November 200
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 6, No. 11
NEXT MEETING - 5:00pm Sunday, November 4th 2001
President's Letter
Dear Members,
I hope to hear some seasonal songs at Sunday’s meeting. Two very favorite holidays are
almost here. Thanksgiving has some great subject ideas such as snow, fireside, great food
including turkey, traveling, etc. Then there’s Xmas, same ideas. It’s easy to write when
there’s so much in the offing. With all that has happened since September 11th this year,
I think we are more aware of the coming holiday season. The country seems to be in a
loving feeling with closeness I’ve never seen before. This is why I feel the holidays have
an importance like never before. So let’s celebrate in song!
New member Bob Luft has written a beautiful song inspired by the events of September 11.
He is getting good recognition by Disney and a record label seems to be interested. Bob
works twice as much as any other musician around and doesn’t get to attend many of our
meetings. It’s always good to have him attend. I heard his song “All We Can Do is Pray;
good luck, Bob.
I’m getting calls already asking what the Guild plans to do for Xmas. I’m in hopes we can
repeat the same thing we did last year. For those of you that don’t know, we did an ISG
show at Beardall and followed it with a great party at Connie and Roy Champion’s clubhouse.
Debbie Ison is putting plans together for this year. In the meantime think about the Xmas
music you want to hear on stage at Beardall. By next meeting we’ll have dates lined up.
I had a nice surprise last week: a phone call from Lou Hefferman, managing editor of
American Songwriter magazine, saying he would like to do a feature on the ISG. I got Matt
Griffin and Art Cappuccio (a former ISG VP and returning member) together for a picture,
and sent Lou some information. Art is a very good writer, guitarist, and singer, and we’re
glad to have him back. Thanks again to Lou Hefferman for helping us to celebrate our
Guild’s 25th anniversary. We hear this makes us the oldest and largest guild in the
country!
I recommend you subscribe to American Songwriter magazine. It keeps you posted on
everything happening in every phase of songwriting. And it has one of the best contests
(six of them each year) at $10 per song to enter. Buy a magazine off of the newsstand
before your subscription begins and read the official rules of the contests. Next one is
this month, November 16th; following one is January 26th.
I have invited Lou to come visit us here in Orlando. I hope he accepts the invitation.
Best ever,
Russ Robinson
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ISG’s 25th Anniversary
By Matt Griffin
Songwriters, celebrate. The International Songwriter’s Guild is 25 years old! The
original Orlando chapter was chartered with the state of Florida in 1976. Russ thinks that
may make us the oldest chartered songwriter’s organization in the world. And with all of
the chapters that have opened over the years (something like 18 U.S. cities and 4 foreign
countries), we may be the largest as well.
When you think about it, 25 years for this type of organization is pretty amazing (there
are governments that haven’t lasted that long). Those of you who have been members for a
while know that writers are constantly coming and going. We almost always have new people
at the monthly meetings, and others drop out for a while or forever. With all that
turnover, you’d think it would be hard to keep it going. Anyone who enjoys the Guild
should get down on the ground and kiss Russ’ feet (actually I don’t recommend it; I’ve done
it and they taste like dirt).
Russ Robinson has everything to do with our continued success. I personally have been a
member of the ISG for more than 10 years, and I know of only two meetings that Russ has
missed in that time. Two! With all of his activities and all of his traveling, Russ
somehow always seems to make it to the meetings. He keeps it loose and simple, and the
focus is always on the writers and their original songs.
OK, Guild members, it’s your turn to take a bow. The ISG can only be as strong as its
membership, and we certainly have a strong membership at present. Every month we get to
hear terrific original songs and detailed, positive criticism. And haven’t we had a fine
year? Russ and I have talked about it on several occasions. Our meetings this year seem
to have been especially interesting, and the songs have been of an extremely high caliber.
So congratulations, all. And here’s hoping we’re still thriving in another 25 years. I
intend to stick around, if for no other reason than to see what Russ looks like when he’s
142 years old. Cheers!
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October 2001 Top Five
(1) Ode To My Fish Rose Marston
(2) The American Way Danny Patterson
(3) Chasing the Dollar Paul Vernon
(4) We Can Love Matt Griffin
(5) I Need You Catherine Tullos and Kym Brunson
Art Cappuccio submitted a song for critique, which we scored even though Art is not a
current member. His song “America’s My Home” would have placed 5th.
© 2001 ISG