Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Songwriters Notes DSA E-News #158 October 2014

Hello Songwriter,
The State Fair is in full swing and the most beautiful month in Dallas, October, is in full swing. Lot's of things are happening this fall.

Big event this month is that we are having a fundraising drive for Dallas Songwriters Association, which is a non-profit educational organization. That means your donations are totally tax deductible and  the great news is that a sponsor, who has asked to be un-named, will match our funds raised. Please go to our kagi store online to donate: http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE  , Or you can donate by mail to: Dallas Songwriters Association, Sammons Center For The Arts, 3630 Harry Hines # 20, Dallas, Tx 75219 See DSA Prez, Michael Brandenberger's full Letter of Request for Support here: http://dsaprezsez.blogspot.com/

We've moved our showcase from the House of Blues to downtown Plano, for the 2nd and 4th Saturday at Angela's.

We have a special show and song critique opportunity with Tony Ramey on October 24th in Mckinney. Did you see Tony when he played on Good Morning Texas? He was wonderful.  He has written hits songs for Trisha Yearwood, John Michael Montgomery and George Strait. Here's a complete bio: http://tonyramey.com/about-tony/. Some of us went early to the Grapevine Fest to catch his set. I'm expecting a big turn out at this show at the Sanctuary Theater, plus for a price of the show, you get to submit a song for critique by some of Nashville's finest and a chance to attend a workshop later this fall. See #7 below for details.


Our Second Tuesday Workshop will present E Robert Smith, author and gospel producer and recording artist, Dorinda Duncan - see #2 below for details.

Coming in November on the Second Tuesday will be our Annual Membership Meeting and Elections. Also, our Web Master, Rachel Wilheim, will unfold the new DSA website to our members explaining the new member only features.

 Our regular DSA monthly events remain the same 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps and 1st and 3rd Thursday Open Mic. For details, see #2 and #4 below. Also we have an open mic Christian fellowship in an historic building in Waxahachie, see #4 below. Food is served at 6PM and it goes for a couple of hours.

We finally have the results of the Spring Lyric Contest and our Song Contest is in the process of being judged.

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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 CLOSED - http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/

Submission Deadline: Sept 16, 2014
Drawing For Free Ipod: Oct 14, 2014
Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 11, 2014
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Dec 9, 2014

                 2014 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest
Now in its 24th year, The DSA 2014 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes.

GRAND PRIZE

A Casio Privia Piano
and a Nashville recording session at Bieard Music Group. 
Beaird Music Group


1st Runner Up
 wins studio time at
River Sounds Recording Resort







2nd Runner up
wins recording time at 
Jo-Musik


Grand Prize winners receive:
($199.95 Value) 
Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting
1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

Category winners get cash prizes


Hear last years winners on Soundcloud at:

HARDCOPY OF NEWSLETTER ANNOUNCEMENT of 2013 WINNERS HANDED OUT AT THE ARLINGTON GUITAR SHOW

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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 - October 14

Gospel Producer, Robert Smith and former Capitol Recording artist, Dorinda Duncan to speak.

Future Programs:

Nov: Annual Membership meeting and Elections - Rachel Wilheim will unveil our new website
Dec: Christmas Party and showcase.


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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 - Steve Sullivan, coordinator.
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

July 2014
Your Love Is Killing Me by Harry Hewlett
Critique panel: Buck Morgan and Joe Milton  (4 songs)

To view past winners go to the Best Songs blog. http://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com/
To hear the winners go to our Soundcloud page https://soundcloud.com/dsa-best-songs
Did you know that A and R reps from labels and music publishers are listening to our Myspace page each month?
HARDCOPY OF SONGWRITERS NOTES 2014 SPRING
includes 2013 critiques winners

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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

SING or bring an instrument
MGB Ministeries Presents:
Supporting Artists in the Body of Christ
A cultural exchange fellowship @ Getzendaner Park, Chautauqua Building
the Last Thursday of every month
CREATING A PLATFORM FOR WORSHIP
It’s an informal gathering of artists to celebrate every tribe, tongue, and nation within
the Body of Christ through worship arts. We encourage ALL artists to participate in the worship including worship painters, worship dancing, banners, shofars, etc. Bring your gifts for the King! 
We especially want to support songwriters to come with their songs and musicians to come with chord charts ready to jam with others. Please call in advance so we can fit everybody in.
For more info contact: Michael Barton  972.935.2552

SPECIAL DATES FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
NOV 20TH
DECEMBER 18TH

SHOWCASES

Saturday Night at the Crosswalk at Angela's in Downtown Plano

THE DSA WILL HOST TWICE-MONTHLY SHOWCASES ON THE 2ND AND 4TH SATURDAYS OF THE MONTH. 
The first Dallas Songwriters Saturday Night at the Crosswalk is Oct. 11 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at Angela's at the Crosswalk in downtown Plano.  Harry Hewlett will host. His featured artists will be Allen Larson and Gigi Gostas.
Buck Morgan will be the host of 4th Saturdays at the Crosswalk, which on Oct. 25 will start an hour later at 8:30 because of Feastival Downtown Plano, which ends at 8. Should be a fun night with lots of pedestrians dropping by to hear featured artists Joe Milton and Shane Andrews. More on Feastival here: http://visitdowntownplano.com/events/

SONGWRITERS CONNECTING TO SENIORS - on hold


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 .

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 December 31st

SPRING LYRIC CONTEST WINNERS
1. This Backyard’s Rockin’ © 2014 Sarah Ashley, Maryville, TN
2. End to the End © Mark Paterson, Plano, TX

3. Workin’ For You Ain’t Workin’ For Me © John Thomas Lane, Monument, CO


SEMIFINALIST
One Night Stands by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
Peace Is Not So Far Away by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
Turtle Bait by Rio King, Plano, TX
The Old Wrecked Vet by Rio King, Plano, TX
Forever Free by John Mason, Grand Prairie, TX
Letters In The Moonlight by John Mason, Grand Prairie, TX
This Backyard's Rockin' by Sarah Ashley, Maryville, TN
End to End by Mark Paterson, Plano, TX
Workin' For You Ain't Working For Me by John Thomas Lane, Monument, CO

Enter onine

SUMMER 2014 IS IN THE JUDGING PROCESS

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.

To view a list of the 2014 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 NOTEWORTHY SPONSOR: TREVOR DAHLEN
                   PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, ROGER RUSSELL
Thanks to our past president, Roger Russell for providing the PA at the Wildflower Festival and donating the Wildflower check to DSA. Also, for several matching donations from Hewlett Packard and Network For Good.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Raquel Nguyen

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP:  Morri Hartgraves, Dan Roark, Ann Cormnelius
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 MAY:Richard Braund, George Albert
EXPIRED IN JUNE: Michael Roth, Wyler Delray, Renee Safier, Cole Dillow, Frank Precure, Mike Myers, Deanna Washington
EXPIRED IN JULY: Lynn Adler
EXPIRED IN AUG: Donna Lisa, Sandra Foster Brown, Alex Gordiscas, Kevin Reardon, Macy Medford
EXPIRED IN SEPT: Bill Honker, Ted Alvarez, Ken Golden, Mary Matthews, Marcus Belmore, Patrick Beck, Marcy Carter.
TIME TO RENEW THIS MONTH: Randy Sauer, Eddie Lott, Cal Scott, Brian Kalinec,Denise Rosier, Katie Hardyman, Charlie Hill, T Edwin Doss, Stephen McWhirter, Arek Religa, Kate Diaz, Roger Day, Maureen Fichten, Brent Benton

A Members Page off the Dallas Songwriters homepage has a list of members and a url link. Please check the page and email me your link if it is not included.

Member News : 

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

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.)

 Tony Ramey show at The Sanctuary Theater in the Adriatica Village in McKinney, TX on October 24th - Chance for song critique and free workshop.
Tony Ramey and Dig It Deep Publishing will be sponsoring a *FREE* song critique (a $50.00 value service for the price of a $15.00 ticket to a killer singer-songwriter evening out!) where a sound media submission along with the lyrics to a single song will be critiqued by any one of our pool of hit songwriters (Tony Ramey is included in that pool along with the likes of Clay Mills, Darius Rucker and Diamond Rio #1's; Kris Bergsnes, Gold and Platinum records on Wynnona Judd and Tim McGraw; Willie Nance, #1's on George Strait and Brad Paisley; and many others who are good friends and colleagues of Tony Ramey). Specific instructions for submission will be given with confirmation of attendance in the days following the show (a guest book will be provided at the show for active member signatures and emails to check against the Dallas Songwriters membership roster.

But that's not all! Any member of the Dallas Songwriters Association will also have an opportunity to attend a *FREE* 3-4 hour Saturday workshop and clinic to be scheduled in late November-Mid December. All you have to do is the following:

1. Submit, with an RSVP of attendance to this email [admin@tonyramey.com], a guest list that indicates you're hosting THREE other people who've purchased tickets for the show.

2. When your list is checked against those who sign the guest book and note their "Host" for the evening, the RSVP hosting member gets a free pass to the clinic and workshop!

A couple of items to remember: Make sure your list doesn't duplicate someone else's (in other words, make sure your guests aren't on someone else's guest list); the first RSVP "hosting" email received will take precedence, and duplicates will be disqualified. Keep in mind also that it's fine to host other active members to qualify for the workshop, but duplicates will disqualify hosting members from it. In short, just make sure you be careful whose "guest list" YOUR "guests" are on.


• SoundEmerge Master Series - Ralph Murphy hosts award winning songwriters.
Register and view online. http://soundemerge.com/

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.

OCT
2 - 4  Durango Songwriters Expo, Denver, CO
14   DSA Second Tuesday Meeting, Dallas, Tx
16-18  Harvest Music Festival, Ozark, AR
16-19  Far-West Folk Alliance Regional Conference, OaklandCA,
23 -26  FARMFolk Alliance Regional Conference, Sheraton Westport TowerStLouisMO
15-19 CMJ, NYC
18-19 Arlington Guitar Show, Arlington, Tx
24 Tony Ramey, Sanctuary Theater, McKinney, Tx

NOV
NERFA Folk Alliance Regional Conference, Hudson Valley ResortKerhonksonNY,
16th Three Moon Houce Concert with Tony Ramey.
11 DSA Annual Membership Meeting and Elections

DEC
9 DSA Christmas Party - Save the date


Moses Avalon's List of Top Ranked Music Conferences.
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:

City of Austin Music Office Launches Ground Breaking Census for the Austin Music Economy
By Chris Castle -- The Austin Music Office has commissioned a real census to get a meaningful handle on who contributes to the $1.6 billion annual music economy in Austin.


This Ain't No Mouse Music
By Sarah Burke -- A new documentary creates an intimate portrait of roots music preservationist and Arhoolie Records' owner Chris Strachwitz. When asked what defines the music he likes, Strachwitz simply said: "It's real ... stuff with guts, intention, and soul." [Must see video: THIS AIN'T NO MOUSE MUSIC!]
Reactions to the Turtles/Sirius Ruling on Unlicensed Use of Pre-72 Recordings
By Chris Castle -- Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) said it best: "Winners never quit and quitters never win. The recording artists of the pre-72 era are winners and we are not quitting until it's all made right for every single one of us."
[Playing to folks who still care about music isn't such a bad idea. Ask David Foster. Check out who's buying concert tickets.]
Barbra Streisand Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Chris Brown at No. 2
By Keith Caulfield -- With the arrival at No. 1, Streisand becomes the only act with No. 1 albums in each of the last six decades.
Care Center Using Music Treatment
By Scott Rawdon -- The program, called Music & Memory, trains nursing home staff members, elder-care professionals and family caregivers how to create and provide personalized playlists on digital music players, such as iPods, that enable those struggling with dementia to reconnect with the world through memories triggered by the music they love.

MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on  DSA Music Biz News

Using Copyrighted Music
Music Copyright Law explained in a whole new way. In plain English.
What Really Killed the CD?
By Paul Resnikoff
This Music Royalty Cheat Sheet Can Help You Understand a Complicated System
By Glenn Peoples -- If you're unsure about the language and processes of music royalties in the United States, a new informational graphic should help. The Music Business Association, also known as Music Biz and formerly known as NARM, has put together a cheat sheet with the help of ASCAP, Harry Fox, The Recording Academy, SESAC and SoundExchange. [Thanks to Laurie Jakobsen for the link.]
Now You Know Everything About Music Managers...
By Steve Gordon -- Managers have never played a more important role in the music business than today. And if your musical career has reached a certain level, you probably need one. But what is a music manager, anyway?

[We're not in Kansas anymore.]
38 Maps That Explain The Global Economy
By Matthew Yglesias


IN MEMORANDUM

The band's leader, organist, and self-professed "worst patient" had been battling health issues.


Gerald Wilson, Versatile Jazz Arranger, Is Dead at 96
By William Yardley -- Gerald Wilson, whose eight-decade career as a jazz composer, arranger, big-band leader and trumpeter spanned generations, styles and geography, died on Monday in Los Angeles. He was 96.
[The man.]
David Anderle RIP
By Chris Castle -- When David finally went home to paint, he'd given us all the inspiration of a creative life well lived. And we are all the richer for him. I doubt we will see his kind again. But I will be looking.
CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

Saying No To 'Songstress' And Other Forbidden Words
By Stephen Thompson -- Eleanor writes via email: "You've tweeted about your hatred of the word 'songstress.' Writing about music is tricky, but what words do you think should ALWAYS be avoided, and why?"

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 Quarterly Lyric Contest http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/
Next deadline - December 31st

DSA Annual Song Contest in the judging process
Song, Lyric and Fiddle Contests

A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com
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11. Songwriting Resources -  Now accepting book reviews

Links to websites about songwriting, performance, music industry.

DSA Book Store - reviews, links, lists of recommended reading, and what's in the DSA Library.
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.
                       
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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 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. 
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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,
  Barbara McMillen, Editor
  Songwriter Notes
  Founding President Emeritus, DSADSA Online Store
  Online Songwriting Workshops and Classes