September 2005
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 10, No. 9
NEXT MEETING 5:00pm Sunday, September 4th, 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,
Once again, we’re getting close to our ISG meeting. I’ve been looking through my files, checking out some of my compositions of the past. Somehow when you wait a while, these melodies and lyrics seem different than they did originally. It is a good time, perhaps, to rewrite.
I get many calls asking advice and questions as to the type of publisher to contact and how to draft a song. There are four types of publishers, and everyone needs to pick the right one before sending anything out. Matt and I will conduct a little seminar into finding out which one you need. The four types are: independent publisher, record company publisher, producer publisher, and artist publisher.
We will define the works and needs of the four types, info you personally will need before sending your music out. You should bring a notebook to the meeting and take notes. Let’s be serious and do it right before you waste your time and money.
A few weeks ago, I celebrated my birthday on the Sterling Casino cruise; I met a couple of folks interested in coming to the next ISG meeting, including a lovely blond lady named Gloria Taylor. I ended up going again a week later with guild members Bob Luft, Matt, Emil Ernyey and his wife, and Connie Champion.
Don’t forget to bring a notebook and your latest song. See you Sunday!
Russ
Keep Your Day Job!
By Matt Griffin
Let’s say it up front: it’s hard to make money by writing songs! There are certainly people doing it, but it’s a very small percentage of songwriters overall. It’s hard to say and harder to hear, but it’s the truth. I always tell people not to bother with songwriting unless you love it, because the chances of consistent paydays are slim.
When I first joined the ISG 14 years ago, then-Vice President Mickey McBride took me aside and talked to me for a few minutes. One of the first things he said to me was, “Keep your day job!” It was and is good advice; it’s hard to write good music on an empty stomach. I’m not really joking. And if you’re supporting a family, you really need to keep your day job. You cannot feed your kids on your dreams, but you can still pursue your dreams during your off hours (of course it helps if you have the support and assistance of a spouse, family, and/or friends).
It bears repeating: keep your day job!
I’ve gotten a number of heartbreaking phone calls and emails over the years, from folks who are in financial straits and are counting on their songwriting skills to bail them out. It’s tough to tell them how slim the odds are. Most come back with something like, “oh, but you haven’t heard how good I am.” Ouch! The simple truth is that there are many very good songwriters making little or nothing from their writing. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?
I’m a little jealous of people like Bob Luft, who can support themselves with their performing skills. It’s the best possible kind of work for a songwriter, work that is music-related and keeps them in contact with performers and other music-industry people. Next best is some other kind of creative endeavor. If you’re a lyricist and you can get a job writing, it will help keep your skills sharp.
Many of us will have to accept something less, of course. Don’t be ashamed to do what you have to do to pay the bills. Lots of successful writers and creative people have endured crap jobs to sustain them while they honed their crafts. The Hollywood image of acting wannabees waiting tables can easily be extended to include songwriters. If it will work for you financially, try for a decent part-time job that will leave you more time to write and promote your material.
And you really will write better material on a full stomach. 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!
August Top Three—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Don Juan and Sugar Bear by Estee Starling and Chris Cortez
(2) Visions of Travel by Emil Ernyey
(3) Cruise Control by John Hendricks and Tony Crooks
© 2005 ISG