June 2001
Guild Tidings
The official Publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 6, No. 6
NEXT MEETING: 5:00 P.M.Sunday June 3rd 2001
Meetings are held the first Sunday of each month at 5:00 P.M. The location is 3020 E Robinson St., Orlando, Florida. (The American Federation of Musicians Union Building)
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Co-Vice President/ Member Reception
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Web Consultant
Asli Walker (407) 359-0506
President’s Letter
Dear Members,
June is bursting out all over and so is the International Songwriter's Guild (with songs). I'm really excited about some of the ones I'm hearing on the phone. We've got several new members with lots of talent.
This has been a busy month for me. I was asked to play for Perry Como's funeral and that was quite an experience. I'll tell you about it at the meeting if you ask.
My friend, Bob Luft, attended our May 6th meeting. I'm glad to have him back. He stays very busy as a pianist and organist at Disney. He was elated with the Guild's original songs. I think this inspired him to want to come back.
Bob invited me to Peter Scott's club Tuesday evening. A good friend of his, Kathleen Kane, was singing there and I really enjoyed her. She will be coming to the meeting Sunday with Bob and bring some of her original songs. I think she plans to join the Guild too. The two of them accepted the two guest tickets I brought and offered to someone wanting to attend an affair in Nashville for songwriters sponsored by recording companies, publishers, and name singers. Bob called the head of the group and they scheduled him to be heard on stage with Kathleen.
We'll get a report by meeting time. They will have been and returned by then.
I'm still expecting more songs from you re: the "15 little words"-get busy and let us hear what you've put together.
See you Sunday.
Russ Robinson
Why I Like the ISG
by Matt Griffin
Web Chatter
by Susan Foster-Trewick
cybertoad2000@yahoo.com
Hi folks. I am pleased to announce the results of the 2000 evaluations. Congrats to all.
1st Place (one years membership)
Sharon Conway - Happy New Year Blues
2nd Place (6 months membership)
Bill Frank - High Maintenance
3rd Place (3 months membership)
John Fales - My friend Jesus
Rusty Gordon will be here Sunday June 3rd for a workshop and a seminar. Rusty is Director of Rustron-Whimsong Music Productions and Publishing, branch office West Palm Beach.
Phone (561) 686-1354, E-mail "gordon-whims@juno.com".
Noon to 2:00pm. Songwriter Performance Workshop
This covers... Stage Presence, Stage Dynamics, Song Stying, Song Delivery, Body Language, Acting, Humor, Eye Contact, Stories, Handling Distractions, Appearance, Style & Audience Psychology. Cost is $35.
2:30 to 4:00pm. Seminar: Learn to be Administrator and Owner of your own Publishing & Independent Recording Company.
This covers... All Forms and Contracts, Marketing/Promotion, Public Relations, Producer/Production, DBA, Small Business/Corporation, Tax Shelter, the Books/Directories/Guides of the Music World, Grooming Songwriters and Performers/Singers, Technicians/Arrangers, Concerts and Tours. Cost is $15 (checks payable to Davilyn Whims).
The workshop and seminar will be held at the Central Florida Musicians Association Union Hall in Orlando, 3020 E. Robinson St. (prior to ISG meeting at 5:00pm).
OK, I admit it: I'm biased. Probably no one will be impressed by an article singing the praises of a group, written by its vice president. I don't care!
I'd be the first to admit that our guild isn't perfect. Like any organization where people are actually interacting and actively offering opinions, we have our share of disagreements. Feelings get hurt, members come and go, and mistakes are made. My contention is simply that the good far outweighs the bad. Here, in no special order, are the things I think we do really well:
(1) Critiquing. I think our monthly critique sessions are first-rate. We routinely give and get encouragement and honest criticism, things every writer needs. It's great to have a place to take a new song and get some more-or-less unbiased feedback.
(2) Information dissemination. Both the newsletter and our monthly meetings provide the kind on information that new and experienced writers can use. We hear songwriting tips, music business advice, and occasionally even word of specific writing opportunities (a publisher looking for a song on a particular topic, for instance).
(3) Networking. Writers get tips from other writers. Lyricists hook up with composers, vocalists and musicians with demo-needing writers. And sometimes writers hook up with publishers and performers.
(4) Supporting each other. My goodness, people helping each other? What a concept. At times the ISG seems almost like a support group ("My name's Matt Griffin, and I'm…I'm a songwriter <sniff>"). Lord knows we all need the support!
And it's a bargain, when you think about how much we do. $35 a year is almost embarrassingly low (in truth, we don't cover our expenses most years; Russ makes up the difference). Other area groups charge a lot more. I think the NSAI now gets $100 annually, and the Casements charge a similar annual fee. Don't get me wrong, these are good groups; I just think we get a lot more for our money.
I really like the upbeat attitude we bring to our meetings. And that starts at the top: I don't think Russ gets the credit he deserves for running such a loose, helpful group. He's graciously given a lot of his time (and money) to keep the Guild alive and thriving for more than 20 years.
So the next time you talk to Russ, thank him. And tell him I put you up to it!
ISG Bulletin Board
Where's your next gig? Please let us know, so we can publish it here!
Paul Vernon appears Fridays and Saturdays on the patio at Jungle Jim's in Lake Buena Vista (in the Cross Roads Shopping Center) from 6:30 to 10:30 PM.
On Memorial Day (May 28th), Paul will perform by the Patio Bar at the Hilton Grande Vacation near Sea World from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Seven and Laura Richards appear regularly in the area. Call them at (407) 322-1731 for schedule info
The ISG is looking for a new Member Receptionist. We need a member who is personable and attends most meetings. The Receptionist welcomes people to the meetings, passes out critique and lyric sheets, and makes sure everyone signs in. Duties outside of the meetings are light; mostly, the individual needs to reproduce forms (sign-in sheets, critique sheets). Interested ISG members should contact Russ or Matt.
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 you can E-mail him at griffinmc@netzero.net. Please keep your articles brief.
Classified advertising may be placed free of charge to members in good standing in the ISG. For more information on display advertising and/or classified advertising for non-members, please call Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
or e-mail: griffinmc@netzero.net
“DUES CLUES”
We are trying to keep better track of dues payments. You will notice that your mailing label has a date in the top right hand corner. This represents the date that we have a record of your last payment. As Russ has mentioned, this needs to be updated, so if you see ?? Or an incorrect date on your label, please let us know so we can correct it, and if the Date is more than a year old, then our “Dues Clues” will tell you it’s time to send that check to Russ again!!! (If you see “Guest” written there, it means that this is one of a few complimentary issues we are sending you since your visit with us. This will give you an opportunity to see what we are all about, and decide whether you want to join our Guild.)
Welcome New member: Kymberly Brunson
May
TOP FIVE WINNERS
Of last month’s Evaluation Session
(Members only)
(1) We Knew You When Paul Vernon
(2) Jean Claude and I Jeff Mason
(3) Only You and the Darkness Jordan Michiels
(4) Everybody Knows Michael MacMillan
(5) Father Hide Me Evelyn Nelson
© 2001 ISG