JPF Home Page Forums Northwest US Chapter Message Boards Eugene & Springfield Oregon Chapter Message Board We need an Oregon Moderator

Hi Folks,

We need a moderator for this message board. Your role would be the encourage discussion, post info of interest and respond to any needs or questions raised with help from myself and others. If you are interested in helping us increase participation and offer more info, resources and support to the artists and writers in this community, please let me know.

Thanks,

Brian

Brian, I am not sure what-all (or who-all) is out there. I have run into Derek Hines in Salem (and we've actually met in person), and Linda Adams up in Seattle (who's promised to visit someday); I'm down near Medford, 250 miles south of Derek and 300 miles south of Portland. I haven't seen anybody else around.

Joe

We have several hundred members in Oregon. We need to find someone who can nurture some info exchange and activity to attract others to stick around after they surf in.

Brian

Well, Brian, I don't know. Could we contact them? I have no idea who or where they are, but it might be worthwhile to give 'em a "Yo, dude/dudette!" and see what they're up to.

Joe

Hey, All -

I don't get to the JPF site much, but wanted at least to mention the Songwriters Workshop in Eugene, OR. We're into our 5th year now, still holding it the 2nd Saturday of nearly every month. You can get the latest info at http://www.freewebs.com/songshop/.

Drop by sometime. You'd be real welcome.

Rocky

Ooo, there is somebody in Oregon besides Derek and me. Rocky, I checked out y'all's site and will try to make it by one of your workshops sometime. I live in Phoenix (OR), just south of Medford, so it's not bad under normal conditions (of course, "normal conditions" are not what's falling right now).

I'm a member of the Southern Oregon Songwriters Association down here; we do weekly "showcases" and put out an annual album, but I'm trying to get the group to get into the habit of mutual critiquing (doesn't seem to have been much done). I'd like to get some input watching you guys at work.

Joe

Im in Salem! if anyone gets anything going let me know.

Hey Aw

I'm in Salem as well. I play guitar, write lyrics and compose music. I am not aware of anything that is really going strong music wise in Salem. There might be an open mic somewhere. I do know of a place in Dallas Oregon where they get together and play acoustic guitar in the park.
Derek

Hey, Joe -

Sounds like SOSA is doing what we're trying to (showcases) and we're doing the mutual critiques SOSA wants. Hm, think we can learn from each other? Our next workshop is this Saturday, March 8. Short notice and long drive, I know, but you're welcome if you can make it.

I'm also trying to get a half- or full-day workshop led by a songwriting "pro." It's not easy. If you have any leads on someone, please pass them along.

Rocky

Rocky, I won't be able to make your critique session this Szaturday. I'll be out of town, helping judge District High School Speech Championships (my daughter' who's a senior, will go to District this year--again). Do you do these the same Saturday every month? April might always be an option.

The "showcases" are good. SOSA does 5 a month, 3 at one tavern and 2 at another. 4 are on Saturday nights, and the fifth on a Friday night. I'm not sure how it got started--I'll have to ask someone. Presumably someone went to the venue owners and solicited. Good deal for the venue owners, because we can usually pack the place with our people, friends and families, and they all buy food, drinks, yada yada.

Gives the musicians experience playing in front of a live but generally supportive audience, too--and to try out new material on unsuspecting (but again, generally supportive) crowds. I've seen a fair number of SOSA members get gigs elsewhere as a result (even happened to me a couple of times, plus I found a band to play with).

Main thing I've contributed to this effort (besides doing their promotional posters) is encouraging these guys to play with each other. I now see a number of little impromptu bands performing people's material, instead of everybody doing their thing solo. And I do it myself: I maintain with the way I sing and play guitar, I sound a lot better when I've got backup, and most of 'em agree with me (but they also agree that nearly *everybody* sounds better with backup, too).

I would like to see how you folks do the critiques. I think we really need that.

I don't know any "pros" who teach seminars like you described. I have done it in a small way myself; I've given a seminar the past two years on songwriting at the Tillamook County Bluegrass Festival, but I am not a pro, and have to emphasize I do not know if I really have anything to contribute. (I think I do the Tillamook thing primarily to appreciate *their* thinking I'm a good writer who might have something to contribute, and whose name might draw people to the Festival. I have no idea whether it does.)

I will try to make it to one of y'all's future things. Please let me know when and where they are. Thanks.

Joe