February 2008
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 13, No. 2
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, February 3rd, 2008
No Super Bowl Party; ISG meeting as usual
Apologies, folks! At last month’s meeting, we talked about having a Super Bowl party instead of a February meeting. But Russ and Matt couldn’t come up with a suitable location for such a party. So instead, we’ll be meeting at the Musicians’ Union building as usual. Spread the word!
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Fain, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Archives
Barbara Ross (407) 862-2795
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,
Your friend Russ has come up with a unique, romantic idea. I have written lyrics to a song I call “My Valentine”. And we are going to compose the music as a group at the meeting. My idea is for everyone that can do so to bring a tape recorder and a blank tape. We’ll try to put together a song and tape it for you to take home and give to your sweetie, spouse, or lover.
Why don’t all of you also put ideas on paper? Structure it as a lyric that could be made into a romantic love song. Wouldn’t it be fun and interesting to trade ideas like this at the meeting? I really want everyone to contribute.
I do have some sad news. Former ISG member Pat Blair died of an illness; I think she was 65. Pat was a fine songwriter, singer, and guitarist. We certainly offer our condolences to her family and friends.
I’m looking forward to seeing all of you on Sunday.
Russ
A House Full of Music
By Matt Griffin
I’m writing this article to music, specifically my daughter’s. Brooke is studying piano, and doing very well I might add. Right now she’s playing a lovely piece that she’s going to be performing at a competition next month. My musical wunderkind also plays French horn in her high school performance band, and the mellophone in the marching band.
So what does that mean to me, other than that I’m a very proud papa? It means that my house is full of music! Sometimes she seems to be playing something almost day and night. Yes, it can be annoying at times. Brooke has a habit of responding to a mistake be playing an angry note (on horn) or chord (on piano). Actually it’s kind of funny, and really not a bad way for a kid to express frustration. But more often than not, my wife and I get to hear something really nice. What a great gift for a child to give a music-loving parent!
Brooke’s playing inspired me to write something for her. I have an old song called “When Should I Call It ‘Love’?” that just never worked as a song; the lyrics never seemed to come together, and the vocal range of the melody is almost two full octaves. So I punted and turned it into a piano piece, my first instrumental. It’s not Chopin, but it’s not bad!
Inspiration happens wherever you find it. But for a songwriter, I suspect it happens more often if there’s lots of music in your life. Of course, one way to achieve that is to turn on the radio. Or listen to your favorite tapes or CDs or MP3s. Inevitably, we all tend to write what we’re hearing. If you want to write pop music, it makes sense to listen to pop radio as much as you can. If you spend time listening to the Beatles like some aging songwriters (can’t think of anyone who matches that description, can you?), you’ll start writing songs that sound rather Beatlesque.
And if you hear a lot of piano music, maybe you’ll find yourself writing for the piano. J
ISG Bulletin Board
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!
January’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) My Friend Jane by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
(2) Within My Heart by William Hammond
(3) Still Don’t Know What We’re Fighting For by Kent Trewick and Susan Foster-Trewick
(4) Bottom Feeder (The Wrong Man) by Bob Witmer
© 2008 ISG