SONGWRITERS NOTES E-NEWS # 171 DECEMBER 2015

Hello Songwriter,

I can't believe is almost Christmas. Our regular monthly meeting will be our Christmas Party and Awards Dinner on December 8, 7PM at the Sons of Hermann Hall. Our DSA Song Contest Grand Prize Judge, Roy Elkins is coming to town to MC the Awards Dinner, and give a free workshop the night before. So here's the skinny.

DSA CHRISTMAS PARTY AND AWARDS DINNER

Tuesday, December 8, 7PM at Songs of Hermann Hall, Dallas, Tx
Donations requested: $12 on website,  $15 at the door.
We need to know if you are coming so we can tell our caterer. YOU MUST RSVP TO BOBBY MONTGOMERY
Also, please note that the bar at the Hall is cash only.

MC - ROY ELKINS
Judges and DSA board members will hand out awards. Semifinalist and winners of the meeting critiques will perform. This is always a lot of fun, recognizing the talent in our group and getting to actually experience the live performances. Also, there is always a good spread of dinner and desert, buffet style. Last year we had a Christmas ham and a beautiful ice sculpture from James Pappas.

FREE Workshop by Roy Elkins, CEO of Broadjam.com
YOUR MUSIC AND YOUR BUSINESS
Monday, December 7, 6 - 9 at the Tone Shop (Come early to network and of course look around the shop.) Please RSVP to Dan Roark so we know how many chairs to bring.
A discussion of where, when and how to pitch your music. 
* Create the right music,
* Find the right buyer
* Get your music into the marketplace
*  Make it easy for the industry to buy your music
 Strategies are discussed with a focus on Film & TV.
There will also be a listening session, as well, where we evaluate songs and provide feedback. Expect to spend 2-3 hours with the expert! More about Elkins at these links. www.onlinernotes.com, www.royelkins.org, www.royelkins.net

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 regular DSA monthly events are 1st and 3rd Monday SongSwaps and 1st and 3rd Thursdays and last Monday Open Mic.  The 1st Monday SongSwap will be replaced with the free workshop with Roy Elkins at the Tone Shop. So don't show up at Half Price Books. 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.

DSA member, Helene Cronin's new CD "Belong to the River" is really great! It's available on iTunes, or at http://www.helenecronin.com/store, and on CDBaby

We've had lot's of fun celebrating birthdays this past month. Lot's of birthdays! Coming up this month we will be celebrating a special birthday.

I hope you all have a very wonderful Christmas,

Barbe

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PITCH OPPORTUNITY FROM OUR SPONSOR BEAIRD MUSIC

PITCH YOUR SONGS TO PUBLISHERS

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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST -

WINNERS ANNOUNCED DEC. 8 AT THE AWARDS DINNER

Tuesday, December 8, 7PM at Songs of Hermann Hall, Dallas, Tx
Donations requested: $12 on website,  $15 at the door.
We need to know if you are coming so we can tell our caterer. YOU MUST RSVP TO BOBBY MONTGOMERY
Also, please note that the bar at the Hall is cash only.

MC - ROY ELKINS
Judges and DSA board members will hand out awards. Semifinalist and winners of the meeting critiques will perform.

SEMIFINALISTS   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. 

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

Listen to the winners on Soundcloud at:

https://soundcloud.com/dallas_song_contest/sets/dsa-2014-song-contest-winners

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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 - SECOND TUESDAY WORKSHOP

  DSA CHRISTMAS PARTY AND AWARDS DINNER

Tuesday, December 8, 7PM at Songs of Hermann Hall, Dallas, Tx
Donations requested: $12 on website,  $15 at the door.
We need to know if you are coming so we can tell our caterer - a wonderful Christmas buffet. YOU MUST RSVP TO BOBBY MONTGOMERY
Also, please note that the bar at the Hall is cash only.

MC - ROY ELKINS
Judges and DSA board members will hand out awards. Semifinalist and winners of the meeting critiques will perform. This is always a lot of fun, recognizing the talent in our group and getting to actually experience the live performances.

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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 - CANCELLED THIS MONTH - GO TO THE FREE WORKSHOP AT THE TONE SHOP

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

November 2015

THE OLD WRECKED VET by Rio King

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

ANGELA'S AT THE CROSSWALK in downtown Plano

http://dsashowcases.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 .

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

http://www.openmicdallas.com/

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

Enter onine https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/lyric-contest-entry/ 

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

And the winner is .....https://dallassongwriters.org/winners-of-the-dsa-spring-15-lyric-contest/

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.

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest/

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 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 Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Dicky Johnson, Rachel Wilhelm, Dan Roark, Barbe McMillen, Joe Milton, Stephen McKinnell, Steve Sullivan, Ken Duren, James Pappas and Harry Hewlett. Your 2016 officers will be elected at the board planning meeting in Jan.

Current 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: Beth Murphy, Ron Sowell,  Stephen McKinnell, Tommy Thomas, M'Lynn Musgrove, Joseph Brinkley, Adrianna Braddom, Darren Rozell, Charles Carter,

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Rio King, 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: Nitanee Paris, Rick Webster, Jay Gallagher, Jenni Peal, Raquel Nguyen
EXPIRED IN NOV: Richard Pickett, Lisa Byrn, Steve Wilson, Gigi Gostas, Martha Myre
TIME TO RENEW THIS MONTH:  Kathryn Taylor

 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/

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:

December 2 - Write it Off: Accounting tips for the Self-Employed Musician

jenni@jennifinlay.com

FREE Workshop by Roy Elkins, CEO of Broadjam.comYOUR MUSIC AND YOUR BUSINESSMonday, December 7, 6 - 9 at the Tone Shop (Come early to network and of course look around the shop.)

A discussion of where, when and how to pitch your music.  

* Create the right music, 

* Find the right buyer 

* Get your music into the marketplace

*  Make it easy for the industry to buy your music

 Strategies are discussed with a focus on Film & TV.

There will also be a listening session, as well, where we evaluate songs and provide feedback. Expect to spend 2-3 hours with the expert! 

www.royelkins.org

www.onlinernotes.com

www.royelkins.net

For those of you who could not make it to the 2015 ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO, Video Access is now available for only $99!

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/

2015

DEC
3 Open mic at Half Price Books
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
17 Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
21 Song Swap at Tino Toos
28 Open Mic at Kitchen Cafe

Merry Christmas

2016
JAN
13-17 ASG Symposium, Austin Tx

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:

How to Be a Confident Musician Without Being Cocky

SonicBids

Confidence is key in just about any career, and in the music industry, there's a fine line between ego and conviction. ... Here's how to be a boss without alienating your devoted followers. Continue Reading 

4 Tax Write-Offs All Performers Should Take Advantage of Right Now

by Christine Occino

MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on  DSA Music Biz News

A Lawyer's Guide to Structuring Paid Music Gigs

By Steve Gordon

When an indie musician is just starting, playing for no money can be good exposure. Eventually, however, you will want to make money from your music so you can quit your day gig. Live performance is one of the income streams that can support indie musicians in addition to other streams such as record sales, merch, synch placements and public performance royalties. Continue Reading 

How I Make $50 an Hour (or More) on Tips...

by Jennifer Sullivan

There are many venues—such as small clubs and restaurants—that will allow [I love the word allow in this context] musicians to book a set and entertain diners or drinkers for free, and then 'pass the hat' after their session. Performing in public places, such as on the street or in subways, for gratuities or "busking," is another way to make money from live performance. Continue Reading 

The venues better be licensed.

[Solid advice]

15 Things You Must Do to Make it in the Music Industry

by Nick Gunn

["It all begins with a song." - Maggie Cavender]

What Kills Promising Bands More Quickly Than Anything

by Amy Sciaretto

Get the songs and the sound down first. Make songs people want to hear. Make songs you're passionate about and proud of. If the music is great, it'll start to react and find its audience. Continue Reading 

LEGAL: Music attorney Aaron Rosenberg on how Justin Bieber went through some confusing times and the future of music law: http://bit.ly/1lrHOhS 

STREAMING: Steve Aoki calls streaming revenue “definitely more of a pension plan” in CNBC interview: http://bit.ly/1NA0cf5 

BUSINESS: How to start your own radio show or podcast and make money doing it: http://bit.ly/1H4YyW2 

LISTEN 

Our Guest speaker at the last meeting, Ron Sowell was wonderful and so are his songs. Check him out. http://www.ronsowellproductions.com/little-movies

DSA member, Helene Cronin's new CD "Belong to the River" is really great!

It's available on iTunes, or at http://www.helenecronin.com/store, and on CDBaby

PODCAST: Social media and entrepreneurship for musicians: How to build an audience across social media platforms, ways to grow revenue as a musician, and more: http://bit.ly/1j3TFRh 

VIDEO 

Sir David Attenborough Narrates Adele's Hello

BBC Radio 1

IN MEMORIAM

We lost Mark Pollock recently. He was a friend to DSA and the reason we had a presence at the Dallas Guitar Show for many years
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?pid=176606836

Remembering Harold Arlen, The Mystery Man Behind 'Over The Rainbow'

by Susan Stamberg

Any fan of the Great American Songbook could hum a few bars of "Over the Rainbow," "Stormy Weather" or "That Old Black Magic" without having to think too hard. And yet, the composer of those songs remains little known. Harold Arlen had major hits, won an Oscar and was called "the most original of all of us" by none other than George Gershwin, but he never became a household name. On the 110th anniversary of Arlen's birth, NPR Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg is here to redress that grievance. ... Continue Reading 

[Songwriter's Hall Of Fame. Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Legend.]

New Orleans Musician Allen Toussaint Dies In Madrid, Age 77

by Alan Clendenning & Rebecca Santana

Legendary New Orleans pianist, songwriter, producer and performer, Allen Toussaint, who penned such classics as "Working in a Coal Mine" and "Lady Marmalade," has died after suffering a heart attack following a concert he performed in Spain. He was 77. Continue Reading 

Watch Allen Toussaint Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLMI5Oag1nY

PERFORMANCE

5 Ways That Famous Musicians Learned to Play Music

by Jhoni Jackson

4 Surprising Benefits of Vocal Training

By Dave Kusek

As a singer, your voice is your instrument. You should be working on improving and mastering your voice every step of the way. Continue Reading 

LIVE MUSIC: Are you getting paid what you deserve for live shows? http://bit.ly/1MNwOWr 

RECORDING

AUDIO ENGINEERING: Learn how to reduce the low end muddiness from your mix, tune your kick, and get the balanced and powerful bass sound you’ve always wanted with this FREE eBook: http://eepurl.com/bFePHb 

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

John Adams Mines Beethoven's Mind

NPR Staff

Almost every composer, sooner or later, must come to grips with Beethoven. John Adams is inspired by the master's wit and rhythm. Continue Reading 

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 - Dec 31

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