October 2021
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 26, No. 10
Live meetings are Cancelled due to CoronaVirus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
We expect it to be scheduled for Sunday October 3rd at 5pm.
If you want the zoom meeting details, please e-mail us
at isgorlando@gmail.com
Hopefully we will soon be meeting in person again.
Please stay tuned for more info.
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
We have been forgetting to ask members to renew their dues. It costs only $5 per year, and it
helps us to defray costs for the zoom meetings.
We have 2 methods of payment. Either paypal to our treasurer Asli Goncer's paypal account.
The paypal access is at aslivision@gmail.com
or you can mail a $5 check to
Asli Goncer
2849 Babylon Court
Oviedo, FL 32765
Either way, we appreciate your continued support.
Mixed Bag
By Jackie Mason
At the end of last month’s article I was talking about Rodney Crowell. He’s been around for a while.
He’s a very good writer with strong roots in country and rock. His lyrics are interesting enough to cross
out of the country vibe. His web page biography describes it well.” With strong roots in country music,
Crowell has written chart-topping hits for the likes of Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings,
Keith Urban and more. But owing to the distinctly universal, literary quality of his writing, has also penned
beloved songs for artists as diverse as Bob Seger, Etta James, the Grateful Dead, John Denver, Jimmy
Buffett and countless others.” He was married to Rosanne Cash which means he’s related to country
royalty. I came late to this party. That’s not my first late arrival and it won’t be my last. It’s a good thing to
stumble over an older established artist because there’s a large back catalog to explore. Here’s an
interview from American Songwriter in which he talks about his latest album “Triage”, the inspiration
behind the title track and the effects of covid on his life. We also learn a new musical term “bedroom pop.”
So many of us are being forced to record in our bedroom as we navigate our new circumstances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQSBzqurovA
To cope with the pandemic, a million people across the UK have taken up playing an instrument. Music
lessons on line have grown 80% since the start of the pandemic, according to the UK’s largest retailer
Gear 4 Music. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58556770 I think it’s the same story in the USA.
I am seeing ads for music teachers in a lot of different places. It looks like I’ll have to grapple with another
long winter at home.
The title of this article refers to the fact that I have no particular theme and I have a collection of odd
items in my notes. I wrote about the American Songwriter competition last month. I really like their web page.
As I said last time, it’s a cool web page to explore. I discovered they have an informative podcast network.
It covers subjects like “Surviving in the Music Industry” and various approaches to “SongCraft.” This is the
link to that page. https://americansongwriter.com/american-songwriter-podcast-network/
Another songwriting competition is the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The deadline for the second
session is Dec 31st 2021, at $30.00 per song. The song of the year gets $20,000 and music gear. There are
other prizes for finalists. They say they aren’t concerned about recording quality but I’d take that with a grain
of salt. The webpage isn’t as in depth as the American Songwriter contest but still worth exploring. Follow my treasure hunt theory. Who knows what gold lies buried on that web page?
https://jlsc.com/prizes.php I found it informative to look at the judges and their credentials. I knew a few
names but most I didn’t. So it’s a reasonable way to get updated on the business.
In keeping with this month’s “mixed bag” approach I’d like to make you aware of a couple of songs that
already have interesting histories. The first song is “Tempted” first released in 1981 by British rock band
Squeeze. Wow! Forty years just slipped by! It was written by the Squeeze songwriting duo of Glen Tilbrook
and Chris Difford. It was produced by Elvis Costello and is a fine bit of British songwriting. I’d call it British
blue eyed soul! I hope that line doesn’t return to haunt me! I’ve never looked in their eyes. Obviously there
is a Beatlesque sound to the vocals. That comparison to the Beatles later came back to haunt them.
may read more about the song at Song Facts and hear it. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/squeeze/tempted
You can read more at American Songwriter and my reference to The Beatles.
https://americansongwriter.com/squeeze-tempted/
I came to the song through Richard Thompson’s very different version. It’s a tricky piece to play.
One of my favorite artists, when I was a teen, was Dave Berry. Dave didn’t score a lot of hits but when he
did it was usually very memorable. His version of The Crying Game still has something special about it.
Once more I will refer you to Song Facts where you can learn more about Dave and Geoff Stephens who
wrote the song. Especially check out the lead guitar of session maestro Big Jim Sullivan. It’s not hard to
learn. It’s a stretch vocally. From 1964
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/dave-berry/the-crying-game Then check out Boy George’s version for the
gender bending film of the same name. From 1992 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EPGhjxm0G0
Actually both versions were used in the movie.
See you again, from the Tower of Song. Stay safe.
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. Steve Hodak hosts several newly listed open mics on the East coast.
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 are always welcome!
© 2021 ISG