NOVEMBER 2019 NEWSLETTER
Hey songwriters,
Giving new life to characters in the songs of other writers has become a popular topic for Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle songwriting assignments. At the group’s November meeting members showcased their follow-ups to hits by songwriters including Shel Silverstein (“A Boy Named Sue”), John Lennon (“Imagine”), Kris Kristofferson “(Me and Bobby McGee”), Townes Van Zandt (“Pancho and Lefty”), Richard Berry (“Louie Louie” performed by The Kingsmen) and Mark Sherrill (“Ol’ Red” by performed by Blake Shelton).
The assignment for the December meeting is a no-brainer — write a holiday song.
CDs
Project participants can pick up their bundles at the Dec. 3 Circle meeting at Hambone’s, at the Dec. 6 CD release event at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts or make alternative arrangements with John (jhayes@post-gazette.com). To protect me from being used as a warehouse, 2020 CDs not accepted by the end of 2019 become property of the group. NOTE: I’m taking a vacation Dec. 13 through the Jan. 1. Please get your CDs or make special arrangements with me or you my lose them.
CD release event
Fri., Dec. 6 at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (6300 Fifth Ave, [Shadyside] Pittsburgh, PA 15232. 412-361-0873). Tickets $7, free parking. Doors at 6:30 p.m., show 7-10 p.m., doors locked 10:30 p.m.
All members with a song on the project are invited to perform one song. No more than two accompanists. Dennis Malley (denmalley@gmail.com) will run the sound. I’m stage manager (day of event 412-335-1446), Tom Beckman (beckman12@verizon.net) will run the raffle. We have limited time in the venue. Doors open to the audience at 6:30 p.m., doors locked at 10:30 p.m. Players are asked to arrive as close to 6 p.m. as possible. If you’re playing a keyboard or drums, optimal load in is 6 p.m. (difficult to load in and set up after crowd has arrived).
– MC Steve Gallo (songman22@gmail.com) wants to have something nice to say about you during your introduction. Please email a one-paragraph bio to him now at the address above.
– On arrival find me and get on the performance roster.
– Tune at the end of the hall outside the Roots Cellar. Be ready to play two songs before you’re on.
– Two songs out you and your accompanists should be in the on-deck space off stage left.
– Keep it short. Please, no long thank-yous or song intros.
Calendar
Fri., Nov. 29: 7 p.m. Girlie Show Acoustic Guitar Project featuring Circle Members Liss Victory, Carrie Collins, Donna O, Debbi Pace, Parry Adams at Hambone’s.
Wed., Dec. 4: 7 p.m. Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle meeting, Hambone’s. Featured performer John Macieiewski (jguitarmac13@gmail.com).
Fri., Dec:. 6 7-10 p.m. Songwriters Circle CD Release, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Shadyside.Sun. Dec. 8: 3-5 p.m. City Mission Christmas Party with songs by Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle.
