Wednesday, August 4, 2010

DSA E-News #110, Aug 2010

Hello Songwriter,


Heads up! There is no second Tuesday meeting in August. We'll resume in Sept. 

Yes we are still having our song swaps on the 1st and 3rd Mondays and the Dunn Brothers open mic on the 3rd Thursday. See below for details.

Don't forget about the Acoustic Music camp THIS WEEK.

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

Special DSA vocal workshop next weekend. See workshops below.

North Texas Musicians Networking and free concerts at the Library - see Events.

School starts back in a couple of weeks. They've added another songwriting class to my load. Check it out.


FALL 2010 CLASSES COLLIN COLLEGE






7:00 pm - 9:50 pm   M   Preston Ridge Campus L251
Aug 23, 2010 - Dec 12, 2010
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm    MW      Spring Creek Campus B150
Aug 23, 2010 - Dec 12, 2010
6:00 pm - 8:50 pm     W    Spring Creek Campus B113
Aug 23, 2010 - Dec 12, 2010

Songcerely,
Barbe McMillen
Founding President Emeritus
Editor, Songwriters Notes
----------
Wow! Acoustic Music Camp! What a fun thing to do for the summer! Play music and brush up on your songwriting. Http://www.acousticmusiccamp.com
____________________________
_________________________

1. 2009-10 SONG CONTEST - We've finally wrapped it up and delivered all prizes!
Winners were announced April 15 on the website and at the Dallas International guitar show.
See John Nitzinger and Tradition Guitars presenting the grand prize at the show.

See the press release on the song contest winners:

Get a hard copy of the April issue of Songwriters Notes with a list of winners and read about grand prize winner, Lanny Sherwin.

See the winners, be sure to scroll to the bottom for Roy Elkins comments on the cream of the crop.

Semifinalists were posted on the song contest website on March 15th.

Mimi Balkey won the drawing for the ipod.

THANKS TO TRADITION GUITARS FOR GENEROUSLY DONATING THE GUITAR TO OUR GRAND PRIZE WINNER.

2008 SONG CONTEST - WINNERS

See past 2008 winners.

Here 2008 winning songs in a series of three podcasts at:
2008 SEMIFINALISTS

*******************************
2. DSA MEETINGS -











NO MEETING THIS MONTH OF AUGUST


Free to DSA members, $5 for visitors
Song Critiques will follow - Members Only - $5

Sign in and Networking begins at 6:30
Announcements at 7PM
Program about 7:15
Critiques will follow. Bring your songs
----------------------------

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

----------------------------










MONDAY SONG SWAPS for peer critique
Song Swap Workshops
Monthly 7:30-10 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 in East Dallas











Half Price Books, 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.

THIRD MONDAY in PLANO -
Tino's at Collin Creek Mall- Steve Sullivan, coordinator.
Tinos Mexican Restaurant Collin Creek Mall, Plano, Tx 972 2572

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.
-----------------------

3. SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS -

OPEN MICS

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

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

TSR will be in Brady "2nd Saturday" if anyone can join us please do.
Hard Eight Cafe
6-9PM
All original All the Time.

Songwriter Shootout - a competition - cash prize and a guitar to winnersEvery Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 pmCowtown Texas Saloon6012 Jacksboro HighwayFort Worth, TX817-237-2206We'd love to see you songwriters slinging your talent over on the west side.
It's all good and it's not all country.
-----------------------------------------------

4. LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked September 30th or enter online.

Spring/Summer currently being judged

VIEW WINNERS, LYRICS and COMMENTS AT WEBLINK BELOW


LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION
Next Lyric Contest Deadline is March 30th, 2010 for Spring Lyric Contest
Entry fee is $10
Please see lyric contest webpage for details.

April 2010 Hardcopy issue of Songwriters Notes has Summer & Fall 2009 winners posted.

