ Oscar-nominated score, rendered in full glory by the RSO and capturing the true American spirit. During the “Armed Forces Salute,” Thorsett, along with the Roanoke Symphony Chorus, sang the songs representing all branches of the United States military. As I did for their Flag Day concert, I proudly elevated my chair to “stand” in honor of my late father, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1962 to 1966. I noticed I was the only one who did so for the Coast Guard, and I was not about to let my father or his branch of service be forgotten. The memorable Suite No. 1 from Carmen opened the second of two 40-minute acts, followed by a medley from Gone with the Wind by legendary film composer Max Steiner. “This piece is written specifically for place,” Wiley said. “It encapsulates Scarlett O’Hara’s devotion to Terra and her determination to restore her home.” Next came a medley from Howard Shore’s magnificent score from The Lord of the Rings films. Shore won Oscars for his work on two of the films. This medley featured battle music from the films, with heavy, anvil-like percussion in one particularly rugged section of the often-requested medley as performed by the RSO. A segment of “In Dreams,” featuring the RSO Chorus, was also included. A riveting medley from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story delighted a group from the newly rebranded Red Stag Dinner Theatre in Wytheville, who performed the choreography in perfect synchronicity with the music. From the Latin rhythms of “Tonight” to “One Hand, One Heart,” featuring Concertmaster Akemi Takayama on lead violin, who had her very own fan club in the audience, the medley included a swing-jazz version of “Cool,” culminating with “America.” The RSO once again restored my American pride with the patriotic numbers “America the Beautiful,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “America the Beautiful,” before launching into the encore of John Williams’ Star Wars medley. Complete with his own lightsaber baton, Wiley did his best Yoda impersonation and ended the perfect evening on an incredibly high note. You’ll have one more chance to hear the RSO ensemble, chorus, and featured vocalist Brian Thorsett as they present their holiday concert, “Handel’s Messiah,” on Saturday, December 19, at 7:00 p.m. at the Millwald Theatre. Tickets are available at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36798/production/1273229?performanceId=11799695 or by calling the Millwald box office at 276-284-2958.

