Saturday, May 4, 2013

Songwriters Notes E-News #142 May 2013


Hello Songwriter,

Some of you have asked about Prez Roger Russell's mom, Catherine. She is recovering after her operation in Rehab facility in McKinney learning to walk on that leg she broke at Deep Ellum Fest.

The POOR DAVID"S BW Stevenson Song Contest Performing Songwriter Contest last month at Poor David's Pub was very entertaining. The competition was close! Troy Cartwright edged out 2nd place winners Grady Yates and Morgan Elam by a hair. Congratulations to all the semifinalist who were so good, they made my job as a judge very hard.   http://poordavidspub.com/Comp.htm
Thanks to TK Kreason for the great program on Tuesday April 10 . As the curator of the Texas Muscians Museum he filled the hour with interesting stories about Texas talent from Buddy Holly to Jerry Williams. He brought a few items from the museum which is currently in limbo but wil be in a new home soon here in the DFW area. This month our May 14th meeting will feature the boys from Crystal Clear Studios. See # 2 below.

Our other regular DSA monthly events remain the same, 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps (1st Thurs features guest host Vicky Williams) and 1st and 3rd Thursday Open Mic. For details, see #2 and #4 below.

We've revived our Songwriters Connecting To Seniors program with performances scheduled for May and June. View the new blog here. http://dsaseniorsprogram.blogspot.com/

Kevin Welch is performing next weekend in Dallas. There may be a few seats left. Email Grady if you are interested.

Did anyone go to Jazz Fest? Since I've been teaching at the College, I haven't been able to go and I really miss the Crawfish Monica and Crawfish Strudel, my two favorite foods offered on the fairgrounds. Oh yeah, and I miss the great music, too, but I just found out that This year the cable network AXS (which I never heard of) is broadcasting live performances from the New Orleans Jazz Fest all day Friday through Sunday  this weekend.  I just found it on 1106 ATT Uverse. You can find your cable channel on their website.  Here is the link to the station info and schedule: http://www.axs.tv/jazzfest/

I'm considering going the songwriting festival in Scotland. August 11 - 20. Anyone else interested? here are the details. http://www.uksongwritingfestival.com/bookings/

I'll be teaching songwriting classes at Collin College next fall. We have lots of fun in the class and explore what makes a song popular. Here are the details.   Classes online.


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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.



1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST -   Deadline June 17th


                 2013 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest
Now in its 23rd year, The DSA 2013 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes.


Eight Song Categories
1. Christian/Inspirational
2. Country
3. Americana/Folk/Bluegrass
4. Pop/Rock/RnB/Alternative
5. Love Songs/Easy Listening
6. Children's/Novelty
7. Singer/Songwriter (songwriter is the performer)
8. Instrumental

Multiple Winners In Each Category
Entry Fee $25
Deadline: Monday, June 17th, 2013
Submissions Close at Midnight. 

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2012 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Just Me and You by Macy Medford, Jonathan George, Houston, TX

Here the song on ReverbNation

Check out her website:

READ INTERVIEW with Macy by Roger Russell

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.

 You will find Semifinalist  here:


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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2. DSA MEETINGS - http://dsameetings.blogspot.com/

2nd TUESDAY WORKSHOP

May 11: Guest Speakers, Keith Rust and Pete Miller from Crystal Clear Studios

Have you ever wished you could go to Nashville or L.A. and demo your songs in a professional studio with great session players? Save your money and do it here in Dallas! Keith Rust, studio manager at Crystal Clear Sound, a fixture on the northern Texas recording studio scene since 1979 will speak at the May 14th 2nd Tuesday Meeting.
http://www.crystalclearstudios.com/songwriterdemo.php

Aside from its recording and mastering studios, Crystal Clear Sound also provides CD, DVD and cassette duplication, music distribution, band wear and other services. For more information,

Pete Miller

Critiques will follow.
See meeting page for more details

FUTURE MEETINGS
June: Barbe McMillen : Beyond Three Chords - a study of chord progressions
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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 - NEW LOCATION
Tino's - Steve Sullivan, coordinator. Mall location closed. Tino's Too is remodeled
Tino's Too Mexican Restaurant 2205 Ave K, Plano, Tx  972 881-9226

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3. BEST SONGS of the 2nd Tuesday Meeting

APRIL
Travelin' Man by Roger Russell & Joe Milton
'Til Love Comes Back by Brook Malouf
Critique Panel: Buck Morgan and TK Kreason
(The song 'Traveling Man' by Roger Russell and Joe Milton edged out Brooke Malouf, writer of the 2012 DSA Song of the Year, and her song ''Til Love Comes Back' by an average score of 44.2 over 43.8. Honorable mention was, brace yourself, 'Anal-Retentive Mother-in-law' by Mori Hartgraves. Interestingly, neither judge picked the winner, though one judge gave first place to 'Anal-Retentive...')

Song of the Year 2012 Winner
5th place to Nancy Rynders, Kiss Me and Make Me Better
4th place to Mary Guthrie, Braver Than We Want to Be
3rd place to James and Roger, Carribean Moon
2nd place to Casey, The Good War
and 1st place, DSA Song of the Year, to Brooke Malouf for Thank God He Broke Your Heart.

