September 2006
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 11, No. 9
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, September 3rd, 2006
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
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
Archives
Barbara Ross (407) 862-2795
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Well here we are, on the verge of autumn. We’ll still have some hot weather, but at least the way time flies, cooler weather won’t be far off. If you’re like me, you think more about music in the fall and winter. Hey, thinking of cool weather reminds me of Christmas. Let’s put some of those thoughts into rhyme; maybe if we get something real good together, we could have it ready for the holidays.
Matt, I’m sure, has made room to tell you about important guests we have coming to Sunday’s meeting. Veit and Janice Renn have real contacts in the music industry. Having them at the meeting I’m sure will be most informative.
One of our favorite ISG members has passed recently. Steve Bussey was a good writer and well-liked by all in the Guild. He’ll be missed. There’s a memorial service for him in mid-September for those interested.
I’ve had several composers call asking if they can bring lyrics to the meeting, and see if one of us would consider collaborating by adding music. I’d really like to see if we can do this; many popular songs have been composed by two or more writers.
Hope to see all of you Sunday. I look forward to the first Sunday of each month. We all have songwriting in common.
Russ
Our special guests in September: Veit and Janice Renn
Veit Renn is a songwriter, producer, engineer, and musician. Veit has written songs for N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, and Aaron Carter among others. As a writer, engineer, and producer, he has had his hand in sales of over 22 million records in the pop market. Now, Veit has returned to his urban roots and is producing R&B artists, including American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson.
Janice Renn is a producer, executive, and vocalist. Janice is President of RMP Recording Studios in Fern Park and Vice President of Renn Music Productions. Janice has produced Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, and now Jennifer Hudson. Also, Janice is an accomplished vocalist, and was one of the lead singers for the renowned Florida Mass Choir (among other credits).
At the September meeting, Veit and Janice will give us a presentation, and Janice will sing one of Veit’s original songs. After the presentation, they have agreed to listen to some of our original songs.
If you’re interested, bring a tape or CD of no more than one original song with a lyric sheet. The Renn’s time is limited, so we may not be able to play them all. Preference will be given to current ISG members, and we will have a lottery if necessary. I have heard informally that the Renn’s may accept tapes and CDs to take with them.
Steve Bussey Remembered
by Matt Griffin
Former ISG member Steve Bussey, 52, died August 4th in Regina , Saskatchewan in a crash of the small plane he was flying. The plane was an experimental model he built himself over many years. Steve was on his way to Alaska with a friend, Mike Hutton, who flew alongside him in his own plane. Steve’s plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Regina airport.
Steve was keeping a web log of his adventure to Alaska . You can view it at http://web.mac.com/geosync/iWeb/Site/Route.html .
Steve had many friends and was active in several small aircraft and music organizations. These folks are planning a memorial service on Saturday, September 16th at the Veteran’s Memorial on Merritt Island . At time of this writing, the memorial service is expected to include food, music, videos and/or photos, eulogies, and a flyover by some of Steve’s pilot friends. We’ll pass along the details as they become available.
Steve was active in the ISG for several years. We heard many of his fine original songs, which he wrote for and performed with his band Big Red and the Bus. Steve was an outstanding writer and a really good guy, and we’re going to miss him a lot.
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 Song—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Whiskey Breath by Ester Starling and Mike Kondol
© 2006 ISG