Wednesday, September 16, 2009

DSA E-News #100 October 2009

Hello Songwriter,

Last month zoooooooomed by!! Lot's of things happening!

We are starting a number of SongSwap Workshops in the nieghborhoods as a grass roots movement. Our membership is so spread out. Hopefully, bringing these educational workshops close to you will give you more opportunities to participate. I hope you will take advantage of these small groups. The new one at Tino's in Plano was well attended. Our staple at White is still active. Please email DSA or talk to a board member if you'd like to start one in your neighborhood.

Mark your calendar for the Guitar Show in Arlington, TX Convention Center on the 17 & 18, The World's Largest Consumer Guitar Event , http://www.texasguitarshows.com/NewArl.htm

The world's largest consumer guitar event of its kind, the annual Arlington Guitar Show (GUITARLINGTON) returns to the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday October 18. Saturday's hours are 10-6 and Sunday's are 10-5. The 4 Amigos, organizers of this twenty-fourth consecutive show in Arlington, say that this year's extravaganza will be the most exciting to date. This international buy, sell and trade show for new, used, old and rare guitars and other musical merchandise, is considered to be a must for dealers and collectors from all over the world to attend each year. Public attendees are encouraged to bring all the guitars and related gear they can carry to sell, trade or have appraised. This year's feature attraction is the attempt by show attendees and exhibitors to shatter the world's record of the most guitarists playing the same song in the same venue at the same time. Bring your guitar and participate in the playing of "Louie Louie". The attempt will occur at 2 p.m. sharp on Saturday. Admission to the show is $15 daily for adults and children eleven and under free if accompanied by an adult. The public is also invited to attend the live guitar jams and performances by surprise guests at the nearby Sheraton Arlington Hotel pavilion Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. Visit our web site at www.txshows.com. The convention center is located just off I-30 near Texas Ranger Stadium.

Third Thursday in November we are celebrating our big 5 year anniversary celebration in November at the Dunn Brothers Open Mic.

Hit Nashville songwriter Robert Jason is now taking reservations for his first Dallas workshop on Saturday, Oct. 24. See details below under workshops.

We have a great program scheduled for next Tuesday with radio personality David Shenault and Music Director Cindy Owen from KMOO. Find out if they will play your songs.


QUICK LOOK CALENDAR OF DSA MONTHLY EVENTS - put this in your bookmark.

http://calendar.yahoo.com/dallassongwriters

I hope to see you at one of the events soon.

Songcerely,
Barbe McMillen
Founding President Emeritus
Editor, Songwriters Notes
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ATTENTION ARTISTS AND COMPOSERS !!
NOW YOUR MUSIC CAN BE HEARD WORLDWIDE !!


DIAMOND BACK compilations are distributed to country radio worldwide every two months. Diamond Back came into existance in January 2006 and is highly accepted by radio stations. Many of the songs appearing on our compilations have made both U.S. and international charts, giving deserved recognition. If you have songsyou feel are air-worthy, we welcome your material for review. For only $100 per song, you will receive a million dollars worth of exposure on our Diamond Back Compilations.
WE WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING FOR REVIEW: Your name, mailing address and email adderess. Titles of your songs, name of writer and, if published, name of the publisher. We need to know if you are affiliated with BMI or ASCAP. All songs must be submitted on CD format. Genre of music may be country, gospel or middle of the road. The singer may be you or another artist. Dust off your material and mail it to us. Lets get your songs to radio stations for the world to hear.
B. Jeff Stone, CEO

Diamond Back Records Of Texas
725 SE County Road 3122
Corsicana, Tx. 75109
EMAIL: bjeffstone@att.net
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1. 2009 SONG CONTEST - OPENING FOR SUBMISSIONS

We will open the contest for submissions on November 15th by mail, You will be able to upload your songs online via Sonicbids.com and Broadjam.com

We are still looking for committee members to help with the 2009 song contest. Reply to this email.

