August 2008
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 13, No. 8
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, August 3rd, 2008
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Membership
Gilda Corrales (407) 327-5494
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. For more information, visit our website at www.isgorlando.org .
President's Letter
Dear Members,
I’m always a little slow catching up on reading things like magazine articles. In the September/October 2003 issue of American Songwriter, I was delighted and surprised to see an article called “Quick Tips for Songwriters on the Run”, with a long quote from our own Matt Griffin. Matt sent one of the editors of the magazine a couple of newsletters, and this quote was pulled from one of them. I’ll bring the article to the next meeting, but here’s the quote:
“Why write? Is it possible that we literally need to write? I believe that most of us do. People who are natural artists, writers, or creators of some variety truly need to let the creative juices flow. Stop them up, and somewhere the dam will spring a leak (not a good thing).”
American Songwriter magazine also does a bi-monthly lyric contest. You can pick up a copy of the magazine at the newsstand, or go to their website (www.americansongwriter.com) for details.
I should mention Matt one more time, because he and Will Campbell are going to give us a demonstration at the August meeting. They’re going to show us how to use the music software Band-in-a-Box. It should be interesting, and could prove helpful for those of you who are looking to produce music using a computer.
Looking forward to seeing all of you Sunday, August 3rd. Be sure and come to help me celebrate my birthday. I’d also like to plan a group trip to go out on a casino ship for an evening. Matt tells me that the Sterling lines closed, but there’s another called SunCruz that still goes out. Wouldn’t it be fun to go as a group?
Russ
A Collaboration Contract?
By Matt Griffin
Our own Susie Cool handed me a songwriter’s agreement form after last month’s meeting. A songwriters’ agreement is basically a collaboration contract, formally spelling out the business arrangement between two or more collaborating songwriters. This would include how any money made on the song would be divided; typically this would be an even split, but of course the actual percentages are up to the parties involved. A contract could apply to specific songs or all songs written together, and very often has an expiration date. There are a variety of forms available on-line, or you can draft your own if you like.
The basic question, of course, is this: do we really need a contract to co-write?
The experts say ‘yes’. And you can easily understand why: contracts are hard to enforce if they’re not in writing. Where money is involved, it’s best to have all of your understandings in writing. Once the agreement is written out, there won’t be any question should your song start earning its own keep at some point.
That said, I have yet to make a written agreement with any of my collaborators; all of my agreements are oral. And I bet most of you also have only oral agreements, if you’ve even talked about it at all. Certainly you and your co-writers should at least have that discussion; don’t just assume you’ll be splitting things evenly (or whatever).
I suppose the reason we’re comfortable without a written contract is that few of us are actually making money on our songs! My (naïve?) thinking is that I’ll worry about it then, when it looks as if there’s a chance that one of my collaborations will earn a few dollars. It’d be good to discuss this as a group, perhaps at the next meeting; I’d like to hear from other writers, whether you agree or not. Should we be signing written agreements with our co-writers?
Collaboration is a wonderful thing when you’re working with a co-writer that fits your style. Don’t let this kind of misunderstanding screw it up. At least have the conversation, and put it in writing if you feel it’s important. Good luck. J
ISG Bulletin Board
The services of Park Ave. CDs are available to local songwriters who want to sell their CDs. I have used their services for my 1st CD—Starling. This past week I left 5 copies of my second CD— Blue Star Highway (lyrics by Ester Starling, music by Mike Kondol).
There is no charge to you. They earn a modest commission from you on any sold. Location is 2916 Corrine Dr. , Winter Park , FL , phone 407-282-1616, web www.parkavecds.com. They are friendly and helpful; visit or call for details. Posted by ISG member Ester Starling.
Kitty Camp Pet Boarding—A loving, lakeside resort in Fruitland Park . Daily activities include: playtime, bird-watching, brushing, petting, purring, sunbathing, catnapping, and kitty’s favorite…mealtime! Daily/Weekly/Long Term, private rooms and suites available. 25% off weekly stay, FREE first night. Please call for details at 352-205-4284. Posted by ISG member Jackie Gould.
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing At O'Keefe's Irish Pub, Fridays & Saturdays from 5pm, musicians welcome!
115 S. Rockingham Tavares, FL, 352-343-2157
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays at 6pm
444 S. Hunt Club Blvd , Apopka , FL 407 774 0402
Lead Sheet preparation by Carlos Colon. A simple lead sheet contains the melody, lyrics and chord symbols. For more information, visit my website at www.cecoriginals.com and click on “Lead Sheets” at the top of the page. Website design also available. Use your website address in advertising. Newspapers, business cards, fliers, to name a few and let’s not forget the use of email. Send your link to potential clients. For more information, visit a few of my clients sites at http://www.ticopeach.net/clients.htm.
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.
We’re always looking for material for the newsletter. If you have any information that you would like to see added to the newsletter, please see Matt Griffin at the meetings or email him at isgorl@cfl.rr.com . Please keep your articles brief and to the point. Print deadline for the newsletter is approximately two weeks prior to the monthly meeting.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing with the ISG . For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Russ or Matt or email: isgorl@cfl.rr.com ..
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always! Just get your text to Matt by the print deadline (usually the Friday 16 days prior to the monthly meeting); email is best ( isgorl@cfl.rr.com ).
New members always welcome!
July’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Inopportune by Matt Griffin
(2) The Ways of a Lonely Man by Will Campbell
(3) Living Her Worst Nightmare by Stephen Desjardins and Susan Foster-Trewick
(4) I Never Saw a Rabbit Like That by Jeff Mason
(5)-tie Dumb Things by Bob Witmer
(5)-tie Prayer for Amanda by William Hammond
© 2008 ISG