SONGWRITERS NOTES E-NEWS #188 JUNE 2017

Hello Songwriter, 

    Our booth was a success at the Dallas International Guitar show and Music Festival May 5-7. We were able to reach out to many songwriters to let them know about our organization. The 5 stages were full of great music. There were celebrities abound and I got Ted Nugent's autograph. Thanks to Jimmy Wallace for supporting Dallas Songwriters and putting on a great festival and guitar market.

Guitarshow.com

Our Monthly Meeting with guest speaker and song critiques IS NOW THE FIRST THURSDAY at Half Price Books with guest speaker is music publisher Cathy Baldwin. See # 2 below.

Other regular DSA monthly events are the open mics on the 2nd Wednesday, 3rd Thursdays and 1st Monday, the 3rd Saturday Showcase at Angela's, and the Song Swap on the 3rd Monday.
 
So sorry if you missed the Susan Gibson (Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces) Workshop. It was wonderful. We had a good turn out, the workshop was inspirational  and Susan's performance was superb. Sons of Hermann Hall is such a great venue for sound. BTW, thanks to Harry Hewlett for running the sound system and Bobby Montgomery for ramrodding the event. A video of the following performance is on our facebook page. See workshops below for the link.

The Wildflower Songwriting Workshop with Joe Crookston will be on May 19. See workshops below. 

DSA hosted the CityLine Stage at the Wildflower Festival for a wonderful 3 day weekend of great weather and suburb music. Thanks to Harry Hewlett and Ian Dickson for a great job as sound and stage managers. DSA members and Wildflower contest finalists performed on the stage. 2017 Al Johnson Performing Singer Songwriter Wildflower Contest Winners are: 
Mike Laureanno, Rhode Island
; ; 
Tom Meny, Texas
;  Emily Scott Robinson, Texas; 
Heather Mae, Washington, D.C. was the Michael Terry Peoples Choice Awards Winner. Al Johnson was celebrated by naming the contest after him.

 Congratulations to Annie Benjamin, the winner of the BW Stevenson Songwriting Contest. details.http://poordavidspub.com/Comp.htm

DSA Annual Song Contest Now Open. 

July brings our 2nd Annual Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame on the 22nd. Inductees include Songwriters Cindy Walker, Freddy King and Sam The Sham, Musician and cultural icon Trini Lopez and composer/arranger Gus Levene. The No Contact Band with Ian Dickson and guests Barbe McMillen and Michael Brandenberger will be the featured entertainment performing songs by the inductees, as well as, their own songs.

Did you know we are live streaming on Facebook? Thanks to Harry Hewlett you can view some of our open mics and guest speakers in a live stream on Facebook? See guest our guest speakers, and latest Angela's showcase. Can't make it? Then tune into Facebook/dallassongwriters. Want to be on our facebook streams? Show up and perform.

Next Deadline for the Winter Lyric Contest is March 31st See #5 below.

Thanks to Paul Zander, Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Jon Jaggers, Mimi Balkey, Suzi Morse, Rio King, Jared LoStratto and Bill Kapac 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

Spring 2017 Songwriters Notes Get a pdf version here.
Spring 2016 Songwriters Notes Get a pdf version here.
Fall 2016 Songwriters Notes Hardcopy pdf version
https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-news-songwriters-notes-fall-2016/

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PITCH OPPORTUNITY FROM OUR SPONSOR BEAIRD MUSIC

PITCH YOUR SONGS TO PUBLISHERS

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1. ANNUAL SONG CONTEST - OPEN NOW - Sept 30th

Enter on DSA website 

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/

Enter on Broadjam 

Enter by Mail  http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/

Now in its 27th year, The DSA 2016 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes. 8 categories.

Enter online at : https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

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:

1 Yr. Broadjam Primo MoB Membership

($199.95 Value) 

Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting

1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

Category winners get cash prizes

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2016 WINNERS  https://dallassongwriters.org/2016-dsa-song-contest-winners/

  Read the Interview with Grand Prize winner Bill Wren

https://dallassongwriters.org/bill-wren-wins-2016-song-contest-grand-prize-jared-lostrocco-runner-ups/

SEE PICS FROM THE DEC 2016 AWARDS DINNER HERE
https://dallassongwriters.org/2016-winner-bill-wren-casio-privia/ 
SEE VIDEO FROM THE DEC 2016 AWARDS DINNER HERE
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/1315996771785878/

2016 Winners
2016 Semifinalist
Winner of the Drawing for the IPod -  Jeffery Moore, Baton Rouge, LA  His entry, This Love, #102 was drawn.
Awards Dinner Streamed on Facebook
Photos of the Awards Dinner

 Read Grand Prize Judge Roy Elkins comments

Now in its 26th year, The DSA 2016 Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes.

