Connecting Songwriters Throughout Northeast Ohio

News & Updates

Volume 2 Issue 2

February 2018

A Note From The Top

For The Love Of Music

Don Henson, President

As we move toward elections and the changing of the guard in 2018, I reflect on how music had a personal impact on my life. It will be strange for me to step aside after leading this group for the last 15 years. I’ll still be around You’re not getting rid of me that easily!

I’ve had discussions with several friends about when music became an integral part of our lives. Some said high school, some said college, some have said much later in life. For me, music seemed to be ingrained in me at a very early age. I remember being fascinated by an old upright piano in a hall where I attended Cub Scout meetings. I always wanted to get there early and stay late so I could “play” the piano. I would pick out tunes after I’d seen adults play a song or two. I remember they used to ask me if I’d had lessons. We didn’t get a piano at home until I was a junior in high school.

When I was twelve, I wanted to be a drummer - for about 6 weeks - before I switched to the trombone for a couple years. Once I started playing guitar, I was hooked…not only on making music, but on performing.

I continued to play music as I went off to college and during the summer of my freshman year, I landed a gig as a musician at Geauga Lake Park. When they put the band together, there were six of us and four of us played guitar. During rehearsals, someone said, “We need a bass player.” I volunteered. I went back to school, bought a used bass, and re-learned the show as a bass player for that summer season.

It must have worked because the following summer, I was chosen to play bass at CedarPoint Amusement Park and eventually went on to tour with a band for three years as a bass player. During those tours, I was able to include playing the piano and guitar in the shows.

So yes, making and creating music, for me, is what made me who I am. I guess that’s why, in part, our group exists. All I ask is that you keep writing, continue performing, and keep reaching for that elusive “Songwriter Summit.”

Your Board At Work In January

Coming off the holidays, the workload for the January meeting was fairly light. After our usual review of the monthly treasury report we moved on to more exciting topics.

The officers approved moving the organization’s bank account to Huntington to avoid recurring fees at our current institution. That move should be accomplished in the near future.

There was an informal review of the holiday party with the general consensus being that the affair was a success and that a good time was had by all. Thanks went to Bev Hutchens for organizing the party and to Marty Kubilius for his work running sound and keeping the open mic part of the evening moving nicely.

We discussed the upcoming elections to the board and discussed current members who we felt might be excellent additions to the body that guides Songwriter Summit. Don agreed to contact a few of the members we talked about and we decided to add a note to the next edition of The Bridge to invite anyone interested to run for a position on the board.

Our new look and name were a topic for a brief discussion as we finalized the selection of the new logo designed by graphic artist and local musician Will Cheshire.

One project that we are in the process of organizing is a review of all the various email lists we have at the moment to determine who belongs on which list. It is our goal to reach out to past members to invite them back to see the changes and improvements we’re making to Songwriter Summit. Getting a handle on the lists is an important first step.

Finally, we worked on a few edits to the bylaws of the organization in the area of officer terms of service. Those changes were debated and incorporated into the document that will be available in it’s newest form on the website in short order.

Come to think of it, maybe we were pretty busy after all.

New Meeting Location Starting March 5th

By now most of you have seen the video where a homeowner has to call in an exterminator because her house has been infested with those hard to eliminate pests: musicians. With that in mind it is very exciting when an organization - particularly a really cool organization - actually wants to invite us in and decides to go out of its way for us.

Starting next month Songwriter Summit will be moving the venue for the monthly

meeting to 2 Girls Cafe and Bakery in Stow. While their normal hours are 7am to 7pm they will be staying open for our meetings on the first Monday of the month. That’s pretty cool.

The cafe features breakfast until 11am and will keep the kitchen open for us for sandwiches, wraps, salads and treats from the bakery.

We’re looking forward to a long and happy relationship with the good folks who have invited us in and it is our hope that our members will help support our hosts each month. We hope to see you next month at 3707 Darrow Road in Stow.

Band Gigs For Songwriter Summit Fundraiser

Keith McMahon, Priscilla Roggenkamp and Jim Dutter of Alliance-based Rock Salt & Nails will be donating all proceeds from their February 17th live performance at Sonnets Espresso Bar and Restaurant, 117 College St, Wadsworth, to Songwriter Summit. According to member Jim, "Our hope is to pack the house with members and friends, have a great time and put lots of dollars in the club's coffers.” The band performs from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. There’s no cover but a tip jar will be available for donations.

Rock Salt and Nails

Songwriter Summit Lends Fundraiser Support

Bev Hutchens

I am proud to announce that Songwriter Summit is helping to sponsor a fundraiser I am co-hosting on February 25th at the Houston Hall in Norton. Lori Feeney is the wife of a guitarist friend of mine who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, she and husband Jack have been self-employed for many years and have not been able to afford health insurance, so their medical bills are unmanageable.

A group of friends have decided to do what we can to help. As you might remember, I have put together raffles and auctions to benefit Harvest for Hunger with much success. As a member of our songwriters group, I am inviting you to see if there might be an item or two (musical or otherwise) in your closet that you would be willing to donate to this auction. 100% of all money raised will go to the cause and of course all donation values are tax deductible because we have non-profit status.

If you'd like to support this worthy cause in person, please join us Sunday February 25th from 2pm to 8pm at the Houston Hall, 3069 Houston Road, Norton, OH. You will get dinner, entertainment and great chances to win auction items and cash. Our page on Facebook will be up and running soon! Go to Pick Your Battle for Lori Geers Feeney. Donations for the auction will be accepted until Sunday, February 18. Please with questions or donation information.

Please Bring Your Saved Acme Fresh Market Receipts To Our February Meeting. It’s Time To Turn Them In. Thanks for your Support!

Area Sightings

Songwriter Summit Represented In Black Valentines Concert

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

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

Two members of our august group will be featured as part of the Black Valentines show at Cleveland’s historic Sachsenheim Hall on February 28th. The free event will spotlight the talents of Lauren Brabson and Bob Sammon performing half-hour solo sets. Located at 7001 Dennison, the Hall features a well stocked bar, excellent food and lots of lighted parking. The schedule for the event is as follows:

7:00 Joy Parrish - The Hippie Chick

7:30 Pete - From Newport

8:00 Lauren Brabson

8:30 Bobby Neal

9:00 Becky Boyd

9:30 Bob Sammon

Starts early, ends early. It should be a fine way to spend a Wednesday evening.

Grab A Slot At Brent Kirby’s 10x3 in Akron

Some think of it as a curated show presenting local musicians. Others call it a pre-scheduled open mic. No matter how you view it, it’s a great night of original music from local songwriters. Twice a month Brent Kirby stages his 10x3 - an evening where ten acts do three songs each - at Jilly’s Music Room 111 North Main in Akron. From 8 to 11, the scheduled acts must do at least two originals and then have a choice of an original or cover for their third selection.

If you’re interested in playing you can contact Brent directly by email and ask for a slot on an upcoming show. The Cleveland based 10x3 has been running for more than six years and Brent hopes that he can bring the same support of local musicians to Akron.

Is There A Seat On Our Board For You?

Bob Sammon

As we get closer to our elections I thought I’d take a moment to remind everyone about the function of the board of directors and of the executives that the board selects to guide Summit Songwriters. At the same time I’d invite and encourage anyone interested in taking a more active role in the organization to read the bylaws and see if there is a way you can contribute some of your time and talent to growing and guiding the group.

All members in good standing - those who have paid their annual dues - are entitled to vote in the election of board members. The primary function of the board is to provide the strategic planning for Summit Songwriters and to make the decisions on what the group will be doing at any point in time. These decisions can vary from deciding what events to offer the public or promotions for various events like charity fund raisers (we are a non-profit corporation) to planning for membership growth and developing programs to benefit our members.

Once the board is seated it is their job to elect the officers who are responsible for

the day to day operations. President, Vice President, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, Treasurer and Sergeant At Arms are the positions that need to be filled from the sitting board members.

Currently, our bylaws call for seven individuals to sit on the board. Between term limits and personal decisions, the board will be down to four members by March. David Palomo, Dave Waldeck, Ken Moody-Arndt and I will be staying on while the rest of the board will take at least a year off. That means we’re looking for at least three of our existing members to step up and volunteer for a position. The plan for the new year is to limit board meetings to quarterly events while the officers will continue to meet monthly on the day of the general meeting.

We do have one member who has offered to serve and we will be making the announcement along with the official ballot prior to the March election. If you feel you have something more to offer and have questions please or chat with any of the board members at the next meeting.

Our YouTube Channel Features New and Old Tunes

Back when Songwriter Summit was known as Summit County Songwriter Circle one of our annual events was a showcase of members’ talent. Here’s a fond look back at a performance from Keith Lamont Bachman and Lisa Blayney (Everson) from the 2007 showcase. The song is “In A Brand New Way” and it can be found on our YouTube Channel along with performances from years ago as well as the freshest music from today’s members.

“…playing the electric violin on Desolation Row."

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are other instruments besides guitar, banjo, uke and harmonica. As songwriters that’s the tool kit many of us have to work with. But every now and then it’s fun to see what others are doing when it comes to creating music. This example is just a pure joy to listen to even if you’re not a big fan of electronic enhancements and loopers. Give it a listen. It might leave you with a smile.

This Is What You Miss If You’re Not A Member

Each month - okay, most months - we produce a video that features the talented writers who come to the meetings to share their songs, participate in discussions and develop their songwriting abilities. This video from out most recent meeting is a great example of what goes on every time we get together. Take a look and give some serious thought to how your music can grow and prosper if you’re a part of Songwriter Summit.

Grace Notes

Our Next Meeting...

We meet next on February 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 other attendees. 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.