February 2011
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 16, No. 2
NEXT MEETING 4:00pm Sunday, February 6th, 2011
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 382-9942
Vice President/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, campkittycat@gmail.com
Membership
Susan Foster-Trewick, susiecool2001@yahoo.com
Newsletter
Jeff Mason, jeffrey_mason@me.com
Matthew Campbell, matthew_sax77@yahoo.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
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,
Matt here. Russ asked me to fill in for him this month.
For those of you who missed it, we had a great time in our group visit with Russ. As you know, Russ has been unable to be at the last several ISG meetings, so we decided it was time to “take the mountain to Mohammed”. We had a great turnout; thanks to all of you who were able to join us. And I have to thank Jenny Baugh for setting it all up for us.
Russ was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy himself. We sat around chatting for a while, then played some music. Matthew Campbell got us started with a fun song he and I co-wrote for the occasion called “Stop Showing Off, Russ!” Then Asli Goncer , Susie Cool, Jeri Simpson , and I sang a few of our other songs. Some snacks were eaten, some pics were taken, and a good time was (hopefully) had by all.
On another note, we’ve been trying to decide what to do about the February meeting, which as usual is against the Super Bowl. We’ve been given permission by the union to move it up to 4:00 in the afternoon. I hope you are able to make it, and try to be on time so we can get started.
See you then. J
Matt (for Russ)
Deadlines and Friendly Competition
By Jeff Mason
In this article I’d like to talk about the importance of deadlines. Having to compose a song by a certain time and within the confines of stylistic criteria will force us to become better writers. It imposes a discipline on us.
George Martin talked about the writing process employed by Lennon and McCartney. Imagine two people pulling on a rope, smiling at each other and pulling all the time with all their might. The tension between the two of them made for a bond. I’d say it was a creative bond. One day Paul would bring a song in and the next day John would bring one in, not to be outdone. It was a friendly competition between them. I’d also guess that sometimes it wasn’t so friendly.
The Brill Building at 1619 Broadway in New York was built in 1931. It was named after the Brill brothers who owned a clothing shop in the building and later bought it. During the Depression, times were tough and the owners were forced to rent space to music publishers. By 1962 there were 165 music businesses in the building. One company was Aldon Music owned by Don Kirshner. He was involved in the careers of Bobby Darin and Connie Francis, among others.
It is here in the Brill Building in the 1960’s that we can witness the power of having to write to a deadline. It was a world of cubicles, little cubby holes with a piano and a bench. In these cubicles a lyricist and a composer would crank out pop songs. In the next cubicle were two other writers hard at work. Aldon Music had 18 songwriters on staff and Kirshner played them against each other. Remember that friendly competition that I spoke of earlier! In the Brill Building you could write your song, shop it to one of the many publishers in the building, get an arrangement and lead sheet made, get a demo made, and get feedback from all the other talented writers in the building. It was a songwriting factory.
Aldon Music had three star writing teams: Carole King and her husband Gerry Goffin, Neal Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, and another husband and wife team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Google these names and see how many hit songs come up. Google the Brill Building and look at the songwriting names you’ll see.
The point I’m trying to make is that deadlines and competitive songwriting partnerships help us to focus and hone our skills. Try to set deadlines for yourself. A song a month, a song a week, a song a day! I should be so lucky to have the time! Enter a songwriting competition and work towards that deadline. Write with another person and challenge each other. I’ll see you next month, Jeff.
ISG Bulletin Board
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.
Matthew “Sax” Campbell open mics and gigs:
- Acoustic Open Mic Night, 1st Thurs each month 9pm-12am, hosted by Matthew “Sax” Campbell, House of Beer, 13526 Village Park Dr, Suites 208&210, Hunter’s Creek (Orlando), www.hobflorida.com . All ages with parental supervision until 10pm, 21 and up after 10pm; no drum sets plz, small 1-spkr amps OK, all musical styles welcome, clean language till 10pm (no exceptions), non-smoking inside, full PA and 6 string acoustic and bass amp provided.
- Thirdsday Acoustic Open Mic, 3rd Thurs each month 8:30pm-11:30pm, hosted by Matthew “Sax” Campbell, City Centre, 14 E. Dakin Ave, Kissimmee . All ages w/parental supervision, no drum sets plz, all musical styles welcome, no bad language plz, full PA and 6 string acoustic provided, weather permitting. If it looks like rain, we’ll be inside 3 Sisters having “Open Acoustic Guitar Night” with no mics or amps.
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays and Saturdays at 6pm, 444 S. Hunt Club Blvd , Apopka , FL 407-774-0402
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
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 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) Buffalo by Jeri Simpson
(2) I Can’t Get Over You by Will Campbell
(3) Anyway by Asli Goncer and Nelson Dean
© 2011 ISG