Uniting Songwriters Throughout Northeast Ohio

Over the fourteen years that our group has existed, every now and then we’ve challenged our members by giving them a particular subject to write a song about. There was one particular challenge that worked extremely well. It generated fourteen new songs including one that was sent to us from California!

Here’s how it came about.

I was working in my office and came across a pencil with the words “Rose Island Lighthouse” on it. To this day, I have no idea where it came from! I owned the company so all the office supplies came from me! Anyway, I brought that pencil to our next meeting and we were off to the races! Here’s a video of my contribution.

Future Plans And Great Music At May Meeting

As part of our ongoing effort to grow and strengthen our organization, the May board meeting focused on a few important topics.

- Lisa Everson has applied individually, and in partnership with SCSC, for a Knight Arts Challenge Grant for our proposed SCSC Outreach Program. We hope to have more information for all of you shortly.

- In an effort to raise awareness in the community SCSC is now signed up with Eventbrite.com and Akron Life Magazine to publicize SCSC meetings, events and activities.

- We discussed The Bridge newsletter and focused on future issues that will include activities, featured articles, recurring columns and fun.

- The Board is considering a

possible name and logo change as a way to expand the scope and reach of our organization by seeking out potential members beyond the Summit county line.

- Finally, we are investigating liability insurance for board members and officers in the event of some mishap during an SCSC event.

Once the work of the organization was completed Don turned the meeting over to Marty for the fun part of the evening. We had eight songs presented and that included two new faces sharing songs for the first time.

While our video of the night doesn’t include highlights from the board’s work session, you can hear snippets of the music - along with comments from the writers - on our YouTube page by clicking here.

A Quick Look Back

Several of our regulars have nominated this classic song from Bobby Patetta as one that is worthy of a second look. “Making’ Time” combines the elements of nostalgia, family, a catchy hook and a melody that pulls you into the story to spin a tale that is both unique and familiar. Connecting to the listener on this level defines one of the keys we try to master as songwriters. Listening to what other’s have created is one way to unlock the mystery.

SCSC Apparel Available Now!

SCSC has just started to offer a line of clothing sporting the Summit County Songwriter’s Circle logo. Ranging from polo shirts to vests and denim shirts you’ll find the entire collection on our website.

Area Sightings

SCSC Members can be found all over the area performing, teaching and sharing their music. You could be listed here!

Event: Blues Jam Night

Venue: Peninsula Art Academy

Date/Time: June 3rd, 7-10 PM

Event: Free Show

Name: Guy Randall

Venue: Canal Fulton Speakeasy

Date/Time: June 3rd, 8:30-9:30 PM

Event: Free Show

Name: Guy Randall

Venue: Artisan Coffee, Akron

Date/Time: June 9th, 7:00-10:00 PM

Event: Free Show

Name: Ed Amann

Venue: The Sub Station

Date/Time: June 16th, 6:30-8:30 PM

Event: Free Show

Name: Bob Sammon in Concert

Venue: Coffee Corners, Burton, OH

Date/Time: June 10th, 7:00-8:45 PM

Event: Free Show & Taco Tuesday

Name: Sachsenheim Hall Presents

Venue: Sachsenheim Hall, Cleveland

Date/Time: June 13th, 8-11 PM

Lineup...

8:00 PM Amanda Walsh

8:30 PM Bob Sammon

9:00 PM Becky Boyd

10:00 PM Newport

Event: Free Show/Block Party

Name: West Edge Block Club

Date/Time: June 10th Noon-5:00 PM

Venue: W. 112 St North of Detroit

Cleveland

Lineup…

Michael McFarland 12:00 PM

Ray & Nicki Acoustic Duo 1:30 PM

Kenneth Moody-Arndt 3:00 PM

Jarred Goldweber and The Park

Band 3:30-5:00 PM

Add your next gig to our calendar. Send your information to the .

Save The Date

It's the second most wonderful time of the year (first being Christmas if you believe song lyrics.) It's time for the SCSC Annual Pic-A-Nic (for all you Yogi Bear aficionados.) This year's soiree will be Saturday, July 1st from 1:00 PM - ?, at Don's house. If you don't know where Don's house is please contact one of the SCSC Board members.

The organization will provide bottled water and sodas, chicken wings, pizza, ice, paper plates, cups and utensils. If you want a beverage with a bit more gumption that would be your responsibility. We do ask that you bring a covered dish (with something edible in it) and/or a dessert to share.

As always, there will be music in and around the house, so bring your instrument(s), voices and ears to enjoy the day. We hope to see all of you there for at least part of the day. A good time will be had by all (if you let it).

Verlon Thompson:

Back In Northeast Ohio

Bob Sammon

Just about two years ago I had the distinct pleasure of being in a workshop with acclaimed Nashville songwriter Verlon Thompson. I’ve seen him in concert twice and added a few of his songs to my setlist. It’s safe to say I like his music and respect his talent. I was excited to find out that he’ll be performing at the Black River Transportation Center in Lorain on July 19th in support of the Lorain Lighthouse Foundation. Tickets for the event include a wine, beer and cheese reception at 6 PM with the show starting at 7. Details, online ticket sales and directions can all be found at this link. Fewer than 200 tickers are available. If you know Verlon’s work you might want to be there. If you don’t, this will be a great opportunity to discover a great songwriter.