October 2009 Hardcopy issue of Songwriters Notes has Fall 2008 & winter/spring 2009 Lyric contest winning songs listed:
-------------------------------------------------------

5. 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:

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: Tracy Merchant, Jan Osborne, Tim Schramm, Kevin Mountcastle, Brent Benton, Pru Gilmore, Timberly Padden won a fee membership in the guitar show drawing.. Tim Phillips, Pru Potter, Joanna Endley, Robert Tenorio, and song contest winners Ward Parker, Eric Christensen, Chris Trentham, Scott Tonkinson, Lisa Torres, Noel Cohen, David Spence, Edward Turton, Lauren Smith, Lanny Sherwin, John Watilo Louie Cate, Claire Ulanoff, Karyna Cruz, Peter Bacsalmasi, Bernadette Conant, Roger Kaye, Matt Dahan, Dom Stasi, Sinem Varoglu, John Visconti, Jaime Leopold,

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Ed Willians, Tom Thomas, Trevor Dahen, Butch Schindel, Bob Paterno, Ian Dickson, Jackie Doss, Mary Guthrie, CB Luce

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

JAN: Troy Werner, Annie Benjamin, Charles Risinger, James Guittard, Warren Lett.
FEB: John Metz, Peter Robinson, Dennis Carlan, Emile Pandolfi, Marc McClure, Darren Speed, David Firman, Kate McGunnigle, Dan Morehouse, Richard Gardzina, Jose Gomez, Bryan Bryant, Casey Desmond, 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
MARCH: Kathy Nichols, Bobby Jo Chandler, Lisa Warner, Matt Pitcher
APRIL: Janis McQuinton, Michelle Fosse, Gerald Patton
MAY:  Ron Grimes
JUNE: Kevin Sullivan, Josh Goldberg
JULY: Michael Fredde, Dave Dalton, Brook Malouf, Dave Sanchez
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Don Wall, Scott Fant

Renew your membership online,
You'll find the link to the store on the panel to the right
-------------------------------------------------------

6. WORKSHOPS - DSA WORKSHOPS ARE SPONSORED BY BMI
(Each month we have a workshop at our monthly meeting on the 1st Monday, 3rd Monday and 2nd Tuesday. see item 3 above.) http://www.meetingblog.dallassongwriters.org

Occasionally we bring in special instructors for songwriting, performance or music education workshops.

VOCAL WORKSHOP IN LEWISVILLE

Who: Michael Maresca, MMOV Studios
What: Free Vocal Workshop
Where:   1865 McGee Lane Suite D, Lewisville, 75077
When: Aug. 14, 5p.m.
How: Contact Buck Morgan, 972 345 2133, wmsmorgan@verizon.net

http://dallassongwritersworkshops.blogspot.com/

There are several workshop opportunities in Austin - see events page below.
------------------

7. Events -

Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, & showcases.

There are several North Texas Musicians Networking Opportunities and Dallas Library Concert Calendar for August listed on our events page.
AUG
Aug 6 -7: Acoustic Music Camp, Arlington, Tx http://acousticmusiccamp.com/
Aug 14-15: All Access Music Conference, Miami, FL http://www.allaccessmusicconference.com/
Aug 22-28 Skip Ewing’s Horse & Writer “Invitational” Link to "Invitational" Mane Page

SEPT
Sept. 11-12 Creation:Craft:Connection Music Conference, Foothills College, CA
                  Http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org
Sept 30 - Oct 3: Southwest Regional Folk Alliance, Austin, Tx http://www.swarfa.com

OCT
11-16th Texas Songwriters Cruise http://www.txsongwriterscruise.com/
15-17th Llano Heritage Festival http://www.llanomainstreet.com
For more details visit the events page.
Also, hear the song contest winners podcast from this page.



TEXAS CONCERT LISTINGS

Comprehensive VENUE LIST - compliments of Uncle Calvins

DALLAS TEXAS CONCERT LISTINGS

Dallas Morning News Guide Live Music Listing ( hit search after opening the page)
---------------

8. Featured Articles:


MUSIC BUSINESS











International Income for Music Makers
By Scott G - The G-Man -- There may be a world of money waiting for songwriters, publishers and performers, but collecting the revenue internationally can be perplexing. It is so complicated, in fact, that the California Copyright Conference (CCC) dedicated one of their monthly programs to the topic. 

