Hello Songwriter,
February was awards month. Did you catch the broadcasts of the Grammy and the Oscar Awards? Here is a list of the songwriting awards from Grammy night:
Thinking Out Loud
Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge, songwriters
Best Rock Song - Don't Wanna Fight
Alabama Shakes, songwriters (Alabama Shakes)
Best R/B Song- Really Love
D'Angelo, Gina Figueroa & Kendra Foster, songwriters (D'Angelo And The Vanguard)
Best Rap Song- Alright
Kendrick Duckworth, Kawan Prather, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
Best Country Song - Girl Crush
Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Little Big Town)
Best Gospel Performance/Song - Wanna Be Happy?
Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Holy Spirit
Francesca Battistelli
Best American Roots Song - 24 Frames
Jason Isbell, songwriter (Jason Isbell)
Track from: Something More Than Free
Glory
Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith & John Stephens, songwriters (Common & John Legend)
Track from: Selma
Oscar Award for Best Movie Theme Song
Writing On The Wall
from Spectre with Sam Smith vocalist and writer
Read about Sam writing the song without seeing the movie.
http://radio.com/2015/10/29/sam-smith-james-bond-theme-interview/
Writing On The Wall
from Spectre with Sam Smith vocalist and writer
Read about Sam writing the song without seeing the movie.
http://radio.com/2015/10/29/sam-smith-james-bond-theme-interview/
DSA now has 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. Our guest speaker for this month is Jed Marum 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.
On March 13, join the Open Carry Guitar Rally on the bridge for music and fellowship with an emphasis on all things David Bowie. It's Free and family friendly.
On Aprill 22, DSA will join the late night program for adults, 7 - 11PM, at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science that includes scientific talks, experiments, performances and more. We will interact with the public about songwriting, and give people tips as they try to write their own song. HOW FUN! Mark your calendar. perotmuseum.org/ss
On March 13, join the Open Carry Guitar Rally on the bridge for music and fellowship with an emphasis on all things David Bowie. It's Free and family friendly.
On Aprill 22, DSA will join the late night program for adults, 7 - 11PM, at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science that includes scientific talks, experiments, performances and more. We will interact with the public about songwriting, and give people tips as they try to write their own song. HOW FUN! Mark your calendar. perotmuseum.org/ss
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 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
Sons of Hermann Showcase
Thanks to Paul Zander, Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Mimi Balkey, Suzi Morse for their contributions to DSA. Just a reminder that we are a non-profit and your tax deductible donations are always welcome. Follow this link to our donation spot on the website. https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/donation/
Songcerely,
Barbe
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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST -
2014 SONG CONTEST WINNER LUCIA COMNES RECORDING AT BEAIRD MUSIC
Lucia Comnes is currently recording at Beaird Music Group in Nashville. The session is her prize for winner the Dallas Songwriters Song Contest in 2014. She tagged me on Facebook and commented, "My first day in Nashville... There's nothing like going into the studio to record a new song! Thanks to the Dallas Songwriters Association and Beaird Music ❤ "
Commes won the 2014 Grand Prize with her song,
Commes won the 2014 Grand Prize with her song,
No Hiding Place. For more pictures, comments and an audio sample of her session go to her Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/luciacomnes
We hope to have a photo soon of our current winner, T Edwin Doss for publication soon.
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:
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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 - SECOND TUESDAY WORKSHOP
MARCH 8th: JED MARUM
“Jed Marum is a popular performer and songwriter of American Roots and Celtic music. Bringing a mix of traditional and original songs to audiences throughout the US, Jed is known as a refined singer and a gifted storyteller. Since 1999 he has published over a dozen albums, licensed music to several film and TV projects and he works over 150 shows each year. You can hear in his music, the blending of American, Scottish and Irish cultures. In his songs you will relive the stories passed on from generation to generation.”
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
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Coming next month April 12- Garage Demonistration by Jonathan Vasquez
Reviews of past DSA Second Tuesday guest speakers
Oct 2015 Tirk Wilder https://dallassongwriters.org/busy-dsa-october-began-with-tirk-wilder/
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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
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
 |
| Harry Hewlett, Dori Weaver, Michael Brandenberger |
2016
January - Time to Leave by Beth Murphy
February - My Pickup Truck by Charles Carter
2015 Winner - Waiting to Breathe by Dori Weaver
January - Time to Leave by Beth Murphy
February - My Pickup Truck by Charles Carter
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
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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
March 26
7:30: Buck 'n' Harry Hewlett
7:50, Gigi Gostas
8:35, Dori Kosanovich Weaver
9:15, Raquel Lindemann-Nguyen
10, Richard Hunt
10:20, Someone in Mind
10:40, Dickey Johnson
7:30: Buck 'n' Harry Hewlett
7:50, Gigi Gostas
8:35, Dori Kosanovich Weaver
9:15, Raquel Lindemann-Nguyen
10, Richard Hunt
10:20, Someone in Mind
10:40, Dickey Johnson
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.
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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.
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, Suzi Morse
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Ron Young, Jeff Stachowski
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Aaron Shook, Terry Bloss, Raquel Nguyen, Victoria Bouton, Julia Pauletti
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:Tom Thomas, David Wysong, Gary White, Kerry McCall, Randy Overton, Kent Poynor
EXPIRED IN MAY: Ann Cornelius, Julie Jean White, 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 Richmon
EXPIRED IN OCT: Rick Webster, Jay Gallagher, Jenni Peal
EXPIRED IN NOV: Richard Pickett, Lisa Byrn, Steve Wilson, 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
EXPIRED IN FEB: Anthony Castillo, Mark Pierce, Katrina Pitts
TIME TO RENEW: Pete Miller, Tippy Balady, Ken Duran, Phoenix Rose, Tim York
TIME TO RENEW: Pete Miller, Tippy Balady, Ken Duran, Phoenix Rose, Tim York
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/
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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.)
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 April 9 - Songwriting Workshop with Susan Gibson at the at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
She'll be performing the next evening, April 10, in the Black Box Series along with Elizabeth Wills.
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 April 9 - Songwriting Workshop with Susan Gibson at the at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
She'll be performing the next evening, April 10, in the Black Box Series along with Elizabeth Wills.
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.
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8. EVENTS - Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, and showcases.
2015
Review of the Arlington Guitar Show
2016
MAR
1 Deadline for Wildflower Songwriting Contest
3 DSA Open Mic at Half Price Books
7 DSA Song Swap at Half Price Books
8 DSA Second Tuesday Meeting
11 - 20 SXSW
Interactive: March 11–15 • Film: March 11–19 • Music: March 15–20
12 Texas Tunes Concert Series – Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Colin Gilmore at MCL Grand, Lewisville13 Open Carry Rally III - Bowie On The Bridge, 2-7, Continental Bridge, Dallas, Tx
15 DSA Showcase at Sons of Hermann Hall
17 DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
21 DSA Song Swap at Tinos
26 DSA Showcase at Angelas
28 DSA Open Mic at Kitchen Cafe
APRIL
16 - Texas Tunes Concert with Max Stallings at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
16 - Deadline for BW Stevenson Contest
22 - DSA at The Perot Science Museum (Table demo of songwriting)
22 - May 1 New Orleans Jazz Fest http://www.nojazzfest.com/
29 - May 1 Dallas International Guitar Show, Market Hall, Dallas, Tx
MAY
14 Texas Tunes Series with Michael Martin Murphy at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
20 Wildflower Songwriting School
20 - 22 Wildflower Festival, Richardson, Tx
JUNE
9 - 12 Idyllwild Listening Room Songwriters Retreat
JULY
2 Texas Tunes Series with Marcia Ball at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
10 Walt Wilkins at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
20 Wildflower Songwriting School
20 - 22 Wildflower Festival, Richardson, Tx
JUNE
9 - 12 Idyllwild Listening Room Songwriters Retreat
JULY
2 Texas Tunes Series with Marcia Ball at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
10 Walt Wilkins at MCL Grand, Lewisville.
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:
2016 Production Grammy Winners Named
The Jolly Roger is a bot designed to lead telemarketers down a rhetorical maze to keep them busy until they're at their wits' end while you go on about your day. Continue Reading 
Video demo included.
Jon discusses his career and the importance of great songs.
NAMM Oral History Interviews
Jon Anderson is best known as a founding member of the band Yes. His musicianship, arranging and songwriting helped catapult the band to international fame with hit records and sold out performances around the world. Continue Reading
AP
About 300 guitars, including instruments associated with Eric Clapton, Elvis Presley and Eddie Van Halen, are heading to a New York City auction. Continue Reading
This is fascinating.