2015 SONG CONTEST WINNER T EDWIN DOSS WITH GRAND PRIZE CASIO PRIVIA

Read interview with 2015 winner T Edwin Doss and learn about out other Grand Prize Winners. ❤ 

https://dallassongwriters.org/t-edwin-doss-wins-2015-song-contest-jessie-brown/

Did you miss the Awards Dinner? Here's a blow by blow courtesy of Dan Roark

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-song-contest-awards/

2015 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

2015 WINNERS

https://dallassongwriters.org/2015-dsa-song-contest-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/

Hard Copy of Songwriters Notes Spring 2016 issue with 2015 winners
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/8182067/dsanewsspring2016-pdf-2-4-meg?da=y 

SEMIFINALISTS   http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/ 

 WINNER OF THE IPOD – Samuel Miller, Chico, CA

Listen to the 2014 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.

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2. DSA MEETINGS - Guest Speaker, Cathy Baldwin and Song Critiques, THURSDAY, JUNE 1

Music Publisher, Cathy Baldwin will talk about shopping your songs.

 Cathy Linda Baldwin is the owner of DaCat Music and Publishing. She has a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas where she studied both Classical and Jazz Guitar and Piano and Voice. She has written songs for a number of years and performed both originals and covers. She has had her songs cut by independent and major artists in the United States and abroad. Having spent a great deal of time in Nashville Cathy had the opportunity to write with Wil Nance (who has penned hits for George Strait and Brad Paisley as well as others) and Dan Demay (who has penned songs with Martina McBride and Tracy Lawerence…).

As a publisher she is constantly looking for songs for placement in advertising, television shows, movies, and commercials.

She spends a great deal of time developing songwriters and giving guidance on the music business. Prior to becoming a published writer Cathy taught privately for a number of years teaching students from age 3-78. She taught in Montessori schools and recreation centers as well. She has been a guest speaker for various songwriter organizations. One of the first things she always tells aspiring songwriters is to keep trying and not give up in their music.

SONG CRITIQUES  
The monthly meeting will continue to have the song critique session but the format will be a little different.  Instead of judging a "winning" song each month that is eligible for the "Song of the Year", all songs submitted at the meeting will be entered in the DSA Member Best Songs of the Meeting at the end of the year for Song of the Year and Songwriter of the year. We are considering adding a peoples choice awards.

Each song entry will receive friendly feedback from two music industry professionals, Joe Milton and Barbe McMillen.  Joe has been an LA touring musician, studio musician and songwriter and currently owns Jo Musik, a Dallas area music production company and studio that has done music for film and TV, voiceover and dialogue, plays, live shows, jingles, industrials and videos. Barbe is currently Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College and President Emeritus of the DSA.  She is also a voting member of the Recording Academy that votes for the Grammy Awards.  As a recording artist she has recorded five albums. She has written songs in all genres, including a musical called "Give Me Break".

Songs can be on a CD, or emailed to Harry Hewlett at hhhewlett@gmail.com, or performed live, or even mailed in (you don't have to be present) or members can enter online at https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-meeting/song-of-the-month/.  Just let him know if you want to get a spot at the meeting because we are limited on time and you must be a member to submit your song(s).  The song entry/critique fee is $10 for each song.  Preferred entry is online, so we can know how much time to allot to critiques, however, don't let that stop you, you can bring a recorded song to the meeting or just sing it at the meeting. Be sure to provide copies of lyrics for the group so they can give friendly feedback too. Good thing is that you can bring your song in for a pro critique and submit your rewritten or updated song at anytime during the year before the cut-off date. This is to encourage members to use the critique sessions during the editing phase of your song. You can have plenty of time for a re-write and re-submit.
Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1858860727694763/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%22106%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D

