Friday, March 4, 2011

DSA E-News #117, March 2011


Hello Songwriter,

Wow, I'm so glad the weather has turned sunny and warm.

There is still time to enter the song contest. Deadline is March 31. Click here for more info about this contest.

There is a lot going on this month. Check out the events listings. DSA will be a part of Arts Park this year. We'll be performing and we'll have a booth. Volunteer to participate or come out and visit on Saturday, March 26 12-6. We're planning a recording workshop with Joe Milton at his studio.

Lisa Burns' showcase last Tuesday night at the Balcony Club was really special. The guest speaker for our next meeting, Tom Prasado-Rao, played a set with wife Cary Cooper. Our great leader, Buck, was the opener.

I'm headed to SXSW middle of this month, how about you? 

Not a DSA member? Then you've missed the musings via our member yahoo group of our DSA Prez, Buck Morgan. Catch up with what's going on here: http://dsaprezsez.blogspot.com/

Dallas Songwriters is on Facebook. Go on Facebook and LIKE us.

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

Happy Mardi Gras and St. Paddy's Day!

1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST - Deadline March 31.
Dallas Songwriters Association 2011 Song Contest
Now in its 21st year, The DSA 2011 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Offering over $5,000 in cash and prizes this year, the DSA has EIGHT categories in all. See Contest Rules for eligibility. Accepting Submissions 12/15/2010 through 3/31/2011. Pick your category and enter today! 
  • Country
  • Pop/Rock/R&B/Alternative
  • Americana/Folk/Bluegrass
  • Christian/Inspirational
  • Love Songs/Easy Listening
  • Children's/Novelty
  • Singer-Songwriter
  • Instrumental

    Click here
     for more info about this contest, and for more information about joining DSA (membership not required to enter contest).

    Click here
     to view a list of frequently asked questions. 

2009-10 SONG CONTEST - 
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

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2. DSA MEETINGS - Jan. 11 - 

Tom Prasada-Rao -  Insights Into the life of the Singer-Songwriter - Tom will talk about his cut by Randy Travis, it's TV exposure and a new reality TV show being produced locally about Songwriters. 

Former touring songwriter, Tom has headlined at all the major festival.


Free to Members
$5 for visitors
Sign in and Networking begins at 6:30
Announcements at 7PM
Program about 7:30
Song Critiques follow - Members only may enter for $5

Future Programs:
Tim Delaughter of Polyphonic Spree
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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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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, 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
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3. SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS -

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

SHOWCASE AND OPEN MIC
TEXAS SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND at Sandstone Cellars Winery Showcase & Open Mic in Mason Texas.  
HOURS 6-9PM 211 San Antonio Street, Mason, TX 76856
Our season opener is on St. Patricks Day and shows will be on the 3rd Thursday of each month starting in March.

Guidelines for our stars @ Texas Songwriters in the Round shows:
* All original set of 45 minutes
* A professional commercially released CD with some airplay and press.

We allow any songwriter to come be part of the TSR in the Round, with one star per month! If you'd like to come out and join in as a rounder I can make sure you have a place for the night! To Showcase contact: Jeri Alice

Balcony Club First Tuesday Showcase  6 - 9PM  1821 Abrams Road, Dallas, Tx (In the Lakewood Theater) Three 45 minute showcases. To Showcase ontact Lisa Byrn
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4. LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked March 31th or enter online.

FALL 2010 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

1st place: CARDBOARD DADDY by Richard Keller, Orlando, FL
2nd Place: SOMETHIN' BOUT SOUTHERN GIRLS by Richard Keller, Orlando, FL
3rd Place: LET'S GAMBLE ON US by Larry Dodge, Dallas, Tx
HM: GRANDPA (WHY YOU DRIVE SO SLOW?) by Tom Biles, Keller, Tx

LYRICS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE

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 and Fall 2009 winners posted.

October 2009 Hardcopy issue of Songwriters Notes has Fall 2008 & winter/spring 2009 Lyric contest winning songs listed:
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5. MEMBER NEWS -
The 2011 Board of Directors met on January 23rd to elect officers and plan for the year according the the wishes of the membership's input at the January 11th meeting. 

Wanna get involved? Become a committee member. It's fun!
To view a list of the 2011 Officer and Directors and Committees go to this link:

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
* Film Licensing Co. seeking instrumental music
* Cheap and free tickets - Free tickets to selected Winspear Opera House events.

