Tuesday, November 3, 2015

SONGWRITERS NOTES E-NEWS ISSUE #170 NOVEMBER 2015

Hello Songwriter,
Wow, I don't think we've ever had so many events in one month as we did in October. Besides our monthly three open mics, 3 workshops, and the showcase at Angela's, we had 2 special showcases, and the workshop with Nashville producer Larry Beaird. That workshop was incredible, BTW. We all learned so much about the Nashville hit machine.

DSA is ramping up it's fundraising drive this month. Paul Zander kicked off the drive with a generous donation of $250, reminding us that it is the season to give. Your donations are tax deductible.  Follow this link to our donation spot on the website. https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/donation/

  Our Second Tuesday Meeting will feature Music Director of Mountain Stage,Ron Sowell. I love this NPR music program!  Critiques will follow. See #2 below. Mark your calendars for the December 9th Christmas Party and Awards Dinner at Songs of Hermann Hall.

The Song Contest Semifinalists are posted on the website. Wow, we had some really great entries. Can't wait to know who the winners are. Judges are busy ! Semifinalists are invited to perform at our Christmas party and Awards Dinner on December 8 at Sons of Hermann Hall, Dallas, Tx. Roy Elkins of Boradjam will be our special guest MC and will also present a free workshop the night before.


Our regular DSA monthly events remain the same 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps and 1st and 3rd Thursdays and last Monday Open Mic.  For details, see #2 and #4 below. Some of us like to visit the Poor Davids Pub (hosted by Mr Troll) or Angela's (hosted by JT) Open Mic every Monday.

I'm gonna show up and perform at the Half Price Books open mic on Nov 5 as a way of celebrating my birthday, which is that day, November 5. Lets have a scorpio party. I know there are lot's of Scorpios in DSA. What do you think? I'm also gonna be playing at Angela's on the 28th. I love this month. What a party month. I've already had turkey and dressing at my lodge meeting on Sunday. Bobby Montgomery's birthday is the 30th. Let's celebrate it at the Kitchen Cafe. Also, we are celebrating our 11th anniversary at Dunn Brothers on the 19th. Party, party!

On the home stretch for fall semester at Collin College. It'll be over before I know it. Students are presenting their second song this week.  



See you at one of our many events. 

Barbe

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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST - SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED

WINNERS ANNOUNCED DEC. 8

SEMIFINALISTS invited to perform at the awards dinner on Dec. 8.  http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/ 


                 2015 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest
Now in its 25th year, The DSA 2015 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.

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2. DSA MEETINGS - SECOND TUESDAY WORKSHOP

  November 10th: Annual Membership Meeting and Elections - 

        We will be electing our board of directors.

     
GUEST SPEAKER: Ron Sowell from NPR Mountain Stage
Ron is Music Director of Mountain Stage, a staple of NPR programming airing each week on over 140 public radio stations nationwide. On the show he has accompanied hundreds of performers including Sarah McLachlan, Lyle Lovett, Kathy Mattea, and folk legends Tom Paxton and Odetta.
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Ron has also produced CD’s for many other artists, including mandolin virtuoso Johnny Staats' Wires and Wood  (Giant Records 2001, co-produced with John Van Meter). In 2002 he co-founded the nationally acclaimed Mountain Stage NewSong Contest and produces the popular Woody Hawley Concert Series, an annual singer/songwriter series based in Charleston, WV. In addition, he was awarded the Golden Mic for writing and producing the best original jingle in the United States for the West Virginia Lottery.

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
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FUTURE SPEAKERS
December 8 - Christmas Party and Awards Dinner - 7PM SONS OF HERMANN HALL
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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

October 2015
No Critiques

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

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4. SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS -

http://showcases-openmics.blogspot.com/

OPEN MICS

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE - Addison
EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Hosted by  Craig St.Clair 

HALF PRICE BOOKS OPEN MIC THIS MONTH- NORTHWEST HIGHWAY - Rotating guest host featured artist Dan Roark in Nov, Bobby Montgomery in Dec
EVERY 1ST THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Sign up begins at 6:30
Featured Artist at 8PM

KITCHEN CAFE' - North Dallas
EVERY LAST MONDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Hosted by Michael Brandenberger

SHOWCASES

NOV 28
7:30 host Buck Morgan
7:50 1st feature Barbe McMillen 
8:35 1st 20 Rachel Wilhelm
8:55 2nd 20 Dan Roark
9:15 2nd feature Brando
10:00 3rd 20 Michael Franceus*
10:20 4th 20 Aaron Shook 
10:40 5th 20 Mark Evans*

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 .

