Members Tom and Cary Perform at Uncle Calvin on Jan 20

2012-01-20T08:46:00.001-08:00

Jan 20 --- Tom Prasada Rao & Cary Cooper --- 8 PM --- ($15/$18)

Tom Prasada-Rao is a singer-songwriter of breathtaking vision. His
voice belies his musicianship and his extraordinary songs. From Rishi's
Garden with its homage to Ravi Shankar to the groove of Sleeping Beauty,
Tom's music is melodic, ambitious, and reverent. Since the fall of 2007
Tom has been on hiatus from touring - staying home, producing records,
raising two stepdaughters, and walking one rather large Golden Doodle
named Thurman. In addition to producing, he's a teacher, currently at
White Rock Montessori in Dallas, formerly of The University of Virginia's
Young Writer's Workshops - where he created the songwriting curriculum
and taught for eight years. He moved to Texas in 2003 and is married to
singer-songwriter Cary Cooper.

Cary Cooper has been working. And it's showing in every career move she
makes. Cary picked up the ukelele in the summer of 2010 and it blew open
the door to a brand new batch of songs that are featured on her new CD,
Pink Umbrella. Produced by Jagoda & husband Tom Prasada-Rao, the album
is light and whimsical in nature, reflecting what makes Cary stand out
in a crowd. For the bulk of her career as a performing songwriter, Cary
has toured with her husband, first as the duo, The Dreamsicles, and more
recently as solo artists sharing shows. 2011 marks the year that Cary
will begin to tour primarily as her own solo act. You won't want to miss
this rising star.

DSA E-News #127 January 2012

2011-12-30T20:47:00.000-08:00

Hello Songwriter,

Happy New Year everyone!

This year DSA is celebrating 25 years of being a formalized songwriters association. In the early '80's a small group of songwriters, who belonged to the now defunct Texas Music Association, were meeting monthly to share their songs. This group eventually formally broke away from TMA, forming their own association, with a checking account established in 1987 from the year's dues collected.

The DSA directors are meeting on Jan. 21st to plan this year's events. We hope to have some fun things planned for this special year.

The 2nd Tuesday meeting will start the year of programs in good form with a look at lyric writing at it's best presented by our Lyric Contest Director, Nancy Rynders.

Our other regular DSA monthly events remain the same, 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps and 3rd Thursday Open Mic. For details, see below.

Looking for songwriting classes? Sign up for one of the three that I will be teaching at Collin College. Don't need the credit and don't want to get out of your PJ's? Take the class online through my songwriting workshop yahoo group.

Know any kids who want to sing and act? The ArtCentre Theatre is offering spring productions and I will be the musical director of one which will rehearse on Tuesday nights, and run the last two weeks in March. View Audition times here.

Not a DSA member? Then you've missed the musings via our member yahoo group of our DSA Prez, Buck Morgan. Catch up with what's going on here: http://dsaprezsez.blogspot.com/

Missed our Christmas Party and the Chevy Sonic Sounds Contest? Aryn Michelle won. Check her out here: www.ChevySonicSounds.com. Also, check out the pictures on the Dallas Songwriters Facebook. Go on Facebook and LIKE us. New - Dallas Songwriters on Meetup.

QUICK LOOK CALENDAR OF DSA MONTHLY EVENTS - put this in your bookmark.

http://calendar.yahoo.com/dallassongwriters/b54dba22e8aacce30b7a130f534d6b1c?od=131

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PITCH OPPORTUNITY FROM OUR SPONSOR BEAIRD MUSIC

PITCH YOUR SONGS TO PUBLISHERS

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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST -

2012 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest kicks off Feb 1st

Now in its 22nd year, The DSA 2011 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Offering over $5,000 in cash and prizes this year, the DSA has EIGHT categories in all. See Contest Rules for eligibility. Accepting Submissions 2/1/2012 through 5/14/2012. Pick your category and enter today!

Country
Pop/Rock/RandB/Alternative
Americana/Folk/Bluegrass
Christian/Inspirational
Love Songs/Easy Listening
Children's/Novelty
Singer-Songwriter
Instrumental

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. CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO DSA

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

2nd Tuesday Meeting, Jan. 10,

Elements of a Good Lyric

presented by Lyric Contest Director, Nancy Rynders.

