June 2008
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 13, No. 6
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, June 1st, 2008
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
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 .
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Once again it’s my time to remind you of our upcoming meeting, on Sunday June 1st. Goodness, how time flies! They tell me my age has caught up with me. I, in turn, can gladly answer by saying that I enjoy it. Advancing age isn’t so bad, and actually has some advantages. I may the oldest person in the world, but when my “public” asks me to play a few of my own compositions, these happy fingers of mine do their thing. Seriously, I’m blessed with a good memory.
About this time of the month, I always get calls from our Vice President / Newsletter Editor; he needs my current letter. I never have one ready! I purposely wait till the last minute in hopes I’ll have something big to tell everyone. In my mind, it always cheers me up thinking about seeing and hearing you folks at the meeting. I really look forward to hearing what you come up with. There’s lots of talent in our group. Now make me proud by bringing in your latest composition on Sunday.
Matt and I really enjoyed hearing some of Will Campbell’s original songs last month. Will is a long-time member of the ISG and one of our best writers. I wouldn’t mind hearing a song from him every month!
Practice up, friends!
Russ
On the Wings of Inspiration
By Matt Griffin
What is inspiration? Each of us as songwriters has learned in some sense to capture inspiration, in whatever form it comes to us. Maybe you hear melodies as you’re driving down the road. Or perhaps a clever title idea jumps out at you from a newspaper headline or a snippet of conversation. Or your fingers happen upon a juicy chord progression as you’re playing at a keyboard. But the question remains unanswered: what is inspiration?
The answer doesn’t have to be the same for each of us. I like to think of inspiration as God whispering in my ear, an epiphany in the most literal sense of the word. The less religious among you may choose to think of it as the product of an active imagination, or as the cooperative product of the left and right brains, or perhaps as pure magic. Inspiration may even be what separates us from the apes and dolphins, although some similar claims have recently been debunked. Maybe Flipper squeaked out original melodies. J
Let me try a more interesting question: why? Why do we have inspirations? A cynic or an agnostic might discard the question as irrelevant, but I don’t think it is. I like to believe there’s a reason for everything that happens. So what would be the reason? Again maybe the answer is different for each of us, but let me take a stab at it.
Certainly it enriches our lives. The inspirations of others are all around us, in amazing architecture and great art and moving music. But it can also be found in our more everyday lives: perhaps a clever TV commercial that makes us laugh, or the nice job someone did of decorating for a birthday party. Moreover, very often we are inspired by the fruits of someone else’s inspiration. It happens all the time: inspiration, like laughter, seems to be contagious. And in a very real sense, these inspired notions bring us together. Our ISG meetings are at their core several hours a month of shared inspiration. What a concept!
I’m inclined to go further: maybe inspiration itself is the point. Maybe that’s why we’re here. I wonder if, rather than something to give us interesting scenery on our life journeys, perhaps inspiration is the real reason for the journey. It feels that way to me, like writing is my life’s purpose.
And isn’t that an inspirational idea. J
ISG Bulletin Board
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.
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.
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing At O'Keefe's Irish Pub, Fridays & Saturdays from 5pm, musicians welcome!
115 S. Rockingham Tavares, FL, 352-343-2157
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays at 6pm
444 S. Hunt Club Blvd , Apopka , FL 407 774 0402
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 “Lead Sheets” 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.ticopeach.net/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 ).
New members always welcome!
May’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) It’s Better Not to Know by Will Campbell
(2) Whisper the Sea by Mary Austin and Susan Foster-Trewick
(3) Kisses Work Wonders by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
© 2008 ISG