Sunday, June 12, 2011

DSA E-News #120, June 2011


Hello Songwriter,

Man, is it hot here in Texas already! The pool is the best place to be! Thanks Michael for the swim before the board meeting.

We know the winners of the 2011 DSA Song Contest.

Come out Tuesday to see Scott Sean White, also, the 2010 Winner of the Best Songs of the Meeting will be announced.

Best thang this summer is the July 16 Beth Nielson Chapman Workshop. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE.  Sign up early and submit your songs for a chance to play at Love and War with Beth.

 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 - WINNERS 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 - June 14 - 



BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING 2010 WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

SPEAKER: SCOTT SEAN WHITE

A prolific songwriter and performer, Scott has bodacious cred: owner/manager/performer for top party band Professor D; numerous song placements in TV series and movies; song placement in feature films and EA Sports video games; and writing and performing on Nashville’s music row.  Plus, he is co-writer with DSA member Bob Paterno on the DSA Song of the Year, “This Love!”

Scott will describe what it’s like to be a full time musician and songwriter – something most of us only dream about -- and will share what he’s learned in Nashville about the craft and art of songwriting. 

Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get the inside look from the industry pros at the DSA monthly meetings!

Tuesday, June 14
Center for Community Cooperation, Rio-Gulf Room
2900 Live Oak, Dallas, TX  75204

·         6:30 p.m. meet & greet
·         7 pm short business meeting
·         7:20-ish, featured speaker Scott Sean White
·         Up to ten Song Critiques to follow, time allowing; open to DSA members,$5 each entry.  If you are entering, bring about 25 copies of the lyrics to your song, but leave your name off the lyric sheet.
·         Did You Know: Top winners of each month’s critiques are in the race to be named DSA Song of the Year!

Future Programs:
Aug: No Meeting
NOV: Annual Membership Meeting, Barbe on Marrying Lyric to Melody
DEC: Christmas Party
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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

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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 June 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: Richard Ray Hurt and Song Contest Winners: Kyle Carey, Wyler Delray, John Friday, Janini Wilson, John Visconti, Donna Lisa, Tara Pruya, Christal Prout, Shoshana Sperling, Ruben Estevez, Syonwall Towery, Noel Cohen, Mike Corbin, Andre Kerek, Shane Martin, Renee Safier, Keith Thompson, Paul McNair, and Brendan Watson.

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
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
MAY: Ann Cornelius, Jackie Doss, Timberly Padden, Tim Phillips, Prudence Potter, and Steve Weisberg.
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH:Jan Oaborne, Butch Schindel, Brent Benton, Molly Bush, Prudence Gilmore, Karon Hi, Keven Mountcastle, Tim Schramm, and Tracie Merchant.




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











THE MIRACLE OF THE CREATIVE FLOW 
Beth Nielsen Chapman's workshop is on songwriting and the power of dropping into the heart and listening to the guiding voice of the creative spirit. 
Beth and 10 members judged to have the best songs submitted to her for evaluation prior to the workshop will take the stage between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM that evening. She will be adding a capability to her site to submit your best song soon. The two songs that she chooses as the best songs will get a scholarship where Beth will refund the enrollment fee. Take advantage of this opportunity by signing up before July 2nd.

Sign up ahead of time at the links below. By the way, the text on her site says $35 for DSA and NSAI, and $40 for non-members, but this is a misprint that will be corrected. The actual cost is $40 for DSA and NSAI members and $50 for non-members. Sorry for the confusion. We are expecting a large attendance from people worldwide, so register soon, as seating is limited. Food and beverage will be available to be purchased from the restaurant and is not part of the registration fee. Love and War in Texas has a good menu of steaks, seafood, and other Texas cuisine.

This is a rare opportunity to work with Beth. She is the former president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and has written a number of #1 hits for stars like Faith Hill (This Kiss), Willie Nelson (Nothing I Can Do About It Now) along with numerous album releases of her own. Here is a Wikipedia link for Beth and her work - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_Nielsen_Chapman
10AM - 4PM at Love & War, Plano, 
5:30 - 7:30 Guitar Pull Circle
Workshop Fee $50      
$10 Discount for DSA Members
Register Online or by mail
Nielsen Chapman Workshop
Dallas Songwriters Assoc.
Sammons Center For The Arts
3630 Harry Hines #20
Dallas, Tx 75219


or

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









JUNE
21-23 SE Urban Music Conference, Atlanta GA
JULY
16th Beth Nielson Chapman Workshop, Love and War, Plano, Tx



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.

Steve Popovich, Music Exec Who Played a Key Role in Meat Loaf's 'Bat Out of Hell,' Dies at 68
The Hollywood Reporter -- The music industry veteran also helped guide the careers of the Jackson 5, Cheap Trick, Boston and Ted Nugent.... and, Frankie Yankovic.
Andrew Gold, Singer and Songwriter, Dies at 59
By Paul Vitello -- Andrew Gold, a pop wunderkind who had barely finished high school when Linda Ronstadt enlisted him to play in her backup band, and who later had a successful recording career of his own with hits like "Lonely Boy" and "Thank You for Being a Friend," died on Friday at his home in Encino, Calif. He was 59.
MUSIC BUSINESS
The Many Hats of a Musician
By Rich Gordon -- If you've clicked on this and expected there to be a miraculous answer at the end that demonstrates how to balance all the factors of a hectic music career, you're in the wrong place. Also, if you think that being a musician is going to be a case of "write a few songs, get a multi-million pound record contract, easy street…", you should also stop reading.
11 Things That Can Lead To The End Of Your Music Career
By Vinny Ribas -- It's important to realize that sometimes we get so caught up in the creative side of things that we fail to see the small telltale signs of trouble brewing. Then one day we look up and realize that something is dreadfully wrong. And all too often, the damage has been done and it is difficult if not impossible to undo it. So here is a list of things to watch out for.
New Online Listening Rooms Reintroduce The Shared Music Experience
By Eliot Van Buskirk -- Due to a confluence of technological and social forces, the hottest thing going right now in digital music is the online listening room, which brings fans together to spin tunes for each other, chat about whatever's playing, rate each others' choices, and discover new music.
10 Tips To Get Your Music News & Content Into Facebook's Top News Feed
By Clyde Smith -- Since Facebook separated its News Feed into Top News and Most Recent, it's become really important to get into the Top News feed which is the default and where you're most likely to be seen. If not, despite all the fans who liked your account or your band's Facebook Page, much of what you do is likely to go unnoticed
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


MAY
Tear For Joanna by Casey Graham
The Gingerbread Man by Loretta Dunnaway

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.

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.
Songcerely,
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSA