Thursday, May 5, 2011

DSA E-News #119, May 2011


Hello Songwriter,

May is off and running, with the 1st Tuesday Showcase at the Balcony Club and SongSwap come and gone. The guest speaker for our next meeting, Arnold McCuller, singer with James Taylor. Don't forget the open mic at Dunn Brothers on the third Thursday, and our SongSwap on the 3rd Monday.

College is about out for this semester. Finals are next week. Tomorrow, the Forces literary book and CD will be unveiled at 1PM in the Spring Creek Conference Center. There will be prose and poetry readings, and two songwriting student performances. I will be teaching 2 classes next fall again at Collin College. See the Collin College details here http://collinsongwriters.blogspot.com.

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. New - Dallas Songwriters on Meetup.

QUICK LOOK CALENDAR OF DSA MONTHLY EVENTS - put this in your bookmark.
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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST - Semifinalists Announced
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. 

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. 

PAST WINNERS
See the press release on the 2009-10 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 - May 10 - 

Arnold McCuller, 

Singer with James Taylor, Phil Collins and many others - read more  

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:
June
Scott Sean White
July
Marty Rendleman
Aug.
No Meeting
Sept.
Atty. Craig Crafton
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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 contact Lisa Byrn
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4. LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked June 30th or enter online.

WINTER 2011 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

SEMIFINALISTS
Award Winning Angel by Larry Dodge, Dallas, TX
The Homecoming Dance by Lisa Simmons, Lewisville, TX
Crumbs by Dom Stasi, Willow Springs, IL
The Brothers by Sammie Lee Marler, Brunswick, GA

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:  Loretta Dunnaway, Margaret Cuddihee, Rob McHale, Steve Johnson, Daniel Anchondo, Suzi Moore, and Casey Graham.

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Raquel Lonon and Jeremy Ellis

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.
MARCH: Madilyne Shaw, Ruth Jones
APRIL: Ed Williams, Tom Thomas, Hilary Roberts, Robert Tenorio, David Spense, Wark Parker, Eric Christianson, Lenny Sherwin, Scott Tonkinson, Lisa Torres, Edward Turton, Lauren Smith, Karyna Kruz, Peter Bacsalmasi, Bernadette Conant, Roger Kay, Matt Dahan, Dom Stasi, & Jaime Leopold
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Ann Cornelius, Jackie Doss, Timberly Padden, Tim Phillips, Prudence Potter, and Steve Weisberg.

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 Tom Kimmel
When:  Friday, May 20, 2011

Where:  Wildflower Festival
            Richardson, TX

What:   Songwriting Workshop

Although he has developed a following for his own releases over the course of a 20-year career, Tom Kimmel has had more success landing tracks on albums by better-known artists. Born in Memphis, TN, and raised in rural Alabama, Kimmel graduated from the University of Alabama and relocated to Nashville in the early '80s. Early credits as a songwriter came his way when his songs were cut by ex-Byrds Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, as well as the Band's Levon Helm. Kimmel recorded two albums as a solo …  » Read more

MORE INFO COMING SOON  http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/content/SingerSongwriterSchool.html

Coming this Summer - Beth Nielsen Chapman

or

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

MAY
5-8 Jazz Fest, New Orleans, http://www.nojazzfest.com/
20-22 Wildflower Fest, Richardson, http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/
26 - June 12 Kerville Folk Festival, Quiet Valley Ranch
27 - 30th Quest for Harmony, Rancho Frijole http:www.ranchofrijole.com
JUNE
21-23 SE Urban Music Conference, Atlanta GA


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.

Seventy-Four year old Buddy Guy on Jay Leno
http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/episodes/wednesday-april-27-2011/1323180?tin=2231

What Makes Music Expressive?
Scientists have been trying to unravel what specific
components of music make it emotionally expressive. Quiz
yourself based on new research through a series of
experiments.

MUSIC BUSINESS
Music Conferences: Worth the Cost or a Waste of Time?
==============================================
With over 100 music business conferences in the US alone and most of us on a limited budget, which ones are really worth the investment?
I polled over 50 music biz veterans and complied a ranking of the top music conferences from Billboard to ASCAP to SXSW all coming up in the next 12 months.  It’s all available for the world in a neat chart that tells you costs and if it’s worth the trip; meaning what are your chances of getting a great deal or connection at these expensive shin digs.
This is ground breaking stuff, as I do not believe that anyone has done such a ranking and because you’re on my list you get to see before the rest of the world.
The text and chart can not be put in the email.  So, you’ll have click or tap, or whatever you do to see it.  But it will be worth the strain on your finger to do so.  This will save you big bucks and lots of headaches.

Bob Paterno's blog Making Music Making Money

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.

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

MARCH
Where Are The Daddies by Nancy Rynders
A Time For Love by Michael Brandenberger

APRIL
And Chicken Wings by Will Brown
Never Together Anymore by Nancy Rynders

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:

MISSION STATEMENT
We exist to enhance the overall personal growth and professionalism of our members through the following means:

• Provide a practical and realistic orientation for songwriters/artists on common standards and expectations of the music industry.
• Sharpen required competencies for excelling in the song writing profession.
• Serve as a forum for networking among peers and with industry experts to generate career opportunities.
• Serve as a non-political advocate for songwriters and performers in a liaison with peer organizations throughout the country.

Our programs created to meet our mission goals are: a monthly newsletter, workshops, critique sessions, showcases, contests, networking opportunities and community service.
If you like what we do, and want to help us keep doing it, please make a contribution today. Gifts of all sizes are meaningful and appreciated.

Donations are welcome year round. 
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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.
Barbeberetsmaller.jpg
Songcerely,
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSA