The October Songbird concert showcased the talent and storytelling of Tim McAvin, Lo Stone, Lefty Daytona, and Vanessa Lively.
The October Songbird Concert closed out the Fall 2026 season with another evening of original music, thoughtful storytelling, and the kind of connection that makes these nights so memorable.
This month's circle featured Tim McAvin, Lo Stone, Lefty Daytona, and Vanessa Lively, each bringing a distinct voice and perspective to The Focal Point. Across six rounds of songs, the evening moved naturally between reflection, humor, vulnerability, and observation, with each songwriter adding something different to the conversation.
Tim McAvin brought a grounded, thoughtful presence to the stage, sharing songs shaped by strong storytelling and a clear sense of perspective. His performances had an ease that invited the audience in, letting the details and emotions behind each song unfold without ever feeling overworked.
Lo Stone added a compelling voice to the evening, pairing expressive songwriting with performances that felt both intimate and assured. Her songs carried honesty and emotional clarity, creating moments that drew the room in and left listeners with something to sit with long after the final note.
Lefty Daytona brought his unmistakable character to the circle, adding another layer of personality and storytelling. His songs balanced wit, observation, and heart, giving the audience moments to laugh, reflect, and connect with the stories being shared.
Vanessa Lively, visiting from Austin, Texas, rounded out the evening with songs full of warmth, perspective, and lived experience. Her performances brought a strong sense of place and humanity to the circle, weaving personal stories into music that felt immediate and deeply relatable.
As the night moved from one round to the next, the songs began to speak to one another as they often do at Songbird. A story shared early in the evening would seem to find an echo several songs later. A laugh would give way to a quieter moment. A lyric would land differently because of something another artist had just said.
Those moments make these concerts more than a collection of individual performances.
Songbird has always been built around the idea that original music deserves room to breathe. It is time to hear the story behind a song, listen closely to the lyrics, and experience what happens when four songwriters share the same stage with an audience there for the music.
October was a fitting way to close the fall season. Over the past several months, we've welcomed an incredible group of artists into the circle and watched each evening take on its own personality. No two shows have sounded the same, and that is exactly the point.
To Tim McAvin, Lo Stone, Lefty Daytona, and Vanessa Lively, thank you for sharing your songs, stories, and perspective with us. And to everyone who attended a Songbird Concert this fall, supported the artists, volunteered, brought a friend, shared a post, or helped spread the word, thank you for continuing to make this community what it is.
As we close the book on Fall 2026, we're already looking ahead to the next circle, the next song, and the next story waiting to be shared.
We'll see you in the circle.
📸: Auset Sarno
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Tim McAvin
Lo Stone
Lefty Daytona
Vanessa Lively
-
ST. LOUIS, MO
Tim McAvin is a multi-instrumentalists, singer-songwriter from Saint Louis. Since 1989 he’s been a sideman in many original acts: The Heebie Jeebies, Lydia’s Trumpet, Tight Pants Syndrome to name a few. Over the years, contributing songs to bands, the songs added up. In 2009, Tim formed Karate Bikini and released five recordings over the next decade. His songs range from folk to punk. He’s a recently retired teacher spending his time working on a solo acoustic set, painting, and watching old movies. -
ST. LOUIS, MO
Lo Stone is a St. Louis-based singer-songwriter whose music blends indie folk and pop with warm, reflective lyrics. She weaves acoustic and piano textures while exploring musings on resilience, hope, and the emotional depth of everyday life. Lo released her debut album “With a Long Arc” in 2023, followed by her second album “Only a Sound” in 2025. -
ST. LOUIS, MO
A self-described “collector of songs,” Lefty Daytona has been a fixture of the St. Louis music scene since (2008? I have no idea). His YouTube channel, Songs from the Desk. features over 100 performances of tunes from his eclectic repertoire, with some videos racking up tens of thousands of views.While Lefty has gained an online audience with interpretations of songs from influences like Bruce Springsteen, Hayes Carll, and Robert Earl Keen, his own songs are the most valuable pieces of his collection. He builds grounded and often-stunning portraits of world-worn characters, tinged with dry humor and alt-country grit.
Daytona’s performances are understated yet emotionally charged, prioritizing storytelling over spectacle. He’s the kind of artist who feels just as at home in a dimly lit bar as he does in the studio, capturing the soul of the Midwest one verse at a time.
Lefty Daytona is based in Granite City, Illinois, where he and his wife have raised two daughters and two Golden Retrievers. He’s currently working on his first collection of all-original music.
-
AUSTIN, TX
Vanessa Lively is a bilingual songwriter and nonprofit founder whose music blends folk traditions with worldly rhythms and a distinct Latin influence. Known for her soulful, expressive vocals and poetic songwriting, her latest release Truth Is reflects both resilience and an unshakable sense of joy. Beyond the stage, her work is rooted in compassion and advocacy, including founding Home Street Music, a nonprofit that brings music to individuals experiencing homelessness. Through both her artistry and her impact, Lively creates music that is as heartfelt as it is powerful.