November 2008
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 13, No. 11
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
CHRISTMAS PARTY Notice! We’ll be holding our annual ISG Christmas party on December 7th at 5 PM, at the Union Hall in place of our December meeting. Details in next month’s newsletter…
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
The International Songwriter’s Guild meets at 5 PM on the first Sunday of every month at the Central Florida Musician’s Union building, 3020 East Robinson (at the extreme east end of Robinson, near Orlando Executive Airport ) in Orlando .
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 or myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/internationalsongwritersguildorlando .
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Maybe you haven’t thought of it this way, but our meetings are educational. Do you have a song you’ve been nervous about presenting to the group? I’m pretty sure you realize the value of having your song critiqued by the group; you learn from it, and so do we. When you keep coming to our meetings, you learn what a good songwriter has to do.
I hear songs on the radio and TV that I mentally critique, and sometimes think that song didn’t really satisfy me. And without realizing it, I change a line of the lyric or melody in my head. Do you ever do that? Two minutes later, that thought is gone because whatever I’m doing pushes the song out of the way. Hey, maybe there could be a song based on that idea! I have these crazy ideas all the time and should be practicing what I preach. How do you come up with your ideas?
Sometimes after one of our meetings, I try to think what we could have done to make it more beneficial. I bet some of you do that too. If there’s something specific you can think of, I hope you’ll feel comfortable sharing it with us.
Looking forward to seeing all of you Sunday. Speak up, you’re one of us. We can all learn from you just as you learn from us.
Russ
State of the Union
By Matt Griffin
Today I’m going to talk generally about our group; I haven’t given a “State of the Union ” address in quite a while. Russ founded the International Songwriter’s Guild in 1976 as a way for songwriters to meet and help each other. Here we are 32 years later, still meeting and still helping each other. I hope you all realize just how rare that is.
Last year about this time, I feared that our moment in the sun might be up soon. Attendance was way down, and the interest level often seemed low for those who did come. To be honest, I never really put my finger on the problem. Maybe some of you have an idea of why; I’d like to hear your opinions. Unless you’re unhappy with me, in which case please lie through your teeth. :^)
But what a terrific 2008 we’ve had! We’ve had consistent turnouts, enthusiastic discussions, and for good measure we’ve heard some terrific original material. I really like the mix of regulars and interesting newcomers that we’ve somehow maintained all year. And several ex-members we hadn’t seen in a while have rejoined our cheerful affiliation.
If you sense that I don’t really know what we’re doing right (or wrong), you’re largely correct. Oh, Russ and I have tried to come up with a few fresh ideas to drum up interest. Susan Foster-Trewick and I both gave music software demonstrations recently. But overall, I don’t feel like Russ and I are doing much different from previous years. Can anyone suggest why this year has been such a great one?
And what would you like to see done differently? I ask this question cautiously, for a couple of reasons. For one thing, I don’t want to screw up the one thing we do consistently well: offer each other useful, positive criticisms of original songs. Also, my plate is full; please don’t make a suggestion that will cause me a great deal of additional work, unless of course you are willing to do that work yourself. I admit to being a little gun-shy on this point and, because of that, maybe haven’t entertained some good ideas members have brought forward in the past. I’ll try to be more open-minded. :^)
Also, please come to the November meeting to talk about our Christmas party! Our holiday party always seems to be fun and full of music, which is how it should be. Let’s plan a terrific party to cap off a terrific year.
It is my hope that each of you feels you’re getting your $35 worth, and maybe more. I’ve always felt that I get more than I pay for. Here’s hoping that 2009 is as good as, or better than, our terrific 2008. Thanks to you all. J
ISG Bulletin Board
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
Appearing At O'Keefe's Irish Pub, Fridays from 5pm, musicians welcome!
115 S. Rockingham Tavares, FL, 352-343-2157
Appearing at Tijuana Flats on the Patio (weather permitting), Thursdays and Saturdays at 6pm
444 S. Hunt Club Blvd , Apopka , FL 407 774 0402
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.
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.
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!
October’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Halley’s Comet by Matt Griffin and Susan Foster-Trewick
(2) I Can’t Get Over You by Will Campbell
(3) Circus at my House by Bob Witmer
(4) Parakeet Pete and Sue Sparrow by Ester Starling and Susan Foster-Trewick
(5) Accommodate by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
© 2008 ISG