Hello Songwriter,
Polish up your love songs! It's February.
Don't forget to watch the Grammy Awards on Feb. 15. We turned in our ballots in January. Here are the songs nominated for the Song Of The Year Award.
1. Alright - Kendrick Lamar 2. Blank Space - Taylor Swift
3. Girl Crush - Little Big Town
4. See You Again - Wiz Khalifa
5. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
DSA is continuing to be very busy in 2016. With the addition of our new Sons of Hermann Showcase, we now have 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. 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.
Producer Lou Lofredo is requesting songs for a new female artist he is recording. See the post on the members only yahoo group.
Songwriting Contests to watch for the Spring are Wildflower, BW Stevenson, and Kerrville. See #10 for contest details.
Some postings of note on our website.
Students request help for songwriting survey
Angela's Showcase
Inaugural Sons of Hermann Showcase
Thanks to Paul Zander, Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Mimi Balkey for their contributions to DSA. Just a reminder that we are a non-profit and your tax deductible are alway welcome. Follow this link to our donation spot on the website. https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/donation/
Songcerely,
Barbe
*********
********
1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST -
WINNERS ANNOUNCED DEC. 8 AT THE AWARDS DINNER
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/
SEMIFINALISTS http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/
WINNER OF THE IPOD – Samuel Miller, Chico, CA
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 Beaird Music Group.
1st Runner Up
wins studio time at
2nd Runner up
wins recording time at
Grand Prize winners receive:
($199.95 Value)
Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting
1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership
Category winners get cash prizes
Listen to the 2014 winners on Soundcloud at:
*******
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.
------------------------------
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.
|
**********
2. DSA MEETINGS - SECOND TUESDAY WORKSHOP
FEBUARY 9th: Interview With Maria Elena Holly
In the Fall of 1994, in order to fulfill a classroom assignment, a 12 year old Dallas 7th grader walked across the street, with her tape recorder, and interviewed Maria Elena Holly, wife and widow of the legendary Buddy Holly. The questions were very well thought out, and the little girl did an excellent job in getting Maria to open up and give a very touching and factual account of the real Buddy Holly and their short life together. My niece was this 7th grader's teacher, and has loaned me a 28 minute recording of the interview. Our DSA program on Feb. 9, 2016, will be this recorded interview, preceded and followed by one or two Buddy Holly and the Crickets hit songs, a few historical comments, and some discussion. It promises to be a very unique, one-of-a-kind program. You don't want to miss it!
If you want to bone up on Buddy and Maria, are a few good uTube links:
Buddy Holly --That'll Be The Day--Peggy Sue--Oh Boy
https://youtu.be/D3_NZeb76aE
Buddy Holly Interview with Ronnie King
https://youtu.be/_SWIaJ5Ili4
Buddy & Maria Elena Holly
https://youtu.be/wOdDEqI6xu8
Maria Elena: My Life with Buddy (Buddy Holly), Interview by Don McLean
https://youtu.be/QJssvXI_QwY
"Buddy meets"... Maria Elena Holly (part 1) from The Buddy Holly Story
https://youtu.be/1RfTbFU2hCU
“Buddy meets” Maria Elena Holly (part 2) from The Buddy Holly Story
https://youtu.be/jbO-vyR2f2E
Center For Community Cooperation
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
------
Reviews of past DSA Second Tuesday guest speakers
Oct 2015 Tirk Wilder https://dallassongwriters.org/busy-dsa-october-began-with-tirk-wilder/
----------------------------
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
******
3. BEST SONGS of the 2nd Tuesday Meeting
 |
| Harry Hewlett, Dori Weaver, Michael Brandenberger |
2016 January - Time to Leave by Beth Murphy
2015 Winner - Waiting to Breathe by Dori Weaver
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.
Songwriter of the Year 2015
is Rio King with the most wins at the meeting critiques
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
******
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
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
4th Saturday 7:30 - 11:00
Feb. 27
7:30, Buck’n Harry
7:50, Bill Sibley
8:35, Lynn McCracken
8:55 Craig St. Clair
9:15, James Pappas
10:00, Marcus Belmore
10;20, Lisa Byrn?
10:40, Marjorie Lindsey?
SHOWCASE AND OPEN MIC -
SONS OF HERMANN HALL SHOWCASE & OPEN MIC - 3412 MAIN ST
EVERY 3RD TUESDAY - 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Sign up begins at 6:30 Hosted by Dan Roark
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
5. DSA LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked Mar 31st
or by mail
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
SPRING 2015 - WINNERS
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
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.
******
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.
Current Officers Elected at the Planning Meeting on January 9, 2016
Michael Brandenberger - Prez
Bobby Montgomery - Executive VP, VP Programs
Dicky Johnson - Treasurer
Rachel Wilhelm - Tech
Dan Roark - Lyric Contest Director, showcases, workshops
Barbe McMillen - Communications, Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - A&R
Harry Hewlett - A&R
Steve Sullivan and James Pappas - SongSwap Coordinators
Joe Milton, Ken Duren - At Large
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
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:
Patron Sponsor: Mimi Balkey
Welcome New and Old Members- Song Contest Winners: Nitanee Lawson, T. Edwin Doss, Patrice Luce Chapman, Christopher Hart, Mathew Stemme, Tyler Hook, Jeff Moxcey, Roger Kaye, Lanny Sherwin John Keawe, Robin Carr, Marc Tilson, Robert Graham, Sarah Ashley, Debra Gussin, T. Edwin Doss, Randy Sauer, Robert Graham, Katie Riley, Bonnie Warren, Danielle LaToof
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Clark McAlister, John Jaggers, David Claerr, Anthony Groom, Andrew Plam, 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: Trevor Dahlen, Gene Schillaci, 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 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: Rick Webster, Jay Gallagher, Jenni Peal, Raquel Nguyen
EXPIRED IN NOV: Richard Pickett, Lisa Byrn, Steve Wilson, Gigi Gostas, Martha Myre
EXPIRED IN DEC: Kathryn Taylor
EXPIRED IN JAN: Terry Bloss, Bill Kapac, Cat McGee, Matt Nestor, Ben Neumann, Al Hovden, Chris Troll, Rob Lutzwig, Maxim Senin, Stephen Blackwell, Rene Safier, Kyle Vincent, Stacy Hogan, Jacquelyn Christina, Will Kincaid, John Martinez
TIME TO RENEW: Anthony Castillo, Mark Pierce, Katrina Pitts
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/
******
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.)
WRITING IN THE RED ROCKS!
Great news for Richard Leigh fans and friends with a passion for songwriting! This is your opportunity to spend 3 1/2 days learning from award-winning songwriters, Richard Leigh~Hall of Fame and SESAC Legacy Songwriter, Hugh Prestwood~Hall of Fame, Keith Stegall, Wendell Mobley and host D Vincent Williams.
"Writing In The Red Rocks" includes songwriting and music industry sessions during the day and dinner performances with each of the 5 featured writers in the evenings. Plus a trip to #Zionnationalpark.
Have you always wondered if your songs are good enough? Visit www.writingintheredrocks.com for event details, submit your original song for critique by Nashville's finest hit-makers and join us March 31-April 3 for this incredible songwriter symposium with some of Nashville's finest!
Coming May 20th, WildFlower Songwriting School, With Terry Hendrix and Lloyd Maines
Great news for Richard Leigh fans and friends with a passion for songwriting! This is your opportunity to spend 3 1/2 days learning from award-winning songwriters, Richard Leigh~Hall of Fame and SESAC Legacy Songwriter, Hugh Prestwood~Hall of Fame, Keith Stegall, Wendell Mobley and host D Vincent Williams.
"Writing In The Red Rocks" includes songwriting and music industry sessions during the day and dinner performances with each of the 5 featured writers in the evenings. Plus a trip to #Zionnationalpark.
Have you always wondered if your songs are good enough? Visit www.writingintheredrocks.com for event details, submit your original song for critique by Nashville's finest hit-makers and join us March 31-April 3 for this incredible songwriter symposium with some of Nashville's finest!
Coming May 20th, WildFlower Songwriting School, With Terry Hendrix and Lloyd Maines
Review of Larry Beaird Workshop
Read the Review of the Roy Elkins Workshop
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.
*******
8. EVENTS - Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, and showcases.
2015
Review of the Arlington Guitar Show
2016
FEB
1 DSA SongSwap at Half Price Books
4 DSA Open Mic at Half Price Books
9 DSA Second Tuesday Workshop Meeting and Critiques at CCC
15 DSA SongSwap at Tino's Too
16 DSA Showcase at Sons of Hermann Hall
18 DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
1 DSA SongSwap at Half Price Books
4 DSA Open Mic at Half Price Books
9 DSA Second Tuesday Workshop Meeting and Critiques at CCC
15 DSA SongSwap at Tino's Too
16 DSA Showcase at Sons of Hermann Hall
18 DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
17 - 21 Folk Alliance, Kansas City, MO
27 DSA Showcase at Angela's
29 DSA Open Mic at Kitchen Cafe
29 Deadline Kerrville New Folk Contest
MAR
1 Deadline for Wildflower Songwriting Contest
11 - 20 SXSW
APRIL
16 - Deadline for BW Stevenson Contest
22 - May 1 New Orleans Jazz Fest http://www.nojazzfest.com/
29 - May 1 Dallas International Guitar Show, Market Hall, Dallas, Tx
MAY
27 DSA Showcase at Angela's
29 DSA Open Mic at Kitchen Cafe
29 Deadline Kerrville New Folk Contest
MAR
1 Deadline for Wildflower Songwriting Contest
11 - 20 SXSW
Interactive: March 11–15 • Film: March 11–19 • Music: March 15–20
APRIL
16 - Deadline for BW Stevenson Contest
22 - May 1 New Orleans Jazz Fest http://www.nojazzfest.com/
29 - May 1 Dallas International Guitar Show, Market Hall, Dallas, Tx
MAY
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/
******
9. Featured Articles:
Nobody likes a long talker, especially at awards shows.
By Mesfin Fekadu
by Mark Nowakowski
by Cortney Harding
MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on DSA Music Biz News
by Larry Butler
By Tom Hess
By Michael St.
James
A lot of
musicians want to play colleges, but most don't really know what that means. As
someone who has played over 100 official university sponsored shows around the
country, it's a field I know quite intimately. Continue
Reading 3__#$!@%!#__f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif
¬
LISTEN
By Grant Woolard
Evolution of Music - Pentatonix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lExW80sXsHs
VIDEO
By 180boring
By Hans Peter Frühauf
Boston Globe Staff
By Mia Gentile
IN MEMORIAM
PERFORMANCE
By Bjorgvin Benediktsson
by John Tyler Kent
by Jonathan Hack
As a singer, you're an athlete – plain and simple. You need agility, dexterity, and above all, stamina. Enter breathing. Breathing is the single most important element to sustain notes, color in all those funky riffs, and get through a phrase without a huffing and puffing or turning purple. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif ¬
RECORDING
By Dave Kusek
Many artists who sit down to write a single often do so without thinking through the expenses they will encounter before the song can actually be released. By going over the actual costs in advance, artists can help keep them low and avoid complications later . Continue Reading 2__#$!@%!#__f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif ¬
By Trackd
by Kirk McElhearn
CRAFT OF SONGWRITING
By Cortney Harding
Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting
Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary
Great web tool for lyric writing
************
10. Song and Talent Contests
DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/
Next deadline - March 31
Deadline March 1
WILDFLOWER SONGWRITING CONTEST
Deadline Feb 29
KERRVILLE New Folk CONTEST is now OPEN!
We are ready for your 2016 submissions. Visit the festival website for submission guidelines and application!
WILDFLOWER SONGWRITING CONTEST
COMING APRIL of 2016
THE 28th B.W. STEVENSON MEMORIAL SINGER/SONGWRITER COMPETITION:
ENTRY DEADLINE 4/15/2016
$1000 GRAND PRIZE!!!
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON THE B.W. STEVENSON SINGER-SONGWRITERS COMPETITION
THE 28th B.W. STEVENSON MEMORIAL SINGER/SONGWRITER COMPETITION:
ENTRY DEADLINE 4/15/2016
$1000 GRAND PRIZE!!!
CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON THE B.W. STEVENSON SINGER-SONGWRITERS COMPETITION
A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com
**************
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
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.
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.
Songcerely,
Barbara McMillen, Editor
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSADSA Online Store
Online Songwriting Workshops and Classeshttps://dallassongwriters.org/shop/dsa-membership/
