July 2005
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 10, No. 7
NEXT MEETING 5:00pm Sunday, July 3rd, 2005
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 .
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Fain, crosstyes1@yahoo.com
Membership
Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 760-2153
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Archives
Barbara Ross (407) 862-2795
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Our next meeting coming up on July 3rd, and the 4th is one of our popular holidays. Some of you, I’m sure, will no doubt be on vacation or taking advantage of the long weekend. Don’t forget the meeting, however. I’m looking forward to seeing you.
I’d like to make plans for a group of us to go on an outing. Some of you have joined me before aboard the free Sterling cruise ship out of Cape Canaveral. A bus picks us up here in Orlando, there’s no cost round-trip, and we go out on an interesting trip on a beautiful boat. There are slot machines and gambling tables; I usually spend $2 or $3 worth of nickels on slots. I’m not a gambler but rather enjoy the food and fine entertainment at no cost. We’ll talk at the meeting.
We’ve had some really good songs from members lately. I hope you’ll bring your latest Sunday. If you’re not there, it will be because you’re doing something for the 4th weekend. Take care and find some time to think about writing a song even if you can’t make the meeting. Over the years I find I’ve written some of my best while driving my car! If you can do this, have a pen and paper handy to at least remember the words. If you’re not alone, maybe you can get some help from your rider.
Let’s hope we have nice weather over the holidays. I think we’ve had enough rain for a while. I’ll be looking for you.
Take care,
Russ
“Inspiration Comes Standard”
By Matt Griffin
“Inspiration Comes Standard” is a slogan of a popular automobile manufacturer. The idea, of course, is that builder’s cars are full of design innovations. Whether they truly are or not…well, it’s an advertising slogan; you’ll have to judge for yourself!
My interest is that the slogan could also describe us as humans. Inspiration really does seem to come as a standard feature, a built-in component of our genetic makeup. We all seem capable of some variation of it. I’d take it further; I think life is a series of inspirations large and small, every day. From the little ideas you have first thing in the morning—how to plan the day, what to wear, which cereal to pour into the bowl—to the big ideas we (hopefully) have as songwriters, each day is a ride on a wave of inspirations.
In a sense, you can think of any creative endeavor as an exercise in inspiration management. We must have the inspiration, recognize it for what it is, and then figure out how to utilize it. Each of those three pieces is a different skill or talent. Having the inspiration in the first place, in my opinion, happens all the time. Recognizing an inspiration, however, is harder than it appears. We all discard or ignore ideas all the time; have to, or we couldn’t get through the day without severe brain overload. Somehow, we need to spot the good ideas and catch them before they slip away. The third piece of the puzzle, putting inspiration to work in a song, is the part we spend the most time studying and practicing.
I suspect that most people believe that the best songwriters (or artists or poets or creative folk of any ilk) have the best inspirations, but I’m not so sure. Perhaps they come up with the greatest ideas, or perhaps they are just the best at recognizing a great idea when it comes along. I’d like to optimistically buy into the latter notion. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but I’d like to believe that we all have great ideas occasionally. With some work and some luck, maybe we can train ourselves to recognize that greatness, the greatness in ourselves. Isn’t that what we all want?
OK, sounds great, but how? I believe it’s a matter of writing and studying, writing and studying. Keep writing, but invite new ideas by reading or perhaps taking a music-related class. Listen closely to your fellow composers and their songs. I think it especially helps to learn how other writers get their ideas. Recognition of worthwhile ideas ought to come naturally, just by repetition.
If inspiration really does come standard, we all just need to be ready for it!
ISG Bulletin Board
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 “Services” 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.websandresumes.com/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 ).
Welcome new member Vondell Bradwell!
June Top Four—Results of monthly critique session
(1) I Won’t Stay Here and Cry by Susan Foster-Trewick and Kent Trewick
(2) No Drama by Kristen Bruno
(3) From My Heart to Yours by Evelyn Nelson
(4) Rags by Emil Ernyey
© 2005 ISG