Every 1st Thursday 7-9 PM @ Fuel Coffee House 106 Main St, Llano, Texas

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 Dec 31st

or by mail

SPRING 2015 - SEMIFINALIST 

DOWN by Don Coyne, Los Angeles, CA
FORGOTTEN WARRIOR by Don Wall, Dallas, TX
GIMME A BIG CITY by John Thomas Lane, Monument, CO
CORN BREAD by Don Wall, Dallas, TX

PAST WINNERS and LYRICS POSTED ON THE OLD  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 of the DSA. We have committee positions open. Let us no you'd like to be on the board. Just show up a our membership meeting.

Officers Elected at the Planning Meeting on January 10, 2015
Michael Brandenberger -  Prez
Bobby Montgomery - Executive VP, VP Programs
Dicky Johnson - Treasurer
Rachel Wilhelm - Tech
Dan Roark - Lyric Contest Director
Barbe McMillen - Communications, Administration, Newsletter
Joe Milton, Steve Sullivan, Ken Duren, James Pappas and Harry Hewlett - At Large

 At the board meeting on October 27th, Harry Hewlett was voted back on the board.

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, Suzi Morse
Patron Sponsor L1: Ann Cornelius
Patron Sponsor: Bill Kapac, Mary Guthrie, Mimi Balkey

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Ron Sowell,  Stephen McKinnell, Tommy Thomas, M'Lynn Musgrove, Joseph Brinkley, Adrianna Braddom, Darren Rozell, Charles Carter,
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Rick Babb, Harry Hewlett, Ken Golden, Morri Hartgrave.


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 JAN: Grady Yates, Terry Fansler, Ray Phillips, Tim Spitzer, Brian Joyner, Troll  Mallow, Brit Morgan, Skip Spoonts, Mark Bone, Aaron Rose, Laura Bertwell, Jordy Searcy, Cousin Don Brown, Bob Fisk, Richard Hunt
EXPIRED IN FEB: Jonathan Malone, Jesse Anderson, Wayne Dobry, Anthony Castillo, Daniel Zagotta
EXPIRED IN MARCH: Julia Pauletti, Jeff Rodgers, Craig Langford, Johnny Cromer
EXPIRED IN APRIL:Tom Thomas, David Wysong, Gary White, Kerry McCall, Randy Overton, Kent Poynor
EXPIRED IN MAY: Ann Cornelius, Julie Jean White, Aaron Shook, Mathew Cords.
EXPIRED IN JUNE: Joanna Endsley, LaToya Cooper
EXPIRED IN JULY: Jay Gerwertz, Stephanie Stewart, John Knoblauch
EXPIRED IN AUGUST: Sandra Foster Brown, Glen Naylor
EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER: Dru Richmond, Marcus Belmore
EXPIRED IN OCT:  Randy Sauer, Denise Rosier, Katie Hardyman, Charlie Hill, T. Edwin Doss, Nitanee Paris, Rick Webster, Jay Gallagher, Jenni Peal, Raquel Nguyen
TIME TO RENEW THIS MONTH: Richard Pickett, Lisa Byrn, Steve Wilson, Gigi Gostas, Martha Myre

 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.)


Kevin Welch's Master Class with Walt Wilkins

The Kevin Welch Songwriting Workshop is a beautiful weekend retreat that will inspire and support you in your creative, musical efforts. Come join us in the beautiful Texas hill country, just an hour south of Austin. We'll show you a weekend of writing, playing, listening and re-writing. We love what we do so much that we can guarantee you will walk away feeling newly inspired in the art of songwriting. Plus, you'll have a whole new set of amazing friends with whom you can collaborate on future writing. We've hosted over 100 writers of all ages and stages and they continue to come back again and again!  Guest teacher October 2-4 will be Walt Wilkins.  CLICK HERE for more information and to register!  



Jenni Finlay Hosts Free Music Seminar Series This Fall

Central Texas, Listen Up: Jenni Finlay will host a series of FREE music seminars this fall, once a month at Cheatham Street Warehouse (119 Cheatham Street, San Marcos, TX). Workshops are Wednesdays at 6:30pm. The series is sponsored by the Cheatham Street Music Foundation.  If you can't make it in person, be sure to tune in via Concert Window (all donations benefit The Cheatham Street Music Foundation). Check out our Fall calendar:



November 4 - Tips and Tricks to Successfully Using Social Media, Fan Sourcing and Music Streaming  (with Jill McGuckin and Matt The Electrician) 

December 2 - Write it Off: Accounting tips for the Self-Employed Musician
jenni@jennifinlay.com

 December 7th - Free Workshop with Roy Elkins, CEO of Broadjam


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

NOV
2     DSA Song Swap at Half Price Books
3 - 4 GameSoundCon5, LA, CA
       Video Game Music and Sound Design Conference
5     DSA Open Mic at Half Price Books
10 DSA Annual Membership Meeting and Elections plus guest speaker and song critiques
16 DSA Song Swap at Tino's Too, Plano
19 DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers, Addison - 11th Anniversary
28  DSA Showcase at Angela's, Plano
30   DSA Open Mic at Kitchen Cafe, N Dallas

DEC
6 The Sherpas at Lewisville Grand Theater
7 Free Workshop with Roy Elkins
8 DSA Christmas Party and Awards Dinner, 7PM Sons of Hermann Hall

Moses Avalon's List of Top Ranked Music Conferences.
Go to the events page to view links to local and Texas venues.   http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

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9. Featured Articles:

by Eriq Gardner -- No, the "Happy Birthday to You" song copyright case is not over. Far from it. And the stakes are getting larger. This high-profile case figures to be around for years to come and may have bigger Hollywood implications.
[I'm trying to remember... Were these the good ol days?]
"Vinyl" - A New Series About The 70's Record Industry Is Coming To HBO
A new TV drama promises a fictionalized look at the record industry of the 1970s. "Vinyl" was created by Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos) and will premiere on HBO in 2016. The pilot was written by Winter and directed by Martin Scorsese. Mick Jagger is a co-producer. WATCH THE TRAILER

What Music Creators Should Know About Music, Language and the Brain
By Aniruddh D. Patel -- How music affects listeners...a Neuroscience perspective
MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on  DSA Music Biz News
[Remember sync agents are professionals not magicians ... They can't sell what doesn't fit the requirements.]
The Importance Of Getting A Sync Rep
By Mark Frieser -- There is good money to be made by artists who can acquire a sync deal for their music, but getting your composition into the hands and ears of those who have the power to make it happen is no easy task. Here we look at why and how artists should go about getting a sync agent.
Where Are People Buying Their Music?
By Bobby Owsinski -- There's still a lot of physical music product being sold despite what you might read, but the places that people are buying it is changing.



Christmas Is Here (In The Eyes Of The Music Industry)
By Chris Robley -- When the Biebs, and Ariana Grande, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Michael Bublé record new Christmas music, when do you think their labels really start gearing up to promote those releases? November? Wrong! Right now. (Actually, probably early summer).
5 Creative Ways To Keep The Buzz Going After Your Show
By Gillian Driscoll -- In my last post, I discussed five creative ways to build buzz before a show. For this edition, we're focusing on ways to maintain momentum after a gig.
LISTEN 
VIDEO: Jason Moran Plays Thelonious Monk's Town Hall Concert
By Patrick Jarenwattananon · "Thelonious Monk is the most important musician, period," Jason Moran says.
VIDEO
Must Watch Video: Songwriter Marc Beeson
Additionally, The Center for Protection of Intellectual Property has now posted videos of all the panels from its recent fall conference, The IP Platform: Supporting Invention and Inspiration. Also a must watch! [Thanks to Terry Hart for the link.]

Changing The Video Trailer On Your YouTube Channel: A How To For Musicians
By Michael Brandvold -- When trying to draw viewers to your YouTube channel, (whether they're returning or first-timers) it's important to switch the video trailer which appears whenever you upload a new video. Here's a rundown on how it's done
PERFORMANCE
Top 5 Nashville Venues Locals Love Playing
By Jhoni Jackson – [For songwriters ... it's The Bluebird Cafe.]
[You might consider this route when your band books its next tour.]
A 13,235-Mile Road Trip for 70-Degree Weather Every Day
By John Metcalfe -- This year-long journey across the U.S. keeps you at consistent high temperatures.

RECORDING

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING
Those Details That Make Your Songwriting More Credible
SongCat Team -- As songwriters and professional musicians, it is our job to make songs as believable and realistic as possible. ... This article will help you learn how to add little details into your songwriting that will make your songs more credible, and more memorable for those who listen to your songs.

Best Tip Ever: Using Metaphors to Build Song Ideas
By SongCat Team -- Songwriting is a complex, and complicated task, one that requires a great deal of talent, skill, and time. Generating ideas can be a difficult process, and finding the right way to combine all of the thoughts, feelings, and emotions in your head into a coherent and successful song. One way to add some extra flair into your songs, and create depth, or even the illusion of depth, is to add metaphors.
Two Master Composers Talk the Art of the Film Score
By Michael Calore -- Between them, film score composers Hans Zimmer and Clint Mansell have supplied the music for many of your favorite motion pictures. ... Put together, the two men have over 200 credits to their names. ... The composers talk to the folks at Moog Music about the creation of a film score—the studio routine, the technical hurdles, and how music and film work together to make a complete cinematic statement.
How Songwriters Can Emotionally Connect With Their Audience
By Mylène Besançon -- Dave Grohl, arguably one of the best songwriters of his generation ... "My songwriting is like extending a hand to the audience." Dave Grohl
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 - Dec 31

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

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
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