Friday, January 2, 2015

SONGWRITERS NOTES: DSA E-NEWS #161 JANUARY 2015

Hello Songwriter,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! My resolution is to catch up.
 
On December 9th, at Sons of Hermann Halls, we announced our song contest winners. Our grand prize winner was Lucia Comnes; Second place was local girl, Gracie Lott, and James Bennett took third place. See the press release about the grand prize winners here: http://dsapress.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html  See the complete list of winners on our song contest page: http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com. Our Christmas Party and Awards Dinner was so much fun. Not only did we enjoy performance from some of our semifinalists and winners of the song contest, but we announced the winners of our second Tuesday Meeting Critiques..... drum roll...Song of the Year was Honky Tonk Shrink by Rio King and Songwriter of the Year was Bobby Montgomery.  See details here: http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/p/awards-dinner-tuesday-december-9-at.html


Thanks so much to those of you who have contributed to the fundraising drive for Dallas Songwriters Association. We back on track with operating expenses for 2015.
Our Second Tuesday Meeting will feature guest speaker,  Giovanni Galluccion Social Media for Music. See #2 below.

The Department of Transportation has ruled on regulation of carry on musical instruments. No longer are we at the mercy of the individual airlines. See the Dallas Morning News article

Workshops and conferences this month include Steve Seskin at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville and Austin Songwriters Symposium. February will bring the Folk Alliance to Kansas City.

The Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest is now accepting entries. See #10 below.
Need to run and do the voting process for the Grammy Awards.


Your elected a Board of Directors will meet on January 10 for election of officers nad planning for 2015.

 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. Some of us like to visit the Poor Davids Pub Open Mic. Heads up - the day of the week has moved from Wednesday to every Monday.

Again,  Happy New Year!

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Check out our pictures on the Dallas Songwriters Facebook. Go on Facebook and LIKE us. New, tell your friends 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 - Winners Announced - See the complete list on our contest page.  http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/ 

LUCIA COMNES WINS GRAND PRIZE WITH HER SONG, "NO HIDING PLACE"

“Lucia Comnes is a singer, songwriter, fiddler & guitarist with a ‘singular voice’ (SF Chronicle) and ‘a powerful imagination’ (C. Poling) whose atmospheric roots music crosses genres of Americana, folk, Celtic, bluegrass & alternative.”
Drawing from the past but refreshingly contemporary, Lucia demonstrates that she isn't afraid of taking chances. Her crystal clear voice with a hint of mystery was decried by the San Francisco Chronicle as "singular…. embedded with soul and spirit."  Her fiddling is powerful and full of emotional expression. All these talents and imagination have conbined to create the grand prize winning song, "No Hiding Place." Her... more....... http://dsapress.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html


WINNER of IPOD: Maxin Senin, Lakewood, CA

                 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


Listen to the winners on Soundcloud at:

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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.

EXTREME CO-WRITES - Back by popular demand.

We’re excited to have a collaborative songwriting session with our members for this Tuesday meeting! Bring your guitar and your creativity. We'll divide into groups and will be given an assignment to be completed during our meeting time.

Unfortunately our original speaker for this date can’t make it. We’re planning to reschedule Giovanni Gallucci later in the year to present some great information on how to utilize social media for your songwriting career.

 TO BE RESCHEDULE AT A LATER DATE.

GUEST SPEAKER: Giovanni Gallucci http://gallucci.net. on 

Social Media for Music

Learn how to utilize social media for your songwriting career with Giovanni Gallucci.
Giovanni Gallucci is an Emmy, Telly & Webby award-winning photographer and online content creator who works with clients in music, film, tv, and sports with a renaissance soul. On one hand he is a recovering Microsoft .NET programmer turned internet journeyman who develops and delivers search and social media strategy for clients. On the other hand he is a professional photographer, filmmaker, and online content creator who helps brands build online audiences by engaging with fans online and offline.
You can see what he’s up to at http://gallucci.net and read his tech reviews at http://geekbeat.tv
https://dallassongwriters.org/calendar/2015/01/2nd-tuesday-monthly-dsa-meeting-2/

Free to Members | $5 for visitors
Sign in and Networking begins at 6:30
Announcements at 7PM
Program about 7:30
Song Critiques follow – Members only may enter for $10
DETAILS ON MEETING PROCEDURES
https://dallassongwriters.org/events/2nd-tuesday-meeting-agenda-and-song-critique/
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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
 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

2014 SONG OF THE YEAR
Honky Tonk Shrink by Rio King

2014 SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Bobby Montgomery

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?

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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

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

THE DSA WILL HOST TWICE-MONTHLY SHOWCASES ON THE 2ND AND 4TH SATURDAYS OF THE MONTH. 
2nd Saturday Night   - January 10, 7:30 to 9:30 pm   Harry Hewlett will host.
         Featured: Randy Brown, David Byboth
         After Show - 9:30 - 11: James Pappas, Buck Morgan, open call.
4th Saturday Night, January 24, 7:30 to 9:30 pm   Buck Morgan will host.
         Featured: Tony Ramey, Jay Johnson
         After Show 9:30 - 11: TBA, Harry Hewlett, open call.

SONGWRITERS CONNECTING TO SENIORS - on hold


SHOWCASE AND OPEN MIC - 

TEXAS SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND at Sandstone Cellars Winery Showcase and 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 MARCH 31st

Enter onine

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 committee positions open.

Your new Board of Directors for 2015 were elected on November 11, 7PM at our Annual Membership Meeting at the Center For Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak, Dallas Tx:
Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Barbe McMillen, Harry Hewlett, Dicky Johnson, Buck Morgan, Rachel Wilhelm, Steve Sullivan, LaToya Cooper, Dan Roark, Joe Milton, Dori Weaver and James Pappas.
Elections for Officers and Planning Meeting to be January 10, 10AM - 2PM

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.
                   PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, ROGER RUSSELL, TREVOR DAHLEN
Patron Sponsor L3: Bobby Montgomery, Harry Hewlett, Latoya Cooper, Kent Poynor, Ken Duren, Terry Bloss, Martha Myre, Michael Brandenberger, Bill Honker, Morri Hartgraves, Steve Sullivan, James Pappas
Patron Sponsor L1: Ann Cornelius, Suzi Morse
Patron Sponsor: Bill Kapac, Mary Guthrie, Mimi Balkey

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Song contest winners - Lucia Comnes, Katie Hardyman, BlueLightBandits, Benjamin Neumann, T Edwin Doss, Charlie Hill,
Natinee Paris Lawson, Denise Rosier, Al Hovden, ChristianTaylor Michaels, Debra GUSSIN, Deborah Wedekind, Gracie Lott, James Bennett, Rob Lutzwig, Maxim Senin, Mike Hyden, Randy Sauer, Rob Cariddi, Roger Kaye, Stephen Blackwell, Dickey Johnson, Renee Safier
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP:  Sandra Brown

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 JUNE: Michael Roth, Wyler Delray, Cole Dillow, Frank Precure, Mike Myers, Deanna Washington
EXPIRED IN JULY: Lynn Adler
EXPIRED IN AUG: Donna Lisa, Alex Gordiscas, Kevin Reardon, Macy Medford
EXPIRED IN SEPT: Ted Alvarez, Mary Matthews, Marcus Belmore, Patrick Beck, Marcy Carter.
EXPIRED IN OCT: Eddie Lott, Cal Scott, Brian Kalinec, Stephen McWhirter, Arek Religa, Kate Diaz, Maureen Fichten, Brent Benton
EXPIRED IN NOV: BC Cornish, Jasmine Dia, Richard Hopson, Gigi Gostas, Randy Brown
EXPIRED IN DEC: Scott White, Brad Davis, Ashley Sichler, Davi Morales
TIME TO RENEW THIS MONTH: Grady Yates, Terry Fansler, Ray Phillips, Bill Kapac, Tim Spitzer, Brian Joyner, Cliff Monroe, Troll Mallow, Brit Morgan, Skip Spoonts, Mark Bone, Aaron Rose,Laura Bertwell, Jordy Searcy, Cousin Don Brown, Erin McGee, Bob Fisk, Richard Hunt
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/

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.)


• 11th Annual Songcrafting Seminar at Bluebird Cafe http://www.steveseskin.com/calendar/upcoming?c=2

JAN 12
Need Health Insurance?  Have questions or need help enrolling in an Affordable Health Plan?

EVERY ARTIST INSURED: HELPING YOU FIND AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE

THIS WORKSHOP WILL:
- Walk you through your Affordable Care Act options and requirements.
- Provide important information relevant to freelancers and the self-employed.
- Help you figure out how to get affordable health insurance with the help of federal subsidies.
- Help you with enrollment!
Community Council of Greater Dallas staff will discuss how to apply for health coverage via healthcare.gov, provide you with assistance in navigating the Marketplace web site and help you with the enrollment process.
This event is free and open to everyone in the visual and performing arts and entertainment. Guests are welcome.

Monday, January 12, 2015 -- Workshops at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. 
Navigators will be available to help you enroll and answer questions after the 2 pm event.
Funded by the Hearst Foundations
Date:
Jan 12 2015 - 2:00pm - 7:00pm CST

Location:
SAG-AFTRA DFW Local
15110 Dallas Parkway, Suite 440
Dallas  Texas  75248

JAN 14 -18 - AUSTIN SONGWRITERS SYMPOSIUM 

FEB
Feb. 21             The Waymores + SONGWRITER WORKSHOP! mclgrand.com

• 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.
2015
JAN   - 
17   Ruthie Foster at MCL Grand, Lewisville, TX
14 -18 Austin Songwriters Symposium, Austin Texas http://austinsongwritersgroup.com/
22- 25 Winter NAMM, Anaheim CA 

FEB
18 - 22  Folk Alliance International and Winter Music Camp, Kansas City, KA http://www.folkalliance.org/conference/
21   The Waymores + SONGWRITER WORKSHOP! at MCL Grand, Lewisville, TX

MARCH  

14  Willis Alan Ramsey & Special Guest Alison Ramsey
       at MCL Grand, Lewisville, TX
 17-22 SXSW Music Conference, Austin  http://www.sxsw.com
24-28 Winter Music Conference, Miami, FL

