September 2010
Guild Tidings
The official publication of
The International Songwriters Guild
Volume 15, No. 9
NEXT MEETING: 5:00pm Sunday, September 5th, 2010
Officers:
President/Treasurer
Russ Robinson (407) 382-9942
Vice President/Member Reception/Newsletter
Matthew Griffin (407) 903-1212
Secretary
Jacquelyn Gould, campkittycat@gmail.com
Website
Carlos Colon (352) 326-4295
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 .
The International Songwriter’s Guild Fall Festival
3 PM on Saturday, September 18th
Beardall Senior Center Ballroom, 800 S. Delaney St. , Orlando
Admission is free and complementary refreshments will be served, so invite your family and friends. Beardall is giving out flyers to its members, and we should have a decent crowd.
We have 7 performers tentatively set to perform; we’ll finalize the list of performers, song’s they’ll perform, and the order of appearance at our regular September 5th meeting. Performers, plan on attending! We’re trying to keep the show at 2 hours, which gives 7 performers each about 15 minutes; so plan on probably performing three songs but come prepared to do four, in case one or more of us can’t make it.
BIG thanks to those who’ve volunteered their time and services:
Jeri Simpson – refreshment table
Asli Walker – sound equipment
AND Cheryl and the folks at Beardall
President's Letter
Dear Members,
Thanks are in order for the great supply of birthday cards I received for my August birthday. Wow! I had 92 cards. The mailman gave me a dirty grin and said, “I’m glad you only have one birthday a year”. I guess when all those people sent cards, maybe they were thinking this would be the last year! Anyhow, I’m enjoying all the nice things being said to me. In show business, most of us try to cover by not admitting our age or lying about it. My mother certainly kept her age to herself. But I’ve given up on keeping it quiet; I’m actually proud of my age.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I realize how lucky I was to have lived when I did. Who would have thought that many years later, I’d still be listening to the music I helped make. It brings back a lot of memories.
I’m looking forward to all of us getting together for the show at Beardall on September 18th. Should be fun; we have quite a few good performers in our group. If any of you need my help (like for piano accompaniment), call me; I’ll do what I can to assist.
Russ
Big Moments
By Matt Griffin
In my humble monthly column, I typically ask a songwriting-related question and then try to provide some possible answers, or at least my suggestions. Today, I have only questions.
We all have big moments in our lives. There are obvious ones that are big for almost everyone: wedding day, first day on the job, birth of a child, death of a parent. Some may be less obvious but just as big, depending on who you are and what’s important to you: biggest public embarrassment, the day you realized you’re in love, worst lie. My question is, how do you write about it? How do you put into simple words and/or music something that floods you with difficult and perhaps conflicting emotions?
My youngest got on a plane yesterday and left for college. Big moment for her and yes, a big moment for me. My wife and I still haven’t untangled the complex of conflicting emotions, or for that matter, figured out what we’re going to do with our time. J
I’d like to write about how I feel, but to be honest, I don’t know how to start. In fact I’m even having trouble talking about it. My wife and I have tried, but the truth is that we’ve only scratched the surface. The discussions will come, but…maybe it just takes time.
Another problem for me is the surprising complexity of the emotions involved. I feel joy for my daughter and glee at the idea of having some spare time (maybe my song output will increase!), but also some despair and loss and even fear. And there are a few other odd feelings floating around in there, darker feelings I’m not ready to look at under a bright light. I mean come on, how can I capture this bizarre smorgasbord of emotions in a simple lyric? And of course, the real question for me is the personal one: how do I sort through it?
Can you think of any well-known songs that expressed such deep, conflicting emotions? I can only come up with a few, like the man dealing with his father’s death in Mike and the Mechanic’s “The Living Years”. Some Broadway hits have addressed complex feelings, like “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera and “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music. But such songs are uncommon, maybe because they’re hard to write. But I have to figure it out, I have to write the song.
Of course, I’m avoiding the real issue. But…maybe it just takes time.
ISG Bulletin Board
Jeff Mason’s gig schedule:
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.
Matthew “Sax” Campbell open mics and gigs:
- Acoustic Open Mic Night, 1st Thurs each month 9pm-12am
House of Beer, 13526 Village Park Dr, Suites 208 &210, Hunter’s Creek (Orlando),
www.hobflorida.com . All ages with parental supervision until 10pm, 21 and up after 10pm; no drum sets plz, small 1-spkr amps OK, all musical styles welcome, clean language till 10pm (no exceptions), non-smoking inside, full PA and bass amp provided.
- Acoustic Open Mic Night hosted by Matthew “Sax” Campbell , Fridays 8pm-12am
Edna’s Place, 4076 S Goldenrod Rd , Orlando (north of the airport and Hoffner). 21 and up, no drum sets plz, small 1-spkr amps OK, all musical styles welcome, full PA provided.
- Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Matthew “Sax” Campbell , Thurs August 19th, 8:30pm-11:30pm
City Centre, 14 E. Dakin Ave , Kissimmee ; weather permitting. All ages with parental supervision, no drum sets plz, all musical styles welcome, full PA provided.
Delivering high-quality FLASH streaming video! No matter what product or service you may be offering, the power of video can be impressive! In fact, flash video is the most effective way to deliver rich media on your website. Video grabs your visitor's interest more so than simply text and images, or even audio. Video keeps visitors on your site longer and often triggers a purchase! Video not only will enhance your marketing message, but it's also entertaining. Video is useful for demonstrating your product or service, as well as teaching, inspiring, and motivating your visitors to become a customer! So if you're holding out with a website that may look outdated or obsolete, you may be losing business. It's time to make a change. Visit my website at http://www.videosaysitall.com. Thanks and call me anytime (352-326-4295)…Carlos Colon
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 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’s Top Songs—Results of monthly critique session
(1) Far Away by Matthew and Rebecca Campbell
(2) If I Could Go Back by Matthew and Rebecca Campbell
(3) Marie Antoinette by Don Royster and Matthew Campbell
© 2010 ISG