Wednesday, June 1, 2016

SONGWRITERS NOTES E-NEWS #177 JUNE 2016

Hello Songwriter,

 The Wildflower Courtyard Stage sponsored by Dallas Songwriters was a great success, with Ian Dickson, Harry Hewlett receiving accolades for excellent sound, and stage management and DSA performers for providing an entertaining weekend. DSA members volunteered to manage the merch table and thanks to Bobby DSA VP for setting up tearing down the merch table and DSA Prez Michael Brandenberger for scheduling the talent and volunteers. The weather was as Goldie Locks would say, "Not too hot, not too cold, but just right!" We love the Wildflower festival and have partnered with Richardson a number of years, thanks to our friends Al Johnson and Donna Hanson. (Please pray for speedy recovery for our buddy Al.) The festival is definitely the best entertainment value for the price with seven stages and lots of world class talent.

Last month we had a big presence at the Dallas Guitar Show.Thanks go out to Jimmy Wallace for making that happen. We are planning a DSA fundraiser with the Stratoblasters at Sons of Hermann Hall on July 22. Please mark your calendar and plan to come out and bring lots of friends. This will be the inaugural Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame with our first inductees to be Blind Lemon Jefferson and T Bone Walker.

We handed out a hard copy of the Spring 2016 Songwriters Notes issue at the guitar show and festival. You can get a pdf version here. 

We have partnered with the Business Council For the Arts to bring you two events with the Girls of Nashville. Hear them perform in the round on Saturday, June 11 at the Kessler Theater. Tickets are available at http://www.prekindle.com/promo/id/24511045851595454

Attend the Girls of Nashville Workshop on Sunday, June 12 noon - 4 at Sons of Hermann Hall. Get tickets here and see below for more details.

Mark your calendar for the DSA Picnic Jam and Pool Party on Saturday, August 13.

DSA now has 8 regular monthly events. Our regular DSA monthly events are 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps and 1st and 3rd Thursdays and last Monday Open Mic, 3rd Tuesday Showcase at the Sons Of Hermann Hall, 4th Saturday Showcase at Angela's, and our 2nd Tuesday Workshop and Critiques. Our guest speakers for this month is Elizabeth Wills in person.   Are you considering putting out an indie CD? She will tell you how to do it. She has a new CD to be released June 2nd. For details, see #2 and #4 below. Some of us like to visit the Poor Davids Pub (hosted by Mr Troll) or Angela's Open Mic every Monday.

THE 2016 DSA SONG CONTEST OPENS IN JUNE. See #1 below.


For a complete calendar list see #8 Events below.

Some postings of note on our website. 

Members with Gigs and DSA events
https://dallassongwriters.org/members-with-gigs-and-dsa-upcoming-events/ 

Thanks to Paul Zander, Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Mimi Balkey, Suzi Morse for their contributions to DSA. Just a reminder that we are a non-profit and your tax deductible donations are always welcome. Follow this link to our donation spot on the website. https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/donation/
Songcerely,
Barbe

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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST - 2016 OPEN NOW - Sept 30th

Enter on DSA website 

Enter on Broadjam 

 
2016 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest Opens in June

Now in its 26th year, The DSA 2016 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 Beaird 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
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2015 SONG CONTEST WINNER T EDWIN DOSS WITH GRAND PRIZE CASIO PRIVIA

Read interview with 2015 winner T Edwin Doss and learn about out other Grand Prize Winners❤ 
Did you miss the Awards Dinner? Here's a blow by blow courtesy of Dan Roark

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
1. Jessie Brown by T. Edwin Doss, Silver Spring, MD
2. Real Love Next Time by Bonnie Warren, Philadelphia, PA
3. Aina Hanu by John Keawe, Kapaau, Hawaii



WINNERS

MC and GRAND PRIZE JUDGE,  ROY ELKINS, left us with extensive comments on the grand prize winners and more. https://dallassongwriters.org/roy-elkins-on-songs-from-dsa-song-contest/

Hard Copy of Songwriters Notes Spring 2016 issue with 2015 winners
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/8182067/dsanewsspring2016-pdf-2-4-meg?da=y 

SEMIFINALISTS   http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/ 

 WINNER OF THE IPOD – Samuel Miller, Chico, CA


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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

  June 14th: Elizabeth Wills   Texas-based singer-songwriter and Americana artist Elizabeth Wills has a voice that Dallas Morning News compared to “female singer/songwriter greats such as Carly Simon, Shawn Colvin, and Sarah McLachlan.” Her songs – real and riveting – keep listeners engaged start to finish.
She has a new album release, Every Little Star (available June 3), Wills is featured on lead vocalist and on piano, her first instrument. 

Wills will speak on "Producing on a Major Label vs DIY"
More on Liz at http://www.elizabethwills.com/#!bio/j1qkc
Listen to samples of the new album at http://www.elizabethwills.com/#!bio/j1qkc

Meadows Conference Center
2900 Live Oak
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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Reviews of past DSA Second Tuesday guest speakers  

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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

Harry Hewlett, Dori Weaver, Michael Brandenberger
Harry Hewlett, Dori Weaver, Michael Brandenberger
2016 
January - Time to Leave by Beth Murphy
February - My Pickup Truck by Charles Carter

March - Last Chance to Dance in Texas by Rio King
April - I'm Singing My Heart Out In Dallas Tonight by Charles Carter

2015 Winner - Waiting to Breathe by Dori Weaver   
2. Jimmy Loves Jesus by Buck Morgan
3. Give 'Em Time Lord by Bobby Montgomery

Here is the list of winners of the meeting critiques from which the top three were chosen thanks to Judge, Ian Dickson, former DSA Director and Wildflower Contest winner.

Q&A With Winner, Dori Weaver
https://dallassongwriters.org/qa-song-year-winner-dori-weaver/ 

Songwriter of the Year 2015 
is Rio King with the most wins at the meeting 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

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

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE - Addison
EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Hosted by  Craig St.Clair 
In November 2015, DSA celebrated 11 years at Dunn Brothers
see review of

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

SHOWCASES

ANGELA'S AT THE CROSSWALK in downtown Plano
4th Saturday 7:30 - 11:00
Hosted by Buck and Harry
JUNE 25

SHOWCASE AND OPEN MIC - 


SONS OF HERMANN HALL SHOWCASE and OPEN MIC - 3412 MAIN ST
EVERY 3RD TUESDAY - 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Sign up begins at 6:30 Hosted by Dan Roark


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 June 30 

or by mail
 FALL 2015 -WINNERS
 1st – Memories of the Future by David Byboth
2nd – The Telegram and the Locket by Myra Litton
3rd – Tear-Stained Letters by Myra Litton
Honorable Mention:
The Magic of Christmas by Catherine Pittman

 SUMMER & FALL 2015 RESULTS
SUMMER 2015 - SEMIFINALISTS
October Sky by Kerry Kean
If I Hold You Tenderly by Michael Roth, Dulles, VA
Ducky, If You're Listening by Brenda Peak, Council Bluff, IA
Trains by Nancy Line and Candy Kattenburg, Martinez, CA
What's Your Plan by David DelBianco, Wrightstown, PA

 WINNERS
1st – Trains by Nancy Line and Candy Kattenburg
2nd – Ducky, If You’re Listening by Brenda Peak
3rd – October Sky by Kerry Kean
Honorable Mention
If I Hold You Tenderly by Michael Roth
What’s Your Plan by David DelBianco
SPRING 2015 - WINNERS

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 know if you'd like to be on the board. Just show up a our membership meeting.

Directors elected at our Nov 11th Annual Membership Meeting were:
Michael BrandenbergerBobby MontgomeryDicky JohnsonRachel WilhelmDan RoarkBarbe McMillenJoe Milton, Stephen McKinnell, Steve Sullivan, Ken Duren, James Pappas and Harry Hewlett.

