Connecting Songwriters Throughout Northeast Ohio

News & Updates

Volume 2 Issue 4

April 2018

A Note From The Top

A Year In Review

Don Henson, President

This past year has seen many new and exciting changes come to fruition for the Songwriter Summit. A change in venue, a name change, and I look forward to an eventual change in our leadership.

We’ve been publishing our monthly newsletter for a year now, we’ve seen a few members depart while new members have arrived and we’ve seen former members return with renewed excitement. The one thing that has remained constant throughout these past 15 years is the amazing quality of songs presented at our meetings.

It’s been a wonderful experience to watch how our group has evolved and I’ve been looking forward to a time when I would be able to step back and allow others to lead Songwriter Summit. This could allow me to move away from the role of administrator and facilitator and get back to the reason I formed this group in the first place: to become a better songwriter. It’s been quite

a while since I’ve written a new song and I look forward to being able to focus on one task instead of many. There are several opportunities for members to take a more active role in our monthly meetings, as well as our administrative committee, and I ask that you consider volunteering to help us meet the many new challenges ahead as we continue to “Reach for The Summit.”

Your Executive Committee At Work In March

Maybe it was the winter blahs. Or maybe it was the excitement of being in our new location and wanting to get on with the fun part of the evening. Whatever the reason the March executive meeting was sort of routine. Here’s a little of what went on before the great turnout of songwriters and participants for the general meeting that has to go down as one of the better ones in recent history.

We continue to struggle with finding members willing to step up and serve on the Board of Directors. Several names were tossed around but none have shown the interest or availability to help guide the organization.

There were some other housecleaning chores like updating the mission statement of Songwriter Summit and finalizing the changes to the bylaws so they can be posted online. We discussed the new method of distributing The Bridge and touched on the proceeds of the Acme Cashback program.

Perhaps the biggest news from the meeting is that starting with our next gathering we are going to attempt to use Facebook Live to share what goes on during the general meeting - the songs and comments - with anyone interested in following what we’re doing when they can’t make it to the actual venue. Watch the Facebook Songwriter Summit site for updates on when to watch as we get closer.

From there we went back to the nuts and bolts of what we needed to accomplish. We talked about our visual identification in the form of business cards and banners and we agreed to look into the potential of adding a phone number for the group through Google Voice. Those are now works in progress and should be in better shape by the next time we meet.

Pretty basic stuff, no? Nothing so daunting or intimidating that you couldn’t help in some of those areas from time to time. Drop us a note. Volunteer.

Tools For Songwriters

Bob Sammon

In spite of my adoption of technology a long, long time ago I admit to always having a small notepad and a writing implement on me at all times. I never know when a good (or mediocre) idea will hit me. But there are some great tools out there that we should probably be aware of to augment our traditional ways of working with our craft.

Recently I found this article that outlines some of the apps available on the iOS (Apple iPhone and iPad) platform that are designed to make our lives a little easier. The author covers everything from Garage Band - yes, on an iPhone so it’s always with you - through tuner apps, ways to deal with sheet music, things that keep tempo better than I do and the like. Take a quick look to see if there is anything on the list that you think might make your bouts with the Muse a little more productive, a little easier or more focused.

But don’t get rid of the pen and paper. Remember that all technology fails.

Live...in 5…4…3…2...1

David Palomo

Earlier this year member Bob Patteta contacted us from Florida where he is wintering. He visited a songwriter group there that was broadcasting their meeting via social media and suggested we might do the same.

After checking the available options, the board has decided to go with Facebook Live. Starting with the April meeting we will be sharing our monthly meetings live on our Facebook page.

1. Participants can request not to be part of the Facebook Live broadcast just as they do with the video recording of our meetings.

2. This is a one way broadcast. You’ll be able to hear the songs that are presented and some of the discussion but you won't have a copy of the lyrics and won't be able to comment live as you would in a video conference.

Not to mention you'll be missing the awesome eats at 2 Girls Cafe & Bakery. Can you spell “cheesecake"?

So it you've had one of those days when one more drive is too much you can still turn on, tune in and get your creativity inspired.

Taking It To The Street

Bob Sammon

Moments after I saw his post on Facebook I send a short note to Jason Chamberlain asking for more details. Over the course of several emails he filled me in on an event he’s sponsoring in Akron called “Busk Until Dusk.” If you’re interested in performing during the summer, all the information you need is right here. For those interested in hanging out around local music you’ll find what you need, too.

Jason told me that “Busk Until Dusk” grew out of an Akron event held in 2017 designed to show off up and coming neighborhoods. Based on the success of that activity in September they tried again in October. According to Jason, “After seeing the results of that night with a strong attendence and smiling faces everywhere we knew it was something we needed to carry on. Plus, the musicians all wanted to come back if we were to return.”

"Each evening,” Jason told me, "will contain four performers each doing half hour sets, staggering back and fourth. Local vendors, craftmakers plus food trucks and one amazing gentleman who has a bicycle food cart selling popsicles for the children and young of heart” will also be part of the experience.

