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| November 2001 Guild Tidings The official Publication of The International Songwriters Guild Volume 6, No. 11 NEXT MEETING 5:00 PM Sunday, November 4th, 2001 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 Susan Foster-Trewick (407) 679-4017 Web Consultant Asli Walker (407) 359-0506 President's Letter Dear Members, I hope to hear some seasonal songs at Sunday’s meeting. Two very favorite holidays are almost here. Thanksgiving has some great subject ideas such as snow, fireside, great food including turkey, traveling, etc. Then there’s Xmas, same ideas. It’s easy to write when there’s so much in the offing. With all that has happened since September 11th this year, I think we are more aware of the coming holiday season. The country seems to be in a loving feeling with closeness I’ve never seen before. This is why I feel the holidays have an importance like never before. So let’s celebrate in song! New member Bob Luft has written a beautiful song inspired by the events of September 11. He is getting good recognition by Disney and a record label seems to be interested. Bob works twice as much as any other musician around and doesn’t get to attend many of our meetings. It’s always good to have him attend. I heard his song “All We Can Do is Pray; good luck, Bob. I’m getting calls already asking what the Guild plans to do for Xmas. I’m in hopes we can repeat the same thing we did last year. For those of you that don’t know, we did an ISG show at Beardall and followed it with a great party at Connie and Roy Champion’s clubhouse. Debbie Ison is putting plans together for this year. In the meantime think about the Xmas music you want to hear on stage at Beardall. By next meeting we’ll have dates lined up. I had a nice surprise last week: a phone call from Lou Hefferman, managing editor of American Songwriter magazine, saying he would like to do a feature on the ISG. I got Matt Griffin and Art Cappuccio (a former ISG VP and returning member) together for a picture, and sent Lou some information. Art is a very good writer, guitarist, and singer, and we’re glad to have him back. Thanks again to Lou Hefferman for helping us to celebrate our Guild’s 25th anniversary. We hear this makes us the oldest and largest guild in the country! I recommend you subscribe to American Songwriter magazine. It keeps you posted on everything happening in every phase of songwriting. And it has one of the best contests (six of them each year) at $10 per song to enter. Buy a magazine off of the newsstand before your subscription begins and read the official rules of the contests. Next one is this month, November 16th; following one is January 26th. I have invited Lou to come visit us here in Orlando. I hope he accepts the invitation. Best ever, Russ Robinson ISG’s 25th Anniversary By Matt Griffin Songwriters, celebrate. The International Songwriter’s Guild is 25 years old! The original Orlando chapter was chartered with the state of Florida in 1976. Russ thinks that may make us the oldest chartered songwriter’s organization in the world. And with all of the chapters that have opened over the years (something like 18 U.S. cities and 4 foreign countries), we may be the largest as well. When you think about it, 25 years for this type of organization is pretty amazing (there are governments that haven’t lasted that long). Those of you who have been members for a while know that writers are constantly coming and going. We almost always have new people at the monthly meetings, and others drop out for a while or forever. With all that turnover, you’d think it would be hard to keep it going. Anyone who enjoys the Guild should get down on the ground and kiss Russ’ feet (actually I don’t recommend it; I’ve done it and they taste like dirt). Russ Robinson has everything to do with our continued success. I personally have been a member of the ISG for more than 10 years, and I know of only two meetings that Russ has missed in that time. Two! With all of his activities and all of his traveling, Russ somehow always seems to make it to the meetings. He keeps it loose and simple, and the focus is always on the writers and their original songs. OK, Guild members, it’s your turn to take a bow. The ISG can only be as strong as its membership, and we certainly have a strong membership at present. Every month we get to hear terrific original songs and detailed, positive criticism. And haven’t we had a fine year? Russ and I have talked about it on several occasions. Our meetings this year seem to have been especially interesting, and the songs have been of an extremely high caliber. So congratulations, all. And here’s hoping we’re still thriving in another 25 years. I intend to stick around, if for no other reason than to see what Russ looks like when he’s 142 years old. Cheers! ISG Bulletin Board Note from the Editor: Former ISG Vice President Art Cappuccio recently rejoined the Guild after an absence of several years. Art manages a printing company, and has agreed to start printing our newsletters (which he also used to do for us). Many thanks to Vickie Overton and Evelyn Nelson, who handled the printing/mailing chores so capably. TEAC 3340S Professional tape recorder, ¼” reel to reel, 4 tracks with simulsync, 7-1/2 inch and 15 inch reels, $200. 321-452-2910 or email geosync@pan.com. 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. 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 October TOP FIVE Winners of last month’s evaluation session (members only) (1) Ode To My Fish Rose Marston (2) The American Way Danny Patterson (3) Chasing the Dollar Paul Vernon (4) We Can Love Matt Griffin (5) I Need You Catherine Tullos and Kym Brunson Art Cappuccio submitted a song for critique, which we scored even though Art was not a current member. His song “America’s My Home” would have placed 5th. © 2001 ISG http://www.oocities.org/i_s_g_2000 |