January 2018
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 23, No. 1
Next Meeting Sunday January 7th 5:00pm.
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every
month at the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson St.,
Orlando, FL 32803 (at the extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive
Airport)
Songwriters, composers, performers, publishers, and the curious are encouraged to
join us. Non-members are invited to attend a meeting or two to get a feel for our
group and what we do. If you wish to join, there is an annual fee of only $5. For
more information, visit our website at www.tinyurl.com/isgsongs or myspace page at
The meetings will be structured as follows: 5:00 to 5:30, business and
introductions. 5:30 to 6:00, presentation by a guest speaker (when scheduled), 5:30
or 6:00 to 8:00, song critiques. Please bring a CD or I-phone or mp3 player or
perform your song live, and bring 10 or more lyric sheets. If we have at least 5
songs by members who wish to be scored, and 6 members scoring, then we will have
them entered in the Monthly competition. Everyone is encouraged to write
constructive comments on the lyric sheets.
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
If you are ever interested in knowing what your musical genre is, here is a video by Robin Frederick
that tries to demystify it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV6qzSy4LAg
On another topic, I would like to recommend a new book written by Ari Herstand. It is called
"How to Make It in the New Music Business" you can find details of it at Ari's website https://www.ariherstand.com/
I have finished reading it, and it is packed with lots of detailed information for the independent singer/songwriter,
as well as being very entertaining.
Scars
by Jeff Mason
Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year but it’s not for everyone. For some folks it’s the loneliest
and saddest time of year. In writing this, I realize that I have stumbled on a good idea for a song. I know it’s an idea that
has been used before. “Please Come Home for Christmas” by Charles Browne is a song that springs to mind. It’s an idea
that could be used again.
Amongst the saddest moments of this year, I would venture to say, was the unexpected death of Tom Petty. It came
on the heels of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. I am happy that Jason Aldean has released a tribute cover of Petty’s
“I Won’t Back Down.” Aldean, who was unfortunate to be on stage at the time of the shooting, is donating all proceeds
to the victims of that event.
I have covered one or two Tom Petty songs. For a while I was covering a Traveling Wilburys song, “Handle Me with Care.”
I would not say I was his biggest fan but I must pay tribute. I found an interesting blog discussing writing.
It begins with a line from Tom’s song “Refugee.” “Somewhere, somehow, somebody must have kicked you around some.”
It goes on to describe an incident from Tom’s childhood when his father beat him. Tom’s pain was rooted in that event.
The article is a discussion on the “Method” approach to writing. Similar to a “Method” actor drawing on the painful moments
of his life, it is felt that the best writing comes from the writer drawing upon his own life’s experiences. You must be willing to
be vulnerable and “reveal your scars on the page.” To quote actress Shelly Winters “Act with your scars.” In a related link
there is a discussion about songwriters who had lost their mother early in life. The pain of that event being the fuel that pushed
them to success. “That would be Lennon and Paul McCartney, the guys in U2, Madonna, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin,
Sinead O’Connor—it becomes an incredible list if you look for it. And I said that to Bono once and he said, ‘It seems as if the
untold story of rock and roll is either your mother died or your father hated you. And if you’re lucky enough to have both there’s
no limit to what you can accomplish.” https://screenwritingfromiowa.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/the-untold-story-of-rock-and-roll/
Another link on this blog takes you to a 2006 concert performance by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It is in Gainesville,
Fl and celebrates a return home for Tom. Another link examines Tom’s Gainesville roots where he was born and raised.
“Eight musicians with musical roots in Gainesville in the ’60s and ’70s have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame: Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills and Nash; Buffalo Springfield), Don Felder and Bernie Leadon (the Eagles), and the original
lineup of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — Tom, Mike Campbell, Stan Lynch, Benmont Tench and Ron Blair. That’s a remarkable
showing for a small college town.”
https://screenwritingfromiowa.wordpress.com/2017/10/05/tom-petty-gainesville-florida/
Take a look at this blog. I think you will find it an invaluable resource for your songwriting.
I have played up in Gainesville a number of times and I am always aware of the musical talent that lives there.
Bo Diddley was one of the earliest rock musicians and had ties to the area. There is even a square named after him!
Another band with Gainesville roots is the punk rock band Against Me. The lead vocalist, guitarist and main writer,
Laura Jane Grace, writes from a vulnerable place. I found a very good interview with her where she discusses her career and
musical influences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFyFcZW3dUc
I will be heading up to Gainesville early next year. I will be listening to these musicians as I drive. See you next month.
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 announced here? Members in good standing
call SusieCool with your appearance schedule! 407-760-2153
If you want to join us at the Central Florida Folk song circle, please show up at
Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux at 3022 Corrine Drive on the last Wednesday of each month
from 6 to 8:30/9pm. The BBB has many delicious items on their menu, and also have some vegetarian stuff.
They also serve beer and wine. They have a Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Central-Florida-Folk-Song-Circle-139385302761066/
On January 17th we have a playing circle with the Finger style Guitar Group
in the Community room of the winter Park Library. This is usually on 3rd Wednesdays.
460 E. New England Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789. 6 to 8:30pm. Songwriters are welcome,
but we do try to play our fingerstyle songs and not use picks. In February and March, there will be a
change of date to the 2nd Wednesday (the 14th in both cases) then the rest of the year we go
back to 3rd Wednesdays. There is more info on the facebook group page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/228147620559285/?fref=nf
SusieCool is the organizer of a Meetup.com group called
"Orlando Creative Music Network" https://www.meetup.com/Orlando-Creative-Music-Network/
We have a Facebook page for this group if you want info.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/274152179716552/
Current members please send us your website info if you would like your site to be
listed in the ISG members page.
https://sites.google.com/site/isgsusiecool/home/links-and-recommended-reading/member-websites
December 2017 No Critique Results
We had 22 people at the Christmas party, and a good time was had by all.
New members always welcome!
© 2017 ISG