“The musicians,” he continued "will be setup at two different locations with a small PA on the same block. Each month the block locations will rotate. Due to the overwhelming response I have gotten of musicians wanting to attend you just might find them everywhere."

If you’re interested in performing, Jason’s advice is to contact him directly by email. He has an account set up dedicated to all things related to the event.

"We have several local businesses involved on different levels,” Jason told me. "Kenmore Comics, Lay's Guitar Repair, The Guitar Dept and The Dragons Mantle will all be staying open during the events for patrons to explore.” Support for the event is coming from "Pierre's Brooklyn Deli, Showcase Meats and Regina's pizza [who] are all donating food to feed the performers and volunteers.”

Sponsors directly related to musicians include, "Sit Strings, Earthquaker Devices and EV Electro-Voice” In addition he told me, "Blackstar Amplification, Sterling, Danelectro and a few others are all donating swag for the artist as well."

For those attending the event Jason says that “there's plenty of parking at the library and two large lots behind the store fronts on the 900 block of Kenmore Blvd.”

For those concerned about booking outdoor appearances this far in advance Jason notes that the “events will be at the mercy of the weather” and he will do his "best to inform everyone if there is a cancellation.”

Based on what I was able to learn from my notes back and forth with Jason, if you’re at all interested in this you might want to send him an email rather quickly. Include a link to a video or two of you performing or maybe to some of your streaming performances.

If you manage to snag a slot be sure to let us know here at The Bridge so we can help promote your appearance.

“No Cover” Indeed!

This month we’re launching a new feature. We’ve asked for “historical” photos of members and have received some interesting ones. We’re asking you to try to identify these songwriters. We’ll post a new photo each month along with the answer to the previous month’s challenge. Send your guesses to us and we’ll post the names of the folks who correctly identified the individual in these always interesting photos.

We should note that there are no prizes and that being able to identify people is really a skill we develop as kids. On the other hand, when faced with a photo like the one on the right the usual synaptic pathways might tend to get a little - shall we say? - disturbed.

of yourself from an earlier stage of your development. Everyone can play. We are an equal opportunity embarrassing organization.

What We Do Is Important

"It’s these relationships that help us grow and mature as writers and members of the songwriting community. This is exactly where songwriting organizations come in handy."

For years now Songwriter Summit has been a resource for area songwriters to use in whatever way they see fit. As it turns out, we’re not the only ones who feel that organizations like ours are vital to the process of creating songs and to the people who write them. Take a quick look at this article to see how we can meet your needs then give serious consideration to making this the year you become a full member or renew a lapsed membership. It’s good for you.

Check Out Our March General Meeting

The turnout for the general meeting in March was one of the best gatherings we’ve had in a while. Our new location was a draw, of course, but between the writers that came out to share their work and the members who came just to listen and comment it turned into a really great night. If you weren’t there this clip reel will give you a slight idea of how it went and how many great songs were presented. It should inspire you to be with us at the next meeting.

Pssst…meet us at 2 Girls Cafe & Bakery on April 2nd. Seven o’clock. It’s our next general meeting and we want you there. Bring a song. Pass the word and bring a songwriting friend!

Spread the Word: Help Promote Our Meetings

Following the success of our first meeting in our new location we put together a short promotional clip for use on YouTube and on our website. We’re really happy with how it came out. The wonderful folks at 2 Girls Cafe & Bakery like it enough that they’re linking to it from their website. Feel free to cut and paste this URL (bit.ly/2G6YB7O) into your favorite social media sites, your email or anywhere else folks can see it. Thanks!

A Tender Love Song?

Love songs aren’t easy to write. The complex emotions. The deep feelings. The possibility of rejection. All come into play in the crafting of a song designed to express one of the deepest human feelings. Larry Penman took on the challenge with this song from a 2008 showcase. Joined by Stephanie Serna on accordion, Larry performs this poignant, moving ode to teenage love.

Grace Notes

Our Next Meeting...

We meet next on April 2nd at OUR NEW LOCATION, 2 Girls Cafe & Bakery, 3707 Darrow Road in Stow at 7:00 PM. If you are presenting a song please bring 20 copies for distribution to the other attendees. Copies will be returned to you at the end of the meeting. You do not need to be a member to attend a meeting or bring us a song.

Visit Our Website

While you’re browsing the web drop in on our site for member lists, open mic suggestions, and so much more. You can find it right here.

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Let Us Know What You Think

What would you like to see us cover in The Bridge? Would you be interested in writing for us once in a while? Do you have an event you’d like to have published to share with our membership and the others who read our publication each month? If so just drop us a note. Like what you see? Catch a mistake? Let us know. We’ve set up a special email address that goes directly to those responsible for compiling this newsletter each month. It’s the best way to . We look forward to your input, comments and suggestions.