Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 29, No. 08
August 2024
Live meetings are Cancelled due to Corona-virus.
However, we will be having on-line Zoom meetings.
The next zoom feedback session will be Sunday August 4th at 5pm.
We will send details under a separate e-mail,
and an announcement on the Facebook group page.
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.
We are asking members to renew their dues for 2024. 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.
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/
Fallen Idols
by Jackie Mason
I recently discovered that one of my all time heroes had engaged in some nasty behavior. I am disappointed but he isn’t my first fallen hero and I’ve developed my own strategies for coping with these letdowns.
I remember when Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards was charged with possession of heroin with intent to traffic. That’s a serious charge and it could have carried a life sentence. It was 1978 in Toronto and a guy on the radio stated he would never listen to The Rolling Stones again.
This was because of the charge. I was bewildered. I just wanted to listen to the music.
Another of my fallen idols was the cyclist Lance Armstrong. I’d been inspired by his autobiography which was published in 2000,
“It’s Not About The Bike.” https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/523/its-not-about-the-bike It’s a truly inspiring
story covering his fight and recovery from a serious cancer to winning the Tour de France in 1999. Thirteen years later, in 2012, Lance
was stripped of his Tour de France titles. In 2013 Lance went on the Oprah Winfrey Show and admitted to using performance-enhancing
drugs. His fall from grace saddened me but, upon reflection, I don’t think his mistakes make less of his inspiring book. I’m also happy to
report that Lance is doing his best to redeem himself with his charitable endeavors in Austin, Texas.
https://www.mountbonnell.com/lances-austin/lance-armstrongs-redemption-journey
I found a blog by Tara Mohr, “On Disappointment With Your Heroes.” This helped me when I read this, “But the piece I want to talk about today is not that, but rather how we hold it when our heroes don’t live up to their message. And I particularly want to talk about the creatives we admire and put on a pedestal: the artists, writers, personal growth teachers, and other thought leaders. Here’s what I learned: their brilliant work does not exactly come from them.” Ms Mohr has this to say “the work comes through them, from something larger and better and brighter – collective intelligence or the creative spirit or the Truth – whatever you want to name it. Their creative contribution is not born of their minds and hearts, but it has chosen them to be its conduit.” This somewhat reminds me of “The Artists Way.” Where I believe Ms Mohr gets it right is this: “we confuse admiring the work with admiring the person.
” https://www.taramohr.com/tools-and-inspiration-for-playing-bigger/on-disappointment-with-heroes/
it's all food for thought. I’d prefer to forgive the fallen idol and love their creative work.
On a completely different subject the 50/90 song writing challenge started on July 4 and ends on Oct 1st.
The challenge is to write 50 songs in 90 days.
We are a couple of weeks behind but it can still be done. The challenge is presented by FAWM , the folks who run the 14 songs in February challenge.
The way I look at it is nothing ventured, nothing gained. Here’s a link to the web site. https://fiftyninety.fawm.org
It’s the middle of summer and the hot and hazy days are swamping us so why not try a challenge? There are lots of great prompts and ideas to kickstart your songwriting. For example “Get Lost: Write a song about being lost, or use the word “lost” in the title/hook.
Examples: “Lost Highway” (Hank Williams), “Can’t Find My Way Home” (Blind Faith”), “Lost in the Supermarket” (The Clash).”
Meanwhile I’m still pacing the hallways of The Song Motel in the seedier section of town. See you next month. Stay safe.
WebChatter
by CyberToad
SPECIAL GUEST FOR JULY
We had a visit from Luanne Hunt who is the newly appointed president
of the Ocala Chapter of the Florida Songwriters Association International, Inc.
They are a 501 (c) (3) Non–For–Profit and are dedicated to motivating and
educating both aspiring and professional songwriters throughout the State of
Florida and beyond. and hold workshops, songwriting camps, showcases, mixers,
podcasts, panels, awards ceremonies and they also have a scholarship fund.
Their official website is https://flsw.org/
and the Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/flswassociation
Luanne is a 30-year veteran songwriter with many hits. She reached
out because she is accepting online submissions from Florida-based
singer/songwriters to perform in her new showcase series for the
"Nashville Nights!" events, which are sponsored by Villagers for Veterans,
a longstanding 501(c)3 that raises money to provide severely wounded
veterans financial resources and housing.
Here are more details: https://luannehunt.com/nashville-nights
My adventures in AI
As a computer enthusiast (I call myself Cybertoad for a reason), I have been a bit late to the AI game.
I must admit that in the past week or so I have been flirting with AI, and finding some pretty scary/amazing/interesting results.
I admit that I don't have any solid info to share with you, but the two AI music creation companies I looked into are
suno.com and udio.com They both have free versions, where you get some credits to use each day, (50 for suno) and also
you get more features with their paid tiers. Both will allow you to input your own lyrics, and will build a musical song,
(or instrumental) based on what musical styles or moods you choose.
Another feature is that you can upload your own audio, but it's not available on the free version for udio yet.
Suno has recently upped their game by allowing free members to upload audio snippets (6 seconds to 1 min).
The vocals do sound AI, but it is certainly a very entertaining rabbit hole to explore.
Here is Jonny Keeley's take on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxYAtL0D50A
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 July, since no live meeting.
New members and guests are always welcome!
© 2024 ISG