November 2002
Guild Tidings
The official Publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 7, No. 11
NEXT MEETING 5:00 PM Sunday, November 3rd, 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,
Yow! Hey, it's cooling off! What a delight. Now
we'll all get that needed energy to "think music".
I'm one of you, I can't concentrate in 90-degree weather.
Let's fuss a little about our last meeting. I've had several calls from members who were unable to find a place to park that night. It seems that there are two nights, one in May and another in October, that shows by Hispanic locals draw hundreds of people to the park across the street from the Musician's Union building. The shows start at 4 PM and people park everywhere, including our place! Our members, of course, are left without parking spaces. Several said they went home; one couple parked a mile away and took a cab to the meeting. I've talked to the union, and we hope to put up "no parking, tow-away zone" signs before next time.
I had my ISG opening in the Boston area moved back to the 3rd week in November, due to a death in the organizer's family. I guess I'll get to see snow; I'll need to take heavy clothing out of storage for sure.
Member Barbara Ross attended our October meeting. She had been confined to bed for a while due to a serious auto accident. Although she said she was still in a lot of pain, she looked great! Barbara is a world traveler and spends lots of time in Europe. It was good to see her and we do wish her continued success with her recovery.
New member Larry Martin played his latest recording of a beautiful Xmas song. It was his first meeting, and we all liked his song.
Hope to see all of you Sunday. We'll have parking spaces this time for sure. Bring your latest original song (with lyric sheets) so we can critique.
Best ever,
Russ Robinson
Co-Writing for Dummies
By Matt Griffin
Co-writing is a difficult idea for many songwriters to get their arms around. Pretty much everyone is taught at an early age that writing is an individual activity. In fact, teachers typically discourage their students from writing together; you're supposed to turn in your own work, after all.
So why bother considering collaboration? It's a fair question. Many fine single-author songs have been written, recorded, and performed. And sharing your ideas with someone and letting them head off to rework those ideas is a scary prospect indeed. But when a collaboration works, these questions tend to answer themselves. Two or more songwriters who work reasonably well together can, and often do, produce a song that is better than any of them could have written on their own.
Personally, I find co-writing to be equal parts daunting and rewarding. Let's face it, we all love our own work! A certain amount of cockiness, even a bit of arrogance, is necessary to be a good writer of any kind. To write well, one has to have enough gall to believe that someone would want to read/hear what you've written. But collaboration requires that you give some of that up. The rewarding part comes when your trust yields a terrific song. Of course, some times it doesn't.
There are many types and styles of collaboration. The most obvious type is a lyricist and a composer. It's a pretty natural combination, one writer who composes strong music and another who writes great words. It can get harder if both collaborators excel in the same area, especially if they have strong opinions like so many writers do. But the interpersonal dynamics is actually part of the fun of co-writing. Disagreements are bound to happen; what will you do then?
The Beatles had it right. Their motto was "best idea wins". It didn't matter when the idea came from: one of the Fab Four, a producer, an engineer, or the janitor mopping up behind them. And if it worked for the Beatles�
ISG Bulletin Board
Place your classified ad or gig announcement here! Free to ISG members as always!
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 2001 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 Sunday November 17th 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.
E-mail SusieCool at susiecool2001@yahoo.com if you want to be on the list. (Next openings are in February)
Yalaha Bakery 8210 County Road 48, Yalaha, FL 34797
http://www.yalahabakery.com
Custom CD Cover Art - Full color paintings, black & white illustrations to computer-edited photos with half-tone for photocopying. Prices start at $25. Call John Martello at (407) 293-1739 or email: omegaltd158@juno.com.
Omega Ltd. Productions
3415 Silverwood Drive
Pine Hills, FL 32808-2847
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 member Charlotte Mason.
October TOP FIVE
Winners of last month's evaluation session
(members only)
(1) Grateful Michael Barry
(2) Mad About You Michael MacMillan
(3) Love (Without You) Bill Downs
(c)2002 ISG