Music man
Strumming his guitar, Episcopal clergyman Dale Petley introduced music from his debut CD at a fundraiser concert.
The Rev. Dale Petley took his lifelong hobby of singing and songwriting to the next level by putting on a fundraising concert at All Souls’ Episcopal Church.
Petley’s recent concert introduced his first CD, “Life by Rivers,” a collection of a dozen of his songs. Most of the songs he has written in the past four years, but a few date back 25 years.
The relaxed setting in the parish hall, with a five-piece ensemble, gave Petley a chance to visit with the audience while playing guitar and providing background on his life and songs. It was the first time he had performed with a band, having only practiced with them for one day.
His music featured an upbeat folk tempo and at times drifted into country music. He said normally his music is a private matter. He would sing at dinners but never in such a public format. Copies of the CD were available for sale after the concert.
“I’m very grateful the proceeds will be going to the Bishop McAllister College in Uganda,” Petley, 59, told the audience. The college, as explained by the Rev. Patrick Bright, All Souls’ rector, is a school for youths and a Christian charity outreach supported in part by All Souls’.
The CD was the vision of two All Souls’ parishioners, Steve Knox and Kent Hoffman. “About a year ago, we had a dinner party and after dinner, Father Dale sang,” Knox said. “After hearing how wonderful it was, we decided it should be on a CD.”
Hoffman said Petley’s work “is such a relaxing sound. The world needs more music like this.”
Knox and Hoffman connected Petley with Dave Copenhaver and Lunacy Records in Oklahoma City. Knox said the musical compilation was completed during the recent religious season of Lent.
Hoffman said he and his wife were amazed by the finished product.
“She kept listening to it and telling me how good it was,” Hoffman told the audience.
Much of the music was inspired by Petley’s time in Canada and New Brunswick, where he grew up. Nearly each song featured a river theme as Petley linked the imagery to life itself.
“Rivers have always been important to me, even the Oklahoma River and how it’s revitalized downtown,” he said.
One selection, “Bury Me By the Cimarron River,” paid homage to his 20 years in Oklahoma.
Petley is currently associate rector at All Souls’.
He gave the crowd something to laugh about in “Tomorrow is Another Day.” His encore and only non-original song was “Oklahoma Hills” by Woody Guthrie, an artist who Petley said inspired him.
“You know the words, please sing along,” he said.
Many did, as the concert ended with a standing ovation and people buying CDs to support mission work in Uganda.