January 2009
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 14, No. 1
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, January 4th, 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,
Well, here we are with a bright new year ahead of us. I’m excited, are you? Maybe it’s because of my advanced age, but I’ve witnessed more exciting celebrations than most of you. I look forward to this time of year.
Now, are you aware there isn’t one song I can think of associated with New Years? There are a couple of New Years Eve songs, but not about the New Year itself. Hey, doesn’t that give you an idea? Just think about it, if one of us could put such a song together and have a hit, wow! Wouldn’t that be the most? How about turning this idea into an original lyric? It might be fun to write one together at the meeting.
I’m still a bit tired from all of the running I’ve done to get ready for the holidays. I’m sure many of you know what I mean! I’m alone these days and, bless their hearts, some of my long-time friends see to it that I have fun too.
I did several piano engagements here recently. I guess my lifestyle has been funful when it comes to parties. Even though now, residing in Orlando , it’s not like it was in Hollywood (there it took me till Easter to get rested up!). But we did have a great Guild Christmas party, didn’t we? I enjoyed it very, very much.
I’m looking forward to seeing all of you Sunday. Maybe one of you can put your holiday excitement into song. In the meantime, take care and show up on January 4th with new ideas and perhaps some of your holiday experiences. Till then, take care.
Russ
Ideas for a New Year
By Matt Griffin
Just about every year at this time, I like to write about looking ahead. New Years has that affect on people; December 31st we look back, and January 1st we look forward. I can’t help but wonder what the New Year will bring.
Like they say, hope springs eternal. And like many of you, I hope something big will happen with one of my songs. But at times, I’m like the long-unemployed fellow who doesn’t spend much time answering want ads or knocking on doors anymore. It can get discouraging, can’t it? But if you’re not even at the dance, you’ll never find someone to cha-cha with. I think it’s high time I dispensed with the annoying analogies, don’t you? :^)
My point, of course, is that no songwriter gets his or her songs heard by sitting at home. Now it certainly helps that we present our material at the ISG; we get useful criticism, and sometimes do make useful contacts that help in our efforts. But that’s probably not enough. So what else to do? Actually there are a number of options, depending on how well-off and/or bold and/or persistent and/or musically talented you are. I list these suggestions in no particular order; I’m sure you can think of more.
(1) Find a publisher. The traditional method still works occasionally. Take or send him/her your best songs, done with the best demo recordings you can afford. Not every publisher can help you, so try to shop around. Read any offered contract carefully or, better, hire a lawyer to do it.
(2) Play open mikes, writer’s engagements, or gigs. Many of our performing writers are doing this all the time. This is an inexpensive but time-consuming method, for those of you who have performance skills. And if you don’t…
(3) Collaborate with a performer. Why not? Perhaps it’s a bit like marrying for money. But if you also co-write with non-performers, it will look less obvious. ;^)
(4) Sing at your church, or find someone who can sing at theirs. Of course, this option is only available to those who write music appropriate to some form of worship. If you belong to a church or can swing it through someone who does, this is a great way to get your songs heard.
(5) Post your music on-line. This technique is available to anyone who can operate a computer and get on the internet. If you don’t have a computer, go to the library and use theirs. Many websites exist that allow or even encourage such postings. If you network on-line (using sites like myspace.com), it will give people a way to get to your songs.
(6) Call, mail, or email performers. Here’s where having a little gall helps; an internet connection is also helpful, though not essential. Do a little research, find a mail or email address or phone number for the performer you think should be singing your song, and attempt to contact them. It doesn’t often work, but persistence sometimes gets results. Contacting someone connected with the performer (publisher, producer, recording company rep) is almost as good.
(7) Attend songwriter’s seminars. Such seminars are helpful and informative on their own, but have a useful side effect: you typically meet someone in the industry. Networking helps, especially if the presenter likes your song or songs.
(8) Contact company marketing people. This is a fun suggestion for someone with an advertising-appropriate song or jingle. If you have a clever song about clean or dirty mouths (or want to write one!), the folks that market Scope or Listerine may well be interested. Have a terrific love song? Perhaps you could write Hallmark or a jeweler. Get the idea?
If you have more suggestions for how to get your songs out there, see me at the January meeting or email me at isgorl@cfl.rr.com. I’ll reprint the best ideas in next month’s newsletter.
Good luck, and put a little action behind your hope. J
ISG Bulletin Board
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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.
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.
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!
December’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
Xmas party, no critiques this month!
© 2009 ISG