Former resident's cabaret show set for June in Cape, Dexter

When Tom Vaughn performs next month in Cape Girardeau and Dexter, Mo., it will bring his life and career full circle.

"Trail of Cheers," a cabaret reflecting on the ups and downs of Vaughn's life, is coming to Port Cape Girardeau and Dexter's Hickory Log Lounge in June. Vaughn, who grew up in Dexter and graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School, has lived and worked in New York City since 1988. Although he first explored options in the business world, songwriting and performing was always in his heart.

"I have this running joke with friends that getting a degree in vocal performance and a minor in business from Southeast Missouri State set me up for life. There have been times when the bread and butter came from one or the other, so I say right now my music is my major," Vaughn said. "Honestly though, it takes a combination of things to survive in New York. I'm just lucky enough to be able to somewhat make a living doing what I love."

Longtime friend and performer Elizabeth Shelton said this is Vaughn's homecoming, and thinks Southeast Missourians will recognize the local flavor in his work.

"He is returning to his roots here. He's been in New York, but this is where he started," Shelton said. "From what I've seen, the people of this community can be especially supportive to locals who have done well with ‘big city' endeavors. Tom's show is fantastic, and deserves that type of support."

The critically acclaimed show's title is a reference not only to the historic Trail of Tears, but his own health struggles with a heart attack and cancer. Vaughn said he simply decided to choose cheers over tears, which is something he tries to do in everyday life as well.

"Life is well worth celebrating, especially through music," Vaughn said. "When you've been through life threatening situations like I have, you learn to appreciate things like that."

Even in the hardest times, Vaughn knew life was not over for him. He used his bad moments to concentrate on hope, and this resulted in some original songs that reflected that urgency for survival.

"My battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was the lowest low, and I surpassed it by being proactive," Vaughn said. "I didn't feel like it was my time or that I was finished or that I had achieved all I could. I thought about the light at the end of the tunnel and used my ability to write music to get there. That's what this show and the songs in it are all about."

"Trail of Cheers" features several numbers, including a salute to friends ("Old Friends"), survival and the growth it brings ("Grow"), even a musical anecdote about learning to tie his shoes ("First Pair of Shoes"). The cabaret is also filled with a range of musical styles, such as country, crooning and classical. Show director Raissa Katona Bennett said that above all, the audience should take this show as a celebration of life.

"There's no bigger influence here than Tom's fight," Bennett said. "His fight to break out, his fight to make it so far away from home, his fight to perform, and his fight for life."

Doors for "Trail of Cheers" will open at 6:30 p.m. June 7 and 8 at Port Cape Girardeau, with a full buffet preceding the 8 p.m. performance. Tickets for the dinner and show are $35, and can be purchased by calling 334-0954, or at the door. Reservations can be made for the June 14 show in Dexter by calling the Hickory Log Lounge at 573-624-4950.

jsamons@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

19 N. Water Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

1314 Business Hwy. 60, Dexter, MO