Talent fills stage at Songwriter?s Night

McMinnville Civic Center rang with the tuneful talents of local performers as the seventh annual Songwriter?s Night took center stage Friday.

The first of these events sponsored by the new board and staff of Families in Crisis was deemed a success, raising $3,900 for the organization.

The crowd was treated to some great performances, including the traditional gospel sounds of the Pelham Family and the smooth a cappella stylings of the Clark Methodist Men?s Group.

First-timer Alicia Lara turned in a well-received set early in the evening, followed by Joe Stotts, who delighted the audience with some original tunes, followed by spirited performances of a pair of Beatles songs, ?Let it Be? and ?You?ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.?

Barry Medley, well-known locally as the ?Singing Judge,? had the crowd in stitches with his finale, featuring his infamous ditty, ?I Hate Roosters.?

Another relative newcomer, Travis Prater, impressed with his thought-provoking original songs and tuneful guitar playing.

Following Prater, local songstress Shelley Womack showed the indulgent attitude that only a loving mom can demonstrate when confronted with the show-stealing antics of her 18-month-old daughter, Chalee, who is obviously intent on following in her talented mother?s footsteps as she took the stage microphone and all.

Rounding out the evening was singer/songwriter Clair Cochran, whose act included a tribute to Dottie West. Cochran and her band, including Jennifer Craighead on lead and background vocals, Tim Winton, and son Griffin, on guitar and vocals, Scott LaDuc on bass, and none other than Alderman Billy Wood on drums.

Cochran showed her trademark vocal skill and eclectic musical influences with tunes from Dottie West to blues and pop greats like Bonnie Raitt, with Craighead providing backup harmonies.

Cochran also graciously allowed band members to display their individual talents, with Craighead performing some plaintive country covers, while the Winton father-and-son duo wowed the crowd with their musicianship and vocal style. The younger Winton, a preternaturally talented 12-year-old, turned in some particularly assured performances, accompanying himself on both electric and acoustic guitar, backed by his proud dad?s nimble lead guitar work, LaDuc on bass, and with a special, and rather unexpected, guest performance from E911 director Chuck Haston on drums.