Sign in and Networking begins at 6:30

Announcements at 7PM

Program about 7:30

DETAILS ON MEETING PROCEDURES

https://dallassongwriters.org/events/2nd-tuesday-meeting

Future Meetings
July 1st - Rod Phelps - Half Price Books
NO MEETING IN AUGUST
Sept 1 - Rod Phelps
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Recordings of past DSA Second Tuesday guest speakers   

April 2017 - Speaker Rod Phelps - Performance Rights Organizations Collect Money for Songwriters 
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/1431955113523376/

3rd Monday 3/20/17 General Membership Meeting Speaker,…

March 21 · How to Market Your Songwriting Career with Booking Agent
Richard Pollack

Audio, only: Gus Wolman, guest speaker at Half Price, HOW TO…

February 3 · All About Publishing with Publisher Gus Wolman

Oct 2016 Barbara McMillen - Polishing Your Final Draft by Applying the Secrets of the Popular Song.
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/1245589945493228/

https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/posts/1245608802158009

Sept 2016 Joe Milton on Preparing for a Recording Session

1 of 2

https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/1219779574740932/

2 of 2

https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/1219952578056965/

Reviews of past DSA Second Tuesday guest speakers  

Oct 2015  Tirk Wilder  https://dallassongwriters.org/busy-dsa-october-began-with-tirk-wilder/

Nov 2015 RonSowell https://dallassongwriters.org/ron-sowell-and-board-nominations-at-2nd-tuesday-dsa-meeting/

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MONDAY SONG SWAPS for peer critique

Song Swap Workshop

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/

THIRD MONDAY in PLANO - 

Tino's - Steve Sullivan, Gigi Gostas coordinating.

Tino's Too Mexican Restaurant 2205 Ave K, Plano, Tx  972 881-9226

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3. BEST SONGS of the Month - 

2017
JAN - Love Without Money by Bobby Montgomery and Barbe McMillen
         Oklahoma Grit by Rio King
         Your The Best by Michael Brandenberger 
FEB -  
        Caribbean Holiday by David Alan Claer
        Johnny's Place by Bill Kapac
        Mean Woman Grill by Morri Hartgrave
        Oklahoma Grit by Rio King
        Six Gun Sally by Bill Kapac
        Stay (Until The Sunrise) by Steve Valenzuela
        Storm (instrumental) by Yulia Petrova
        The Days by Ireland Casteel
        When There Is Nothing (instrumental) by Yulia Petrova
        You Made My Day by Michael Brandenberger

March
       Goodbye by Yulia Petrova
       Gypsy (Girl) King by James Pappas
       House On The Hill by Bill Kapac
       I Found Myself In Austin by Morri Hartgraves
       Island Red by Ricky Gene Wright
       Never by Ireland Casteel
 

April
DADDY GET YOUR GUN by James Pappas
MY MOM by Craig Langford
I Don't Need To But I Do by Craig Langford
DANCE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR by Sl Lumbreras
EL PASO VFW by Morri Hartgraves
TWO SPEED WOMAN BLUES by Harry Hewlett
WAITING ON MY TIME by Rickey Gene Wright

Here is the list of 2016  winners of the meeting critiques from which the top three were chosen thanks to Judge, Mr. Troll, Poor Davids Pub.
2016 Winners & Finalists

Q&A With Winner, Dori Weaver, Song of the Year 2015
https://dallassongwriters.org/qa-song-year-winner-dori-weaver/ 

Songwriter of the Year 2015 - 2016
is Rio King with the most wins at the meeting critiques

QandA With Rio
https://dallassongwriters.org/rio-king-vern-dailey-award-winner-songwriter-year-2015/

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. 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/

REO RAFTING RESORT SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS
How Music REALLY Works July 9-14, 2017
Learn the songwriting techniques of the master songwriters with best-selling author Wayne Chase. Learn how you can use these tools to craft great songs. Includes FREE library, books, music charts & more ($400 value).
Details Here

SongMatrix Retreat August 13-18, 2017
Hands on, in-depth exploration of your original songs using more than 40 specific SongMatrix musical & lyrical techniques. Create brilliant melodies and emotion-evoking lyrics. Includes 1-year post-retreat mentoring with SongMatrix author Wayne Chase.
Details here

Video of Susan Gibson performance at Sons of Hermann on April 22.

Susan "Wide Open Spaces" Gibson and Marian "barefoot"…

April 23

 Review of Larry Beaird Workshop

https://dallassongwriters.org/larry-beaird-arranging-the-hit-songwriting-workshop/

Read the Review of the Roy Elkins Workshop

Roy Elkins’ Your Music and Your Business Workshop – Informative and Entertaining

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/

ONLINE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
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 with Barbara McMillen, associate professor of Songwriting and Music Business at Collin College.

* Check out the  https://songtown.com songwriter learning community.

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5. 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 MONDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Sign up begins at 6:30
If you want peer feedback on a song bring a few lyric sheets

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

11th Anniversary DSA 3rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Bros.

BURGER EDGE - North Dallas

EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAY - 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Hosted by Michael Brandenberger and rotating guest host.

BURGER"S EDGE inRichardson
3rd Saturday 6:30 -8:30

7529 Campbell Rd. at Coit

This a perfect venue for an open mic because it has a nice stage with a complete sound system. It also has a great food menu if you want to come early to eat or invite friends who can enjoy a very tasty burger or chicken sandwich while they listen to you perform.  

Rotating host. Interested in hosting an open mic? email Michael.

SHOWCASES

ANGELA'S AT THE CROSSWALK in downtown Plano
3rd Saturday 7:30 - 11:00 Check out our facebook page where Harry is posting live streaming.

http://dsashowcases.blogspot.com/

Hosted by Dan Roark
 

Other area open mics OPEN MICS

http://www.openmicdallas.com/

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6. DSA LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked June 30

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

or by mail 2017 Winter in process of being judged

 FALL 2016 -WINNERS ANNOUNCED

1. Cufflinks by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
2. Big Enough To Be Small by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
3. Still by Lonnie Jordan, Casar, NC

AND THE 2016 FALL WINNERS ARE.........
https://dallassongwriters.org/2016-fall-lyric-contest-winners/

See Summer winners on the website: https://dallassongwriters.org/2016-summer-lyric-contest-winners-announced/

2016 Spring Winners on the website: : https://dallassongwriters.org/2016-spring-lyric-contest-winners/

See winners from 2016 and 2015 listed in the DSA 2016 Fall Hardcopy of Songwriters Notes featuring winner, Bill Kapac on front page. This issue was handed out at the Arlington Guitar Show in October.
https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-news-songwriters-notes-fall-2016/

See Winter 2016 on website: https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest-winners-winter-2016/

 SUMMER and FALL 2015 RESULTS

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

CRITIQUES FOR SUMMER AND FALL 2016
https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critiques-summer-2015-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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7. 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 8th Annual Membership Meeting were:

Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Dicky Johnson, Rachel Wilhelm, Dan Roark, Barbe McMillen, Joe Milton, Marcus Belmore, Steve Sullivan, Ken Duren, James Pappas, Jessica Ewy, Rod Phelps, Milani Shaw and Harry Hewlett. New officers were elected at the planning meeting on Jan 7th. 

Newly Elected Officers 2017

Michael Brandenberger -  Prez

Bobby Montgomery - VP Programs

Dicky Johnson - Treasurer
Secretary - Jessica Ewy

Dan Roark - Director of showcases, workshops

Barbe McMillen - Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - A/R
Milani Shaw - VP of Membership 
Gene Schillaci - Lyric Contest Director

Steve Sullivan and James Pappas - SongSwap Coordinators
Joe Milton, Ken Duren - At Large
Rachel Wilheim - Technology
Marcus Belmore - Executive VP, Webmaster

So long to Ginger Stanoio who has moved to California and thanks for her service. We'll miss her.

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

                   PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, BOBBY MONTGOMERY

Patron Sponsor L3: Michael Brandenberger, Bill Honker, John Stone

Patron Sponsor L1: Cliff Monroe, Suzi Morse, Jon Jaggers, Rio King

Patron Sponsor: Mimi Balkey

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Ricky E Wright, Bianca Rodreguez, Stephen Valenzuela, Yulia Petrova, Jeff Stachowski, Charles Barrale, Jessica Ewy, Claude Webb, Kevin Brennan, Matt brent, Stephanie Sammons, Charles Leftwich, John Nelson, Rob Case

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Gene Schlacci, Jackie Schwartz, Aaron Shook, Ron Young, Rachel Wilheim, Julia Pauletti, Terry Bloss, Jeff Stachowshi, Raquel Linderman, Victoria Bouton, David Claerr, Jon Jaggers, Don Wall, Joe Milton, Harry Hewlett, Rio King, Morri Hartgraves, Barbara McMillen, Bobby Montgomery, Randy Wallace, Ken Golden, Bill Honker, Carol Shaw, Cat McGee, Ian Dickson, Don Wall, Ken Duran, Malini Shah, Bill Sibley

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 MAY: Ted Pearce, Mark Evans, Tamara Stamps, Ray Baker, Timothy McGarity 
EXPIRED IN JUNE: John Thomas Lane
EXPIRED IN JULY: Michael Franceus, Tom Prasado Rao, Crystal Taylor
EXPIRED IN AUG: Yanna Zovich, Minnie Murray, Warren Hanson

EXPIRED IN SEPT: Tom Thomas
EXPIRED IN OCT: Denise Rosier, Katie Hardyman, Charlie Hill, Darren Rozell, M'Lynn Musgrove, Stephen McKinnell, Jenni Peal, Jay Gallagher, Rick Webster
EXPIRED IN NOV: Mike Hyden 
EXPIRED IN DEC: Michael Brandenberger, Buck Morgan, Ross Vick, Anthony Groom, Kathryn Taylor, David Morales, Ashley Sichler, Brad Davis, Scott White
EXPIRED IN JAN: Jeff Moxcey, Robin Carr, Andrew Plan, Cousin Don Brown, Tony Ramey, Lucia Comnes, Gracie Lott, James  Bennett, Rob Cariddi, Tyler Hook, Sarah Ashley, Christopher Hart, John Keawe, Katie Riley, Marc Tilson, Mathew Stemme, Patrice Luce Chapman, Clark McAlister, Ginger Stanoiu
EXPIRED IN FEB: Trevor Dahlen, Anthony Castillo, Mark Pierce, Katrina Pitts
EXPIRED IN MARCH:
EXPIRED IN APRIL: Helene Cronin, John Mason, Kathy Adams, Jim Collins
EXPIRED IN MAY: Daniel LaToof
TIME TO RENEW: Alexis Tapp, Robin Dossey, Joe Austin, Wayne Talley, Loralee Pearman, Gigi Gostas, Allen Larson, Lynn McCracken

  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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8. EVENTS - Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, and showcases.

http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/

2015

Review of the Arlington Guitar Show

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-booth-at-arlington-guitar-show/

 2017

JUNE

1 DSA Monthly Meeting at Half Price Books 
5 DSA Open Mic at Half Price Books

10 - John Ford Coley - solo  (Texas Tunes Series) 8pm
               He also gets a star on Denton's Arts Walk of Fame at noon that day!

14 DSA Open Mic at Burger Edge 
15 DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
19 DSA Song Swap at Tino's Too

17 DSA Showcase at Angelas

JULY
9 - Ronny Cox (Black Box Series) 6:30pm
22- DSA Hall of Fame Dinner and performance at Sons of Hermann Hall
 
and soon to be announced...
August 26 - Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros w/Susan Gibson
            (Texas Tunes Series Encore) 8pm

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:

The Singer-Songwriter-Storyteller: Jim Croce

By Andrew Hatch

Jim Croce is remembered as just another shooting star of the 70's, a simple folk-flavored singer-songwriter who made his mark with hits like "Time in a Bottle" and "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" before flaming out as a footnote in the canon of musicians dead before their time. But that's not the whole story. Jim Croce was a singer-songwriter-storyteller, a born entertainer who both enraptured audiences and used music as a powerful introspective tool in his own life.  Continue Reading 

Grateful Dead Documentary: A Four-Hour Jam on Jerry Garcia's World

By Will Dana

Four-hour documentaries about rock bands are nothing new — Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have all been the subjects of these visual equivalents of boxed sets. But the latest entry in the field is perhaps the most detailed yet: Amir Bar-Lev's "Long Strange Trip," (Trailer) an elegy for what that director calls the "most American of all rock bands," the Grateful Dead, and its ringmaster, Jerry Garcia. Continue Reading 