Lyricists are invited to co-write with music writers by submitting your lyric through the member yahoo group.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Tamara McGuckin, Wyler Delray, & Jonathan Sargent 

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: James Pappas, Michael Brandenberger, Trevor Dahlen, and James Ashe

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

DEC: Jeff Sharp, Genell Kelso, and Krystal Pinkins. 
JAN: Sharon Pisors, Nathan Alan Toon, Baylee Kuss, Adrienne Weitzel
FEB: Donna Lisa, Drew Ash, Will Hopkins, Chris Rucker, and Rachel Sanchez Lonon.
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH:

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

SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP with JOE MILTON 
When:  Saturday, March 19, 2011
            2:00 – 3:30 pm

Where:  Jo-Musik Studio
            Sunnyvale, TX

What:   Workshop: “I Wrote a Song...Now What?”
      • Finishing a song :  Finessing Lyrics / Refining Melody and Chords
      • Recording a Professional Demo:  What to look for in a Studio / Producer / Engineer
      • Before and After:   From scratch tracks to Master
      • The Business of Songwriting:  Copyrighting / Performing Rights Societies / Marketing Your Song
      • Studio Tour

Joe has been nominated for a Dove Award for his musical, "What's Up Zac". Joe wrote, recorded and produced the 50 minutes of music and dialogue for the musical.

SPACE IS LIMITED - YOU MUST RSVP

or

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7. EVENTS- Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, and showcases.

MARCH
9-13 Canadian Music Week, Toronto, CAN http://canadianmusicfest.com/
16-20 SXSW, Austin, Tx http://sxsw.com/
18-19 Austin Guitar Show, Austin,Tx http://www.TXshows.com
19 Recording Workshop with Joe Milton 
 20 Largest Guitar Jam Ever, Austin, Tx http://voicesofagratefulnation.org/picker
24-27 Rivers Rutherford Songcrafting Seminar, Nashville, TN
26 Arts Park, 12-6 - DSA songwriters perform at NorthPark
29-April 1 Tin Pan South, Nashville, TN, http://tinpansouth.com

APRIL
1 - 3 Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Dallas, http://www.meifestivals.com/deepspr.html
1 - 2 Spring Training, Nashville, TN http://tinpansouth.com
15-17 Guitar Show, Dallas http://www.guitarshow.com
28-30 ASCAP I Create Music EXPO http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/expo/
29 - May 1  Jazz Fest, New Orleans, http://www.nojazzfest.com/

MAY
5-8 Jazz Fest, New Orleans, http://www.nojazzfest.com/
20-22 Wildflower Fest, Richardson, http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/


OPEN MICS

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)
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8. Featured Articles:
PREZ SEZ: Tune in to DSA President, Buck Morgan's, musings and DSA goings on.

Trailer: 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never'

Great pics from the Broadway show, Spiderman.
Slide Show

At the Grammys, Spectacles and Upsets
The country-pop trio Lady Antebellum was a big winner at
Sunday's Grammy Awards, winning five prizes, while Arcade
Fire won album of the year for "The Suburbs."


A Mix of Genres and Generations
Hit makers of the present got the awards, the strobe lights,
the rhinestones and the video razzle-dazzle. And titans from
the 1960s got some respect on the 53rd annual Grammy Awards
show.

Best-Kept Secret Now Has a Grammy
After winning best new artist, the jazz musician Esperanza
Spalding has become less of a secret favorite of many
musicians.

List of Grammy Winners

Slide Shows: Highlights From the Awards

On the Red Carpet at the Grammys

Head in the Stars, Feet on the Ground
With its new digital technology, the newly renovated Charles
Hayden Planetarium in Boston takes viewers far into the
cosmos.

MUSIC BUSINESS
Bob Paterno's blog Making Music Making Money

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

FAME Launches Online Series, "Songwriters of FAME"
http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/2011/03/fame-launches-online-series-songwriters.html

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.

Bellomy Bros. Attorney Issues Statement Regarding Britney Spears

Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary



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9. Song and Talent Contests
See contest details at:
Song, Lyric and Fiddle Contests

A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com
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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.
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11. BEST SONGS of the 2nd Tuesday Meeting

JAN 2011
Ask Your Heart by Vern Dailey
Beautiful For Just A Moment by Guy Rourk

FEB
Our Heaven On Earth by Vern Dailey

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?
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12. SONGS FROM THE SOUL OF SERVICE

Did you know???  DSA held two song contests for active military and the Cds of the winning songs, Songs From the Soul of Service Vols. 1 and 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
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DSA depends on your support.
Giving Rocks! 
While it never hurts to remind you that DSA is a non-profit organization (and so your contributions are tax-deductible) -  this year it means so much more. We're proud to be celebrating our 20th Anniversary as a non-profit. DSA has been an organized songwriter group since 1985 and became a non-profit in 1990.

Your gift
 enables us to meet our mission.

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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,
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSA