February 2002
Guild Tidings
The official Publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 7, No. 2
NEXT MEETING 5:00 PM Sunday, February, 2002
The International Songwriter's Guild meets the first
Sunday of every month at the Central Florida
Musician's Union building at 3020 East Robinson (at
the extreme east end of Robinson less than a block
from Herndon 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.
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Evelyn Nelson (863) 644-8699
Membership
Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 679-4017
Web Consultant
Asli Walker (407) 359-0506
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Hey, with some of this cold weather we've been having, it's a good time to stay in, keep warm, and write songs! That's what I've been doing. It helps, too, when you find someone with a good voice. The laureate I'm referring to is the male voice, Jason Carey, I introduced on stage at the Beardall Christmas show. I hope he will be at the meeting Sunday so you can hear him.
Those of you at last meeting like myself were elated having Kim Morrissey, president of C.S.M. Music Inc. This talented man will be an asset to our guild, I think. He promises to help out members and will take time to discuss your ideas. He plans to be at Sunday's meeting.
We are also losing one of our best writers, singers, and musicians this month; member Rose Marston is moving to Los Angeles and will be a member of the songwriter's guild there. She promises to keep in touch. We wish her the best. I just had a call from member Jeff Mason, who was so excited it took me a while to understand his call. He just signed a contract with Disney and, by the time you read this, he will be appearing on stage in Tokyo, Japan. He will be missed here, too.
We lose two of our members but at the same time Kim Morrissey comes in. The constant infusion of fresh talent and ideas is one of the things that keep our group interesting.
Thanks to Lou Hefferman, managing editor of American Songwriter magazine. We have coverage and a photo in the magazine celebrating our 25th anniversary. I have applications for those of you who may want to subscribe to this fine publication.
All of you bring in your latest musical endeavors and let us critique them. We have some good musicians and singers so if you need such, call and I'll try to help you.
See you Sunday. Keep warm!
Best ever,
Best ever,
Russ Robinson
Working with Titles
by Matt Griffin
It's hard to overstate the importance of having a good title for your new song. Ideally, the title mates with a clever musical phrase to form the hook that forces the listener to remember, whether he or she wants to or not!
I'm not one of those writers who believe it's essential to start every songwriting effort with a strong title. Many songsmiths, however, will not compose songs any other way, and it is certainly a proven method: find a memorable title and then write to it. But even if you don't start with a title-say, a co-writer hands you a nice melody-by the time you're done, the well-written song should sound as if it's been built around the title.
Where can you find titles? Just about everywhere, if you're paying attention. Take time to read the newspaper on Sunday morning; lots of songwriters have composed interesting works based on articles or just ideas they found in the written word. Why not read a novel with title-hunting in mind? Recently I picked up a collection of Shakespeare's works off a bookstore bargain table. Shakespeare's words are lyrical and colorful, just the kind of food for thought a writer needs.
Really, any popular media can be a good source of ideas. Certainly movies and TV shows have inspired song titles for generations. Internet, billboards, radio? Why not! Remember that titles cannot be copyrighted, so you can even write a song to someone else's title if you wish (song title, book title, movie title). Just remember that, if you write a new song to a title you heard at the ISG, you may have to face that writer at the next meeting.
Many, many titles have been constructed from popular sayings and phrases, either whole or in part ("Leather and Lace", "Eight Days a Week", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered", "Larger Than Life"). Sometimes a writer will throw a twist in and change a word of a well-known idiom ("Two Hearts are Better Than One"). There are lots of common sayings around begging for such a treatment, and every generation has new ones. My 9-year-old daughter likes to say "That's gotta hurt!" so I have to write a song with that title one of these days.
Sometimes simple stupidity sells. I've always hated "Achy Breaky Heart", but the very silliness of the title seems to make it impossible to forget. Nonsense titles can work, too. The point is both simple and difficult: write a title so unusual or beautiful or idiotic or perverse or rhythmic that people will never forget it.
