May 2002
Guild Tidings
The official Publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 7, No. 5
NEXT MEETING 5:00 PM Sunday, May 5th, 2002
The International Songwriter's Guild meets the first
Sunday of every month at the Central Florida
Musician's Union building at 3020 East Robinson (at
the extreme east end of Robinson less than a block
from Herndon Airport).
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.
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 851-5328
Vice President/Member Reception
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Evelyn Nelson (863) 644-8699
Membership Coordinator
Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 679-4017
Web Consultant
Asli Walker (407) 359-0506
President's Letter
Dear Members,
It’s no secret but a bit confusing regarding April’s
temperature. It has been unusually hot and here we
are into May. Let’s hope that doesn’t mean it will get hotter. Can you imagine it being warmer in New York City than here? Several days ago it was. Only a few weeks ago I was there and wore heavy clothing. Just watch now, I bet someone comes up with a song on this issue!
I’ve had a contact from a young male quartet in need of some original songs (Backstreet Boy types) to record. Sony Records is waiting to see what they can come up with. Thus far I have Matt and Susie submitting some of their originals. They have one I like called “Love and Chocolate” that they wrote together; it just might fit the bill. Your tune should project danceable rhythms; I think they do dance routines. Keep in mind these people need upbeat tunes, not rock. Think of a lot of movement, vocal and dance. Nothing country for sure. I feel having talked to them it should be upbeat and even novelty. I’d like to send maybe 8 songs to them.
Let’s remember to protect your music (copyright) before sending anything out. At least apply for a copyright before I send your song out. I really don’t like doing it this way; it would be better if you were already holding the copyright registration, of course. If you need to send out a late request for copyright, make a photocopy of the application and send the original “return receipt requested”; in a few days you’ll get a receipt that proves that the Copyright Office received your application.
As for “publisher”, I’m in hopes that if they decide to use one of our/your songs, Sony will publish it for us. I will write a cover letter to send with those songs I think might be possibilities.
This sounds like a good opportunity. Also it lets Sony know about the ISG and hopefully will open doors for us. Think “upbeat blues” and novelty. Play some Backstreet Boys and N-Sync and go from there. Good luck.
Let’s all attend the May meeting. Susie has invited Judy Leonard to speak; it sounds like something we need.
See you Sunday,
Russ Robinson
A Visit to Nashville
by Susan Foster-Trewick
I finally made up my mind and went to Nashville. The occasion was Tin Pan South, which is a week long festival at the beginning of April that welcomes songwriters from all over the world.
Asli and I flew up on the Wednesday evening, and spent Thursday sightseeing on our own. We visited NSAI, ASCAP, and BMI offices, and asked a lot of questions. We left our CD's with some of them, and were assured that someone would listen and get back to us with comments (I'll update you if this happens). Everyone we met was extremely polite and welcoming, and we felt right at home.
Thursday evening we attended a songwriters round, headed up by Kent Blazy. This was very entertaining. The Music Row symposium started at 7:30 the next morning at the Belcourt theatre. We were sorted in groups of 15 to 17 and bussed off to the Publishers we had picked, for a "Pitch to Publisher" session. Here we met with the publishers, who would listen to a verse and chorus of the song we had brought and then give us a quick opinion of whether or not it was worthy of being pitched. This took about 1-1/2 hours, and then it was back to the theatre for lunch.
What then followed was a series of workshops on many topics, and a hilarious skit about the joys of co-writing. On Friday evening we attended another songwriter's round featuring Jason Blume, and then we played in the largest songwriters circle that I have ever been to (about 47 people played, and it took 3 hours just to go around the circle once with 1 tune each). I played "Butterflies and Goosebumps", which was very well received. There were some very talented songwriters showcasing their songs.
Saturday we had a full day of seminars and workshops, and that night we played at an open mic in the "Pub of Love", which was an interesting venue. The host was Marc Alan Barnette, a very dynamic performer with wonderful tunes, whose style he describes as "in your face Country Soul". All in all we had a great time. It was partly discouraging and partly inspiring.
Donna Fant had a song picked for the "Rate a Song" panel. It was called "Old Couch Boy". I liked it so much, I asked her for a copy and played it at the ISG meeting the next day.
Web Chatter
cybertoad2000@yahoo.com
GUEST SPEAKER: We will be having Judy Leonard visit our next ISG meeting May 5th. She is a vocal coach and session singer with many years experience. She will give a short 40 minute talk about techniques to improve the quality of the vocals on the demos we produce. She has a website at
http://www.jlstudios.org that gives her resume.
(More Web Chatter, by Matt Griffin)
I received two very interesting emails this month. The first one was from Sarah Marshall of CQK Music in Dallas, Texas. Sarah offered us access to a number of songwriting articles and interviews written by Mary Dawson, the president of CQK. The articles would be provided free-of-charge, so you may see some in future editions of this newsletter. Also check out CQK’s excellent website: www.cqkmusic.com.
Anne Freeman, Co-coordinator of the Princeton NJ Chapter of NSAI, sent me a link to an interesting songwriting report called “Songwriters In The New Millennium: A Meeting Of The Minds.” The report features several well-known songwriters and instructors; you can download it at www.musicdish.com. The Princeton group also has their own website at http://community.nj.com/cc/princetonsongwriters.
ISG Bulletin Board
Printing services for Guild Tidings are graciously provided by Printing USA, 4732 South Orange Blossom Trail (just south of Holden), Orlando. Phone: (407) 857-7468.
Just wanted to let you know that the certificates are ready for distribution. Please see Russ at the next meeting to pick them up if you placed in any of the monthly evaluations. Also we would like to put the first place winners on another compilation album, so please see Susan if your song placed first in the year 2001.
Why isn't your gig announced here? Call us with your appearance schedule!
Yalaha Bakery is having another Open Mic on Saturday May 11th) hosted by SusieCool. From 1:30 to 4:00pm. Food, Drinks and coffee will be available. The event is free. It is an outdoor event. Open Mic performers will receive a free coffee and danish.
Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48, Yalaha, FL 34797
http://www.yalahabakery.com
SusieCool will be hosting 2 songwriters rounds at Guinevere's Coffee shop. On May 10th will be Vick DeGiorgio, Asli Walker and Serina Jung, while on May 18th will be Cyd Ward, Lisa Firestone and SusieCool. Guinevere's is in downtown Orlando, on the corner of Pine St and Magnolia, next to the gallery at Avalon. The shows will start at 8:30 and go to about 10:30.
TEAC 3340S Professional tape recorder, ¼? reel to
reel, 4 tracks with simulsync, 7-1/2 inch and 15 inch
reels, $200. 321-452-2910 or email geosync@pan.com.
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 email him at
griffinmc@netzero.net.
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 in the ISG. For more
information on display advertising and/or
classified advertising for non-members, please call
Russ or Matt or email: griffinmc@netzero.net
Welcome new members Corene Fry and Kirsten Nilsen.
April TOP FIVE
Winners of last month’s evaluation session
(members only)
(1) One Thing I’d Never Do Bob Neace
(2) Somewhere Over Georgia Bill Downs
(3) First Time Once More Corene Fry
(4) Lover on Her Mind Dale Scott Cunningham
and Carmen Jones
(5) The Sun is Always Shining Somewhere Debbie Bingham
© 2002 ISG