Connecting Songwriters Throughout Northeast Ohio

 
 
News & Updates
 
Volume 1 Issue 7
 
November 2017
 
 
 
A Note From The Top
The “Why” Of It All
Don Henson, President
 
 
On Saturday, Oct. 14th 2017, your board of directors sat down to ponder many questions and to discuss the direction of our organization. A main topic of discussion was “Why are we?” I would pose this question to you. What do you think is our cause? What is our purpose? Why do we, as an organization, exist and where do you fit into it? I know the “why” for me. I formed this group because I wanted to write more songs and I wanted to write better songs. Coming together with other like-minded people on a regular basis would force me to write “more and better.” What about you?

I welcome your input and opinions on why we are and, more importantly, why you are, or are not, a part of the Songwriter Circle. 
We can’t be all things to all people, but we are here to help those who wish to become better.
 
Want to share your “why?" Drop us a note right now by
 
 
Your Board At Work In October
 
 
Dave Waldeck
 
 
 
We covered a number of topics at our board meeting. Here’s what we’re up to these days.

Wholly Joes Café is located in Akron’s Merriman Valley. As we are always on the lookout for alternative venues; it is quite a nice spot, with food and coffee. However, the meeting room is downstairs. Thus, as it is inaccessible to those with disabilities, the location was nixed by the board.

New logo and name change - Suggested as a possible area school project, and 2 other graphic artists will be approached to determine if 
 
they would be interested.
SCSC Officer Insurance Update - The Board was informed of an annual charge of $205. Approval was obtained at the September board meeting.

Simon Sinek Video - Board to meet at Don Henson’s home on October 14. Video, etc., to be utilized as a tool to help determine the future of SCSC.
Member input is welcomed and appreciated!

Bank Account Change- Huntington Bank was approved as the new SCSC depository.
 
 
Area Sightings
 
 

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 .

 
On Friday, November 10th, Sonnets Coffee and Tea will welcome John and Karen Moody with Paul Nared to their intimate stage. Known as the La’Capp Trio, the group will be playing from 7:30 to 9:30. Sonnets is located at 117 College Street in historic downtown Wadsworth

The very next evening - November 11th - guitarist, songwriter and folksinger Ed Amann will be playing at the Sub Station at 116 High Street in Wadsworth. Ed is a regular on the musical rotation at this venue and will be playing from 6:30 to 8:30.

If you remember the great open mics at the Winchester in Lakewood you might be interested to know that they’re back on Tuesday nights with signup at 8 and music at 9. The music tavern is at 12112 Madison Ave. Hosts change week to week and the music is eclectic. 
 
 
Planet of the Vapes: November 18th
 
 
 
 
Cleveland’s historic Sachsenheim Hall will host an evening of music from local artists in the music room just across from the bar. Along with the menu of great food from chef Grumpy, a selection of domestic and imported beers and spirits this free event starts at 6 PM with music by long-time local favorite Jim Schafer. Amanda Walsh and Bob Sammon present a collection of original and cover tunes at 6:45 and Tom Kennedy plays at 7:30 followed by The Rockhounds at 8:00. The evening wraps up with music from Newport at 9:00 and Second Hand Dogs at 10:00.

Sachsenheim Hall is located at 7001 Denison Avenue in Cleveland and features gated free parking.
 
 
The Library Is Open - For You
 
 
Bev Hutchens
 
 

Attention all members and - hopefully -members to be. It has been brought to my attention that I should inform all of you that we have a small library available to any member in good standing who would like to borrow a book for their learning pleasure.

They are mostly instructional as you will see when you browse the titles.

I will have the lists and “rental” sign up sheets at the meetings so you can let me know which books you want to borrow.

Here are just some of the books on songwriting tips and so much more!

ESSENTIAL SONGWRITING Everything You Need to Know to Compose, Perform and Sell Great Songs (2 copies)

SONGWRITING A Complete Guide to the Craft

the COMPLETE IDIOT'SGUIDE TO SONGWRITING (2 copies)

the COMPLETE SINGER SONGWRITER

HOW TO WRITE GREAT SONGS

 

101 SONGWRITING WRONGS AND HOW TO RIGHT THEM

the CRAFT AND BUSINESS OF SONGWRITING by John Braheny

WRITING BETTER LYRICS by Pat Pattison

TUNESMITH Inside the Art of Songwriting by Jimmy Webb

If any of you would like to donate a book you find appropriate, please bring it to the next meeting. I will credit you in my records and you can remove your book at any time.

 
 
Using the library couldn’t be easier. Browse through the selection of books and DVDs that we have listed on line. Select one or two that you'd like to check out and  with your choices prior to the next meeting you plan to attend. We do the rest.

We’ll bring your selections to the next meeting and sign them out to you. You’ll get to enjoy them for two months before they need to be returned at one of our regular monthly meetings. 

One caveat is that if you don’t return the book or disc in the allotted time the “fine” for doing so is the cost of the item. So if you plan on borrowing please also plan on returning. It’s the right thing to do. 

Finally, we should note that library privileges are only available to members in good standing (ahem, you’ve paid your membership dues) so if you need to “re-up” see Bev at the next meeting. 
 
 
You Don’t Need A $2,000 Guitar
 
 
Often, making music is just a function of what you have on hand. Spend a few minutes with Abby The Spoon Lady and you could discover that truth for yourself. Listen to the rhythms. Listen to her stories. You don’t need the newest Martin or Crafter. You don’t need that fancy new effects pedal. Maybe that old fiddle in the closet is perfect. Or maybe, just maybe, a couple of spoons from the kitchen will be just the inspiration you need to create music today. 
 
 
 
Don and Bev Team Up For A Flashback
 
 
Take a moment or two and listen to two of our board members and officers as they team up on an original song from 2006. Don Henson and Bev Hutchens demonstrate one of the advantages of being part of Summit County Songwriters: collaboration. Whether you’re looking to work on songs together, find someone who can put music to your lyrics or try your hand at harmonies SCSC is a great way and a great place to start your search. 
 
 
Tech Notes: Roadie Tuner
 
 
David Palomo
 
 
Instead of a Tech Talk, I’d like to downsize to a Tech Note this month. A friend of mine introduced me to the Roadie Tuner and I thought you all would like to know about it.  

Cutting to the chase, somebody got the bright idea to take the head stock tuner that we all use and combine it with a string winder. You place the string winder on, say, the tuning peg for the A string, pluck the A string and the string winder will tighten or loosen it according to the reading on the tuner.

See for yourself on YouTube.

At $99 it seems a bit pricey but a cool gadget nonetheless.
 
 
Grace Notes
 
 
Our Next Meeting...
 
 
We meet next on November 6th 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.
 
 
Did You Miss An Issue?
 
 
Need back issues of The Bridge? You’ll find them here.
 
 
Pass It On
 
 
Know someone who might enjoy our newsletter? Feel free to forward it to them. Thanks.
 
 
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. 
 
 
Officers And Board Members
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Left to Right)
Don Henson
- President
Bobby Patetta
- Vice President
Dave Waldeck
- Recording Secretary
Marty Kubilius
- Corresponding Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Left to Right)
Bev Hutchens
- Treasurer
David Palomo
- Board Member At-Large
Bob Sammon
- Board Member At-Large
Ken Moody-Arndt
- Alternate Board Member

 
 
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