Hey songwriters,

The songwriting assignment notwithstanding, there wasn’t much wine or whining at the April 7 meeting of Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle. But some interesting songs were played and discussed by the 16 in attendance, including several new or newish members. Alex Spore(aspore61@gmail.com) and Matt Schultz (mschultz67@gmail.com) offered fresh-sounding interpretations of a half-dozen covers in the featured slot preceding a very good open stage that ran until after midnight.

The songwriting assignment for the May 5 meeting is to identify some element of a song that you haven’t done and incorporate it into your song. The song could be popular or obscure. The song element could be a musical style or form, a chord or chord progression, a rhythm that you haven’t played before, a lyrical idea or subject matter — something you’ve heard in a song that you’ll use in your new song or reworking of your old song. At the meeting explain that inspiration and how you brought in into your song.

Karl Bailey (karl@kbailey.com) will play the featured slot between the meeting and Calliope Songwriters Open Stage.

Confirm your participation in the 2016 Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle album project by submitting your $100 duping/participation fee by May 1. Send a check or money order to John Hayes, 101 Daggette Dr., Buena Vista, PA 15018. Or get a receipt for cash paid to me at Bloomfield Bridge Tavern on Tuesdays. Or make special arrangements by contacting me at this address or 412-263-1991. See details about the album project on this website’s News page.

Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle returns to the Pittsburgh Marathon on Sun., May 3. Last year was a blast — we played our songs as runners passed, curiously cheering for us. And between groups of runners, we had sort of a breakfast picnic. Again this year, our booth is between mile posts 17 and 18 in Homewood at North Braddock Avenue and Kelly Street. Runners are expected to pass from about 7:50 a.m. to 11:19 a.m. Get back to me at this address, or by phone (work) 412-263-1991 or (cell) 412-335-1446, or on Tuesdays at the BBT open stage.

See you soon,

John