Connecting Songwriters Throughout Northeast Ohio

 
 
News & Updates
 
Volume 2 Issue 9
 
September 2018
 
 
The Reprise:
With A Little Help From Our Friends
 
 
Don Henson, Founder
 
 
As we move through our 15th year, we’ve seen many changes. The music has changed, faces have changed, the amount of hair on my head - you get the idea.

One thing we are working to embrace is technology. Along with filming our meetings and posting them to our YouTube page, we have ventured into Facebook Live to broadcast the monthly meetings to the masses. 

Along those lines, we are in the process of upgrading/updating our website. While it has gone through several incarnations throughout our history, we’ve made the decision to get with the times and make it mobile-friendly. Many people use a smartphone or tablet for internet use and our website is simply not designed for those devices. That will soon change as I’m now working with new software to handle all web viewing options. 

I am also working on other things like being on Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media sites. This process can sometimes
 
be very time consuming as I am trying to learn how to use these sites and use them effectively. To continue to grow, we need to be active on many levels and this is just one of the many ways we’re working to expand our organization.

If you are a social media guru or would simply like to help with any of these projects, and I will be forever grateful.
 
 
Join Us For Our Next General Meeting
TUESDAY September 4th At 7PM
 
 
Member Profile: Ed Amann
 
 
Longtime member Ed Amann is a guitarist, songwriter and folk singer. He was born and raised in the Cuyahoga Valley between Cleveland and Akron Ohio. Early on, he developed a love for folk and other guitar based music. His early performing years were as lead or bass guitarist with a variety of local commercial bands covering several genres.

Ed started playing as a single in 2001 to get his songs out to the public. His solo shows celebrate the oral tradition of folk music and all songs - original and cover - are performed from memory. Ed never uses a set list so you’ll never experience the same show twice. He selects the songs in real-time as a responds to his audience.

Ed grew up listening to Bob Dylan and the Byrds and has always been a fan of socially conscious lyrics. Recently we asked him to respond to a few questions about his performances and his music. 

What keeps you coming back to Songwriter Summit on a regular basis?

As a long-time member, I come to the Songwriter Summit to present my songs and to hear what others are presenting. I have received a lot of very useful criticism from my fellow writers. The group is very diverse and I always hear something unexpected.

What drives your writing?

I grew up listening to a lot of instrumental music from classical to the Ventures instrumental covers of rock and roll hits. In my early teens I watched a folk music show on TV called “Hootenanny.” As I got into my teens and twenties I listened to a lot of
 
more artistic music. I started writing poetry while I was in high school and a teacher told me my poetry was “sing song.” That should have been a clue that I should take up songwriting but that came along later.

How would you describe the music you create?

I try to create music which carries a positive message backed with accessible music. Much music with a message falls into the category of art and as such can demand too much from the listener. I try to make the music touch the emotions without making it a difficult listen.

What advice would you share with other songwriters?

Show, don’t tell. Effective music reaches the listener’s emotions. The music itself is an entry point into the listener’s emotions but the lryic should help to direct the listener’s attention. 

What are your thoughts about working with a co-writer?

Even though co-writing is the industry standard, I tend to prefer to write by myself. The first eleven years of my life I was an only child and as my family lived out in the countryside I had to amuse myself. The result of that is that I am comfortable with my own company but somewhat ill at ease around others. When I try to cowrite I end up either letting the cowriter(s) do it all or rush to get something out ahead of them which tends to result in poor quality.

What is the difference between the best song you've ever written and the worst?

This is a hard one as what makes a good or a bad song is often up to the listener. I did try to present a poorly crafted song at an NSAI meeting and reaped a bounty of harsh comments. The co-writer had written an excellent chorus and I let him down with my rushed approach to the completion and recording of the song. As far as good songs I’ve written, they are the ones which consistently draw applause at my performances and don’t bore me to perform them show after show.
 
 
In September you can find Ed Amann playing at The Alliance Farmers Market (8th/9am) and at The Substation In Wadsworth (15th/6:39pm),
 
 
Help Us Raise Some Cash When You Shop
 
 
 
It’s that time of year! Acme Fresh Market is once again offering their Community Cash Back program to help non-profit organizations, like Songwriter Summit, raise money. We have completed the paperwork and will be participating again this year. 

It’s a simple program. Shop at Acme and when you purchase Acme store brand products, 5% of the purchase goes to us! All you have to do is save your receipts and bring them to our monthly meetings. The program runs from August 9th through December 29th, 2018. Save your receipts and ask all your family and friends to do the same. 

I’ve put a manila envelope on my refrigerator marked “Acme Receipts” and I simply drop them in. By shopping at Acme you’re supporting a local business and you’re supporting Songwriter Summit. If anyone has additional ideas for fundraising or would like to be involved, .
 
 
Tips From A Master
 
 
Tommy Emmanuel Talks Thumbpicking
 
 
A Wonderful Collection Of Songs
 
 
Our August Meeting Featured Great Original Music
 
 
“Drunk Girl"
 
 
The Backstory Of The Song
 
 
It is always fascinating when songwriters share how a song came to be. That’s one of the best parts of our meetings when a presenter explains where the inspiration came from. When that happens on the grand scale of popular music it is even more interesting and can be a reminder that inspiration is all around us. Sometimes all we need to do is pay attention. Drunk Girl has an interesting origin story and a great message. It’s worth a listen.
 
 
 
 
 
Grace Notes
 
 
Our Next Meeting...
 
 
We meet next on TUESDAY September 4th at OUR NEW LOCATION, 2 Girls Cafe and 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.
 
 
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
Ken Moody-Arndt
- Vice President
Dave Waldeck
- Recording Secretary
David Palomo
- Board Member At-Large

 
 
 
 
 
 
Bob Sammon
- Board Member At-Large



 
 
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