Saturday, February 27, 2010

DSA E-News #105 March 2010

Hello Songwriter,


There are 3 local song contests deadlines fast approaching: Wildflower Performing Songwriter- March 8, Kerrville New Folk- March 15 and BW Stevenson Performing Songwriter Contest- April 12. Please see item 10 below for deadlines and the song contest page for details.

DON'T MISS MARCH MADNESS on the Tuesday the 9th! Our 2nd Tuesday meeting is not to be missed! See item 3 below.

Also in March, is the biggest party in Texas, SXSW. Make plans to attend. For more details go to events. http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

Coming up quickly is the April 1 deadline to showcase at the DFW area SWRFA one day event for performing songwriters. Check out the details on our events page or at: http://www.unclecalvins.org/SWRFA

QUICK LOOK CALENDAR OF DSA MONTHLY EVENTS - put this in your bookmark.
http://calendar.yahoo.com/dallassongwriters

Think Green! Spring is coming and so is St. Patricks Day. Are you thinking green beer?

Songcerely,
Barbe McMillen
Founding President Emeritus
Editor, Songwriters Notes
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1. 2009-10 SONG CONTEST - Closed

Http://www.dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/

Entries are now in the judging process.

Important Dates

Submission Deadline:
February 15, 2010
Drawing For Free Ipod:
March 9, 2010
Semi-Finalists Announced:
March 15, 2010
Finalists & Grand Prize Winners Announced:
April 13, 2010



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/
2008 SEMIFINALISTS
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:%20http://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 - DON'T MISS THIS SPECIAL MEETING

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

2nd Tuesday MARCH MADNESS - March, 9

We'll be trying something new by Skyping our speaker and offering a contest to win a Nashville produced demo. Click on the above link to the meeting page for rules and details. Please note that visitors, as well as members will be able to enter this contest.

GUEST SPEAKER: FETT

*Fett is an independent producer and engineer with more than 40 albums to his credit, owner of Azalea Studios in Nashville, former Technology Editor for Performing Songwriter magazine, and contributing technology author for the Country Music Association' s CMA Close Up magazine. He has worked in the music industry for nearly 30 years, as a touring musician, session player, manager, booking agent, songwriter and music photographer. His clients include Davy Jones of the Monkees, Grammy-winning songwriter Don Henry, and international guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel. Fett is co-author of the Songwriter's Survival Kit audio education series, a SongU.com faculty member and TAXI affiliate, and a featured speaker at numerous national music industry events each year. He holds a degree in International Studies from The American University in Washington, DC.

Critiques follow.

Sign in & Netowrking begins at 6:30
Announcements at 7PM
Guest Speaker about 7:15

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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/2009/10/song-swap-workshops.html


FIRST MONDAY in East Dallas - Feb. 1st, March 1
5803 E Northwest Hwy Dallas, TX 75231-6519 (214) 379-8000
Roger Russell, Karon Hi & Jame Pappas coordinating.
We'll be in the Community Room at the back left in the building.

SECOND MONDAY SOUTH - Feb 8th
Home of Sharon Pisors
1203 Shawnee Rd.
Waxahachie, Tx
469 556.0253
sharon at shootfirephoto.com
THIRD MONDAY in PLANO -
Tino's at Collin Creek Mall- Anna Terry, coordinator.
Tinos Mexican Restaurant Collin Creek Mall, Plano, Tx 972 2572

BEDFORD - Karon Hi has found a place, but need the bodies to form a group.

Are you interested in meeting in the Midcities? Let us know. Coordinator, Karon High would like to meet in Euless.

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.
Please email DSA or talk to a board member if you'd like to start one in your neighborhood.
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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


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.

Barbara McMillen will be featured in March.