A Music Library Wants Your Song
By Scott G - The G-Man -- Since I started managing a music publishing company, many songwriters, singers, bands, managers and composers have sent me e-mails asking about decisions they need to make in their careers. One of the most common questions is "Should I sign a non-exclusive agreement with a library that wants to re-title my songs?" If I give them the honest answer... 

Bob Paterno's blog Making Music Making Money

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

Glossary of Terms Used in the Music Industry
Compiled by Mario F. Gonzalez, Esq.

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING
Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting

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










HEY MUSICIANS, NEED HELP BACKING UP YOUR WORK?
Who doesn't? So go straight to our AMP site and find Music Connection's exclusive tips article Creating and Archiving Your Recordings. It's under the site's "Essential Reading" area. While you're there, check out MC's other equally useful articles that are intended to help your career. Musicconnection.com/amp


Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary



********************************************

9. Song and Talent Contests
See contest details at:











A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com
----------------

10. Songwriting Resources

Links to websites about songwriting, performance, music industry.

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

11. 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


MARCH MADNESS - no critiques this month

APRIL Co-writes - no critiques this month

MAY
I Tell My Heart by Vern Dailey and Amber Dotson

JUNE
Loves Gonna Change Your Mind by Vern Dailey and Clay Potter
Will You Save A Drowning Man by Nancy Rynders

JULY
Worth Every Penny by Michael Brandenberger

Read about 2009 Songwriter of the Year, Vern Dailey:  http://dsapress.blogspot.com/2010/08/legend-in-his-own-time.html

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 and R reps from labels and music publishers are listening to our Myspace page each month?

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

Did you know that DSA held two song contests for active military and the Cds 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

Tribute to our fallen soldiers from DFW at our Podomatic site:

You Know Me Tribute to Fallen

Read the latest story about this years winners
-----

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
Posted by at

2 comments:

Unknown said...

FREE VOCAL WORKSHOP WORTH THE INVESTMENT IN TIME

Saturday was just another triple digit day. People had stuff to do, stuff they couldn't get out of, and then some had stuff that they could do, but didn't have to if they decided not to.

I had my step-daughter's graduation from UNT, so I was already in the Lewisville neighborhood for the Free Vocal Workshop at MMOneVoice Studio. Plus I had organized it with Josh and Michael and kind of had to be there.

Maridale and I drove by the studio about an hour early, then we went for a drive to see where our daughter Lindsey works at Bath and Body Works. The studio looked pretty isolated and abandoned when we drove by, so I asked MD how many of the 10 workshop confirmations I could expect to actually attend. She guessed 5. I sighed.

By the end of the workshop, all 10 of us were dangling our heads over our chests, making Jerry Lewis sounds. "Hey Laaaadddyyy!" I knew we would do better than 5, but I didn't expect 100 percent.

Woody Allen said just showing up is 90 percent of success. Here's what some of the folks who showed up had to say about Michael Maresca's free vocal workshop:

----------
As an evolving songwriter who had never taken a voice lesson, I constantly felt like 'wow, this guy is saving me so much time and heartache in the process of learning how to sing.' Clearly, he knows his craft AND is a gifted teacher with the ability to communicate in ways that let creative people get a handle on the otherwise technical aspects of singing. I just want to say THANK YOU to all involved! I am completely impressed, humbled, and grateful."

Regards,
Rudy

-----------
While I am not quite ready to call myself a singer, Michael has me believing that I'll soon be able to get more out of my voice than the pain and frustration I'm accustom to. He is a very impressive teacher, and I'm looking forward to practicing the exercises he shared with us. Perhaps one day, after some practice and additional instruction, I'll be able to comfortably refer to myself as a singer-songwriter. Thanks again for the opportunity to take part in this valuable learning experience.

Peace,
William

----------
I loved the voice workshop with Michael! What a talented guy. I've always assumed I couldn't sing, so I'm gonna give it a go and take a few lessons. I figure it's fun to learn about something new and it will be of benefit to my songwriting.

I truly thank everyone at the DSA for the hard work in organizing these educational and inspiring gatherings, as well as the posts, newsletters, speakers, etc... I get to as many events as I can (which is never as many as I'd like) but I always leave a better writer.

Thank you, thank you.

Donna

-----------
Had a great time last night. Thanks for inviting me to the program. I am going to check him out and take a few lessons, I think, along with my granddaughter. She loves to sing and act out her little skits she puts together. I was quite impressed with his range and sound.

Jack

-----------
I had a fabulous time & am really interested in trying these techniques to see what changes happen w/ my voice & how it will impact the trio I'm in. Great class w/ lots of interesting folks.

Thanks, Michael.

Jeta

---------------
I got a lot of info and useful tips out of the second half discussion and “wah” exercises. The facilities were top notch and Michael Maresca and his wife were super nice people. I hope we can do more workshops with them. He definitely knows what he’s doing and has credentials out his “wah”. For those of you that were there you know what I mean. Next time I hope to make it on time.

Thanks again Buck and all who helped set the vocal workshop up. Buck you’re doing a great job as El Presidente’.
Be Well,
Steve Sullivan

August 19, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Unknown said...

FREE VOCAL WORKSHOP WORTH THE INVESTMENT IN TIME

Saturday was just another triple digit day. People had stuff to do, stuff they couldn't get out of, and then some had stuff that they could do, but didn't have to if they decided not to.

I had my step-daughter's graduation from UNT, so I was already in the Lewisville neighborhood for the Free Vocal Workshop at MMOneVoice Studio. Plus I had organized it with Josh and Michael and kind of had to be there.

Maridale and I drove by the studio about an hour early, then we went for a drive to see where our daughter Lindsey works at Bath and Body Works. The studio looked pretty isolated and abandoned when we drove by, so I asked MD how many of the 10 workshop confirmations I could expect to actually attend. She guessed 5. I sighed.

By the end of the workshop, all 10 of us were dangling our heads over our chests, making Jerry Lewis sounds. "Hey Laaaadddyyy!" I knew we would do better than 5, but I didn't expect 100 percent.

Woody Allen said just showing up is 90 percent of success. Here's what some of the folks who showed up had to say about Michael Maresca's free vocal workshop:

----------
As an evolving songwriter who had never taken a voice lesson, I constantly felt like 'wow, this guy is saving me so much time and heartache in the process of learning how to sing.' Clearly, he knows his craft AND is a gifted teacher with the ability to communicate in ways that let creative people get a handle on the otherwise technical aspects of singing. I just want to say THANK YOU to all involved! I am completely impressed, humbled, and grateful."

Regards,
Rudy

-----------
While I am not quite ready to call myself a singer, Michael has me believing that I'll soon be able to get more out of my voice than the pain and frustration I'm accustom to. He is a very impressive teacher, and I'm looking forward to practicing the exercises he shared with us. Perhaps one day, after some practice and additional instruction, I'll be able to comfortably refer to myself as a singer-songwriter. Thanks again for the opportunity to take part in this valuable learning experience.

Peace,
William

----------
I loved the voice workshop with Michael! What a talented guy. I've always assumed I couldn't sing, so I'm gonna give it a go and take a few lessons. I figure it's fun to learn about something new and it will be of benefit to my songwriting.

I truly thank everyone at the DSA for the hard work in organizing these educational and inspiring gatherings, as well as the posts, newsletters, speakers, etc... I get to as many events as I can (which is never as many as I'd like) but I always leave a better writer.

Thank you, thank you.

Donna

-----------
Had a great time last night. Thanks for inviting me to the program. I am going to check him out and take a few lessons, I think, along with my granddaughter. She loves to sing and act out her little skits she puts together. I was quite impressed with his range and sound.

Jack

-----------
I had a fabulous time & am really interested in trying these techniques to see what changes happen w/ my voice & how it will impact the trio I'm in. Great class w/ lots of interesting folks.

Thanks, Michael.

Jeta

---------------
I got a lot of info and useful tips out of the second half discussion and “wah” exercises. The facilities were top notch and Michael Maresca and his wife were super nice people. I hope we can do more workshops with them. He definitely knows what he’s doing and has credentials out his “wah”. For those of you that were there you know what I mean. Next time I hope to make it on time.

Thanks again Buck and all who helped set the vocal workshop up. Buck you’re doing a great job as El Presidente’.
Be Well,
Steve Sullivan

August 19, 2010 at 1:53 PM

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