Current Officers Elected at the Planning Meeting on January 9, 2016
Michael Brandenberger -  Prez
Bobby Montgomery - Executive VP, VP Programs
Dicky Johnson - Treasurer
Dan Roark - Lyric Contest Director, showcases, workshops
Barbe McMillen - Communications, Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - A/R
Stephen McKinnell - VP of Membership 
Steve Sullivan and James Pappas - SongSwap Coordinators
Joe Milton, Ken Duren - At Large

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.
NEW MEMBERS: Have you joined our member only yahoo group where you can talk with the group and get special offers and last minute updates on events? subscribe: dallassongwriters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

                   PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER
Patron Sponsor L3: Bobby Montgomery, Michael Brandenberger
Patron Sponsor L1: Cliff Monroe
Patron Sponsor: Mimi BalkeySuzi Morse

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Malini Shaw, Wayne M Talley, Loralee Pearman, Phillip Casteel, Kathryn Adams
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Don Brown, Matha Myer, Ian Dickson, Catt McGee
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: 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 Richmon 
EXPIRED IN OCT: Rick Webster, Jay Gallagher, Jenni Peal 
EXPIRED IN NOV: Richard Pickett, Lisa Byrn, Steve Wilson
EXPIRED IN DEC: Kathryn Taylor
EXPIRED IN JAN: Terry Bloss, Bill Kapac, Matt Nestor, Ben Neumann, Al Hovden, Rob Lutzwig, Maxim Senin, Stephen Blackwell, Rene Safier, Kyle Vincent, Stacy Hogan, Jacquelyn Christina, Will Kincaid, John Martinez
EXPIRED IN FEBAnthony Castillo, Mark Pierce, Katrina Pitts
EXPIRED IN MARCHPete Miller, Tippy Balady, Phoenix Rose, Tim York
EXPIRED IN APRIL: Phillip Wildman, Shane Andrews, John Mason
EXPIRED IN MAY: Ted Pearce, Mark Evans, Dan Roark, Dickey Johnson, Tamara Stamps, Ray Baker, Timothy McGarity 
TIME TO RENEW: Bill Honker, Allen Larsen, Marcus Belmore, Dorinda Weaver, John Thomas Lane
  Renew your membership online.
You'll find the link to the store on the panel to the right
Or paste this link in your browser: https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/dsa-membership/

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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.)
http://songswapworkshops.blogspot.com/


Meet the Girls of Nashville
 

Workshop by Liz Rose, Allyssa Mcheala, Ashley Ray and Heather Morgan

Sons of Hermann Hall 
Noon - 4pm Sunday, June 12

* What's it like writing in Nashville
* Learn the magic of writing a hit song
* Pitch your song to Liz Rose Music
* Q and A

$40 ($35 for DSA members and Students)
 

RSVP here to pay at the door or register online by credit card 



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

2016
  JUNE
2 DSA Open Mic at Half Price Books
6 DSA Song Swap at Half Price Books
9 - 12 Idyllwild Listening Room Songwriters Retreat
11 Liz Rose in the Round at the Kessler
12 Liz Rose: Girls of Nashville Songwriting Workshop
14 DSA Second Tuesday Meeting - Elizabeth Wills
14 - 16 EDMBiz Conference, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
20 Song Swap at Tinos
21 DSA Showcase at Sons of Hermann Hall
17 DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
24 2 Bit Palomino at Uncle Calvins
25 DSA Showcase at Angelas  
27 DSA Open Mic at Kitchen Cafe

  JULY
2 Texas Tunes Series with Marcia Ball at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
10 Walt Wilkins at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
22 DSA Hall of Fame featuring the Stratoblasters @ Sons of Hermann Hall

AUG
13 DSA Pool Party and Jam
13 Sonstock
25-27 Cutting Edge Conference, New Orleans, LA
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:

Of more interest to me is how these artists got to where they are today. Gimme the back story!
By David Deal
Consumers just don't buy enough recorded music anymore to support the performers we say we love. The old rules, such as releasing an album and then touring to support the album, don't work anymore. And while the new music moguls were not the first musicians to dip their toes into the world of endorsement deals and merchandising, they've certain taken these practices to a new level. Let's take a closer look at three examples. Continue Reading 

By Polygraph
Interactive timeline lets us listen to the top 5 songs on Billboard's weekly charts from 1958 – 2016 so we can stop arguing about when music was still good. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

By Greg Tate
How jazz tripped from blues to rap, and why we need it more than ever. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

ADVOCACY
Acclaimed songwriters Priscilla Renea, Chris DeStefano, Adam Schlesinger, Rachel Bloom and more explain why music creators and music fans need to send the message to our leaders in Washington, DC that the world needs music licensing reform now.

By Cortney Harding
Musical.ly is an app that allows users to upload videos of themselves lip-syncing, dancing, or just goofing off over music... So far, Musical.ly seems to be huge among teenagers, with some reporting that it has sixty million users?—?but is it on track to be the next Snapchat, or just another overhyped company in a crowded space? Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

By Adam Litovitz, David Marchese and Dan Reilly
Bob Dylan is our most celebrated living songwriter. But while he's been busy, you know, reshaping popular music, he's also undertaken a parallel career as a singer of other people's material, releasing albums, including the new Fallen Angels, consisting solely of other songwriters' compositions and performing a dizzying range of covers in concert. So here's what Bob sings when he doesn't sing his own songs, which is more often than you might think. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

From The Copyright Alliance
Q1: How long will I have to finish my online registration application once I've started it? In other words, is my application deleted if it is not submitted within a certain period of time? Q2: Since the application for Copyright registration requires the deposit to be the "best edition" of a work, what kind of deposit does the Copyright Office recommend for an online-only publication?  Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

By Tom Moon
After 13 solo albums, Simon still views pop as a language of exuberant dances and polyrhythmic upheavals. Even now, his music pulses with the feeling of invention. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif


MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on  DSA Music Biz News
By Paul Resnikoff
Here are the 7 most critical strategies that emerged for going from YouTube music star to actual recording star, performing star, and all-around music celebrity. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

By Chris Robley
Last week, KCRW (home of the fantastic Morning Becomes Eclectic radio show) premiered the music video for my song "Anonymous." It's a video I made for zero dollars in about two days. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

By Paul Resnikoff
What's holding artists back from getting signed to a label or publisher? We asked actual label executives who are signing actual artists to find out. Continue Reading 

LISTEN
Elizabeth Wills
http://www.elizabethwills.com/#!music/i2e5m

Billy Crockett at Blue Rock Studio with Grace Pettis and Dirje Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSwkadggC4A
VIDEO 
Another Kind of Blue on Britain's Got Talent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcXTk1iGpeY

"On The Road," -- Steve Hartman visited the Pacific Northwest where something happens every day that brings an entire neighborhood to a stop. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

Metal Injection
Wow, this is truly a feat. Continue Reading 
IN MEMORIAM
   
Singer-songwriter Guy Clark dies at 74 - CNN.com
www.cnn.com/2016/05/17/entertainment/guy-clark-singer... 

Grammy-winning songwriter Guy Clark, died Tuesday, May 17
PERFORMANCE
By Paul Resnikoff

RECORDING
By Scott Parsons

By Jordan Kisner
When the mix is finished, and the album is more or less complete, it's sent to a mastering engineer—which is the point where general knowledge of what's happening to the music ends. ... Shedding light on the elusive studio practice that's all but necessary to make music sound great. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

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 - June 30

DSA Song Contest Open: Enter Now - Sept 30th.

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/

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 25th 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,
  Online Songwriting Workshops and Classes