November 2005
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 10, No. 11
NEXT MEETING 5:00pm Sunday, November 6th, 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,
Hey, it’s about that time of the month again. I’ll be looking forward to Sunday, November 6th. New songwriters I’ve met recently have shown interest in our group and will hopefully be attending.
I’ve been contacted by BMI regarding a songwriting contest. They found me through a trade magazine which I subscribe to as president of the guild. They want to capture some of our writers. They will be sending info on the contest. It sounds legit and could be profitable.
I hope to hear some Christmas music from you at our meeting. My, how time flies! I’m almost ready for Christmas. I’ve been ill recently but am much better now; I’m out almost every day. While confined to bed, I was trying to compose. I found it helped take my mind off of being sick.
OK, all of you. Dig out some of your old and new songs and bring them to Sunday’s meeting. I’m looking forward to the meeting as always, and looking forward to seeing all of you.
My best as always,
Russ
Time for a Happy Song!
By Matt Griffin
So let’s take an informal poll: how many of you are working on a cheerful, upbeat song? Be honest, now. Actually I already know the answer: not many. I figure that maybe 25% of the songs we’ve critiqued in ISG meetings over the years are upbeat. And I’m just as guilty as everyone else; of the last 5 songs I’ve written, only one is relatively cheerful.
Why is that? Basically, I just think it’s harder to write a happy song. Somehow when you put chords and music together, the result is more-often-than-not downbeat or moody if not outright depressing. Maybe it’s also a commentary on our world, which is full of hate, social injustice, and natural disasters. Turn on the news for 10 minutes, and try not to be depressed! Songwriters write what they feel, and it’s hard to write happy when you’re not.
So is sad bad? Of course not. Everyone wants to listen to a sad song every now and again; it’s healthy and feels good to cry into your beer occasionally. And there’s a big gray area between happy and sad that’s occupied by a lot of interesting songs, songs that are moody or introspective or wistful or embarrassed. I personally like this gray area, and spend a lot of my writing time in that emotional space.
My point is this: we need more upbeat songs in this troubled world. I don’t mean mindlessly happy, although that can work if not taken too seriously (e.g. “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”). I’m moved by strong, empowering ballads like “I Will Survive” and “Take This Job and Shove It”. There’s always a place for love songs, of course. Upbeat dance music is great if you can write it; I find it difficult to do well, for some reason. Novelty and comedy songs can be very uplifting, and as a bonus, they’re great fun to write!
Need a better reason? How about this: happy sells. The market is flooded by depressing I’m-dying-and-I’ve-spilled-my-wine-cooler songs. A great upbeat empowerment song with a dance beat and a message has a much better chance of getting a publisher’s attention. So get your head in the right emotional state, and write happy. J
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 ).
New members always welcome!
*********************************************************************
Congratulations to ISG member and former officer Evelyn Nelson! Evelyn was one of the winners of the Broadjam 6-Pack Christmas.com Holiday Hit songwriting contest. As one of the winners, Evelyn was featured in a recent edition of the Broadjam newsletter. Great work, Evelyn!!
Another Broadjam 6-pack contest is going on right now; go to broadjam.com for details.
*********************************************************************
August Top Three—Results of monthly critique session
(1) The Intrusion by Emil Ernyey
(2) Oh What a Way by Carlos Colon
(3) After All My Tears by Estee Starling and Rick Librizzee
© 2005 ISG