Embedded Files
September 2018
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 23, No. 9
Next Meeting Sunday September 2nd 5:00pm.
On September 2nd, we are looking forward to meeting with George York from YRS MIDI
George has owned and operated YRS MIDI Systems/Productions for
29 years. Providing expert design, consulting, tech support and
instruction; they remain unique and are exclusively specialized in
Computer/Digital/MIDI/Music Hardware and Software. In the studio
they specialize in composing, arranging and music production.
https://www.facebook.com/YRSMIDI/
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
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/
We would like to thank Judy Leonard for giving us a talk in August about the importance
of good vocal technique, and sharing her experiences in the music business.
Also like to welcome her as a new member, as well as Mic Michigan, and Katie Bennett.
(Thanks to Logan Belle at Full Sail University for referring Katie)
Web Chatter
by Cybertoad
Here's an interesting tool for laying out the structure of a song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XjSVGFDieE Holistic Songwriting. Lyric Canvas
Sir Ray Davies and The Kinks
By Jeff Mason
The Kinks were banned from entering the USA from 1965 to 1969. I would argue that, if that hadn’t happened,
they might have been as big as The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. They certainly were trading hits with the other bands.
They were barred by The American Federation of Musicians. Here is how The Kink’s main songwriter Ray Davies explains it,
“The reason we got banned was a mixture of bad agency, bad management, bad luck, and bad behavior....
So we deserved everything we got. But it got lifted four years later. We literally signed a confession — it was a confessional.
We didn’t even read it.” They were young and probably not ready for fame. The manager literally left them high and dry in the
middle of the tour. They continued the tour without a manager. This is a good discussion on those unfortunate events.
Ray tells part of the story in his 2017 song “The Invaders.”
“They called us "The Invaders"
So we came from another world
And the man from immigration
Shouted out "hey punk, you a boy or a girl?"
"Hey tutti-frutti give us a kiss"
The custom man proclaimed
Cause the world as you knew it turned upside down
And things would never be the same
The day The Invaders came.” And Ray’s answer “I’m a girl and so’s my brother!”
I am kind of partial to this next verse as I feel a kinship with Ray. Having had similar experiences with the US Customs and Immigration.
“They called us illegal aliens,
As though we were punks
And as we walked through immigration
They heard me speak and shouted out “You wait!”
“Hey you buddy, get back in line”
“His eyes were filled with hate.”
That story was a harbinger of what was to come. They were off to a flying start! (Sarcasm.)
That four year ban turned out to be a double edged sword. On one hand they were hurt financially but on the other it forced Ray into a creative phase. The Kinks released a series of spell binding albums featuring Ray’s unique view of British society. The best of these
masterpieces were “The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society,” “Arthur(Or The Decline of the British Empire,”) “Lola Versus
Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One” and, for me, the jewel in the crown “Muswell Hillbillies.”
While The Beatles,The Who and even The Small Faces released concept albums, Ray’s wonderful writing skills were perfect for that medium. Ray has spoken about his father’s positive influence on his music. Coming from a family with six older sisters, he and his young brother, Dave, were influenced by their musical taste. Ray says he writes his songs with his father in mind.
In 1970 the band returned to America with the triumphant hit “Lola” and became a huge arena band. They built their own Konk studio in London with a million dollar advance from RCA for five albums. The band gave their last public performance in 1996. They have continuedto work on solo projects. In 1990 they were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Graham Nash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8X29_uV5-Q&list=RDh8X29_uV5-Q&index=1 Part 2 is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o97SEYHdKnM&list=RDh8X29_uV5-Q&index=2 Surely one of the most irreverent inductions ever!
In 2006, Ray received a Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. He was inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. He was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by the Queen in 2004. He was Knighted by Prince Charles in 2017. Arise Sir Raymond and how wonderful is this for a man who was banned from the USA in 1965!
Since the breakup of the band, Ray has stayed busy. He’s written books and plays and released five solo albums. ”The Storyteller” is a fine look back at his family’s musical roots. In his last two albums “Americana”(2017) and “Our Country: Americana Act II” (2018) he examines his roots in American Rhythm and Blues and Country. In 2004 Ray was shot in New Orleans. This harrowing experience must have impacted his relationship with the USA.
He still finds the time to teach an annual Songwriting Course at The Arvon Foundation. You can find a link to that on Facebook. You may ask, “Why should I listen to Ray Davies?” Well, I think you’ll enjoy listening to his back catalog. He seems to always provide great interviews which can be easily found with a Google search. Ray and Dave keep talking about a Kinks reunion. They are both in their seventies. I hope they do it soon!
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
Past member Connie McLeod (Blackwood) has been busy at work on a new CD.
It is called "Rough Cuts From the Castle". Details are at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/458933501281425/?notif_t=plan_user_invited¬if_id=1532178822862582
“Jane Gang Unleashed” T-Shirts Only $15!
Show everyone you are part of the Gang by sporting your Jane Approved
(because it is all about her) T-shirt! Join the Gang and help us fund
recording a Jane Gang Unleashed CD! Extra donations to help the “JGU CD Fund”
are always welcome! Please e-mail JaneGangUnleashed@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/janegangunleashed/jane_tmerch for pictures.
Jane Gang Unleashed will have a featured slot at the Copper Rocket open mic
Tuesday September 18th. They should be playing a set sometime between 9:30 and 10:30.
106 Lake Ave., Maitland, FL 32751. This is a very popular open mic, so if you want to sign up
to play, the list goes up at 7:30. https://www.facebook.com/events/493406357750777/
Host Ben Gardner came to give us a talk a while ago, and he is CEO/founder of orlandobands.com
https://www.facebook.com/orlandobandsfanpage/
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
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 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 September 19th we have a playing circle with the Fingerstyle Guitar Group
in the Community room of the winter Park Library.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. There is more info on the facebook group page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/228147620559285/?fref=nf
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/
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
August 2018 Critique Results:
1. Just What I See BJ Orbase 17.00
2. Wave Mic Michigan 15.33
3. Little Debts BJ Orbase 15.20
New members always welcome!
© 2018 ISG
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse