Thursday, July 7, 2011

DSA E-News #121, July 2011

Hello Songwriter,

It just keeps getting hotter here in Texas. Thanks to a little rain last week, we got to have fireworks. It was so hot, I stayed in this year for the first time and watched a Capitol 4th and the NYC fireworks over the Hudson. Tremendous! In August, I'm headed to Nancy Rynders cool summer house in Ruidoso! Nancy is already there. Lucky Larry Dodge is also already at his summer home in Montana.

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.

Come see Manager, Marty Rendleman at our 2nd Tuesday Meeting. She was responsible for LeAnn Rhimes getting her record deal. She's always managing young new artists (an American Idol finalist) and is looking for great songs.

 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 HERE
See Grand Prize Judge, Roy Elkins, comments and listen to the winning songs.











DSA Announces Grand Prize Winners of 22nd Annual Contest
Shane with his new Traditions Guitar
MINNESOTA'S SHANE MARTIN WINS 2011 DALLAS SONG CONTEST   

After winning the Country category in the DSA’s international song contest, Martin’s “No Hard Feelings” won out over the top three winners from each of the contest’s eight categories.
“From a commercial perspective, ‘No Hard Feelings’ is a song that any artist could sing. It has strong crossover potential,” said Roy Elkins, grand prize judge and CEO of Broadjam.com, an online community and resource for musicians. “This could be sung with an acoustic guitar, sitting at a piano or it could be a good instrumental.  I can close my eyes and hear numerous productions of this melody.  That's what makes it great.”
“River Dance,” a country rocker by Nashville’s Ruben Estevez, won second, and novelty/children category winner “Oliver Otter,” by Donna Lisa, Westfield, N.J., won third overall.
Hear the winning songs and read Elkin’s comments on his top 10 finishers at http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/p/grand-prize-judge-roy-elkins-comments.html .
As Grand Prize winner, Martin took home a new G-12 Standard Series Tradition electric guitar featuring Tradition 2-1-1 pickups with coil tap Humbucker; he gets a Premier Demo by Beaird Music Group, one of Nashville’s top recording facilities, and receives a one-year Primo MoB membership from Broadjam.
All first place category winners win $100, a one-year Broadjam MoB membership and a year’s membership in the DSA. Second place wins $50 and a year’s DSA membership, and third place finishers win a DSA membership.
As Grand Prize runner up, Estevez gets a day of free recording at Riversounds Recording Resort nestled along the Llano River on the back of a 300 acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country, in addition to a one-year Broadjam Primo MoB membership.
Third Place finisher Lisa receives a song critique and fully-produced demo with Kim Copeland of Nashville’s Kim Copeland Productions and a one-year Broadjam Primo MoB membership.
Additional sponsors include Crystal Clear Sound, Patrick McGuire Recording and WM Sales/Cam Audio. Submission partners are Broadjam.com and Sonicbids.  Music industry partners are Dallas International Guitar Festival, Arlington Guitar Show, Tradition Guitars, MyStudio Recording Studios, Texas Music Group, Bar-b Music Marketing Consultants, Musemuse.com, Sante Fe Design, Austin Songwriters Group and Jo-Musik. 
Hear and connect with Shane here: 


Wyler Delray won the drawing for the ipod.

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 - On June 14 the Winners of the 2010 Best Songs of the Meeting were announced. 
DSA President, Buck Morgan with Vern Dailey


Songwriter of the Year - 5 time winner, Vern Dailey 

Song of the Year - This Love by Bob Paterno and Scott Sean White






DSA President, Buck Morgan with Scott Sean White

















2ND TUESDAY MONTHLY MEETING - July 14th   http://www.meetingblog.dallassongwriters.org










What do LeAnn Rimes, Mikaila, and American Idol Finalist, Kristy Lee Cook, have in common…Marty Rendleman.










Marty Rendleman has over 25 years experience in the music business and Is probably the only person to ever take two 9-yr olds and a 14-yr old to major-label contracts…two in Country and one in Pop. This book chronicles how that happened, and then offers invaluable advice and education for anyone seeking a career in the music business.
Tuesday, July 12
Center for Community Cooperation, Rio-Gulf Room
2900 Live Oak, Dallas, TX  75204

·         6:30 p.m. meet and 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 September 30th SUMMER CONTEST or enter online.

SPRING LYRIC CONTEST IN THE JUDGING PROCESS


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: Jackie Doss, Timberly Padden, Tim Phillips, Prudence Potter, and Steve Weisberg.
JUNE:Jan Oaborne, Butch Schindel, Brent Benton, Molly Bush, Prudence Gilmore, Karon Hi, Keven Mountcastle, Tim Schramm, and Tracie Merchant.
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Elaine Gardner-Morales, CB Luce, Jetta Morris, and Brook Malouf

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.








JULY
16th   Beth Nielson Chapman Workshop, Love and War, Plano, Tx
21-23 SUMMER NAMM, Nashville, TN
AUG
18 - 20 IndieGirl, Knoxville, TN
25-28 Urban Music Summit, Houston, Tx
SEPT
7-9 Big Sound, Brisbane, AUstralia
7-9 POPKOMM, Berlin, GER
9-11 West Coast Songwriters Conference, Los Altos Hills, CA
12 - 17 Horse and Rider, Dubois, WY
18 - 20 New Music Seminar, NY, NY
29 - Oct 2 Southwest Regional Folk Alliance, Austin, Tx
OCT
6-8 Durango Songwriters Expo, Boulder, CO
12 - 15 Americana Music Conference, Nashville, TN
18-22  CMJ MusicMarathon, NY, NY
NOV

DEC
2012
JAN
5 - 8 ASG Songwriter Symposium, Austin TX
28-31  MIDEM, Cannes, FR 
FEB
16-19  Mellennium Music Conference, Harrisburg, PA
22-26 Folk Alliance, Memphis, TN
MARCH
14 - 18 SXSW Music Fest, Austin, 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.









VIDEOS

MUSIC BUSINESS
"How Much Does It Cost To Make A Hit Song?"


Addendum from Bob Lefsetz email.

I forwarded this to a well-placed person at another label and this is what this person had to say:

"I think their one source Ray Daniels is wrong on the majority of the numbers.. He manages Rock City, the song writing duo. He's guessing on a lot of these points. Wouldn't be surprised if they wrote that song quickly. 

Mixes cost $500 to $7k including studio time.

Most songwriters work just for publishing which can be worth millions if the songs are global hits. Very few command upfront fees. Most labels never offer those and almost all writers still want to be on the good projects. Rihanna prob does pay some because she probably has a huge budget and can afford to.

Those vocal production fees are high but getable on superstars.

Rihanna's writing camp was one of the biggest I've ever seen. The $25k for 10 studios per day sounds very possible as they use nice studios. Maybe even more including engineers and equipment rentals. I think they did it as an SOS as they were running out of time to make a set release date. It did produce most of the singles thus probably worth it for her. I think they got half the album or more from it. I know they didn't get the whole album from that writing camp.

We've done writing camps before. Usually at very little cost. Writing camps are usually around 3 or 4 studios/rooms and a fun, collaborative environment.

Many producers on her album get more than $20k/track. A-list producers are usually in the $15-$60k per song range, sometime more. Still you can find great tracks from $2k up. Those fees are advances on the producers royalties. One of the big changes of the last 10 years is producer fees. 10 years ago there were many hip hop producers getting north of $100k/track, now just a few in limited scenarios. 

Note all three of her big hits from this album came from the production duo Stargate and two from the writer Ester Dean."
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/ 

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

JUNE
Small Town Girl by James Pappas and Roger Russell
I Let Her Get Away 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