Nancy Rynders has been an active Dallas Songwriters Association member since 1987 and served as a director from 1989 - 2009. She has served as Lyric Contest Director since 2006. A contest winner herself, she's had a number of her songs recorded and published. She considers herself mainly a lyricist and is always looking for musicians with which to collaborate. Her tip for any songwriter is to join their local songwriters organization. Within these organizations, they can gain the tools to better their songwriting skills as well as find a wonderful support group.

Future Programs:

FEB: Barry Devorzen, Master Writer, Nadia's Theme, tentative

MARCH: Ben Taylor, tentative

APRIL: Zane Williams

MAY: Bret Dillion, KHYI DJ tentative

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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.

http://songswapworkshops.blogspot.com/

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 at Collin Creek Mall- Steve Sullivan, coordinator.

Tinos Mexican Restaurant Collin Creek Mall, Plano, Tx

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3. BEST SONGS of the 2nd Tuesday Meeting

Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year is in the process of being judged for 2012 and will probably be announced in March.

JAN 2011

Ask Your Heart by Vern Dailey

Beautiful For Just A Moment by Guy Rourk

FEB

Our Heaven On Earth by Vern Dailey

MARCH

Where Are The Daddies by Nancy Rynders

A Time For Love by Michael Brandenberger

APRIL

And Chicken Wings by Will Brown

Never Together Anymore by Nancy Rynders

MAY

Tear For Joanna by Casey Graham

The Gingerbread Man by Loretta Dunnaway

JUNE

Small Town Girl by James Pappas and Roger Russell

I Let Her Get Away by Nancy Rynders

JULY

Keep on Riding by Brook Malouf

I Don't by Ray Phillips

NO AUG. MEETING

SEPT

Do You Love by James Pappas

That's Why by Vern Dailey

OCT

Hobo Gypsy King by James Pappas

Cross My Heart by Vern Dailey

NOV

Again by James Pappas

I'm A Witness by Nancy Rynders

DEC

No meeting - Christmas Party

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 -

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

OPEN MIC

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE -

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

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

Our season opener is on St. Patricks Day and 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

http://www.openmicdallas.com/

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5. LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked March 3!st WINTER CONTEST or enter online.

http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE&&

2011 FALL WINNERS

Currently being processed and judged.

PAST WINNERS and LYRICS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE

LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION

Next Lyric Contest Deadline is June 30th, 2010 for Spring Lyric Contest

Entry fee is $10

Please see lyric contest webpage for details.

http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/

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6. MEMBER NEWS -

The 2012 Board of Directors was elected at our annual membership meeting on Nov. 8.

A 2012 planning meeting will take place on Sat. Jan 21st.

Wanna get involved? Become a committee member. It's fun!

To view a list of the 2012 Officer and Directors and Committees go to this link:

http://dsadirectors.blogspot.com/

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 SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, ROGER RUSSELL

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Craig Crafton, Mark Sanders.

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Ross Smith, Morri Hartgraves, Robin Hughes, Will Brown, Kathryn Hallberg, Larry Dodge, Nancy Rynders

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 DEC: Jeri Arsenault, Toni Scott, Michael Brandenberger, Larry Dodge, Robin Hughes, Jason Winford
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Steve Erickson, Alex Flores, Thomas Cavazos, Guy Rourk

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

Or paste this link in your browser: http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE&page=Second_Sales_Page

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7. WORKSHOPS - DSA WORKSHOPS ARE SPONSORED BY BMI

(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://dsameetings.blogspot.com

http://songswapworkshops.blogspot.com/

No special workshops in Dallas this month. Austin is the place to be
JAN 5 - 8 ASG Songwriter Symposium, Austin TX

http://dallassongwritersworkshops.blogspot.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.

http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

2012

JAN

5 - 8 ASG Songwriter Symposium, Austin TX

28-31 MIDEM, Cannes, FR

FEB

2-3 Nashville Recording Workshop
15 54th Grammy Awards, 7PM C, CBS from Staples Center, LA

16-19 Mellennium Music Conference, Harrisburg, PA

22-26 Folk Alliance, Memphis, TN

MARCH

14 - 18 SXSW Music Fest, Austin, TX

APRIL
6-8 Deep Ellum Fest ( DSA will sponsor the Performing Songwriter Stage)

28-29 Indie Fest

MAY
18-20 Wildflower Festival http://www.wildflowerfestival.com

http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

Go to the events page to view links to local and Texas venues.