For Your Enjoyment

This month we’re sharing a video we found that shows both great guitar chops as well as a creative way to approach setting yourself apart from the crowd. Do more. Go over and above. Exceed expectations. I think you’ll agree that it would be hard to fault this performance that covers all those aspects of pleasing an audience.

Amazing Guitar Work!

Tin Pan South

Bobby Patetta

My wife Jan and I were headed home from our annual winter sojourn in Florida and, as is our custom, we took the somewhat scenic (and aurally rewarding) route along the Gulf Coast, through Pensacola and onward to New Orleans. There are dozens of good stories about our annual visits to P-Cola and The Big Easy, but that’s for another time.

This year we decided to make a major stop in Nashville. Good Move.

Back in January, prior to leaving Ohio, we asked for advice from fellow SCSC member Chuck Auerbach, whose son lives in Nashville, and who has actually recorded with some of those fabled “Nashville Cats.” Although in Chuck’s case I had always assumed he meant a Klezmer musician named “Nashville Katz.”

But I digress.

At any rate, Chuck advised us where to go whichever night of the week we might be seeking musical sustenance. We had visited Nashville before, but had kept to the beaten path of the Broadway tourist joints and the usual major attractions. This time, we wanted something a little more genuine.

Our first night there, a Monday, we were directed to a bar in the 12th Ave. South district. They had a great selection of craft beers and live music - seriously now - only on Monday night! The band was a trio fronted by one Kenny Vaughn, and we were pretty much blown away, not least of all by the fact that the place didn’t fill up until the second set.

The simple guitar, bass & drums lineup excelled at cover tunes, from old rockabilly to “Don’t Let Me Be Understood” by the Animals. But the originals! Now that’s what we came to Nashville for. The final song of the set left us in amazement - an extended montage of changing keys and time signatures, but ultimately, logical and compelling and tight. We left that night muttering, “Thank you Chuck. Oh Yeah. Thank you Chuck.”

The next night, Tuesday, we were directed to an Elks Club Lodge or some such, but we caught wind of an event taking place all week called “Tin Pan South.” This was a songwriter’s convention and showcase taking place at venues all over town.

Word was that we were unlikely to get in any venue without a “pass” that was good for all venues, all nights. Since we were staying toward the outskirts, we thought we’d try the closest place, a bar named Douglas Corners, shooting for the early 6:00 p.m. set (spurned by most locals.) There were exactly two seats left in the back of the room, for the mere cover charge of $15/person.

In the middle of the room were four chairs facing one another, occupied by four of the best songwriters we’ve ever heard: Mo Pitney, Brian Davis, Steve Padilla, and Ashley Campbell.

The crowd was hushed and respectful as the four took turns singing their songs, facing each other and seemingly singing only for their peers. In truth, these were their peers - the entire audience - because this was Nashville, and who knows how many songwriters, singers, instrumentalists and record execs might be in the crowd.

Over the next couple hours we found ourselves laughing, crying, cheering and singing along to some of the finest songs we’d ever heard.

Brian Davis sang hell-raising, beer-drinking anthems that got the place rocking hard, displaying rock ‘n’ roll influences like AC/DC and Guns ‘n’ Roses, but his country roots showed through brilliantly when he switched to ballad mode, and he had everybody emotional with “Lights of My Hometown.”

Mo Pitney had that deep country baritone that could sell toothbrushes to chickens, and each song had a a pure heartfelt quality that was made more poignant when he pointed out his wife, who was sitting near the edge of the group and and to whom he was obviously singing. Most of his material was Christian-based and Church-ready, but there was one song - “Me Before You” - that he claimed was about Jesus, but sure sounded like it could have been written to his wife. It had all the country themes of drinking and raising hell, driving fast, hunting game, and chasing women, but not anymore. Now he’s grown and is truly content because that was just “me before you.”

Steven Padilla sang of love and loss and faith and hope with a satin-smooth voice and had a way with phrasing that made every tune sound destined for the Country charts. “Good at Goodbye” was a standout.

Ashley Campbell - well, she was something else again. She was pretty and bold, and so were her songs. The second time they came around to her she started by announcing “This is a song I wrote for my daddy. For those of you who don’t know, my daddy is Glen Campbell.” No wonder she looked familiar. We’d seen her by his side in concert. The song was about his struggle with Alzheimer’s, and her struggle to cope with it, “Remembering.” There was not a dry eye in the the house, including mine. The amazing thing about her was that next time it was her turn she sang a blistering indictment of a not-so-hot lover, “I’d Be a Better Boyfriend than You.” She’s got a big future, no doubt.

Bottom line? Go to Nashville. Once you do what you must (Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, Johnny Cash Museum), dig around a little. Find out what’s happening in the smaller clubs. Ask a local - heck, ask Chuck! It’ll be a master class in songwriting. And if you’d like to be part of next year’s event be there April 3-7.

General Announcements

Our Next Meeting

We meet next on June 5th at the B.P.O.E (Elks) at 2555 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls at 7:00 PM.If you are presenting a song please bring 20 copies for distribution to the members. You do not need to be a member to attend a meeting.

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.

Did You Miss An Issue?

Need back issues of The Bridge? You’ll find them here.

Pass It On

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Drop Us A Note

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.