By Natalie Angier
Whether to enliven a commute, relax in the evening or drown out the buzz of a neighbor's recreational drone, Americans listen to music nearly four hours a day. In international surveys, people consistently rank music as one of life's supreme sources of pleasure and emotional power. We marry to music, graduate to music, mourn to music. Every culture ever studied has been found to make music, and among the oldest artistic objects known are slender flutes carved from mammoth bone some 43,000 years ago — 24,000 years before the cave paintings of Lascaux. Continue Reading
By Dennis Myers
Songs that make us cry Continue Reading
MUSIC BUSINESS - more articles posted on DSA Music Biz News
"Stick 'em up" is not appropriate in this context.
By Bobby Borg
These 10 tips will help you make the most of your relationship with – and increase the effectiveness of – your entertainment attorney. Continue Reading
By Wallace Collins
The long history of collaboration has shown that there are endless combinations. Co-authors do not need to have a written agreement concerning their joint work, but it is probably a good idea to do so given the myriad issues that can arise and become a problem under such circumstances. Continue Reading
Thanks to Etan Rosenbloom for the link.
By Music Think Tank
Today we're going to look at a contract to enter a new musical reality competition called Songland, which is being produced by NBC. It's supposed to be similar to The Voice (even includes Adam Levine), but this time it's for songwriters of all genres ... I think it's more important for people to know what they're getting into by joining these kinds of competitions. Let's get to it. Continue Reading
LISTEN
VIDEO
By MessyNessy
IN MEMORIAM
By Todd Leopold and Emanuella Grinberg
It was all part of a joyful noise, White told Songwriter Universe. "Being joyful and positive was the whole objective of our group. Our goal was to reach all the people and to keep a universal atmosphere -- to create positive energy," he said. "All of our songs had that positive energy. To create uplifting music was the objective." Continue Reading
Jimmie Haskell: Born: November 7, 1936. Died February 4, 2016
By Jeremy Roberts
Jimmie Haskell, a three-time Grammy-winning music industry veteran who worked with Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Chicago, the Everly Brothers, and hundreds of other talents, takes off his boxing gloves for a no-holds-barred conversation recalling his glory years spent supervising the recordings of Rick Nelson. Continue Reading
Jimmie had a special place in the hearts of 3 kids from San Leandro, CA, Hank Jones, Larry Ray and Dean Kay, who made trip after trip to Hollywood in the late 50's and early 60's to make it in show biz. Rest in peace my friend.
PERFORMANCE
This is truly cool.
Interactive Things
Who first sang a song, and who has covered it since then? Continue Reading
Thanks to Levi Sumagaysay for the link.
By Michael Gallant
From deep-throated, battlefield rumbles to pure, soaring tenor lines, there are many different ways to be an effective singer with an authentic vocal style. Find the direction that works for you, your instrument, your band, and your music. Continue Reading
Tips: Singers! How to Cope with 3 Key Problem Areas...
All singers—whether they are developing or professional artists—must cope with new environments, mental and physical challenges, as well as situation changes. But strain, hoarseness, vocal hemorrhaging and surgery CAN be avoided—if you pay attention to three key problem areas and learn how to respond accordingly....
RECORDING
By Adam Sherwin --The Rolling Stones and Cream records among six being given half-speed mastering to reveal a new depth to the recordings Continue Reading
Rolling Stone -- From LL Cool J to Kanye West, Slayer to Tom Petty, Johnny Cash to Dixie Chicks, producer reflects on more than three decades of challenging music's status quo Continue Reading
By Cherie Nelson
If you're a serious musician, you've probably considered building your own space at home for playing and recording music. A home studio used to involve a lot of work and a huge expense, but in recent years recording technology has become more user friendly and less expensive, making it possible for anyone to create a recording space that operates on their schedule. ... Here are three common mistakes that you'll want to avoid when constructing your own home recording studio. Continue Reading
CRAFT OF SONGWRITING
By Larry Butler
By Mylène Besançon
In any song, the chorus is often the part most anticipated by the listener. However, it is also one of the most difficult parts of a song to compose for many songwriters, as it has to sound just right to complement the rest of the song, while at the same time leave a lasting effect on the listener. Continue Reading
By James P. Fahy
I know lots of people who claim that lyrics don't matter to them. I'm the opposite. I mean, they don't have all have to be Bob Dylan, or Dan Bejar, or Nas. They don't have to be profound. Or poetic. But bad ones can ruin a song for me. They can be silly, they can be gibberish, they just can't be bad (whatever that means). Continue Reading
Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting
Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary
Great web tool for lyric writing
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10. Song and Talent Contests
DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/
Next deadline - March 31
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
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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.
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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,
Online Songwriting Workshops and Classes
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