Princeton Songwriters

  Song writing is a craft. To be good, you need talent and passion, but hard work and practice decide who's good and who's great.
  A little help doesn't hurt, either. Authors and poets have writing workshops; song writers have groups like the Princeton Songwriters.
  Every month, the group, run by Anne Freeman, meets at the New Brunswick Public Library to read one another's work and learn techniques to improve their writing.
  "For a beginner, this is where you want to be," said member Art Richards.
  The group is part class, part support system and part networking opportunity. For the first hour of every meeting, members work on an exercise created by their parent organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).
  During the second hour of the meeting, members review each other's songs. The goal is to help writers improve their work, but in a supportive atmosphere.
  "Feeling comfortable with your colleagues is really important," said Freeman. 

hobby, though, and other members take that into consideration when giving advice.
  Most members want to make a career as song writers and/or performers, though. The NSAI helps them do that. For $100 a year, members can have their songs reviewed by professional writers and possibly played for a music publisher. Members also get a chance to perform at the famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville and to attend lectures by music industry veterans. The Princeton Songwriters group has heard presentations from representatives of BMI, Ampersand Records and ASCAP.
  "It's all about networking and meeting people," said Joe Iantosca, a Princeton member who has successfully sold his songs in Nashville.
  Iantosca isn't the only member whose work is heard outside the classroom: Arlon Bennett was a 1999 finalist at the prestigious Kerrville New Folk competition and won the 2001 New Jersey Folk Festival. Spook Handy is another member of the group. Handy has released three CDs, inlcuding one solo recording.
  Songwriting meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Every fourth Tuesday a meeting is held at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, where music industry professionals usually speak. The meetings are followed by a songwriter showcase and an open mic run by Spook Handy follows.
  For more information about the Princeton Songwriters, check out their Web site at community.nj.com/cc/ princetonsongwriters or email Anne Freeman at princetonsongs@aol.com.

-Kim Predham

UPCOMING WORKSHOP

Songwriters Jerry Vandiver and Gracie Hollombe, authors of the step by step guide to breaking into the music business, “Your First Cut,” will speak on October 4 at the Ramada Inn in East Brunswick. The cost is $35.00 and seating is limited. Make checks payable to Joe Iantosca at P.O. Box 178, Colts Neck. NJ 07722. Song critiques will follow the presentation, as time will allow. Please bring a CD or tape only and two lyric sheets. Copies of “Your First Cut” will also be available for purchase at $20.

ASBURY MUSIC AWARDS

The Eleventh Annual Asbury Music Awards are coming to the Stone Pony on Oct. 15. Don Dazzo of Everlounge will host, with performances by the Juggling Suns, Jaski Lord Sterling, Borialis, the Sonny Kenn Band, Virginia Daisy Grace, Friends of Bill Wilson, Hat Trick of Misery, Clever Hans, Mark Prescott, April Smith and Jade Fire.
Tickets are $12 advance, $14 the day of the show. Doors open at 6:30 pm; show begins at 7 pm. All ages are welcome.

ERIN MCKEOWN

90.5 The Night’s Songwriter Showcase presents musician Erin McKeown. From Fredericksburg, Virginia, McKeown recently released her third full-length album, “Grand”. Reviewed everywhere from Elle, TimeOut New York and the the Times of London, she will perform at the Brookdale Performing Arts Center on Nov. 21. Tickets are between $25 and $20. 90.5 The Night members get a priority seating and a $5 discount. For tickets, call (732) 224-2411 and for more information, check out www.wbjb. org.