1. 2008 SONG CONTEST - WINNERS

Compare your songs against our winners last year.
http://www.dallassongwriters.com/songcontest/2008/2008winners.htm

Here is winning songs in a series of three podcasts at:

http://www.dallassongwriters.podomatic.com

Drawing for the IPod. Number 66 was drawn by our guest speaker at the meeting. Congratulations to Gaylon Embrey for his entry, Little Angel Faces, being the 66th song contest entry.

SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED

http://www.dallassongwriters.org/scontest.htm

or direct link:


http://www.dallassongwriters.org/semifinalists.htm


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2. SONGS FROM THE SOUL OF SERVICE
http://www.songssoulservice.org


The Cd of the winning songs, Songs From the Soul of Service Vols. 1 & 2 are available online at: http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE&page=SSS4

If you missed the concert, you can catch the Tribute to our fallen soldiers from DFW at our Podomatic site:

You Know Me Tribute to Fallen

URL: http://dallassongwriters.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-05-21T21_14_44-07_00


Read the latest story about this years winners
http://songssoulservice.blogspot.com/

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3. DSA MEETINGS

MONTHLY MEETING - http://www.dallassongwriters.com/meetingblog.htm

2nd Tuesday - OCTOBER 13

KMOO Radio Personality Steered to DSA Meeting


SECONDARY RADIO: WILL THEY PLAY YOUR MUSIC?

DAVID SHENAULT, DJ AND CINDY OWEN, MUSIC DIRECTOR from radio station KMOO in Mineola, TX will lead a panel discussion about how to get those precious paying gigs.

Sign in & Netowrking begins at 6:30
Announcements at 7PM
Guest Speaker 7:15
Critiques will follow:


Have any suggestions? What kind of programs would you like?

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DSA T-SHIRTS $10 at the meeting (you must ask me for the special) or online by mail $15

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Songwriting, Song Swap Workshops
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/workshops/workshopframe.htm">http://www.dallassongwriters.org/workshops/workshopframe.htm">http://www.dallassongwriters.org/workshops/workshopframe.htm
FIRST MONDAY

White Rock Coffee in East Dallas. http://www.wrcoffee.com/ We had a great meeting with Bob Paterno & Jame Pappas coordinating. We're scheduled at this venue through the end of the year.

PLANO - Tino's at Collin Creek Mall on the 3rd Monday- Anna Terry will be coordinating this one.
Tinos Mexican Restaurant Collin Creek Mall, Plano, Tx 972 2572

At the last board meeting, we decided to encourage other SongSwap Workshops in various neighborhoods. Look for one starting soon in Euless, coordinated by Karon High.

The Directors feel that DSA can support a number of these small area Song Swaps which are beneficial to attaining crucial feedback for developing your works in progress and as Annie Benjamin pointed out, works best in small groups of 10 or less. If you live in a suburb and would like to host one in your area, please reply to the group and ask for interested attendees in your area. Three people make a group for peer review or interested co-writers. I know several people who have attended the Song Swap in the past have developed beneficial co-writing relationships.

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4. SHOWCASES & OPEN MICS -
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/showcasesblog.htm

OPEN MICS
DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE -
EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

5th Anniversary Celebration on November 19th.

TEXAS SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND at Hilltop Cafe, Castell, Tx 76831
Texas Songwriters in the Round is beginning its 10th year of songwriters series.
We are currently meeting at the Hill Top Cafe on Hwy 87 9 miles north of Fredericksburg, Tx.

The Showcase is every 3rd Wednesday with our Star.
The group also meets every wednesday on the patio for songwriters support, performance and sharing.
512-217-4596

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5. LYRIC CONTEST - SPRING WINNERS ANNOUNCED

FINALISTS

The Rider by David McElhinney
Just For One Day by Amy Ralmuto
We Are The Banksters by Eddie Becker

VIEW WINNERS, LYRICS & COMMENTS AT WEBLINK BELOW

SUMMER ENTRIES ARE CURRENTLY BEING JUDGED

LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION

Next Lyric Contest Deadline is Sept 8th, 2009 for Summer Lyric Contest
Entry fee is $10
Please see lyric contest webpage for details.
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/lyriccontestblog.htm
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6. MEMBER NEWS -

Dear DSA member,

Your attendance is requested at our annual membership meeting coming up this November (11/10/09). We will be electing the DSA Board of Directors for 2010 at this meeting. See details below!