Strictly Observing

Improv legend to return to Bristol

September 10, 2026September 10, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Having the opportunity to interview Colin Mochrie for the fifth time in my career is a thrill that is difficult to put into words. The first time I interviewed him was in 2008. I simply sent an email requesting an interview and was absolutely thrilled when he accepted. The four interviews that followed came in connection with performances he gave in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Bristol, Tennessee; and, finally, my hometown of Wytheville, Virginia. On Nov. 2, 2024, Mochrie performed in Wytheville with famed hypnotist and comedian Asad Mecci. The show was sold out. “It was a fun show,” Mochrie remembered. “We had a good time.” Whether Mochrie and his Whose Line Is It Anyway? veteran co-star Brad Sherwood will ever return to Wytheville remains unknown. For now, however, the pair are making a second appearance at Bristol’s Paramount Theatre, where I was fortunate enough to see them with my wife on March 29, 2024. As always, the improvisational legend was every bit as kind as he was funny. Mochrie was extraordinarily generous with his time, giving me twice as long as he had originally allotted for our interview so I could turn it into a double episode for my podcast. “It’s really not a chore,” he told me. “It’s always fun to talk to you.” He had no idea what those words meant to me. Mochrie’s book, Not Quite the Classics, was inspired by a Whose Line Is It Anyway? game called “First Line, Last Line.” In the game, performers were given the first and last lines of an existing piece of writing and had to improvise everything in between. When I asked Mochrie if he had any interest in writing another book, however, he was less enthusiastic. “It’s something I really hope doesn’t happen,” he admitted. “It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my career, and I’m glad it turned out like it did, but I would be afraid to try something like that again.” That doesn’t mean Mochrie is completely opposed to putting another book together. He and Sherwood have discussed the possibility of writing a coffee-table book about their adventures on the road together called We Are Not the Rolling Stones. “It’s something we keep talking about,” Mochrie said. “But we’re too lazy to do anything about it.” I offered my services as a ghostwriter, an offer for which he graciously thanked me. We’ll see if a career opportunity comes out of that. Mochrie has also never seemed to mind my occasionally excessive enthusiasm for his work. He once regarded me as completely nuts for memorizing the improvised songs performed by Wayne Brady during the one season of Whose Line Is It Anyway? that was released on DVD, but he has always been gracious about my gushing over his talent and kindness. Most importantly, he has always been willing to talk with me. “I think you have finally proven yourself as my number one fan,” he assured me. There is no higher accolade I would rather receive from Colin Mochrie. I immediately asked him to put that in writing. With a chuckle, he said he would be happy to do so. I haven’t forgotten that he later inscribed his book for me: “Thanks for loving me.” “I’m truly grateful that you continue to enjoy my work,” he told me. He has no idea just how much truth there is in that statement. His journey to Whose Line Is It Anyway? began more than 40 years ago when he and Ryan Stiles were friends and aspiring comedians at Second City in Toronto. Stiles heard about a touring company that was being assembled for a new comedy program that would eventually become Whose Line Is It Anyway? As it turned out, Mochrie wasn’t auditioning for merely another television show. He was auditioning for a role that would change his life in ways he could never have imagined. The woman heading the touring group was Deb McGrath, the woman Mochrie would marry 37 years ago. “It was a very tough audition,” he joked. “It went on for a while.” Mochrie doesn’t view Whose Line Is It Anyway? simply as the television show that made him famous. “Whose Line Is It Anyway? not only gave us a career,” he explained. “It gave us a joy in coming to work. We were all great friends who worked together well and enjoyed being around each other.” Drew Carey served as the moderator of the American version of the program, and his infectious laughter became almost as recognizable as the comedy itself. “Drew was the moderator of the show, and he had such an infectious laugh that we all figured if we can make him laugh to the point of crying, we’ve done our job.” In many cases, Mochrie was the one responsible for bringing those tears of laughter to Carey’s eyes. Although Wayne Brady frequently found himself responsible for the musical games, including “Irish Drinking Song” and the ever-popular “Hoedown,” Mochrie became particularly renowned for the one-line zingers and perfectly timed responses that left audiences and his fellow performers laughing uncontrollably. “Those moments came out of sheer panic,” he said. “When you have to come up with two or three rhymes to make sense with the audience suggestion, it was horrible. I think audiences loved the hoedowns because we hated them.” To know Colin Mochrie, to have had the opportunity to interview him repeatedly over the past two decades, and to be able to call him a friend is a blessing than he’ll ever know.