2012 DSA Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year winner is James Pappas

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 -
EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

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

SHOWCASES


SONGWRITERS CONNECTING TO SENIORS

Signature Point, Saturday, June 1st   - 3PM
Barbe McMillen, Michael Brandenberger

Silverado Turtle Creek, Sunday, May 26th, 3PM
Barbe McMillen, Bobby Montgomery, Buck Morgan

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. DSA  LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked JUNE 30th SPRING CONTEST


2013 WINTER CONTEST closed March 31st - currently being judged

2012 FALL WINNER
ON THE FRONT STEPS OF A CHURCH by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ

2012 FALL SEMIFINALISTS (deadline was Dec. 31)

A KISS THAT NEVER ENDS by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
LITTLE PIECES  by John Thomas Lane, Monument, Co
 SAY 'WHEN' by Katherine Knecht, Citrus Heights, CA

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 2013 elected Directors 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 L3: TREVOR DAHLEN
                   PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, ROGER RUSSELL

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Jana Zettl, Andy Schrumpf, Tom Jordan, Michael Shane Andrews, Phillip Wildman, Kerry McCall

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP:  Trevor Dahlen, Tommy Thomas, Stephen Johnson

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 OCT: Charles Risinger, Liz Basse
EXPIRED IN NOV:  Jose Cantu, Cheryl Anderson, Donna Scoggins, Shelby Cook,
EXPIRED IN DEC: Ross Smith, Lisa Miller, Julie Jean White, Kathern Hallberg, Randy Brown, Joe Milton, Gregg Watts, Mark Sanders, Steve Ritter, JR Byrd
Expired in JAN:  Terry Bloss, James Andrew Boyer, Matt Boggs
EXPIRED IN FEB: Mark Glasmire, Melinda Starnes
EXPIRED IN MARCH: Robin Willis,Ryan Eichenwald, Alexandra Brooks, Corey Anderson, Brian Coker, Tom Biles, Madilne Shaw, Holly Doubet, Jim Baker, George Pucini
EXPIRED IN MAY: Joanna Endsley, Daniel Anchondo, Margaret CuddiheeMolly Bush, Helene Cronin, Buz Craft Jeremy Ellis, Suzi Morse, Casey Graham, Dewey Stark, Mofor Otang, Robert Harper, Steve Johnson, David Spence, Lanny Sherwin, 
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Bob Paterno, Bill Kapac, Ginny Lane, Mathew Johnson

Member News : 
Read performance reviews here: http://dsareviews.blogspot.com/

Grady Yates was runner up in the BW Stevenson Contest last month

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 

(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.)

WILDFLOWER! SONGWRITING WORKSHOP!

"Music is life's only true magic, treat it with all the respect that it deserves." ~ Bruce Swedien
The Waymores Song School
Instructors:
Tom Kimmel
Sally Barris
Don Henry
Friday, May 17, 2013
9:00 – 10:00 Coffee and Muffins, 10 AM – 4 PM Workshop
Residence Inn, 1040 Waterwood Drive, Richardson, TX
Course Outline:
You are the artist! Soak in the world and your songs bubble up! Your palette is a marriage of words, music, and emotion. Each instructor will share their secrets to be a successful writer. Song examples will be used to demonstrate how their songs bubble up. A handout of the important points and helpful resources will be provided. Song critique on student’s work is a valuable part of the workshop. If you wish to get feedback on your song, bring 3 copies of the lyrics and an instrument or a recording of the song.
About The Waymores...
  • Grammy winning singer-songwriter Don Henry is one of Nashville’s most respected singer songwriters. Don has led many workshops and song classes.
  • Sally Barris' "Let the Wind Chase You," as recorded by Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban, was nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for Best Country Collaboration.
  • Tom Kimmel's songs have been recorded by dozens of respected artists and featured in films and TV shows from The Captain Kangaroo Show to Runaway Bride.
Cost: $50 per student (max of 40 students) - includes lunch & one Wildflower! Festival Ticket to see Eliza Gilkyson, The Waymores, Slaid Cleaves and more!

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.

MAY
11  Kevin Welch at 3 Moon House Concert, DFW area
     Email hyates@BWDMAIL.NET    to reserve a spot
17 - 19 WildFlower Festival, Richardson, Tx
26  13  Songwriters Connecting to Seniors
30 - June 2 Wakarusa Festival, Mulberry Mountain, Ozard AR

JUNE
1   Songwriters Connecting To Seniors - Signature Point 3rd floor
6 - 8 Thunder on the Mountain, Ozark, AR
8    Susan Gibson Songwriters Workshop, 4 - 6, location TBD
      Susan Gibson at Poor David's Pub  8PM
9 - 11  New Music Seminar
13 - 16  Sonic Boom electronic Festival, Georgetown, CO
17  DSA Song Contest Deadline
29  2nd Annual DSA Pool Party Jam & BBQ

JULY

AUG
3 - 8 Christian Artist Seminar, Germany
     http://www.christianartists.org/
11- 17 REO Songwriters Retreat, British Columbia
10 - 16 UK Songwriting Festival, Scotland