DSA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Date: Tuesday November 10, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Center For Community Cooperation
Street: 2900 Live Oak @ Liberty
City State Zip: Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: 214 762-1613 Barbe's cell
Notes: Nominations and Elections for 2010 Board of Directors.
Please RSVP, since food will be provided.

We are always looking for dedicated members to serve on our Board of Directors or as a committee member. Our committees include: Membership, Song Contest, Lyric Contest, Workshops, Critiques, Meetings, Marketing, Finance, fund raising, sponsorship, public relations. You can join this list of committee members by volunteering.

Best regards,
Bob Paterno


If you are not a DSA Member, you missed these tips sent out through our yahoo group:

* Publisher looking for Childrens songs

* Artists/Producers looking for original material for recording artists

* Major Brand X (To be disclosed at a later time) Seeks Independent artist for music campaign.

* Where to get your cd reviewed

* Music related job listing

* Cheap and free tickets

There are three committee seats open.
Vacant - Coordinator Song Swap Workshops
* Coordinators may open neighborhood workshops
Vacant - Librarian, workshops
Vacant - Monthly Meeting Critiques- runs the A&R at the meetings.

Please contact Steve Sullivan, sullarch at verizon dot net, to express your interest in serving.


To view a list of the 2009 Officer & Directors and Committees go to this link:
http://dsadirectors.blogspot.com/


WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Geoffrey Kern, Don Wall, & Scott Fant , Dave Sanchez, Brook Malouf, John Nitzinger, Jay Mince, Janie Stephens, Mike & Mark Stitts, Geoff Kern, George Ross, Rod Ballou, Stephen Blackwell
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP:Bill Honker, Dave Dalton, Buck Morgan, Mary Guthrie, Annie Cornelius, Steve Sullivan

TIME TO RENEW: The following members owe dues:


THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN DROPPED FROM THE MEMBER YAHOO GOUP AND PLACED IN THE NETWORK GROUP
OCT: Judith de los Santos, Tony Burroughs, Michael Hart, Adam Donmoyer, Rich Ellis, Danny Everitt, Mathew Marsh, Brad Price
NOV: Robert Couch, Joni Ringo, Donna Aylor, Jenna Drey, Mike Hyden, Richard Kirwin, Will Brown, Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Al Scroggins, Ian Dickson, Will Livingston, Clif Munroe, Jan Seides, Steve Smith, Alisha Jackson, Sharon Pisors, David Carter, Tim Dawson, Terry Fann, Jason Heald, Brad Henske, Forrest Lawson, Phillip Marcus, Linda Moroziuk, Paul Reaney, Walter Sargent, Andy Taylor,
DEC: Jeff Sharp, Lisa Mickelson, Bil Basinski, Steve Hill
JAN: Jeff Moxcey, Beverly Houston, Kathy Davidson, Drew Harakal, Sidney Miller, Ann Abercrombie, Kay Seamayer
FEB: Carol Shaw, Jennifer Carson, Jason Winford & Bill Amos
MARCH: Helene Cronin, Mark Hughey, Barbara Seiler, Michael Franceus, Neal Fletcher, Troll Mallow, Rory Moore
APRIL: Mike Parrish, Stephen Boone, Ed Williams, Akin Akintola
MAY: James Cornelius, Kathy Dunn, Mark Evans, David Lott, Michael Shane Russell, Aaron Rodriquez, Jeff Odon, Alicia Smither, Grady Yates, Beth Scivally, Rick Yentsch, & Richard Pickett.

THESE FOLKS WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE MEMBER GROUP THIS MONTH
JUNE: Anna Terry, Jerome Douglas, Karen High, Mark Dittenber, Bobby McBride, Michael Hollingsworth
AUG: Phillip Cooner, Edd Haynes, Tom Carder

YOU HAVE A TWO MONTH GRACE PERIOD TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
SEPT:Ken Golden, Hank Woji, Mark Crisp, James Foster, Jenna Colston, Marquel Dionne

Renew your membership online,
You'll find the link to the store on the panel to the right
Or paste this link in your browser: http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE&&
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7. WORKSHOPS - DSA WORKSHOPS ARE SPONSORED BY BMI
(Each month we have a workshop at our monthly meeting on the 1st Monday and 2nd Tuesday.)

ROBERT JASON'S SONGWRITER'S WORKSHOP - OCT 24TH, PLANO, TX
http://www.robertjason.com

Robert Jason is a multi-talented Songwriter, Producer, Composer, and Studio Vocalist, whose songs have been recorded by Alabama, Reba McEntire, Barry White, and The Fox Brothers.

Robert's music career began in Miami, with stops in Dallas, Los Angeles and finally, Nashville, TN

His membership affiliations include Screen Actors Guild, American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists, Local 47 Musicians Union, BMI (writer/publisher), ASCAP (publisher), NSAI, CMA, and the CCMA.

Robert is an honors graduate of the University of Miami (Fla.), holding dual degrees in Piano Performance and Music Education.

Robert's Artist/Producer endorsements include AKG, SE Electronics, Antares Audio, Universal Audio, and GML (George Massenburg Labs).

Details here: http://dallassongwritersworkshops.blogspot.com/

If you'd like for me to add you comment, just send me an email.

SECOND TUESDAY GUEST SPEAKER & SONG CRITIQUES - see Monthly Meeting above

http://www.dallassongwriters.com/meetingblog.htm


MONDAY SONG SWAPS for peer critiques
FIRST MONDAY SONG SWAP at White Rock Coffee
THIRD MONDAY SONG SWAP at Tino's in Plano, located in Collin Creek Mall

http://www.dallassongwriters.org/workshops/workshopframe.htm

OTHER WORKSHOPS


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8. Events -

Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, & showcases. Click on the link #8 to the right or copy and paste this link in your browser.
http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

OCT
2-4 SongWritersFestival.com, Loretta Lynn's Ranch
8-10 Colorado Springs Expo, Marriott Colorado Springs
17-18 World's Largest Consumer Guitar Event, Arlington, TX Convention Ctr/
17-18 Texas Independent Music Expo, Sons of Hermann Hall, Dallas, Tx
22-24 Barbara Cloyd's Play For Publishers, Nashville, Tn
29-30 Billboard Film & TV Conference, Hollywood, CA
25- Nov 1 Listening Room International Songwriter Retreat Ireland

NOV
15 5th Anniversary Celebration at Dunn Brothers Coffee Open Mic

DEC
7-12 5th Annual Texas Songwriing Cruise

JAN 2010
10-17 Listening Room International Songwriter Retreat California Sequoias

FEB
17-21 Folk Alliance, Memphis

MARCH
12-21 SXSWeek 2010
12-16 Interactive
12-20 Film
17-21 Music

APRIL
14 Grammy Advocacy Day in Washington DC

MAY
9-16 Listening Room International Songwriter Retreat

For more details visit the events page.
Also, hear the song contest winners podcast from this page.

http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

PERFORMERS NEEDED FOR SMALL-VENUE CONCERT SERIES - please see events blog for details

TEXAS CONCERT LISTINGS
http://www.dirtylinen.com/special/dl-states/TEXAS.html

Comprehensive VENUE LIST - compliments of Uncle Calvins
http://www.unclecalvins.org/OtherVenues.aspx

DALLAS TEXAS CONCERT LISTINGS
http://mojam.wolfgangsvault.com/concerts/city?city=Dallas,TX

Dallas Morning News Guide Live Music Listing ( hit search after opening the page)
http://listings.guidelive.com/portal/page?_pageid=33,97314&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
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9. Featured Articles:

Ray Phillips- 2008 Songwriter of the Year
by Buck Morgan

September on My Mind
is winning song of 2008 DSA monthly song critiques



With a hand in writing half of the 16 winning songs in the DSA monthly song contest, Ray Phillips, excuse me, the amazingly talented Ray Phillips is the runaway DSA Songwriter of the Year for 2008.
In addition, independent judges have recently chosen Ray’s song, “September in My Mind,” as DSA Song of the Year.
Clearly a favorite among DSA members, Ray faced stiff competition with the judges. You see, his songs had to beat out his songs in independent judging for Song of the Year. Ultimately the judges chose Ray and writing partner Richard Davis’ “September in My Mind,” beating out another Phillips/Davis tune, “She Loves to Infinity”.
Other songs among the judges’ favorites were “We Don’t Eat Together Anymore” by Bob Paterno and, yes, Ray Phillips, “A Man’s Gotta Do” by 2007 songwriter of the year Ed Williams, and “Dancing Feet and Honkytonk Hearts” by Vern Dailey, who’s won songwriter of the year numerous times.
“Finding great songs by DSA members is never a problem, but it’s always a challenge to find good judges,” said Steve Sullivan, DSA president. “That’s one reason we’re a little late in making this announcement. However, we’re very pleased to have found three music industry professionals to listen to and rate our songs.
Judges were:   Mark Mason, a writer’s representative for BMI in Nashville. Mark listens to hundreds of songs every month and is a well-respected member of the Nashville writers’ community.
Steve Leslie is a professional songwriter with multiple Darryl Worley cuts, including two on his current album. George Strait has also covered one of Steve’s songs.  In addition to songwriting, Steve runs a publishing company in Nashville and enjoys teaching songwriting.
Louis Lofredo is a long-time industry insider, producer and publisher and a good friend of DSA.
Those of you who regularly attend monthly meetings know that on most months DSA members submit songs for panel critiquing and membership scoring. The two highest scoring songs each month become nominees for Song of the Year. On months with fewer than six song submissions, only one song is nominated. 
The DSA is proud of Ray and all the monthly winners and submitters.  To hear some of Ray’s songs, please visit http://www.myspace.com/rayphillipssongwriter From there you can leap to Ed and Bob’s pages. If you want to know more about Vern Dailey, just Google him. He’s a Texas treasure.


MUSIC BUSINESS

Bob Paterno's blog Making Music Making Money
http://www.makingmusicmakemoney.blogspot.com

Bob Paterno interviews former CEO of the mega-successful Gaylord Entertainment company, Terry London.

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING
Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting
http://craftofsongwriting.blogspot.com/

There was a lot of comments floating around in the member yahoo group this month about the bridge section of a song form. Barbe weighs in on when and how to use a bridge.


Online Thesaurus & Rhyming Dictionary

http://www.rhymezone.com/

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10. Song Contests

http://songcontests.blogspot.com/

GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST Deadline Oct 30
SONG DOOR: Deadline Nov. 15th
more ....on song contest blog


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11. Songwriting Resources

http://songwritingresources.blogspot.com/


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12. Best Songs of the 2nd Tuesday Meeting

JANUARY 2009
Cross My Heart by Vern Dailey

FEBRUARY
Easy For You by Ray Philips & Richard Davis

MARCH
1st. Shined On Me by Ray Phillips & Richard Davis
2nd Look Beyond by Jerry Dobson

APRIL
Our Heaven On Earth by Vern Dailey
Always A Day Behind by Roger Russell & Bill Amos

MAY - no critiques

JUNE
First Place...Cross My Heart by Vern Dailey and Leslie Brooks
Tie for Second Place...Wishing In One Hand by Jerry Dobson and Daughter of Texas Wind by Morri Hartgraves

JULY
Which Side of My Heart by Vern Dailey

SEPT
Things I Don't Mind by Bob Paterno (The Stitts brothers proclaimed this one a hit)
Futile Attraction by Vern Dailey

September on My Mind judged by Ray Phillips as Song of the Year for 2008
Ray Phillips is Songwriter of the Year 2008
see Best Songs blog for score details and judges.

To view past winners go to the Best Songs blog. http://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com/
To hear the winners go to our myspace page.

Did you know that A&R reps from labels and music publishers are listening to our Myspace page each month?

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Thanks for reading this far. If you have any suggestions for the newsletter, please let me know. Follow me on Twitter @barbemcmillen. Give me a tweet.



Songcerely,
Barbara McMillen, Editor
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSA