Hello Songwriter,
I'm listening to the Grammy nominees - It's voting time. Check out the Song of the Year nominees and pick the winner. See LISTEN under articles in item #9.
2012 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest
Now in its 22nd year, The DSA 2012 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes. You will find Semifinalist here:
Here the song on ReverbNation
Check out her website:
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.
One of the leading music industry analysts in the country, Dr. Fansler makes some exciting and insightful predictions about where the Music Industry is headed and how you can make its cataclysmic changes work for your career.
http://dallassongwritersworkshops.blogspot.com/
Your gift enables us to meet our mission.
Happy New Year! Wishing all of you a prosperous 2013.
Get off on the right foot and join us on January 8 at the CCC to hear Dr. Terry Fansler's presentation at our Second Tuesday Meeting. Bring a song for critique and a chance to win the Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year Award.
Our officers will be elected at the planning meeting on January 12. What do you want from DSA? Send your requests for the board to consider at the planning meeting.
Our other regular DSA monthly events remain the same, 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps and 1st & 3rd Thursday Open Mic. For details, see #2 and #4 below.
Austin Songwriters is presenting it's annual Songwriters Symposium Jan 24-27. Recommended by DSA, it is a great place to learn, network and get your songs heard. Best value for dollars. See workshops below.
I'm listening to the Grammy nominees - It's voting time. Check out the Song of the Year nominees and pick the winner. See LISTEN under articles in item #9.
I'll be teaching songwriting classes spring semester at Collin College which are offered in the middle of the day, Tuesday and Thursday, or evenings Monday and Wednesday. We have lots of fun in the class and explore what makes a song popular. Here are the details.
I also, offer these classes online.
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Help DSA today at no cost to you.
DSA has enrolled in a new program at BBVA Compass Bank. You can help DSA earn money by opening a Compass account and give Dallas Songwriters as your reason or if you already have a Compass account, go to your bank and connect to our program and use your check card.
COMPASS FOR YOUR CAUSE
No checks to write. No direct mail. No telemarketing. In other words, no hassles. The Compass For Your Cause Program allows your members to support your organization, by doing something many of them do virtually every day—use their check card for everyday purchases. And it's easy for them to get started. They simply:
- Open a BBVA Compass Checking Account*
- Open a Compass Visa® Check Card*
- Sign for purchases using the Check Card
That's all there is to it. When they open an account, you earn a royalty of $50.† Every time they use their Check Card for qualifying purchases††, you earn additional royalties. So start earning money the easy way with the Compass For Your Cause program. Contact us today to get started.
QUICK LOOK CALENDAR OF DSA MONTHLY EVENTS - put this in your bookmark.
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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST - 2013 Song Contest Coming Soon
Interview with 2012 DSA Song Contest Winner Macy Medford by Roger Russell
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I recently had the privilege of interviewing Macy Medford and her mother Stacy. Macy’s song she cowrote with Jonathan George “Just Me and You” was the grand prize winner for the 2012 DSA Song Contest. Here is the interview.
Roger: How old are you?
Macy: I am 15 years old now.
Roger: Are you attending high school now?
Macy: I am a sophomore at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas.
Roger: What instruments do you play?
Macy: Guitar and Piano.
2012 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest
Now in its 22nd year, The DSA 2012 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes. You will find Semifinalist here:
GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Just Me and You by Macy Medford, Jonathan George, Houston, TX
Here the song on ReverbNation
Check out her website:
1ST RUNNER UP
That Old Shirt by Steve Chizmadia, Peekskill, NY
2ND RUNNER UP
You'll Be Back by Debra M. Gussin, Jonathan Bluth, LA, CA
Macy with Grand Prize Taylor Guitar signed by Beth Nielsen Chapman, donated by our Prez, Roger Russell.
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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
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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/
January 8:
Guest Speaker, Terry Fansler
See meeting page for more details
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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 - NEW LOCATION
Tino's - Steve Sullivan, coordinator. Mall location closed. Tino's Too is remodeled
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
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.
No December critique
NOV
NOV
Love Gives To All by Michael Brandenberger
As the Drifting Rains Encircle by Morri Hartgraves
Critique Panel: Helene Cronin and Bobby Montgomery
VERN DAILEY SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR 2011
Long time DSA member, James Pappas, is Songwriter of the Year for most wins at the 2nd Tuesday meetings last year. See our Press Room for story.