SEPT
26 - 28 Cutting Edge Music Conference, NOLA

OCT
2 - 6 AC3 Music Conference, Atlanta, GA
3- 5 Durango Expo, Boulder, CO

Go to the events page to view links to local and Texas venues. There's a list of holiday music for this month.  http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

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9. Featured Articles:

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

VIDEO

[Vital video]
John Pointer Interview, 2013 SXSW
By Copyright Alliance -- Award winning acoustic guitarist, cellist and artist advocate, John Pointer, discusses his music, his passion for music and the choice artist's make when deciding about when, where and to whom they distribute their creative works.
VIDEO: Pianist and Piano, Disconnected, in Composition for Kinect and Grand
By Peter Kirn -- The piano is a conventional grand, but with digital interface and camera, the composer is separated from it by air, playing without touching. It's a Theremin interface for a keyboard instrument. Piano post-modern? Gestural post-digital? [Musical gibberish?]
[Grab youself a little AM groove.]
VIDEO: Rob Galbraith Band - Shame, Shame, Shame
[Recorded at the legendary Studio 19 in Nashville. Thanks to Larry Rogers for the link.]
Computer Composition Pioneer David Cope Discusses His iPad App (VIDEO)
By Brian Heater -- We probably shouldn't have been surprised when David Cope excitedly asked us if we'd like to see his new iPad app...it figures that the journey that began with punch cards would have eventually led to tablets and smartphones.
That's Life (Video)
By Dean Kay -- Thanks to Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty for one great big kick ass performance of "That's Life" on NBC's Smash.
MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on the new blog DSA Music Biz News



Superheroes of Copyright: When Do Fictional Characters Enjoy Copyright Protection?
By Jenevieve J. Maerker -- Several recent cases have highlighted the interesting issue of whether and when fictional characters - as distinct from the works they inhabit - are subject to copyright protection. Over the years, courts have developed two main tests for determining whether characters are worthy of copyright protection.

IN MEMORANDUM
Phil Ramone, A Record Producer Who Made Simplicity Sound Sublime, Dies
By Tom Moon -- In the course of his five-decade career, Phil Ramone helped create enduring masterworks by Bob Dylan, Stan Getz and Paul Simon. He produced big-hit records for Billy Joel, Chicago, Kenny Loggins, Barbra Streisand and top-shelf stars from every corner of the music world, while cultivating a reputation as a sound guru and difficult-talent whisperer.

Mouseke-tears
By Michael Starr
In Appreciation Of Andy Johns
By Bobby Owsinski -- If you've not heard the news, famed engineer/producer Andy Johns passed away over the weekend. Andy was instrumental in so many hits by rock icons from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen to newer artists like Cinderella, Joe Satriani and Chicken Foot. He was a guy that definitely liked to have fun, but he was dead serious when it came to recording.
Folk Musician Richie Havens Dead at 72
By Jill Serjeant -- US folk musician Richie Havens, who opened the historic 1969 Woodstock musical festival and energized the crowd with his version of "Motherless Child/Freedom," died of a heart attack on Monday at the age of 72, his talent agency said. Known for his driving guitar and soulful covers of pop and folk songs, Havens recorded, performed and toured for more than four decades, using acoustic guitar music to champion the causes of personal freedom and brotherhood.
Dean Drummond Dies at 64; Microtonal Composer and Musician
By Don Heckman -- Mentored by iconoclast Harry Partch, who divided octaves into more than 30 pitches instead of the traditional 12, Dean Drummond invented instruments such as the zoomoozophone and juststrokerods. (Video)
[There's more to music than music.]
Touring Pioneer Shirley Dies
By Paul Willams -- Rock tour trucking pioneer Edwin Shirley, who provided concert logistics for the likes of Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson as well as the London leg of Live Aid, has passed away. Shirley started Edwin Shirley Trucking (EST) with his friend Roy Lamb in 1974, a truly pioneering company as it was the first trucking operation in Europe specialising in rock tours.

PERFORMANCE

Transitioning From Covers to Original Music
By Bobby Owsinski -- How do you make the transition from cover artist to playing your own material? Try these four steps. ... (However,) ... these steps won't work if you can't write a song to save your life, your arranging ability is hopeless, or you don't put the requisite work into the show.

LISTEN 

RECORDING



- The Producer's First Meeting
By Bobby Owsinski -- Almost everyone knows the main phases of an album project (preproduction, tracking, overdubs, mixing, mastering), but the fact of the matter is that there's one more phase that actually begins the process - the meeting. That's where the producer meets with the artist for the first time and they both decide if they like each other, can work together and most importantly, be creative together.

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING





ASCAP Expo: Ralph Murphy's Laws of Songwriting
By Nicole Pajer -- "Your friends and family are your worst critics because they love everything you do. Forget you even have a family."

Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting

Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary



Great web tool for lyric writing
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10. Song and Talent Contests

DSA ANNUAL SONG CONTEST March 15th - June 17th

DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/


See contest details at:
Song, Lyric and Fiddle Contests


A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com