And then�repeat it in your song! Don't forget to use and reuse the title so that the listener has plenty of chances to get it. How many times did Paul McCartney write/sing "Let It Be" in his classic song? Next time you hear it, count them.
Next month we'll extend the topic to more specifics on title-building, including ideas on short titles and the use of time-honored techniques like alliteration.
Web Chatter
cybertoad2000@yahoo.com
We have some exciting late breaking news. Russ has lined up two shows for the ISG showcase on March 3rd and 10th at the Central Florida Fair. You have to be a fully paid up member to participate. Performing songwriters have been chosen for these events, and plans are underway.
The confirmed members are SusieCool, Lisa Firestone, Stephen Currence, Cyd Ward, Serina Jung, Asli Walker, Ron Rich, John Gallagher, Annabelle Wosgien, Jonathan Hodge, Bob Neace, and Art Cappuccio. We plan on putting on a high quality performance, and we're hoping that this will offer some good publicity for the guild. Russ is hoping to line some press up for this.
Performers will have free admission to the fairgrounds (usually $7) and we will be given tickets for friends and family. So we need to get a count from you at the meeting on Feb 3rd of how many tickets to ask for
.
I am proud to announce that Serina Jung has recently created her website.
You can find it at http://www.geocities.com/serinajung
It has been beautifully designed, and will keep you updated of her future gigs.
Stephen Currence has also been busy with his website for several months now, and is constantly showing us his creative side. He also has a new CD available. They are going like hotcakes!!!! check out http://www.geocities.com/stephencurrence
Kudos to Barbara Ross for videotaping the Christmas concert on her state-of-the-art camera. Thanks to her, several of the performers now have footage they can use for their resumes.
ISG Bulletin Board
Printing services for Guild Tidings are graciously provided by Printing USA, 4732 South Orange Blossom Trail (just south of Holden), Orlando. Phone: (407) 857-7468.
Just wanted to let you know that the certificates are ready for distribution. Please see Russ at the next meeting to pick them up if you placed in any of the monthly evaluations. Also we would like to put the first place winners on another compilation album, so please see Susan if your song placed first in the year 2001.
Saturday February 23rd at 7:30 pm SusieCool hosts an
"Evening at Stardust Video" with friends Asli Walker, Serina Jung, Adrian Stoney (Mr. Mystic), Stephen Currence, Michael Barry, with Mike Dale (percussion), Vick DeGiorgio (bass) and Stuart Hall (jokes, guitar, and mandolin as required)
Why isn�t your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
TEAC 3340S Professional tape recorder, �� reel to
reel, 4 tracks with simulsync, 7-1/2 inch and 15 inch
reels, $200. 321-452-2910 or email geosync@pan.com.
C.S.M. Music Inc.: Mr. Kim Morrissey has started a new company! He is looking for entertainers, artists, hot new original bands and songs to sell to major record companies! After 25 years experience in the music business, along with well known music attorney Ira Abrams, C.S.M. Music Inc. is producing industry standard packages for Mr. Abrams to represent to the record labels.
Upon invitation by SusieCool, Kim spoke to the Orlando chapter of the International Songwriters Guild about the true workings of the record industry. His talk was met with great enthusiasm as Russ Robinson offered Kim an honorary lifetime membership. Mr. Morrissey looks forward to being of assistance to the ISG.
Contact For Appt.: 407-862-0442 Fax: 407-660-1018
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 you can email him at
griffinmc@netzero.net.
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 in the ISG. For more
information on display advertising and/or
classified advertising for non-members, please call
Russ or Matt or email: griffinmc@netzero.net
Welcome new members Nancy Potter, Gerry Ralston, and Kim Morrissey.
January TOP FIVE
Winners of last month�s evaluation session
(members only)
(1) The Beat of a Different Love Bill Resimont
(2) Chubby Love John Gallagher
(3) Firemen's Song Gerry Ralston
(4) His Song Susan Foster-Trewick
(5) Ripples Rose Marston
� 2002 ISG