Strictly Observing, Zach's At It Again

Newberry delivers full original set in Wytheville concert

August 19, 2026August 19, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

It is hard for me to believe Albert Newberry did not come out of the womb playing the piano. There is only one way I can sum up his playing: If he is able to achieve with his future bride what he accomplishes on a piano during any given concert, he is destined for an inevitably rapturous wedding night. Every muscle in his body seems to work in concert to ensure that the exact note he intends emanates from his grand piano. Somehow, it happens without fail every time. The Bland County native divides his time between his Southwest Virginia home and New York, where he teaches piano and plays gigs whenever possible. It was my honor to see this virtuoso of the ivories live in concert at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Wytheville on Sunday, Aug. 9. This was the best performance I have ever seen from Newberry, as a fortunate audience of only a couple dozen people were treated to 21 original compositions that will eventually be released across two albums. “We recorded so much music that we had to split it up into two albums,” he explained. “I have not timed the entirety of the songs all together, so if they end up being too long, I may cut some for the record.” I pray he does not make that decision, because the full expressions of all these compositions would be the ultimate gift to anyone who appreciates exceptional piano music. In an 80-minute concert that flew by as though it lasted only five minutes, Newberry gave us a glimpse into his incredible musical genius. He opened with two original compositions, “Pastorale” and “Toccata,” numbers that were filmed in that same beautiful church for PBS Appalachia. The film went on to win an Emmy Award. Newberry’s playing has an uncanny ability to heighten the imagination. During one number, you could envision a Charlie Chaplin film unfolding before your eyes; during another, a Looney Tunes cartoon came to mind; and still another seemed perfectly suited for a Steve McQueen chase sequence. To observe Albert Newberry at the keys, one might almost believe he has more than two hands playing his own compositions. Watching his hands cross over one another and his arms contort into seemingly impossible positions to execute these genius sounds is jaw-dropping, to say the least. Newberry has also experienced a great deal of personal loss during the past year. He lost a friend in Blacksburg whom he considered one of the greatest appreciators of music he had ever known. “This man was not a musician,” Newberry explained. “But he had a separate room in which he did nothing but listen to records. Most of us have music playing in the background, but he kept a room where he could just simply listen to the music.” For his friend, Larsen Bowker, Newberry dedicated his song “Home.” He also lost his Russian grandmother during the past year and dedicated another beautiful piece to her, entitled “Autumn.” Those were probably the most resonant pieces for me personally during the evening. Having lost my own father around the same time Newberry’s grandmother passed away, I felt those songs deeply, perhaps in a way that allowed me to understand something of what he must have felt while writing them. There were also several groups of compositions, including the six-part “Rhythmic Studies,” the four-part “Disparate Elements” and the three-part “Perpetuum Mobile.” Another of the evening’s more moving pieces was “Piece for Peace,” inspired by the many friends Newberry has in both Ukraine and Russia. “I wrote this when the war involving Russia and Ukraine broke out,” he said. “As the son of a Russian mother, my family and I have many friends and relatives who are affected by this war.” Newberry possesses a quintessential ability to create more emotion with a series of notes than many composers can achieve with lyrics. His music engages the senses and evokes vivid images within the listener’s mind. His talent is unparalleled, and we in Southwest Virginia are fortunate to call a person of his genius, and an equally heartfelt human being, one of our own. As much as I enjoyed his performance last Christmas with guitarist Casey Lewis, I enjoyed this solo performance even more because it allowed me to witness, without distraction, the magic Newberry creates through his own compositions. It was an evening that demonstrated not only his extraordinary technical ability but also the emotional depth and imagination that separate a gifted pianist from a true artist. Both of the albums are produced by Bartosz Lasecki, a composer based in New York. It was recorded in July at Echo Park Studios in Bloomington, Indiana with engineer and owner, Andy Beargie. I will await the release of both albums with bated breath, and I am anxious to see what other incredible work Albert Newberry will produce in what appears destined to be an extraordinarily bright future.

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Byrd remembrance brings ‘tears from God’

