In this issue
> Welcome to 2008
> Regular Membership Meetings
> Member Happenings
> Dues Reminder
> Showcase Past & Future
> A Few Thoughts
Welcome to 2008
I think there’s a general consensus brewing in the country that it’s better to skip the New Year’s resolutions and just do it if you’re gonna do it! I’d have to say I agree, but it’s also good to reflect on the past to determine your goals. For now, let’s just charge ahead!
The committees have been working hard to meet the goal of getting VOCAL into high gear for 2008. Please keep in touch, through the website and meetings. We have exciting things going on this first quarter and we are looking forward to a very prosperous songwriter’s year in 2008!
We look forward to seeing you soon! And remember to spread the word about VOCAL. Even non-songwriters know other songwriters besides you and we may be just the group they’re looking for (See ‘A Few Thoughts’ at the end for more on this topic).
Regular Membership Meetings http://www.vocalsongwriter.org
January’s meeting will be dedicated to that all important modern medium of communication - the Internet! The format will be a panel discussion led by Matthew Costello (others may be added later). Discussion will focus on the importance of your web presence and generally getting your material noticed on the net. Of course it will be even more interesting with YOUR participation, so come out with questions or something to add to the discussion.
Regular meetings continue to be held at the Roundhouse at Byrd Park. Follow the link above for directions and more information.
7:00 – 7:30 Executive Meeting – all are welcome, but we’ll take care of Committee business during this time
7:30 – 9:00 General Membership – this time will be the regular meeting
Member Happenings
John Ellis, Tim Stanton and former member Jan Vaughan had a fantastic show at the Chester Bistro in January. And they’ll do it all again on January 25th! Head down to Chester for a night of good food, your favorite beverages (including coffee) and outstanding live music, with some of the finest musicians in the area!
January 25, 2008 *** No age restrictions
John Ellis and Point of Rock 8:00 – 8:45***If we’re lucky it will kick off at 7:30, so show up early!!!!
www.myspace.com/virginiaroadson
Jan Vaughan (Big Bam Boom) and the Mixed Nuts 9:00 ‘til about midnight.
Chester Bistro http://www.chesterbistro.com/
$5 admission
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Jim Uzel is putting the finishing touches on a new CD. He will be VOCAL’s featured performer in February for a CD release!! Be sure to mark your calendars for February 18, 2008!
Dues Reminder http://www.vocalsongwriter.org
Dues are now $35 per month. Thanks to all who have renewed! We’re trying to build the funds up so that bigger and better things can be planned for meetings and live performances. If you haven’t joined or renewed, please consider it soon.
Showcase Past & Future http://www.vocalsongwriter.org
December’s Showcase was a special affair with John Ellis doing a short opener, Glenda Creamer wrapping her songs up in a wonderful Christmas story and Larry Cody treating the crowd to his up-beat rock tunes and thoughtful ballads.
We’re kicking off 2008 on Monday, January 21st. The Showcase will feature Glendora Woodard, Drew Routh and Steve Nuckolls.
Be sure to get to the TapHouse Grill early for fine food and beverage, as well as the company of your fellow songwriters!
A Few Thoughts
Last, but not least, let’s hand out some kudos – Thanks to Kim Gammon for stepping up to brighten up the 2007 Christmas party with some decorations and just generally helping out. Glen King was kind enough to brew the coffee for the java lovers at the party and Steve Nuckolls, Matthew Costello and Matt Manion helped make the party special. Thanks to Matt for not forgetting the reason we get together all year long – music! He brought his acoustic and we shared some sing alongs that were in the spirit of the season and it made the night special.
I guess the end of the holidays and the start of a new year gave people the time and motivation to reach out. The VOCAL website has been contacted by folks from the Tidewater region of Virginia and way across the big pond to Germany. I think it’s good to remember that we have something special in VOCAL that begins simply with contact. There’s a group of songwriters and musicians you can meet with once a month for support and constructive criticism and that’s something that many songwriters are searching for. I hope you’ll make it out to a few meetings this year and that you’ll bring your own unique perspective with you. Foster the bonds you have with fellow songwriters and help make the group better.
At the beginning of this month’s newsletter, I made mention of talking to non-songwriters about VOCAL as a way of reaching more songwriters. In my own musical pursuits, I have been amazed at the number of leads and contacts that have been made recently through simple conversations. I’m normally very quiet and don’t talk about my personal interests with many people, but in the past couple of months, myself and my band mates have made some good contacts as the result of conversations with co-workers, general discussions with people about what we like to do and even conversations our parents have had with strangers! I guess my point is that even people you talk with on a daily basis, who never mention music and musicians, might know someone with the same interests as you and all it takes to find out is mentioning YOUR favorite interest!! Just try the three foot rule, Matthew Costello has been reminding us of for some time – when you’re in public start a conversation about music with anyone around you and see where it takes you – you might be surprised!
Until next month ~~~John Ellis
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Visit VOCAL on the Web! www.vocalsongwriter.org
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