Monday, November 12, 2012

Songwriter Notes E-News #136 November 2012


Hello Songwriter,

At the 2nd Tuesday meeting tomorrow night, we'll have our annual membership meeting and elections for our board of Directors. Also, our guest speaker will be former DSA Song Contest winner, Helene Cronine who will enlighten us about getting a hit on youtube without a record label.  

We have a new 1st Thursday Open Mic at Half Price Books on NW Hwy. See #4 below for details.

Our other regular DSA monthly events remain the same, 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps and 3rd Thursday Open Mic. For details, see #2 and #4 below.

This Thursday will be the 8th anniversary of our OPEN MIC at DUNN BROTHERS. Come out and help us celebrate.

Many of you have asked how my musical, GIVE ME A BREAK, is coming along. Our CD has been released and opening weekend was a success thanks to all of you who came out.  We still have 3 more performances next weekend. Please come see my show!!! Take a look at our attractive cast.  http://www.givemeabreakthemusical.com/

Please like us on Facebook and tell your friends about us.


Also this weekend is the Texas Independent Music Expo. Showcases, panels and networking. DSA will have a booth. Come on out.

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Help DSA today at no cost to you.
DSA has enrolled in a new program at BBVA Compass Bank. You can help DSA earn money by opening a Compass account and give Dallas Songwriters as your reason or if you already have a Compass account, go to your bank and connect to our program and use your check card.

COMPASS FOR YOUR CAUSE
No checks to write. No direct mail. No telemarketing. In other words, no hassles. The Compass For Your Cause Program allows your members to support your organization, by doing something many of them do virtually every day—use their check card for everyday purchases. And it's easy for them to get started. They simply:
  • Open a BBVA Compass Checking Account*
  • Open a Compass Visa® Check Card*
  • Sign for purchases using the Check Card
That's all there is to it. When they open an account, you earn a royalty of $50. Every time they use their Check Card for qualifying purchases††, you earn additional royalties. So start earning money the easy way with the Compass For Your Cause program. Contact us today to get started.


Check out our pictures on the Dallas Songwriters Facebook. Go on Facebook and LIKE us. New, tell your firends about Dallas Songwriters on Meetup.

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

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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST -
        2012 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest

Now in its 22nd year, The DSA 2012 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes. You will find Semifinalist  here:


    GRAND PRIZE WINNER
    Just Me and You by Macy Medford, Jonathan George, Houston, TX

    Here the song on ReverbNation

    Check out her website:

    1ST RUNNER UP
    That Old Shirt by Steve Chizmadia, Peekskill, NY

    2ND RUNNER UP
    You'll Be Back by Debra M. Gussin, Jonathan Bluth, LA, CA
    Macy with Grand Prize Taylor Guitar signed by Beth Nielsen Chapman, donated by our Prez, Roger Russell.

    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. 
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    2001 - 2007 Winners Compilation CDs available at the DSA store

    All winning songs are on a CD Compilation that was given out at the Awards Ceremony. To get any 3 double CD's simply make a quarter note donation to DSA through our online store and send us an email to request which 3 years of Cd's you want us to mail you.

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    2nd Tuesday Meeting, Nov. 13, Annual Membership Meeting & Elections
    Guest Speaker: Helene Cronine 

    She will talk of her youtube hit, "Lucky Me" among other things.


    6:30 Sign In - Network
    7PM : Guest Speaker
    8PM: Song Critiques  - No critiques tonight

    See meeting page for more details

    Future Programs:
    December 13: Christmas Party @ Love & War, Plano
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    DSA T-SHIRTS 
    NEW shirts: $15 at the meeting (you must ask me for the special) or online by mail $20
    OLD 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 
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    3. BEST SONGS of the 2nd Tuesday Meeting
    Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year is in the process of being judged for 2012 and will probably be announced in March. 

    OCT
    Christmas Toy by Michael Brandenberger
    My Favorite Heartache by Vern Dailey
    Critique Panel: Ken Duren and Bobby Montgomery

    SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR 2011 
    Long time DSA member, James Pappas,  is Songwriter of the Year for most wins at the 2nd Tuesday meetings last year. See our Press Room for story.

    SONG OF THE YEAR 2011 WINNER
    Congratulations go to Casey Graham, for the winning song, "Tears for Joanna." It was Casey's first song submitted to the 2nd Tuesday Critics. See our Press Room for story.


    Our judge was Zane Williams, the amazing singer/songwriter who brought a 2nd Tuesday program earlier this year. Zane somehow crammed in judging and commenting on our 2011 Critique Winners between gigging all around North Texas, trips to Nashville, starring spots on Troubadour, TX, and being a daddy and a husband and a human being. He got his comments back to us somewhere between Texas and Utah, where he is today.

    See the website for Zane's comments.

    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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    4. SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS -

    OPEN MICS
    DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE - Celebrating 8 years this Thursday, Nov 15
    EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm


    HALF PRICE BOOKS - NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
    EVERY 1ST THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
    Sign up begins at 6:30
    Featured Artist at 8PM

    SHOWCASE
     The Well Coffee Shop in downtown Royse City 
     Saturday Sept. 6 Performers - TBA

    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
    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
    Other area open mics OPEN MICS
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    5. LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked Dec. 31st FALL CONTEST or enter online.

    2012 SPRING WINNER(deadline was June 30th)


    SUMMER LYRIC CONTEST entries are being compiled and judged. Thanks for your entries.

    WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE WEBSITE -

    CURRENT WINNERS and PAST WINNERS and LYRICS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE

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

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    6. MEMBER NEWS -
    Wanna get involved? Become a committee member. It's fun! Be apart of the inner workings or the DSA. We have a board position open. We're looking for a Treasurer.

    To view a list of the 2012 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.

    THANK YOU PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, ROGER RUSSELL

    WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Devin Hill, Wendy Tobias, Song Contest Winners new or renewing: Macy Medford,  Steve Chizmadia, Debra M. Gussin , Renee Safier, Chris Alvarado, Eric Colville, Glen Naylor, Lanny Sherwin, Keeton Coffman , Spencer Clark, Kevin Reardon, Daniel Sumber , Andy Taylor , Gavin Potter, Vanessa Padla, Diane Lekven, Belle Schneiderman, Robert Graham, Chris O'Neill, Chase Thompson, Nestor Cora, Philip Creamer, Gordon Lustig, Susie  McLean, Becky Wright


    THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Rob McHaleBill HonkerBobby MontgomeryTrevor DahlenCasey Graham

    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

    EXPIRED IN APRIL: Suzi Moore, Jeremy Ellis, Joanna Endsley, Gary Morse, Daniel Anchondo, Loretta Dunnaway, Margaret Cuddihee.
    EXPIRED IN MAY: Richard Ray Hunt, Annie Cornelius
    EXPIRED IN JUNE: Brandon Watson, Paul McNair, Mike Corbin, Keith Thompson, Tom Biles, Kyle Carey, Wyler Delray, Ruben Estevez, John Friday, Ruben Estevez, John Friday, Shane Martin, Christal Prout, Shosshana Sperling, John Visconti, Tara Priya, Janine Wilson, Steven Welp, Michael Roth, Stonewall Towery. 
    EXPIRED IN JULY: Brook Malouf, Lu Ann Dunley, Ken Luginbyhl, Ryan Galloway
    EXPIRED IN AUGUST: Joyce Sanders, Alexander Gorodiscas, Dixon Beasley.
    EXPIRED IN SEPT: Jonathan Harrison
    EXPIRED IN OCT: Morri Hartgraves, Charles Risinger, Liz Basse
    PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Cheryl Anderson, MiMi Balkey, Donna Scoggins, David Byboth, Shelby Cook, Ross Smith, Lisa Miller, Julie Jean White, Kathern Hallberg, Randy Brown, Joe Milton, Gregg Watts, Mark Sanders, Steve Ritter, JR Byrd

    Member News : 
    Barbara McMillen's musical premiered last weekend and runs through next weekend
    Casey Graham's song named song of the year 2011
    James Pappas named Songwriters of 2011

    SEE OUR NEW MEMBER NEWS PAGE HERE.

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

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    7. WORKSHOPS - DSA WORKSHOPS ARE SPONSORED BY BMI
    (Each month DSA hosts 3 workshops at our monthly meetings on the 1st Monday, 3rd Monday and 2nd Tuesday these are ongoing. see item 2 above.)

    Want to study songwriting but don't want to get out of your PJ's? Take a class online through a songwriting workshop yahoo group.

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

    NOV
    9 - 18 Give Me A Break, a Rock Musical at the Art Centre Theater
    17th  Texas Independent Music Expo, Sons of Hermann Hall, Dallas, Tx, noon - 12 http://www.texasindependentmusicexpo.com/

    DEC
    11   DSA Christmas Party at Love & Warr
    29 - Jan 1: Way Alt West Fest at Big Sky Resort, Montana
                   http://www.wayaltwest.com/

    Go to the events page to view links to local and Texas venues.

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    9. Featured Articles:
    PREZ SEZ: Tune in to DSA President, Roger Russell's, musings and DSA goings on.

    Producers Weigh In On Kickstarter Recording Budgets

     Indie Band Figures Out How to Raise Money Without Using Kickstarter..


    A Changing Music Industry Calls for Unconventional Marketing and Promotion http://bit.ly/Sl2W2O

    VIDEOS


    VIDEO: A Look Back At Philadelphia's Sigma Sound 
    By Bobby Owsinski -- Sigma Sound was at the heart of the Philly Soul sound of the 70s and is often overlooked in the annals of pro audio.
    MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on the new blog DSA Music Biz News
    IN MEMORANDUM

    MixSounds: A Few Thoughts On The Passing Of Andy Williams
    Andy Williams shuffled off the mortal coil yesterday at the age of 84. To many he was a dusty specimen, a relic from an ancient era. Others, of an earlier generation themselves perhaps, saw Williams as a second tier crooner, a pale imitation of the true luminaries...

    PERFORMANCE
    Barbra Streisand - The Way We Were (Live) HD
    [For Marilyn, Alan and the rest of us.- Gorgeous melody by Marvin Hamlisch]

    LISTEN



    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

    Sampling and Copyright - How to Obtain Permission to Use Samples
    By Michael A. Aczon -- If you use samples when writing or producing songs, one of the biggest favors you can do for your career is to understand the legal and business issues that surround the practice of sampling. The process of securing a sample for use in your own recording is fairly straightforward, but a legal minefield awaits you if you choose to skip any steps along the way.


    Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting

    Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary


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    10. 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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    11. 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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    12. Archives of Past Programs and Activities

    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

    CROSSROADS SHOWCASES

    View past showcase performances and workshops on Crossroads Youtube.

    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 21th 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.