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

Scott Sean White's Acoustic Songwriters Nights At Sullivan's & Reflections
Sullivan's Steakhouse (Trinity Mills and the Tollway.) This room is just incredible - a REALLY nice place with a GREAT stage and GREAT sound! It's gonna be the last 2 Wednesdays of each month starting Jan 20th and it's gonna run from 6pm-10pm each night. The best song each night wins $50 and the chance to compete for the $300 GRAND PRIZE on March 31st!
Here's how it'll work:
Email, text, or call me 972-741-3330 to sign up for one of 12 slots available each night. It'll be a first-call/text/email, first-serve booking policy. Each writer will share a half-hour on stage with another writer playing 3 songs each. At the end of the night - the judges will award the $50 prize and reserve your spot in the finals on March 31st. You can compete every week of the contest if you'd like. If you win with one song one week - you can compete with different songs the next week so you CAN win multiple spots with multiple songs in the finals!
I will be your host for the evening - along with a different "featured" co-host each week. We will perform a few songs as well but are NOT eligible to compete for the prize. If you win multiple nights, you could also earn yourself one of the paid co-host slots in future weeks!
Some basic rules, info, and requirements:
- ALL GENRES ARE WELCOME!
- Sound is provided.
- You must be able to perform your song live either by playing and singing yourself, or by singing and having an accompanist. No singing to pre-recorded tracks, sorry.
- There will be a keyboard provided.
- If you play guitar, you must bring your own.
- Unless you are booked in the 6pm or 6:30pm slot, you must arrive at least an hour before your scheduled slot. (The 6:30 slot can arrive at 6pm.)
- In order to win, you must be present at 10pm. Otherwise, the prize goes to the next best song who is still in attendance.
Dates for Sullivans
Mar 24
Mar 31

Dates for Refleactions
REFLECTIONS inside the Admiral Hotel at the corner of Brown Blvd and Hwy 360. Everything is the same except that we only do it once a month over there and the finals for the $300 grand prize are at the end of June. Here are the dates if the Arlington show is easier for ya:
Tues, Mar 16th
Tues, April 27th
Tues May 25th
Tues, June 22nd
To compete, email or call Scott: profd2 at tx.rr dot com
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5. LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline March 31st.

FALL 2009 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

FINALISTS

Winner _ When Lambs Become Lions by John Thomas Lane
2nd place_ The Knock by Charles David Risinger
HM_From A Distance by Akin Akintola

VIEW WINNERS, LYRICS & COMMENTS AT WEBLINK BELOW


LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION

Next Lyric Contest Deadline is March 31st, 2010 for Winter Lyric Contest
Entry fee is $10
Please see lyric contest webpage for details.
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/lyriccontestblog.htm

October 2009 Hardcopy issue of Songwriters Notes has the last two Lyric contest winning songs listed:
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1520070&da=y
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6. MEMBER NEWS -


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

Wanna get involved? Become a committee member. It's fun!
To view a list of the 2010 Officer & Directors and Committees go to this link:
http://dsadirectors.blogspot.com/

2010 DSA Board of Directors

Met to Elect Officers on January 12th to elect officers. Click on the link above to view your officers for 2010.


WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Krystal Pinkins, Adrienne Wetzel, Baylee Kuss, Nathan Alan Toon, Coy Poitier, Chris Rucker

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Ken Golden, James Foster, James Pappas, Morri Hartgraves, Mimi Balkey, Scott White, Michael Roth, Donna Lisa, Roger Russell, Karon High, Sharon Pisors & Ann Cornelius

TIME TO RENEW: The following members owe dues:


YOU HAVE A TWO MONTH GRACE PERIOD TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE MEMBER GROUP
NOV: Ian Dickson, Joni Ringo, Don Townsley, Steve Ritter, Arek Religa, Blake Milton,
DEC: Jeremy Ellis, Tommy Byrd, Adrian Hall, John Hannun, RX Bertoldi, Randy Heavin, & John Tracy Wilson
JAN: Troy Werner, Annie Benjamin, Charles Risinger, James Guittard, Warren Lett, Ryan Galloway.
FEB: John Metz, Peter Robinson, Dennis Carlan, Emile Pandolfi, Marc McClure, Darren Speed, David Firman, Kate McGunnigle, Dan Morehouse, Richard Gardzina, Jose Gomez, Noel Cohen, Bryan Bryant, Casey Desmond, Trevor Dahlen, John Chandler, Allan Von, & Jack Hackworth, Natalia Pikoul, Michael Constiatineo, Sean Murphy, Brandi Sidoryk, MarkStepakoff, Jen Carter-Kelly, Frank Fulton, Kevin McSpadden, Lisa Simmons, Bill DiLuigi, John Mears, Joey Avalos, Niel Nasset, Garrison Doles, Steven Richards
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Kathy Nichols, Bobby Jo Chandler, Lisa Warner, Matt Pitcher

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.)
Performance and Music Education.

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 critique
Song Swap Workshops
Monthly 7-10 PM
Free, Visitors Welcome


Where songwriters perform their songs for peer review. Bring your guitar and a few lyric sheets. This is like an old fashioned guitar pull with comments between songs.

FIRST MONDAY - NE DALLAS
at Half Price Books in the Community Room in the back left of the store.

SECOND MONDAY - SOUTH of DALLAS

Home of Sharon Pisors, coordinator
1203 Shawnee Rd.
Waxahachie, Tx
469 556.0253

sharon at shootfirephoto.com


THIRD MONDAY - PLANO
Anna Terry is coordinator.

Tino's Mexican Restaurant in Plano
1013 Collin Creek Mall, 75 & Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75075
972 424-2572


MIDCITIES SONGSWAP


Karon High has found a perfect place for a song swap in Bedford.
Cornejo's Food and Drink
3314 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021
(817) 358-9100
(Next to Tom Thumb, corner of Hwy. 121 and Harwood)
She is looking for songwriters in the area to meet, and offer any weeknight as an option.
Please contact her with your suggested evening. karonhi at flash.net

The Directors believe 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 email to the yahoo member group to state your interest 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.


http://www.dallassongwriters.org/2009/10/song-swap-workshops.htmll


OTHER WORKSHOPS
From time to time will let you know about other workshops.
Collin College Music Buz Workshops on Monday Nights 7PM
March 1: Michael Mayes, Electric Guitar Tone and Techniques March 8: Jason Blume on SongwritingMarch 15: Spring BreakMarch 22: Recording EnsembleMarch 29 : Vocal Recital
Room L135 in Library building at Preston Ridge Campus

There will be panel discussions at the SWRFA one day event on April 24.
http://www.unclecalvins.org/SWRFA


http://dallassongwritersworkshops.blogspot.com/
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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/


MARCH
12-21 SXSWeek 2010
12-16 Interactive
12-20 Film
17-21 Music
14 Steve Poltz House Concert - see events list
2-4 Deep Ellum Festival http://www.meifestivals.com/
14 Grammy Advocacy Day in Washington DC
16-18 Dallas Guitar Show http://www.guitarshow.com/
22 - 24 I Create Music ASCAP EXPO http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/expo/

MAY
9-16 Listening Room International Songwriter Retreat
14-16 Wildflower Festival http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/

JUNE
2-6 Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp http://www.hccamp.org



OCT
11-16th Texas Songwriters Cruise http://www.txsongwriterscruise.com/
For more details visit the events page.
Also, hear the song contest winners podcast from this page.

http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/


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:

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.

(Re)Defining Music as Business.
By Jacob Detering -- I notice a sizable chasm between the way in which musicians and other more traditional business people deal with moving a brand forward. Most significantly missing in artists is an over arching sense of urgency with regards to brand survival.

What Do You Pretend to NOT Know About the Music Biz?
By Bob Baker -- Does that seem like an odd question to ask? Read this and I think you'll agree there are many times when you simply lie to yourself about the workings of the music business and how to find success in it. And it's costing you big time!

How to Set Up the Ultimate Desktop Recording Studio
By Glenn Derene -- With the right software and a few plug-in instruments, anyone (really, anyone) can be a rock star in his own home. Here's how to use a MIDI keyboard and software like M-Powered Essential and GarageBand to become the next Beck. [However, all the new technology in the world gets you nowhere it you can't write great songs and don't posses an identifiable style as a vocalist.]

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

LITERARY DEVICES - Part 2 Similes
Let's look at some tools and formulas help you build similes.


Online Thesaurus & Rhyming Dictionary

http://www.rhymezone.com//


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10. Song Contests
See contest details at:
http://songcontests.blogspot.com/

Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest Deadline: March 8
BW Stevenson Performing Songwriters Contest Deadline: April 12
http://www.poordavids.com

Kerville New Folk Artist Deadline: March 15

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11. Songwriting Resources

Links to websites about songwriting, performance, music industry.
http://songwritingresources.blogspot.com/

DSA Book Store - reviews, links, lists of recommended reading, and what's in the DSA Library.

http://dsabookstore.blogspot.com/

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12. Best Songs of the 2nd Tuesday Meeting

JAN 2010
Man Card by Brooke Malouf
By Myself by Nancy Rynders

FEB
This Love by Bob Paterno


Download a pdf hard copy of the Oct 2009 Songwriters Notes with 2008 best songs of the meeting winners announced.
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1520070&da=y

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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I've talked about the musical that I've been working on for it seems like an eternity.

You can listen to the musical numbers from the show at:


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