August 18, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

Patricia Austin called the torrential downpour that fell on downtown Wytheville as approximately fifty of us gathered to commemorate the centennial anniversary of one of the darkest chapters in our local history “tears from God.” One hundred years earlier, on Aug. 15, 1926, a 31-year-old Black man named Raymond Arthur Byrd was attacked, beaten, shot and lynched by an angry mob of white men from Wythe County. Byrd had been accused of a sexually assaulting a white girl, after which a group of racists took matters into their own hands and committed the unspeakable act of violence. Today, a historical marker commemorating Mr. Byrd’s life and legacy stands in front of the site of the old Wythe County Jail, where he was held before being taken by the mob. “We stand here not only to remember the injustice, but to confront the truth of what happened,” said Austin, executive director of the Wytheville Training School and Cultural Center. “This ceremony is an act of courage, an act of community responsibility, and it is an act of love for justice and a love for the future that we are building together.” The lynching of Raymond Byrd sparked statewide and national outrage and left generations of his family to live with the trauma of a failed justice system. Standing beside the marker, Byrd’s great-granddaughter, Brandi Quinn, wept as the tragedy that had been carried through generations of her family, was recounted. Her son, Raymond Byrd’s great-great-grandson Braylin, read a poem written by Byrd’s widow sometime after her husband’s horrific death. Overcome by emotion, he, too, shed tears. Braylin is currently attending college in Ohio going into his Junior year as a Political Science Major and Communications Minor. He was also elected Senator at Large on his campus. Raymond Byrd’s widow, Tennessee Hawkins Byrd Patterson, lived only 15 years longer than her husband, dying of malignant hypertension at the age of 39 in 1941. According to research presented during the ceremony, she had been refused medical treatment by white doctors in Wythe County. Dr. Thomas Edge, teaching professor of ethnic studies at Bowling Green State University, presented extensive research on Raymond Arthur Byrd, his tragic death, its effect upon his family and community, and the continuing search for acknowledgment and truth. A feature-length documentary on the story is also being planned. “My goal is not simply to recount the horror of what happened,” Dr. Edge said. “My goal is to continue the legacy of the family and to note how they coped with the trauma of such a horrible ending to their ancestor’s life.” One of the most emotional portions of the presentation focused on Hazel Byrd Hayes, the daughter of Raymond and Tennessee Byrd. In an effort to help her family, Hazel reportedly lied about her age to join one of the first female military units during World War II in order to send money home to help her siblings. Following her military service, she joined the Great Migration north and eventually built a successful career as a beautician in Ohio. “She not only had to deal with the tragedy of her father’s death, but also her mother,” Dr. Edge pointed out. “The fact that her mother died at an extremely young age after being refused medical treatment by white racists was equally traumatizing for the young woman.” It was not until a decade after Raymond Byrd was killed that his widow could apply for a military headstone for him. In 1936, the law was changed to allow qualifying military veterans to receive a government-issued headstone. Before then, victims of racial violence were often buried in unmarked graves. Brandi Quinn is the only grandchild of Hazel Byrd Hayes, who often shared with her granddaughter both the beauty of Virginia and the pain of living in a community that constantly reminded her of the father she lost when she was only 2 years old. “My grandmother shared with me so many things about the beauty of Virginia,” Quinn said. “But she also shared with me the difficulty of living in a community that constantly reminded her of the loss of her father.” A World War II veteran, Hazel Byrd Hayes moved north to Toledo, Ohio, where her family continued to grow and thrive. Today, her granddaughter and great-grandchildren carry on that legacy. Her great-grandson bears an uncanny resemblance to his great-great-grandfather, and it was a privilege to be introduced to this family. They approached the commemoration of an unspeakable family tragedy with tremendous grace and class and it was a singular honor to meet them. “Thank you for greeting us with warmth and love,” Brandi Quinn said. “We will carry you in our hearts back to Toledo with us.” Being part of such a ceremony is something my wife Emily and I will never forget. Despite the horrors of racism that still exist today in this community, there was something profoundly moving about witnessing such an outpouring of humanity. People stood together in the pouring rain, united by the belief that the truth matters and that the life of Raymond Arthur Byrd matters. May his soul rest more peacefully in the knowledge that there are those who will not forget his life, his struggles or the injustice inflicted upon him. May we never forget the plight of any human being who is treated as though they are somehow less worthy than another. And may the truth of Raymond Arthur Byrd’s story, and stories like his, never be lost on those who continue striving to make humankind better through the way they choose to live their own lives. Remembering is not enough if it changes nothing. It is where the responsibility begins.

Zach's At It Again

Antoniou provides mind-bending entertainment at Millwald

August 9, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

British psychic comedian Peter Antoniou returned to Wytheville for his second sold-out performance at the Millwald Theatre on Saturday, August 8th, and this time I was fortunate enough to be there. For 86 minutes, Antoniou had an audience of roughly 500 believers and doubters alike completely enthralled. It did not matter whether you considered yourself a believer or a skeptic. Antoniou’s ability to keep the audience engaged was undeniable. His own journey into the world of mentalism began at a remarkably young age. “I started reading tarot cards at the age of 9,” he recalled, “By 18, I was working on the 900-number psychic lines.” Eventually, his career took him to Las Vegas, following his appearance as a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent in 2021. The 38-year-old comedian and psychic has apparently never looked back. His shows have sold out around the world, and after experiencing his performance firsthand, it’s easy to understand why. I was lucky enough to become one of his participants. Early in the show, Antoniou invited audience members to become part of the performance by catching a Frisbee he threw into the crowd. My lucky moment came near the very end, when the Frisbee landed in the back row and nobody picked it up. I quickly asked my friend, Jeremy Miller, who had brought me to the show, to retrieve it and hand it to me. Antoniou asked my name. He had actually finished the personal readings, but apparently decided that my mental intuition was too strong to ignore. “Are you thinking of starting a podcast?” he asked. The truth was that I already had one. The question I had submitted for him to hopefully answer was whether I should revamp the podcast and, if I did, whether it would be successful. “You’re worried about whether or not it will be successful,” he told me, “but you don’t have a clear definition of success.” That wasn’t entirely true. To me, success would mean waking up one day to discover that I had enough listeners to monetize the program and, in a dream scenario, eventually be relieved of the essential need for government assistance. “I can hear you thinking,” he said. “I know you’re doing this, but answer me about my podcast.” He was definitely right about that. “I think a podcast is a wonderful idea for you,” he continued, “but you need to let go of the stress of trying to make it successful and just make it as fun for you as you possibly can. Whatever is fun for you, that’s what the podcast should be.” “You’re a very loud thinker, Zach,” Antoniou told me. “I can appreciate that, but it’s very distracting.” In reality, I was simply doing what he had told all of us to do at the beginning of the show. “The louder you scream at me in your head,” he had said during his opening remarks, “the greater chance you have of being heard during the program.” After asking me the year of my birth and a second participant an important year in her life, he then asked the other Frisbee holder for seven random numbers. The remainder of the crowd was instructed to perform calculations on their phones. The numbers began with 1,985 multiplied by 1,981. That result was then added to 2,675,319, and 74,219,305, a number punched into a calculator by another participant who had been brought onstage without looking at the keyboard. The final total was exactly 80,826,909. Those numbers represented the exact date and time at that moment: August 8, 2026, at 9:09 p.m. But my experience was only one of many memorable moments throughout the evening. My longtime friend Bonnie Asbury was also singled out by Antoniou. Her story wasn’t discovered as the answer to a question. Instead, it became an inspiration, which it most certainly is. After a lifetime of heartbreak, Bonnie recently found the love of her life after searching for more than 30 years to find him. Her husband is a 40-year veteran of the National Guard, and together they have written a story that serves as a reminder that love can be found at any age and under any circumstances. No one deserves that happiness more than Bonnie, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Antoniou’s readings took several unexpected turns throughout the evening. At one point, he suddenly described a bizarre vision of Kermit the Frog riding a swan while being struck by lightning. It turned out to have a very real connection to a gentleman sitting on the opposite side of the theater. Kermit Swan had reportedly been struck by lightning twice and electrocuted a number of other times. “You want me to tell you whether or not you’re going to get superpowers,” Antoniou said. “You are not going to get superpowers, but you might develop a twitch.” He then jokingly, but emphatically, asked Kermit to promise that he would stay away from electrical outlets and other dangerous ways of harming himself. Kermit reluctantly agreed. One gentleman wanted advice concerning his cat, which had apparently, through a pet psychic, relayed some very strong opinions about a particular aspect of its owner’s housekeeping. Antoniou didn’t reveal the secret, but he did tell the cat’s owner that he definitely needed to take his pet’s advice. There are very few acts these days that I would willingly pay to see. Peter Antoniou is certainly one of them. Between the laughter, the unbelievable demonstrations, the personal readings and the unexpected moments of genuine inspiration, he gave me an evening I will never forget.

Strictly Observing

Memorializing my father at ancestorial reunion

August 2, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

On August 1, generations of William Rufus Cooley’s descendants gathered at Coal Creek Memorial Park for their annual reunion. I am actually a descendant of William’s brother, Wiley Preston Cooley, who was my great-great-grandfather. My father was one of three people memorialized at the event, which prompted me to attend. My dad had been to these reunions several times, and I was both saddened and honored to speak about him to his many distant relatives. I was so thankful to be aware of this year’s reunion, thanks to the Cooley Family Facebook page maintained by Becky Helton. There was no one there who truly knew my father, and I couldn’t bear the thought of him not being remembered at an event that meant so much to him. I wasn’t sure what memorial items to bring, so I brought a copy of my book, Herb Cooley: The Law Enforcement Legacy of My Father, for display. As I was enjoying the meal following the service, a cousin named Luke approached me, asking if my dad had served on the board of directors at the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy in Salem. When I said he had, Luke told me he was currently going through that very academy. I knew then that Luke was the person for whom my book was meant. I signed it for him, and the money he gave me went to the cemetery fund in Dad’s memory. Dad would have been so happy that a fine young man like Luke was continuing the Cooley law enforcement tradition while honoring his legacy. Afterward, I went to spend some time at Dad’s resting place. My parents have the nicest monument in the cemetery. Even though I know Dad wasn’t truly beneath the ground at my feet, I found myself unable to break away from the spot. I felt so empty. Still, my dad deserved to be remembered that day; it’s what he would have wanted. I feel blessed that, despite my limitations, I was able to pay him a tribute I hope did him justice. My father loved the Cooley reunions. He especially loved the memorial services held in honor of our loved ones who had passed away, which is why I wanted to ensure I didn’t miss the opportunity to pay homage to his memory. My father was one of the most decorated police officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. His lifetime of service began with a four-year stint in the United States Coast Guard, where he served as a radio operator from 1962 to 1966. He was immensely proud to have served his country, but I would go so far as to say he was even prouder of his heritage as a Cooley—not just as a Cooley, but as a Coal Creek Cooley. He loved the area where he grew up and never stopped reminiscing about the blissful days spent on his Grayson County farm, the place that represented his childhood. During the last dozen or so years of his life, he became an incessant genealogical researcher. If he could have traced our ancestry all the way back to Adam, I’m fairly certain he would have done so given enough time on Earth. He knew the stories of our ancestors as well as anyone ever could, and he delighted in sharing them. He was especially proud that Abraham Cooley, our first ancestor to settle in Grayson County before the dawn of this nation, was a signer of the New York Declaration—one of the documents that helped pave the way for our eventual Declaration of Independence. It seems almost serendipitous that his son, Benjamin Cooley, would later become the first elected Sheriff of Carroll County, Virginia. That passion for public service clearly still runs through our veins today. In addition to my father’s remarkable 45-year career in law enforcement, he now has a great-grandson who has graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice from Dad’s alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. I know that would have made him profoundly proud, as did his ancestors’ military service, which encompassed every generation right down to his own. The last time I was in the Coal Creek Community Church on November 8, 2025, I was eulogizing my father before a capacity crowd of more than 150 police officers, family members, and friends who mourned him then and continue to miss him today, just as I do. “I can still vividly recall our many trips to the cemetery here, where he would regale me with stories of our great-grandfathers from generations past,” I said. “Today, I will visit that cemetery for the first time since his funeral to pay my respects to him in the place where he always wanted to rest. One day, my wife and I will rest beside him.” “If he were here today, he would be greeting each of you with his trademark million-kilowatt smile, trading stories about the famous Benjamin Cooley clock, which he and I, along with my wife and daughter, were fortunate enough to be photographed with at the Carroll County Museum,” I concluded. “Those memories fill me with joy today, just as they always do whenever I remember what a great man my father was and the great stock from which he came.” The Cooley blood that flows through our veins is the blood of honest, hardworking people who believed in family, as well as the privilege and responsibility of being Americans. As we gathered in fellowship on that day, I did so with the comfort of knowing that my father had been proudly honored, just like all of our loved ones who have gone on to Heaven before us. Until we are reunited with them again, we should never forget what Coal Creek, Grayson County, and Carroll County mean to our heritage. My father certainly never did. And thanks to him, neither will I.

Strictly Observing

Tomlinson sheds boy band image for Charlotte show

July 7, 2026July 7, 2026 Zach Cooley No Comments

It is often said that one of the rites of passage for a girl dad who enjoys live entertainment is taking his daughter to see her favorite boy band member in concert. I thought that moment had arrived when I bought my daughter Bella tickets to see former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, July 5. As it turned out, I was proven wrong. At 34, the English singer is the same age as I am, and he has long since shed the image of a pop boy-band heartthrob. Instead, Tomlinson has become a seasoned rock performer with a loyal following all his own. Ironically, Tomlinson and I share the same favorite color—red. The stage was bathed in crimson light throughout much of the evening, and Bella even suggested I wear a red shirt with black pants. To my surprise, Tomlinson walked onto the stage dressed in almost exactly the same outfit. I was especially impressed by his vocal stamina. The fact that a smoker can maintain such a smooth singing voice with that kind of durability was remarkable. I was also surprised that the concert was not sold out. Spectrum Center can accommodate roughly 15,000 people, and by my estimate about 10,000 seats were filled. Those who were there, however, could not have been more devoted. Many fans were younger than my 12-year-old daughter, but I was delighted to spot at least one woman who appeared to be well into her seventies dancing and singing just as enthusiastically as fans one-quarter her age. Touring in support of his third solo album, How Did I Get Here?, Tomlinson performed all 12 songs from the standard edition, along with the bonus track “The Answer.” He even treated fans to the hidden demo track “Send Me Under,” available only on the deluxe digital edition, closing his four-song encore with it. Of course, Bella knew every word to every song, as she owns every version of the album available. Judging by the deafening singalongs, so did everyone else in the arena. These were clearly Tomlinson’s people. Even when he skipped the occasional lyric to conserve his voice, the audience never missed a beat, singing every word for him before erupting into cheers after each song. Tomlinson made it clear that he recognized and appreciated that devotion. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank every person in this arena tonight,” he told the crowd. “Without the support of each and every one of you, I wouldn’t be able to do shows like this night after night. I want you to know that I love every one of you.” There may be one love in Tomlinson’s life that rivals that of his fans: soccer. As England battled Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal, the match was shown live on the arena’s massive video screens. Tomlinson’s performance occupied the top half of the screens while the soccer match played below. Fans embraced the unusual split-screen presentation, cheering as loudly for England’s goals as they did for Tomlinson himself. At one point, he paused mid-song to celebrate an English goal, drawing another roar from the crowd. When Mexico answered with a goal of its own before halftime, the arena responded with playful boos. Even though I probably would not have chosen to attend a Louis Tomlinson concert on my own, I enjoyed the evening far more than I ever expected. Much of that came from watching the joy on Bella’s face—and the tears that streamed down her cheeks when Tomlinson first stepped onto the stage. In fact, my only complaint was that his performance felt too short. Tomlinson raced through a 26-song set, including four encore numbers, in just 90 minutes. By comparison, nearly the same amount of time was devoted to his opening acts. Tomlinson has earned a reputation for championing female rock musicians, and this tour certainly reflected that commitment. Picture Parlour, an edgy rock band from northern England, opened the evening with a sound that evoked both Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin. The advertised main opener, Toronto’s The Beaches, delivered a spirited 45-minute set blending hooks of The Bangles with the attitude of Avril Lavigne. Many of their songs angrily centered on putting exes firmly in the rearview mirror. “We want to give a shout-out to Louis Tomlinson for supporting so many women musicians on this tour,” the band’s lead singer, Jordan Miller, told the audience. “That doesn’t happen very often, and we notice it. We’re very appreciative.” Tomlinson immediately raised the energy when he opened his set with powerful new songs such as “Lemonade” and “On Fire.” The loudest reaction of the night came when he launched into the One Direction favorite “Changes.” I may have been the only person in the building who didn’t know every word. His band also deserves recognition. Pianist Zak Craner kept the audience entertained with instrumental interludes whenever Tomlinson stepped aside for a drink of water, earning warm ovations of his own, while the lead guitarist consistently elevated the performance with tasteful solos and powerful riffs. Finally, I would be remiss if I failed to thank the two people who made this unforgettable day possible. One of my dearest friends, Vall Dino, and his wonderful fiancée, Adrianna Meek, gladly drove Bella and me to and from Charlotte despite having to report to work the following morning on barely two hours of sleep. They could not have been better company, and I am deeply grateful for their friendship, generosity, and kindness. Moments like these help carry us through life’s far more difficult and enduring challenges. Thanks to them, I was able to share an unforgettable experience with my daughter that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Strictly Observing