SONGWRITERS NOTES:DSA E-News #160 December 2014

Hello Songwriter,

The holiday season is here!  It's been really crazy for me, since I have 60 students at Collin College and we are going into final exam week. Sorry this newsletter is late and a bit short. Yikes!

Our Christmas Party is just around the corner. Tuesday, December 9, 7PM at Sons of Hermann Hall. Food, fun and great music, showcasing semifinalists of the song contest. Oh, and we will be announcing the winners. See below for details.

Thanks so much to those of you who have contributed to the fundraising drive for Dallas Songwriters Association. For those of you who haven't yet, there is still time. We are a non-profit educational organization. That means your donations are totally tax deductible and  the great news is that a sponsor, who has asked to be un-named, will match our funds raised. Please go to our kagi store online to donate: http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE  , Or you can donate by mail to: Dallas Songwriters Association, Sammons Center For The Arts, 3630 Harry Hines # 20, Dallas, Tx 75219 See DSA Prez, Michael Brandenberger's full Letter of Request for Support here: http://dsaprezsez.blogspot.com/

You elected a Board of Directors at our Annual Membership Meeting and Elections last month. See the list of 2015 Directors in Member News, below. 

 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.

Have a great holiday season and a 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.

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=programs%40dallassongwriters.org&ctz=America/Chicago

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PITCH OPPORTUNITY FROM OUR SPONSOR BEAIRD MUSIC

PITCH YOUR SONGS TO PUBLISHERS

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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST Semifinalists announced - http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/

Drawing For Free Ipod: Nov 11, 2014    WINNER: Maxin Senin, Lakewood, CA

Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 11, 2014 - see website

Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Dec 9, 2014

                 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. 

1st Runner Up

 wins studio time at

2nd Runner up

wins recording time at 

Grand Prize winners receive:

1 Yr. Broadjam Primo MoB Membership

($199.95 Value) 

Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting

1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

Category winners get cash prizes

Hear last years winners on Soundcloud at:

https://soundcloud.com/dallassongwriters/sets/dsasc2013winners

HARDCOPY OF NEWSLETTER ANNOUNCEMENT of 2013 WINNERS HANDED OUT AT THE ARLINGTON GUITAR SHOW

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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. CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO DSA

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

DSA CHRISTMAS PARTY AND AWARDS PROGRAM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 7PM   til  ?
SONS OF HERMANN HALL, 3414 ELM, DALLAS, TX 75226

FUN, FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC

This event is free, but we will be asking

for donations at the door to contribute to the food costs. This will also be your last chance to donate to DSA this year if you haven't already in person with a check. Also, you can still donate online.
http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE

We will be announcing our song contest winners mixed into a program of performing semifinalist. Who will win, you wonder? Come out to find out.
Afterwards, our Prez, Michael Brandenberger, will be an open mic so everyone has a chance to play.

Parking at Sons of Hermann is a little confusing. There is parking across the street on the east side of the building at the old Brake and Clutch. You can also take the Green Line to the Baylor station and walk east 2 blocks on Elm Street.

Please RSVP to Bobby Montgomery   so we will know how much food to bring.

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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 - 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 2014

My Lucky Night by Bobby Montgomery

Critique panel: Michael Brandenberger and Buck Morgan  (4 songs)

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?

HARDCOPY OF SONGWRITERS NOTES 2014 SPRING

includes 2013 critiques winners

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4. SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS -

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

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

SING or bring an instrument

MGB Ministeries Presents:

Supporting Artists in the Body of Christ

A cultural exchange fellowship @ Getzendaner Park, Chautauqua Building

the Last Thursday of every month

CREATING A PLATFORM FOR WORSHIP

It’s an informal gathering of artists to celebrate every tribe, tongue, and nation within

the Body of Christ through worship arts. We encourage ALL artists to participate in the worship including worship painters, worship dancing, banners, shofars, etc. Bring your gifts for the King! 

We especially want to support songwriters to come with their songs and musicians to come with chord charts ready to jam with others. Please call in advance so we can fit everybody in.

For more info contact: Michael Barton  972.935.2552

SPECIAL DATE FOR DECEMBER

DECEMBER 18TH

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   7:30 to 9:30 pm   Harry Hewlett will host.
         Featured: Marcus Belmore, Mark Evans
         After Show - 9:30 - 11: Raquel Wynn, Buck Morgan, open call.

4th Saturday Night, 7:30 to 9:30 pm   Buck Morgan will host.
         Featured: Lisa Byrn, Rio King
         After Show 9:30 - 11: Dan Roark, Harry Hewlett, open call.

SONGWRITERS CONNECTING TO SENIORS - on hold

http://dsaseniorsprogram.blogspot.com/

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

http://www.openmicdallas.com/

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5. DSA LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked December 31st

SPRING LYRIC CONTEST WINNERS

1. This Backyard’s Rockin’ © 2014 Sarah Ashley, Maryville, TN

2. End to the End © Mark Paterson, Plano, TX

3. Workin’ For You Ain’t Workin’ For Me © John Thomas Lane, Monument, CO

SEMIFINALIST
One Night Stands by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
Peace Is Not So Far Away by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
Turtle Bait by Rio King, Plano, TX
The Old Wrecked Vet by Rio King, Plano, TX
Forever Free by John Mason, Grand Prairie, TX
Letters In The Moonlight by John Mason, Grand Prairie, TX
This Backyard's Rockin' by Sarah Ashley, Maryville, TN
End to End by Mark Paterson, Plano, TX
Workin' For You Ain't Working For Me by John Thomas Lane, Monument, CO

Enter onine

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

or by mail

SUMMER 2014 IS IN THE JUDGING PROCESS

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.

http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/

HARD COPY OF 2012 WINNERS IN SPRING 2013 ISSUE OF SONGWRITERS NOTES.

HARD COPY OF 2013 FALL ISSUE INCLUDES SPRING AND SUMMER WINNERS 2013

HARD COPY OF SUMMER AND FALL 2013 WINNER ARE IN THE 2014 SPRING ISSUE OF SONGWRITERS NOTES

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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.

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.

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

Thanks to our past president, Roger Russell for providing the PA at the Wildflower Festival and donating the Wildflower check to DSA. Also, for several matching donations from Hewlett Packard and Network For Good.
Patron Sponsor L3: Bobby Montgomery, Harry Hewlett, Latoya Cooper, Kent Poynor, Ken Duren, Terry Bloss, Martha Myre, Michael Brandenberger, Bill Honker, Morri Hartgraves
Patron Sponsor L1: Ann Cornelius, Suzi Morse
Patron Sponsor: Bill Kapac, Mary Guthrie, Mary Balkey

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Richard Pickett, Kathryn Taylor

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, Renee Safier, 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: Randy Sauer, Eddie Lott, Cal Scott, Brian Kalinec,Denise Rosier, Katie Hardyman, Charlie Hill, T Edwin Doss, Stephen McWhirter, Arek Religa, Kate Diaz, Roger Day, Maureen Fichten, Brent Benton
EXPIRED IN NOV: BC Cornish, Jasmine Dia, Richard Hopson, Gigi Gostas, Randy Brown, Mimi Balkey
TIME TO RENEW THIS MONTH: Scott White, Buck Morgan, Brad Davis, Ashley Sichler, Davi Morales

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.

http://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/dsa-members.html

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

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 

(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/

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

• SoundEmerge Master Series - Ralph Murphy hosts award winning songwriters.

Register and view online. http://soundemerge.com/

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.

http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

DEC
9 DSA Christmas Party and Song Contest Awards showcase - Sons of Hermann Hall 
 2015
JAN   - 
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/

MARCH  
17-22 SXSW Music Conference, Austin  http://www.sxsw.com
24-28 Winter Music Conference, Miami, FL

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:

The Psychology of Music: Why Mood and Memory Matter
By Abhilasha Shah

New York Second Court to Recognize Public Performance Right in Pre-72 Sound Recordings
By Terry Hart – What next?

Streaming Uncompressed Music Is Here: A Review of Deezer Elite
By Paul Riismandel -- I am focusing on the sound quality and fidelity of Deezer Elite, since that is the chief advantage of the service compared to its major competitors, like Spotify.

MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on  DSA Music Biz News

Properly Sending Your Music To Commercial Radio Stations 

By Liz Uhl – [I only post this so I can say this: you haven't got a snowball's chance in hell of being listened to at commercial radio if you are not associated with an organized record label known for delivering high quality music that fits the station's format. ... Your time is much better spent making great music and finding ingenious ways to draw attention to yourself. DK]

14 Ways to Make Money From One Song
By Bobby Borg

IN MEMORANDUM

So long to Bobby Keys - the rockinest sax player that ever lived.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/keith-richards-rolling-stones-bobby-keys-20141204

Encore article on Keys
http://encore.celebrityaccess.com/index.php?encoreId=491&articleId=50147

Keyboardist Ian McLagan dies after a stroke
http://encore.celebrityaccess.com/index.php?encoreId=491&articleId=50160

LISTEN 
Former DSA member Louie Cate's most recent cut, Mistletoin'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ypmreOa9wo
 Bob Lefsetz's playlist for Bobby Keys greatest solos
Spotify link: http://spoti.fi/1vOVofJ 

VIDEO

Sax Ed: The NPR Music Saxophone Quiz
By Tom Huizenga

[Startling stats clearly laid out.]
VIDEO: Interview: Songwriters 'Screwed' By Spotify: NMPA CEOCNBC'S Squawk Alley -- David Israelite, National Music Publishers Association president & CEO, explains how songwriters are getting taken advantage of by streaming services like Spotify and Pandora..."Songwriters don't have any choice, they can't say no, they don't get to negotiate the value of their songs in a free market, and as a result, the value of songwriting has been decimated with these streaming services."

VIDEO: Musicians' Brains Really Do Work Differently — In A Good Way
By Anastasia Tsioulcas

[Go full screen. Crank up the sound. And, get lost in it for a few wonderful minutes.]
Video: Billy Joel - New York State of Mind - ASCAP Centennial Awards

PERFORMANCE

Want To Make Music, But Can't Play An Instrument? Casio App Turns Your Hums Into Full Tracks!
By Preston Phro

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

An Inspirational article The True Stories Behind Classic Fairy Tales
By Valerie Ogden -- Numerous fairy tales, and the legends behind them, are actually watered-down versions of uncomfortable historical events. These darker stories might be too terrifying for today's little lambkins, as well as some adults!

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/

Great web tool for lyric writing

http://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Music Theory Resource

http://www.hooktheory.com/

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10. Song and Talent Contests

DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/

Next deadline - December 31st

DSA Annual Song Contest in the judging process

http://songcontests.blogspot.com/

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

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

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11. Songwriting Resources -  Now accepting book reviews

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

DALLAS SONGWRITERS OLD WEBSITE WITH ARCHIVED LINKS TO PAST PROGRAMS
http://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com

SONGS FROM THE SOUL OF SERVICE

http://songssoulservice.blogspot.com/

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.

                       

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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

  Songwriting Consulting Services

  Online Songwriting Workshops and Classes