Review: "The Last Songwriter" Depicts Fate of Composers in the Digital Age

By Edward Morris

The Last Songwriter, a documentary that made its debut last week at the Nashville Film Festival, does not present quite as dire a picture as its title suggests. It does, however, chronicle many of the realities of songwriters working in the digital age. Both the debut and the second showing, which took place the following day, drew capacity crowds. And, at the festival's end, the film copped the Audience Award Winner prize. Continue Reading 

'Rolling Stone' Founder Jann Wenner On 50 Years Of Rock And Roll History

By Matt Ozug and Kelly McEvers

Rolling Stone magazine turns 50 this year, and co-founder Jann Wenner has written the foreword to a new book celebrating the anniversary. Wenner started Rolling Stone in San Francisco in 1967 with $7,500 of borrowed money, donated office space and some used typewriters. He was a 21-year-old Berkeley dropout who was into all the great music coming out in the year of the "Summer of Love" — and he wanted to create a magazine that took rock and roll seriously. Continue Reading 

It's a Musical Salute To Stephen Schwartz During The ASCAP Screen Music Awards

An Ode To The Joy and Madness Of The B-Side

From Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac to Oasis and Air, Pete Paphides enters the upside world of the pop B-side. Continue Reading 

4 B-Sides That Became Bigger Hits Than The A-Sides

Top 10 Most Important Moments in Music History

According to Liam Hillery

4 Rock 'n' Roll Road Trips to Take This Summer

By Allison Johnelle Boron

MUSIC BUSINESS

How To Master Your Music Metadata

By Terry Walsh

Tired of seeing "unknown track" by "unnamed artist" on your favorite music player? We'll show you how to automatically identify, tag, and properly rename all your mystery tracks and albums to whip your music library into shape.  Continue Reading 

The Secret to Relationship Building? Make Networking Fun for Yourself

By Angela Mastrogiacomo

What if you stopped thinking about networking as this big, scary, business-card-swapping event and instead, started treating it the same way you'd make friends? Continue Reading 

Essential Tips for Recording Pro-Quality Lead Vocals

By Brad Allen Williams

Every production and every song is unique, but the lead vocal is typically the part that most directly engages the average listener. The human voice, with all of its frailty, power, and expressive nuances, is a very strong communicator of feeling. As a species, much of our hard-wired empathy responds to the human voice, reading its complexity and emotional shading. It's primal. Not to mention, the vocal carries a heavy load — it delivers both the melody and lyric of the song. It's worth getting right! Continue Reading 

Moving Your Music Out of iTunes

By J. D. Biersdorfer

Q. I want to transfer my music library out of iTunes. What is the easiest and most effective way to do this?  Continue Reading 

5 Examples of Unconventional Music Marketing You Should Try

By Jhoni Jackson

This Band Just Finished A 28 Day Tour And Made How Much?!

By Jack Conte

Pomplamoose just finished a 28-day tour. We played 24 shows in 23 cities around the United States. It was awesome: Nataly crowd surfed for the first time ever, we sold just under $100,000 in tickets, and we got to rock out with people we love for a full month. We made $135,983 in total income for our tour. And we had $147,802 in expenses. We lost $11,819. How? Continue Reading 

What Music Journalists Want Musicians to Know

By Allison Johnelle Boron

If you've been doing this music thing for more than a minute, you've probably met a few music journalists along the way or have a shortlist of writers with whom you'd love to work. You also probably have a general idea about what they do and what they expect. But there are a few things you've likely never considered. Continue Reading 

9 Steps To Securing A Brand Sponsorship As A Musician

By Billy Bones

Whether your band is planning a tour or releasing new music, chances are it's not going to be cheap. Brand sponsorship allows artists to do what they do best without worrying about the capital it will take to do so. Here are 9 steps to take when approaching a brand for sponsorship.   Continue Reading 

The MP3 Is Officially Dead, According To Its Creators

By Andrew Flanagan

"The death of the MP3 was announced in a conference room in Erlangen, Germany, in the spring of 1995." ... But now, 22 years later, the MP3 truly is dead, according to the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits - the people who invented it, ... Continue Reading 

The Failed Experiment Of The Digital Album Booklet

By Ann-Derrick Gaillot

MP3s and streaming platforms replaced CDs, but what replaced liner notes? Continue Reading 

STOP! Do You Know the Difference Between Getting Paid as an 'Artist' and a 'Songwriter'?