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9. Featured Articles:

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

http://dsaprezsez.blogspot.com/

Singing in the Brain: Wrens Cooperate to Make Better Music
By Allie Wilkinson -- Deep in the cloud forests of Ecuador, on the slopes of an active volcano, there lives a chubby, unassuming looking bird known as the plain-tailed wren. As the name implies, it does not look extraordinary, but there is something extraordinary in the way this bird sings.

VIDEOS

Video of Jesus Left The Building

Have you heard this? One of the songwriters, Ron Grimes, is a Dallas Songwriters Association past President.

Video: Prince on American Bandstand at 19
by Josh Kimball

MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on the new blog DSA Music Biz News

Musician Tips: The Importance Of A Contract & Professionalism When Collaborating
By Dave Cool -- Here's the scenario: You're out and about watching another indie artist perform and you think your styles would blend well together. After the show you approach him and ask if he wants to collab. He says sure, and you make a plan to meet a couple days later. What you do from here will make a world of difference in the long run. Here are some tips to help navigate the collaboration process:

ASCAP's 10 Must-Read Career Development Articles from 2011
By ASCAP Staff

What to Do with Your Old Cellphones, Cameras and Computers
By Deborah Netburn -- If this holiday season was all about upgrading for you -- upgrading to a better computer, phone or camera -- then it's time to think about what to do with your old gadgets.

15 Indie Artist Revenue Opportunities For 2012
By Clyde Smiths

ASCAP Members: License Your YouTube Synchs Through NMPA & HFA
ASCAP.com -- ASCAP always wants our members to be aware of new opportunities to make money from their music. That's why we're pleased to let you know about a new revenue stream for independent publishers (including self-published songwriters and composers) whose music is used on YouTube.

The Profitable Artist: A Handbook for Turning Your Art into a Career
By Clyde Smith -- Artspire, a web community that provides such services to artists as fiscal sponsorship and a platform for soliciting donations, recently released The Profitable Artist: A Handbook for All Artists in the Performing, Literary, and Visual Arts. The Profitable Artist is a more solid offering than most of the business of art type books I've checked out in the past with a take on such topics as the SWOT analysis and negotiations that should be particularly useful for DIY musicians that want to develop as indie artists.

Bob Paterno's blog Making Music Making Money

http://www.makingmusicmakemoney.blogspot.com/

Glossary of Terms Used in the Music Industry
Compiled by Mario F. Gonzalez, Esq.

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

How To Lead A Creative Life
By Rick Tetzeli -- How Martin Scorsese risked it all and lived to risk again in Hollywood.

Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting

http://craftofsongwriting.blogspot.com/

Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary

http://www.rhymezone.com//

http://thesaurus.reference.com/

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10. Song and Talent Contests

See contest details at:

http://songcontests.blogspot.com/

Song, Lyric and Fiddle Contests

• Dallas Songwriters Song Contest kicks off Feb 1 and runs through May 14th.
• B.W. Stevenson Contest deadline in March
• Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest Deadline in April

A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com

http://www.musesmuse.com/muselinks/Songwriting/Contests/index.html

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11. Songwriting Resources

Links to websites about songwriting, performance, music industry.

http://songwritingresources.blogspot.com/

DSA Book Store - reviews, links, lists of recommended reading, and what's in the DSA Library.

http://dsabookstore.blogspot.com/

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12. Archives of Past Programs and Activities

SONGS FROM THE SOUL OF SERVICE

http://www.songssoulservice.org

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

URL:%20http://dallassongwriters.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-05-21T21_14_44-07_00

Read the latest story about this years winners

http://songssoulservice.blogspot.com/

CROSSROADS SHOWCASES

View past showcase performances and workshops on Crossroads Youtube.

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

Songwriting Consulting Services

Online Songwriting Workshops and Classes

Songwriters Notes

Members Tom and Cary Perform at Uncle Calvin on Jan 20

DSA E-News #127 January 2012

2011 FALL WINNERS