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pop
friday, may 28, 2010
SWAN celebrates one year of making music Special to pop Norman singer/songwriters have several reasons to celebrate. In one year, the SongWriter Association Norman has created an expansive website, released a compilation CD, created Tshirts and has grown to nearly 40 members. To celebrate its first year together, SWAN members are performing 7 p.m. June 1 at The Abner Ale House, 121 E. Main St. Throughout the evening, members of the songwriting organization will entertain with original songs, many of which were written since the group began. The concert is free and open to the public. “The whole impetus for forming SWAN began with monthly singer/songwriter showcases organized by NormanMusicScene.com,” said Michael Bendure, cofounder of SWAN. “During the informal shows, many of us local songwriters would get to interact and have fun together, but after the show, we went home and never really hung out. SWAN
To mark its first anniversary, the SongWriter Association Norman is holding a live music celebration 7 p.m. June 1 at Abner’s Ale House, 121 E. Main St., in Norman. The “SWAN One Year Anniversary and CD Release Party” is free and open to the public. SWAN member Tracy Reed, shown here, performs an original song during one of the group’s monthly meetings. Photo provided gives us an excuse to network and develop ourselves, while also making good friends.” Richard “Daddy” Love, creator of NormanMusicScene.com, teamed up with Bendure and the pair started the SWAN group, a non-profit organization which serves to encourage songwriters at every level of experience and ability. Together, the group seeks to improve members’ abilities
and confidences in the areas of writing, performing, recording and running sound for a live show. Jim Barger, a Norman resident, started writing songs when he was 62 and had never performed publicly until a few months into the SWAN membership. “I wanted to touch people, reach inside my heart and pull out a message that people would remem-
ber,” he said. “I joined SWAN and the instructors, fellow musicians and members helped my songwriting skills so much. SWAN is like my big brother.” June marks one year since local performers joined together for the first meeting. The open-mic style concert at Abner’s doubles as an anniversary celebration and a CD release party.
SWAN album has little bit of everything By Aaron Wright pop editor
The singer/songwriter style has always been my favorite genre of music. When I first moved to Norman, pop writer Doug Hill wrote an article about an organization, the SongWriter Association Norman. Following my read of the article, I went to hear the members during one of their opening nights at Michelangelo’s. I was impressed. When I heard the announcement of
CD review their new CD, I was anxious to get my hands on one to hear the lyrics and sounds of acoustic guitar strings being stroked. What I found was an album that features 17 original songs that span a variety of topics and styles. Some are reminiscent of Bob Dylan’s flowing tunes while others resemble the trotting country twang of artists such as Johnny Cash. Michael Bendure’s “Greatest Woman in the World” is the
song with the heaviest rock sound on the album. Most tracks consist of just the singer and guitar. However, tracks such as Bill May’s “Love Can Kill” incorporate the subtle use of other backup instruments. Oklahoma is a common theme among several songs such as Daddy Love’s “Frito Chili Pie,” in which Love speaks of the big Oklahoma sky and the prettiest girl at Sonic. “A Little Town in
Oklahoma” by Jim L. Watson tells of the joys of growing up in Henryetta. For me, Katie Mariah’s song “Patience” was the most memorable. Mariah’s tender voice sails through this song about letting go of the past. My only wish is that the CD came with lyrics. “SWAN Songs 2010, Vol. 1,” $10, will be available for sale during the anniversary event, as well as at Guestroom Records and the Norman Convention & Visitors Bureau, both on Main Street.
“I think it’s amazing that in less than a year this group has actually created its first compilation CD,” said Jim Madsen, SWAN member. “There are many other songwriting groups in markets much larger than ours that don’t have this level of group productivity. That really says a lot about the group here in Norman.” Members of the group include songwriters of all levels. Teenagers to senior citizens, newbies and pros all have roles in the organization. On the first Tuesday of each month, SWAN members hold a formal meeting focusing on one area of development. Each meeting concludes with a song circle during which
members can debut new songs. Other Tuesday nights are open mics at various Norman restaurants. The mission of SWAN is to support the development of songwriting, performance and recording skills of songwriters; to enhance public awareness of local songwriters through live showcases and other promotional activities; to provide a forum to share and exchange ideas, experiences, music, lyrics and tips about songwriting, performing and recording; and to create opportunities for public performances featuring local songwriters. SWAN’s other activities are listed at www.NormanSongWriters.org or www.nac.org.