October 2020
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 25, No. 10
Live meetings are Cancelled due to Corona Virus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and in the Facebook group page. We expect it to
be scheduled for Sunday October 4th at 5pm.
Any Details not in this newsletter are at:
If you wish to join our Facebook group, please check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/831814850193553/
WebChatter
by CyberToad
Here's a link to a short article by Andrea Stolpe that bears repeating.
https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/write-faster-judge-less
We had 3 new visitors to our September Zoom meeting, who all shared
their songs with us. They were Steve Jones, Stacey Bell and Jim Babb.
We hope that they will become members soon!!! We had a total of 11
attendees and 10 songs at the meeting, and Jeff Evans saw to it
running smoothly.
2020: Worst Year Ever
By Jackie Mason
I picked up a four year old copy of the Orlando Weekly. The title of an article was “2016: Worst Year Ever.” While I might have agreed back then and it truly was an awful year. A new contender has arrived and took that title. What’s worse is that it wasn’t even a close fight. 2020 is blues song and a long blues song at that. I’m not the only person who shares that opinion. Do a quick search on YouTube for “Covid Blues” or “Corona Blues” and you will find a lot of songs with the same titles. I would have loved to do a review of those songs but I just didn’t have the time. Here is a songwriting tip. If you are still ruminating on writing a pandemic song it would be wise to consider a new, fresh title.
I do have an announcement to make about this article. There will be no mention of Ray Davies or The Kinks! Well after this part of the article anyway. One of the many things I have learned during six months of lockdown is that it’s just as easy to box oneself in a corner while writing articles as it is writing a song. I know it’s been five months of “he who must not be named” but my articles are treasure hunts, if you follow the links. You will learn about the craft of songwriting.
I have been painfully aware of the plight my fellow musicians find themselves in. Famous music venues around the world are out of business or on the brink of bankruptcy. Among them The Bitter End in New York and The Cavern Club in Liverpool. The theme parks have been closed or are operating at a much lower capacity. “Disney has placed the Candlelight Processional, along with a few other seasonal shows, on hiatus until next year.The Disney Society Orchestra (formerly known as The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra), will experience a close of show. Their last day is October 3, 2020.” The music centers around the country are dying. New Orleans, Nashville and Austin are struggling to survive. Orchestras around the country are hurting. Pit and stage players are unemployed. The cruise industry is dead. Hotels are struggling. Tourism is struggling. Festivals are postponed until next year. There is no music business. The June edition of the International Musician, Official Journal Of The American Federation Of Musicians Of The United States And Canada said “Musicians practice a communal craft, and, currently, musicians are nearly 100% unemployed.” Everyone of us lost gigs at the start of the pandemic and many of those gigs aren’t coming back.
In his insightful opinion piece “The Future of Music in the Face of Covid-19,” from May 12th, Phil the Tremelo King had this to say, “Streaming took away our ability to sell recorded music, and Corona took away our ability to gig and tour for God knows how long. So, strictly speaking, we have lost all our streams of income. We have to rethink the entire industry.” http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2020/05/12/opinion-the-future-of-music-in-the-face-of-covid-19/
As the AFM states, we are living in a new reality. That reality is virtual.
One of the best pieces of advice that I have seen, heard or read about comes from a Taxi TV interview with Steven Memel. If you are considering streaming your songs I advise you to watch it. Here is the link to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJFbsnrR4jc&feature=youtu.be
“Steven gives you pro tips about:
How long your concerts should be
How many songs you should do
What kind of songs you should do
How much banter there should be and what your banter should be about
Lighting
Camera angles and blocking your shots
What you should do about makeup and your wardrobe
Your audio
How to be more engaging (don't just stand there!)
Using your concerts as a marketing tool, and most importantly…
How to be innovative!”
I really urge you to watch it if you are considering performing virtually.
Before I sign off let me tell you something that I have been doing. I have started the Artist’s Way Program. I am doing it with an eye to facilitating an artist’s circle based on the program. Here’s a link to tell you what it’s about should you consider joining me in the future.
https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/
I am feeling very enthusiastic about it!
And finally this Thursday, Sept 23 is the deadline for The International Songwriting Competition. Maybe one of you has a song ready to go.
https://songwritingcompetition.com/submit/cp-isc2020-regdl
Stay safe all of you.
ISG Bulletin Board
Meeting space graciously provided by Central Florida Musicians Association,
Local 389. You are invited to join the largest union in the world, representing the
interests of the professional musician. Visit their website at afm389.org for more
information. You may reach them by phone at: 407-894-8666.
Why isn't your gig or live stream announced here? Members in good standing call SusieCool
with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153 or e-mail her the details at isgorlando@gmail.com
If you are interested in open mics in the Central Florida area, SusieCool has compiled a list.
https://sites.google.com/site/susiecoolsongs/Home/open-mic-directory-central-florida
SusieCool is the admin for a Facebook group called "Orlando Creative Music Network"
where we give out info on songwriter meetings, playing circles, open mics, workshops and concerts.
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
No Critique scores for September, since no live meeting.
New members and guests always welcome!
© 2020 ISG