APRIL  
3 - 5  Deep Ellum Festival, Dallas, TX
18   Tom Faulkner  at MCL Grand, Lewisville, TX

MAY 
13-17  SERFA - South East Regional Folk Alliance, Montreat, NC
15 - 17 Wildflower Festival, Richardson Tx 
23    Max Baca & Los TexManiacs at MCL Grand, Lewisville, TX

JUNE
 13    Colin Gilmore & Nicolette Good
        at MCL Grand, Lewisville, TX


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:

ASCAP Unwraps the Top 30 Holiday Songs of the Century
Includes a video of Walter Afanasieff discussing how he and Mariah Carey wrote, "All I Want for Christmas Is You."
Santa Monica, CA (December 30, 2014)—The Producers & Engineers Wing of The Recording Academy, in conjunction with The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter, hosted "Lost In Transaction," a panel discussion on the increasingly complex and intricate landscape that the music industry, in early December.
Read More »

Classic Tracks: The Making of LeAnn Rimes' 'Blue'
The story of the recording of "Blue" by LeAnn Rimes is one with many twists and turns, and has now become part of country music lore. Sometimes lost in the tale is that the heart of the story runs through the legacy of producer Norman Petty and his studio in Clovis, N.M.


MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on  DSA Music Biz News
As the Global Repertory Database (GRD) Runs Aground, What Next?
By Chris Cooke -- Today our focus is the music industry's data challenge, that of copyright ownership data. The data that tells us who owns and controls music copyright.
Mechanical Royalty Rate Charts - Harry Fox Agency
By Stephanie Falvo -- Mechanical royalty calculations are explained with these rate charts. Charts are available for different license configurations including physical, permanent digital downloads, ringtones, subscription services.

Is It Ever OK To Work For Free In The Music Industry?
By David Reeves -- AMAZING set guys, you were great... er we didn't take as much as expected at the bar though, so obviously we won't be able to pay you. Really sorry. I think we have a few bottles of beer left over that you can take'. The band saunter outside into the first rays of sunrise, 2 warm beers between them, full of defiance and resignation.


IN MEMORANDUM
RIP JOE COCKER
Joe Cocker Get Remembered and Honored Across Billboard Rock Charts

Lefsetz On Joe Cocker

Joe Cocker playlist on Spotify

By Jeff Giles

Showco Founder Jack Calmes Passes at 71
Jack Calmes, who co-founded pioneering concert sound company Showco, died of cancer on January 5 at the age of 71.

Read More »
LISTEN 

The Original Funky Drummers on Life with James Brown
NPR -- John "Jabo" Starks and Clyde Stubblefield laid the grooves on many of James Brown's biggest hits.


VIDEO
Billy Joel Receives the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize
http://www.pbs.org/gershwin-prize/home/

"Best of 2014" megamashup


VIDEO: Elizabeth South Channels 12 Disney Princesses In One Incredible Medley
[Elizabeth South, is a music teacher in Durham, North Carolina. She's really quite good.]
[If this doesn't get your heart warmed – or break it - nothing will ...]
VIDEO: For Apple, Music Making is For Everybody: New Holiday Ad
By Peter Kirn


PERFORMANCE

4 Ways Technology Can Make Your Music Lessons Sing
By David Raths -- New tech tools that give students control over their music also inspire them to create and innovate.
[60 years on...]
Weapon Of Choice: Why The Stratocaster Survives
By Robert Goldstein

Bette Midler Almost Snubbed 'Wind Beneath My Wings'
By Jamie Harris -- "I thought it was a country song and I thought people would be angry at me for covering a country song," [Midler] explained. "Both of my producers said at the time, 'If you don't sing this song, we're going to kill you!'


CRAFT OF SONGWRITING


28 Internet Acronyms Every Parent Should Know
By Kelly Wallace -- Sure, you know 'LOL' ... but what about 'IWSN?'


Gillian Welch on Tragic Old Folk Songs
By Scott Timberg -- Why do people make art, write songs, tell stories? Partly, it's to deal with pain and suffering. This week I spoke to one of my musical heroes about the lineage of dark, gloomy folk songs from the American South — many of them originating in the British Isles, from Child Ballads and the like. Here is what Welch had to say about the tradition of tragedy.
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 - March 31st

Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest  - Now accepting entries until March 1st.
Only 300 entries accepted.  10 finalists compete on May 16 on the Singer Songwriter Stage.
Genres include Acoustic, Folk, Country, Blues, Americana, Bluegrass, and Celtic.
Four $500 cash awards.  Opportunity to perform on the Courtyard Stage.
Lodging provided.

http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/singersongwriter.html

Song, Lyric and Fiddle Contests

20th Annual USA Songwriting Competition http://www.songwriting.net

Second annual youth Songwriter and composition competition for ages 10 thru 17. Deadline Feb 1.  Submissions are on-line with youtube or MP-3. For Guidelines and prizes, see: http://www.violettesbybecky.com/blog/composition-competition-songwriter/
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
DALLAS SONGWRITERS OLD WEBSITE WITH ARCHIVED LINKS TO PAST PROGRAMS
http://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com

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