"Be part of something good. Leave something good behind."
Glen Frey

ABOUT "THE GUILD"
The Musicians and Songwriters Guild of South Carolina is a group of like-minded artists who gather each month to support their craft and receive support as they try to create something worth singing about.
You won't find ego or parliamentary procedure. You will find a diverse collection of people trying to get to the same place by traveling different paths.
Each meeting (usually the second Monday of the month) is kept on track by Vicki Whitehead, who along with Danielle Howle, began this organization in April of 2007. Vicki serves as inspiration, town crier, and trail boss at every meeting; trying to give out information, determine what the members want the Guild to become, and keep a bunch of wandering (and sometimes wondering) souls on track.
The primary focus of each meeting is to provide some working knowledge to help working musicians. A real close second is providing an opportunity to play. If you want to show off, are stumped and want guidance, or just need to practice in front of someone other than your cat, bring your instrument and a song. We will listen.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!! Saturday June 27, MSGSC will co sponsor the Rhythm on the River concert at the Cayce Riverpark next to New Orleans restaurant. The headliners will be Justin Smith and the Folk Hop Band, which includes Guild members Angela Freeman and Cory Plaugh. A large Guild turnout will help the cause and besides, it will be a great time.

DONATE: The Musicians & Songwriters Guild of SC is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization! Your donations are tax deductible. We appreciate your support and your donations. To make a donation, Make your check payable to Musicians & Songwriters Guild of SC and mail to 123-C Library Hill Lane, Lexington SC 29072.JUST IN CASE: Many employers offer matching funds for employees who contribute to charitable organizations. Since we now qualify. (501 c 3) check with your Human Resource people. We might be able to add to the coffers just by being members.

Here is the video of "Her Life" for anyone who missed it. Check out a wonderful production by a talented group of folks. Especially Vega, Chip, Cory Plaugh and Lucas War Hero.



Your CD's On Consignment!

Vicki has negotiated a consignment agreement with the Columbia Convention and Visitors Center Gift Shop to add local music to the shop's selection. Anyone interested should provide Vicki with seven CDs, a 5X7 handbill to be used as a sales flyer, and an 8.5X11 bio for the artist notebook in the gift shop. Vicki's address is:123-C Library Hill Lane, Lexington, SC 29072
Six CDs will be sold and the seventh will be played in the gift shop. CDs will sell for $15 and seventy percent of that will go to the artist. The gift shop keeps the other thirty percent. The guild is acting as an unpaid agent. Call Vicki with any questions.


The next Guild meeting will be July 13th, at 7:30 pm, at ShowCase Promo.
We will discuss the festival plans and open the chair to anyone who wants it.




The June meeting had one of the largest turnouts in recent memory; and several regulars were not there. The Guild is growing and interest is spreading. Several things of note were discussed at the meeting.

PASS THE WORD--UP COMING EVENT:

Thursday October 1, the Guiild will sponsor a songwriters workshop featuring Danielle Howle. It lasts from 12:45 pm to 5:30 at Saluda Shoals Park. This will be part of the Unearth weekend which will feature MSGSC prominently. The workshop is only $5.00 for Guild members.
The songwriting contest associated with this event has a September 1 deadline. Submit song on CD and lyric sheet, along with contact information, to Vicki by that day. Three cash prizes will be awarded and winning songs will be performed October 4th at Saluda Shoals. You can submit as many songs as you like but anyone not in the Guild has to fork over $10 for each submission.

Saluda Shoals is also featuring Songwriters Guild members during "September Music in the Park", each Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6. J Edwards is scheduled for 9/6, Brent McDonald for 8/20, and Lucas War Hero on 8/27. The September 13 concert is going to be a MSGSC showcase featuring as many as four artists performing 20-30 minute sets. Please let Vicki know if you would like to perform.


Copies of the Guild gospel CD are for sale to anyone who wants one.

A Christmas CD is in the works. Original material and versions of public domain tunes need to be entered by October 1. Feliz Navidad!!


UPDATED NEWS ON The Guilds "Play IT Again" instrument refurb program: The Guild in partnership with Music Replay of SC (A Partnership between Musicians Supply and Batesburg Leesville High School) will collect band, orchestra, stringed and woodwind for SC children in need of insturments.

Stringed and woodwind instruments are still needed for the guitar project. Pawn shops are filled with guitars. If all Guild members raided the place where they keep the loose change, combined it with a couple of other folks, and bought a guitar from a pawn shop, we would have stringed instruments coming out our ears. Contact for information or to pick up an instrument.
The Guild gave two band instruments to Music Replay of SC to be distributed to McCormick Middle & High School kids in need of instruments. Thanks for the partnership and folks---keep them instruments coming! The need is great! We can do it together! Guild members are making a difference.

BREAKING NEWS:
"A Place For Us, the Guild CD featuring children's songs, recently won two awards for excellence. The Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society awarded a Wallie Award to the CD in the interactive media category. At the Public Relations Society of America's Mercury Awards, the collection of children's songs by Mark Bryan, Danielle Howle, Brent McDonald, Sharon Von Fange, Lunch Money, and other South Carolina artists, earned a Silver Wing award and Best in Show.


Information on upcoming events and performances can be listed on the website by emailing Mike Cox at

Please remember to pay your dues. See Vicki at a meeting or mail your dues to MSG of SC at 123-C Library Hill Lane, Lexington SC 29072
Bands can now join the Guild for $35. A great bargain if you have a large band. Well worth it even if you are a duo.


Rock Out For the Kids is a monthly 20-30 minute accoustic concert in the Palmetto Children's Hospital atrium. Brent McDonald? is in charge of scheduling. Contact him for more information or to schedule a performance. or 803.479.1718.

Unearthed Songwriting contest Submission deadline is September 1, 2009. This is the 3rd annual songwriting contest in partnership with Saluda Shoals Park. The them is "Unearthed." Songs should be about the unearthed theme, the environment, Saluda Shoals Park, the river or nature. All submissions will include a CD of the song and a lyric sheet including the artist contacts and credits. Three cash prizes will be awarded and the three winners will perform their songs live on Sunday Oct 4th at Saluda Shoals during Unearthed weekend. For more information attend a meeting or contact Vicki Whitehead by email at

"You can't make the sun shine on a cloudy day"
Adam Whitehead




"Life is nothing more than passing time with you my friend."
Adam Kiraly



RockOm is a new website designed to be a crossroads for spirituality and the artists and fans moved by the musical expressions of those feelings. It is not limited to a particular belief or religion, but is designed to offer a forum for spiritually enclined musicians to share and promote their art.


WAGS Radio in Bishopville has offered to play original music by Guild members. WAGS is an independent radio station and plays country, alt-country, folk, and southern rock. Jim Jenkins is the contact at WAGS. He is easy to please and willing to play music and talk to anyone willing to provide a CD and some bio information. Jim can be reached at 803 484-5415.


Evening With..... Anyone with suggestions for the An Evening With series should submit a bio sheet, demo CD, and contact information to Vicki.

"Home to the place where you've always belonged.
Where you'll never stop singing your songs"
Salley Lesley

Membership continues to increase so please continue to spread the word and invite folks to come check us out. If you have not sent in your dues, please send them to MSG of SC, 123-C Library Hill Lane, Lexington, SC 29072. Dues are $25 for individuals per year and $15 per year for students. Bands can now join for $35 per year. What a great value.

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