February 2009
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 14, No. 2
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, February 1st, 2009
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
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 (at the extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport ) in Orlando .
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 or myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/internationalsongwritersguildorlando .
President's Letter
Dear Members,
In late January I start thinking
That Valentine Day is near
No matter how old we get
We think of someone dear
Fond memories of that someone
With love light in their eyes
Then on my cheeks, teardrops appear
But that is no surprise
With her eyes aglow and a beautiful smile
The memory is all like new
Now that she’s gone, love is still here
And I think this will always be true
When we meet again in heaven
I know she’ll be waiting for me
And I always keep this in mind
When temptation leaves me astray
I know we’ll be together again
I’m looking forward to that day
Once again she’ll be with me
Our love is here to stay
Anyone there want to put music to my poem to make a song out of it? Think about it, see you Sunday.
Russ
Change is Coming!
By Matt Griffin
As I write this, we’re a few days away from swearing in a new president. Unless you’ve been hibernating in an ice cave in Siberia , you know this one is a little different: ladies and gentlemen, I give you our first African-American president! I have to confess, I never thought it would happen in my lifetime. The idea of a black president was unfathomable even 25 or 30 years ago, yet here we are. What an amazing change, brought to you by the candidate who campaigned on the idea of change.
For those of you who vote Republican or “other”, rest assured that I’m not going to be waxing political. It just seems like a good time to think about change. I think many (most?) of us are a little scared of change. It’s pretty natural to get comfortable with the status quo. Personally, I get very frustrated with change for change’s sake; for example, why do the people who create Windows completely revamp the user interface with each new release? Sorry, I had to get that off my chest. :^)
If you’re interested in technology like me, change is almost a way of life. Think how quickly personal computers and cell phones and digital cameras went from novelty to mainstream to near necessity! You really have to be paying attention, or you find yourself using a device that no one supports anymore.
Music is changing too, and it’s not so easy to keep up with. We’d have to listen to music outside of our comfort zone, and who wants to do that? Most of us keep writing the same kind of songs we’ve always written, and I’m as guilty as anyone. Honestly, there’s a huge variety of music out there; shouldn’t we be stretching ourselves, at least a little?
Ever notice how easily teenagers adapt? I’d like to get a little of that “sure, I’ll give it a try” spirit back. Yes, change is challenging, but it’s also interesting; life without change is just plain boring. So let’s all try to write something a little different next time. Even if it doesn’t work out (as a song, I mean), we may learn something about our skills or about ourselves.
Dylan words are still relevant: “…for the times, they are a-changin’”. J
ISG Bulletin Board
Delivering high-quality FLASH streaming video! No matter what product or service you may be offering, the power of video can be impressive! In fact, flash video is the most effective way to deliver rich media on your website. Video grabs your visitor's interest more so than simply text and images, or even audio. Video keeps visitors on your site longer and often triggers a purchase! Video not only will enhance your marketing message, but it's also entertaining. Video is useful for demonstrating your product or service, as well as teaching, inspiring, and motivating your visitors to become a customer! So if you're holding out with a website that may look outdated or obsolete, you may be losing business. It's time to make a change. Visit my website at http://www.videosaysitall.com.. Thanks and call me anytime (352-326-4295)…Carlos Colon
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing At O'Keefe's Irish Pub, Fridays from 5pm, musicians welcome!
115 S. Rockingham Tavares, FL, 352-343-2157
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays and Saturdays at 6pm
444 S. Hunt Club Blvd , Apopka , FL 407 774 0402
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.
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) El Diablo Woman by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
(2) Too Show Off by Susan Foster-Trewick and Sandra Shelton
(3) Smokin Mirrors by Bob Witmer
(4) Sinkhole by Will Campbell
(5) I Feel Your Pain by Bob Witmer
© 2009 ISG