SONG OF THE YEAR 2011 WINNER
Congratulations go to Casey Graham, for the winning song, "Tears for Joanna." It was Casey's first song submitted to the 2nd Tuesday Critics. See our Press Room for story.
Our judge was Zane Williams, the amazing singer/songwriter who brought a 2nd Tuesday program earlier this year. Zane somehow crammed in judging and commenting on our 2011 Critique Winners between gigging all around North Texas, trips to Nashville, starring spots on Troubadour, TX, and being a daddy and a husband and a human being. He got his comments back to us somewhere between Texas and Utah, where he is today.
See the website for Zane's comments.
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?
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 -
OPEN MICS
DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE -
EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
HALF PRICE BOOKS - NORTHWEST HIGHWAY
EVERY 1ST THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Sign up begins at 6:30
Featured Artist at 8PM
SHOWCASE
SHOWCASE AND OPEN MIC
HOURS 6-9PM 211 San Antonio Street, Mason, TX 76856
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
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5. LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked March 30th WINTER CONTEST or enter online. Fall 2012 closed Dec 31st
SemiFinalists
1. The Only Heart You Had Was Mine by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
2. It's Only Country When It's Real by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
2. Gimme a Big City by John Thomas Lane, Monument, Co
3. What Woman Can Make You Do by Ross Smith, Lewisville, Tx
HM Your Flight Has Just Been Cancelled by Lenny Soloman, Cambridge, MAS
HM. I'd Marry You Again (The Anniversary Song) by Bill Hoover, Hendersonville, NV
HM The Fracking Song by Lenny Soloman, Cambridge, MAS
The End of A Dream by Roy Williams, Woodbridge, ONT, CAN
Back To Work by Landon Ray Lewis, Waco, Tx
WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE WEBSITE -
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. We're looking for a Treasurer.
To view a list of the 2013 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 PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, ROGER RUSSELL
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Kelly Aldous, Tim ?, Joseph Jacobs, Gigi Costas, Devin Hill, Wendy Tobias, Song Contest Winners new or renewing: Macy Medford, Steve Chizmadia, Debra M. Gussin , Renee Safier, Chris Alvarado, Eric Colville, Glen Naylor, Lanny Sherwin, Keeton Coffman , Spencer Clark, Kevin Reardon, Daniel Sumber , Andy Taylor , Gavin Potter, Vanessa Padla, Diane Lekven, Belle Schneiderman, Robert Graham, Chris O'Neill, Chase Thompson, Nestor Cora, Philip Creamer, Gordon Lustig, Susie McLean, Becky Wright
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Mimi Balkey, Jeremy Ellis, Michael Roth, Alex Gorodiscas, Rob McHale, Bill Honker, Bobby Montgomery, Trevor Dahlen, Casey Graham
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 APRIL: Suzi Moore, Joanna Endsley, Gary Morse, Daniel Anchondo, Loretta Dunnaway, Margaret Cuddihee.
EXPIRED IN MAY: Richard Ray Hunt, Annie Cornelius
EXPIRED IN JUNE: Brandon Watson, Paul McNair, Mike Corbin, Keith Thompson, Tom Biles, Kyle Carey, Wyler Delray, Ruben Estevez, John Friday, Ruben Estevez, John Friday, Shane Martin, Christal Prout, Shosshana Sperling, John Visconti, Tara Priya, Janine Wilson, Steven Welp, Stonewall Towery.
EXPIRED IN JULY: Brook Malouf, Lu Ann Dunley, Ken Luginbyhl, Ryan Galloway
EXPIRED IN AUGUST: Joyce Sanders, Dixon Beasley.
EXPIRED IN SEPT: Jonathan Harrison
EXPIRED IN OCT: Morri Hartgraves, Charles Risinger, Liz Basse
EXPIRED IN DEC: Cheryl Anderson, Donna Scoggins, David Byboth, Shelby Cook, Ross Smith, Lisa Miller, Julie Jean White, Kathern Hallberg, Randy Brown, Joe Milton, Gregg Watts, Mark Sanders, Steve Ritter, JR Byrd
PLEASE RENEW THIS MONTH: Terry Bloss, James Andrew Boyer, Matt Boggs
Member News :
Member News :
Wendy Jill Tobias placed in top ten in songwriting contest
Barbara McMillen's musical premiered in November. Read Buck's review http://dsareviews.blogspot.com/
Casey Graham's song named song of the year 2011
James Pappas named Songwriters of 2011
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&&
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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.)
Austin Songwriters Symposium, January 24-27, Austin Tx
Saturday, March 9th, Kerrville finalist, Andy Gullahorn Lewisville MCL Grand
More at: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.
JAN
26-27 9th Annual Steve Seskin Songcrafting Seminar, Bluebird Cafe, Nashville
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=pauirfdab&oeidk=a07e6oiqnyp910c5565
26 - 29 MIDEM , Cannes, France
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=pauirfdab&oeidk=a07e6oiqnyp910c5565
26 - 29 MIDEM , Cannes, France
FEB
10 - Grammy Awards - 7PM C on CBS
20 - 24 Folk Alliance, Toronto, CAN
MARCH
8-18 SXSW, Music, Film, Interactive, Austin, Tx
APRIL
5-7 Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Dallas, Tx
MAY
17 - 19 WildFlower Festival, Richardson, Tx
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:
PREZ SEZ: Tune in to DSA President, Roger Russell's, musings and DSA goings on.
ASCAP to Distribute More Than $1.8 Million in Plus Cash Awards to Reward Writers Whose Works Have a Unique Prestige Value
By Christopher Laird Simmons -- The purpose of these special awards, which have been given each year since 1960, is to reward writers whose works have a unique prestige value for which adequate compensation would not otherwise be received, and to compensate those writers whose works are performed substantially in media not surveyed by ASCAP. [Also of interest to ASCAP members: ASCAP OnStage -- ASCAP pays members for live performances at venues of any size.]
By Christopher Laird Simmons -- The purpose of these special awards, which have been given each year since 1960, is to reward writers whose works have a unique prestige value for which adequate compensation would not otherwise be received, and to compensate those writers whose works are performed substantially in media not surveyed by ASCAP. [Also of interest to ASCAP members: ASCAP OnStage -- ASCAP pays members for live performances at venues of any size.]
Relative Unknowns Flourish Among The Grammy Award Nominations
By Randall Roberts -- An avalanche of young and relatively unknown acts such as Fun., Frank Ocean and Miguel stood out among the Grammy Award nominations. ... both hip hop and country were also mostly ignored ... [Thanks to Michelle Kay for the link.]
By Randall Roberts -- An avalanche of young and relatively unknown acts such as Fun., Frank Ocean and Miguel stood out among the Grammy Award nominations. ... both hip hop and country were also mostly ignored ... [Thanks to Michelle Kay for the link.]
How Did Al Walser Score a Grammy Nomination?
By Billboard staff -- Al Walser is a Grammy nominee. And it's because of social media.
By Billboard staff -- Al Walser is a Grammy nominee. And it's because of social media.
The Nighttime Earth From Space Like You've Never Seen It Before
By Betsy Mason -- [The Electoral College illuminated.] OK, so this is not music related but cool - so get inspired to write a version of Starry, Starry Night.
By Betsy Mason -- [The Electoral College illuminated.] OK, so this is not music related but cool - so get inspired to write a version of Starry, Starry Night.
10 Musicians Who Were YouTube Discoveries
By Chitraparna
By Chitraparna
VIDEOS
Professional songwriters Pops Walker and Kipyn Martin discover music in the natural sounds and landscapes of the Shenandoah Wilderness. National Parks will be celebrating the 50th year of the Wilderness Act in 2014.
[This is an amazing video-must watch.]
Landfill Harmonic
Landfill Harmonic is an upcoming feature-length documentary about a remarkable musical orchestra in Paraguay, where young musicians play instruments made from trash. [Thanks to Lauren Iossa for the link..]
VIDEO: The Beatles Final Ed Sullivan Appearance
By Bobby Owsinski
VIDEO: Music and Copyright in the Digital Era: DAVID BYRNE in Conversation with CHRIS RUEN
By New York Public Library -- In How Music Works, Byrne explores how profoundly music is shaped by its time and place, and how the advent of recording technology in the twentieth century forever changed our relationship to playing, performing, and listening to music.
Finally, You Can Make Beats with Beets
By Eliot Van Buskirk
MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on the new blog DSA Music Biz News
[This is an amazing video-must watch.]
Landfill Harmonic
Landfill Harmonic is an upcoming feature-length documentary about a remarkable musical orchestra in Paraguay, where young musicians play instruments made from trash. [Thanks to Lauren Iossa for the link..]
Landfill Harmonic
Landfill Harmonic is an upcoming feature-length documentary about a remarkable musical orchestra in Paraguay, where young musicians play instruments made from trash. [Thanks to Lauren Iossa for the link..]
VIDEO: The Beatles Final Ed Sullivan Appearance
By Bobby Owsinski
By Bobby Owsinski
VIDEO: Music and Copyright in the Digital Era: DAVID BYRNE in Conversation with CHRIS RUEN
By New York Public Library -- In How Music Works, Byrne explores how profoundly music is shaped by its time and place, and how the advent of recording technology in the twentieth century forever changed our relationship to playing, performing, and listening to music.
By New York Public Library -- In How Music Works, Byrne explores how profoundly music is shaped by its time and place, and how the advent of recording technology in the twentieth century forever changed our relationship to playing, performing, and listening to music.
Finally, You Can Make Beats with Beets
By Eliot Van Buskirk
By Eliot Van Buskirk
How Do I Promote My Music Without a Budget?
By Grassrootsy
By Grassrootsy
The 9 Step New Year's Resolution For Indie Musicians
By Kelland Drumgoole
By Kelland Drumgoole
Why Most Indie Music Groups and Labels Fail (Part 1)
By Glenn MacRae
By Glenn MacRae
IN MEMORANDUM
2012 Music Memoriam
By Paul Lamere -- Musicians We Lost in 2012
By Paul Lamere -- Musicians We Lost in 2012
Farewell to The Singing Rage
By Eric Kelsey
By Eric Kelsey
PERFORMANCE
Can Apps Teach You To Improvise Jazz?
By Harry Decimo -- Trolling through the app stores, a musician sees plenty of options for learning new tricks, and all sort of tuners and other utilities. But truly useful musicians' tools designed for players who know what they are doing are decidedly rarer. ... However, we found some, in the form of Jazz Apps Mobile's iImprov series, which provide a refreshing example of what mobile technology can provide for both beginning and expert musicians.
By Harry Decimo -- Trolling through the app stores, a musician sees plenty of options for learning new tricks, and all sort of tuners and other utilities. But truly useful musicians' tools designed for players who know what they are doing are decidedly rarer. ... However, we found some, in the form of Jazz Apps Mobile's iImprov series, which provide a refreshing example of what mobile technology can provide for both beginning and expert musicians.
LISTEN
I'm listening to the grammy nominees on the Spotify private listening channel for recording academy members. It's time to vote. But I found the Song of The Year nominees for you on youtube. Who do you think will win?
Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if
it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names
appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
1. THE A TEAM
Ed Sheeran, songwriter (Ed Sheeran)
Track from: +
2. ADORN
Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)
3. CALL ME MAYBE
Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay, songwriters
(Carly Rae Jepsen)
4. STRONGER (WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU)
Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi,
songwriters (Kelly Clarkson)
5. WE ARE YOUNG
Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess,
songwriters (Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe)
Track from: Some Nights
CRAFT OF SONGWRITING
SessionBand: Music Making for the Musically Challenged
By Mark Gibbs -- SessionBand is different from other loop editing systems because it uses samples that are chord-based...Using a chord-based model which combines multiple instruments into each sample vastly simplifies the process of making something that sounds good.
Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of SongwritingBy Mark Gibbs -- SessionBand is different from other loop editing systems because it uses samples that are chord-based...Using a chord-based model which combines multiple instruments into each sample vastly simplifies the process of making something that sounds good.
Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary
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10. Song and Talent Contests
See contest details at:
Song, Lyric and Fiddle Contests
A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com
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11. Songwriting Resources
Links to websites about songwriting, performance, music industry.
DSA Book Store - reviews, links, lists of recommended reading, and what's in the DSA Library.
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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
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.
Donations are welcome year round.
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.
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSADSA Online Store
Online Songwriting Workshops and Classes
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