By Soundfly Team

So many performing artists who write and perform their own works (singer/songwriters) miss out on tons of available royalty payments because they're not setting themselves up correctly to accept them Continue Reading 

Your Music Was Added to a Popular Spotify Playlist... Now What?

By Sam Friedman

Top 7 Money Tips for Bands Touring Abroad

By Daniel Matthews

The First Step Every Musician Must Take For Ultimate Success

By Loren Israel

Tips: How to Break into Video Game Music

Created by Chris Lines, Game Composer Advantage website provides articles full of practical advice to give people the best chance of landing clients and getting paid as a video game composer. Article areas such as pricing your services, negotiating, networking, making the most of your time and learning how to stand out in a crowded market are available.

Click For More

PERFORMANCE

5 Ways You Can Start Being a Better Bandmate Right Now

By Dan Reifsnyder

When you mix a bunch of different people together, personality problems are bound to arise, whether it's in a band or a board room. But it doesn't have to be that way. No matter your role in your band, here are five ways to be a better bandmate.  Continue Reading 

The Art Of The Mistake Why Flubs And Clinkers Are Part Of The Myth Of Authentic Jazz.

By Kelsey Klotz

Art Tatum once declared, "There's no such thing as a wrong note." Wrong notes in jazz are often considered to be opportunities for improvisatory exploration; a note is only wrong if the performer does not know what to do with it. Continue Reading 

But, how do you play by the numbers?

Safe In The Sound: 4 Tips For Musicians To Keep It Together While Performing

By Rachelle Wilber

Musicians have a lot on their plates. Those plates are especially full during a performance schedule. These four tips will help you to stay safe and keep it all together while performing.  Continue Reading 

LISTEN

CINDY WALKER SONGS SUNG BY WILLIE NELSON

SAM THE SHAM - WOOLY BULLY

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

FREDDY KING - HIDE AWAY

VIDEO

This'll pump up your energy.

Video: Rockin' and Rollin'

Record Digging

Video: Music Archeology: Reviving the World's Forgotten Records

TEDTalk by Alexis Charpentier

For generations, record collectors have played a vital role in the preservation of musical and cultural heritage by "digging" for obscure music created by overlooked artists. These music "archeologists" are consumed by a desire to give these records a second chance at being heard and appreciated. ... Alexis Charpentier (DJ Lexis) is the founder of Music Is My Sanctuary, a website and collective dedicated to showcasing "future classics & forgotten treasures" to an audience of open-minded music lovers. Continue Reading 

RECORDING

Rebuilding—and Recording With—the 1920s Technology That Changed American Music Forever

By Charley Locke

Without the recording lathe, Willie Nelson would have never heard the Carter Family sing. Neither would Merle Haggard or Johnny Cash. These portable machines toured the country in the 1920s, visiting rural communities like Poor Valley, West Virginia, and introducing musicians like the Carter Family to new audiences. This remarkable technology forever changed how people discover and share music, yet it was almost lost to history until music legend T Bone Burnett and a few friends decided to bring it back.  Continue Reading 

14 of the Most Commonly Confused Terms in Music and Audio

By Brad Allen Williams

At The Dawn Of Recorded Sound, No One Cared

By Laura Sydell

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the man who invented recorded sound — Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville. He beat the more well-known inventor Thomas Edison by 20 years, though his accomplishments were only recognized over the last decade. While the uses of recorded sound seem obvious now — music, news, voice messages — none of it was obvious to Scott or Edison when they made the first recordings. It's a story that has some lessons for today's aspiring inventors  Continue Reading 

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

Songwriting: Why It Takes More Than Two To Make A Hit Nowadays

By Mark Sutherland

So, how many people does it really take to write a hit? Music Week's analysis of the 2016 Top 100 Singles – as revealed first in yesterday's much-talked about Music Week front page story – reveals that nowadays, you need an average of 4.53 people to write the very biggest hits. To make the year-end Top 30, you needed to employ an average of 4.67 people. Continue Reading 

Using Writing Exercises to Craft Lyrics

By Bob Barrick

Nobody is born a poet. Creative writing workshops are filled with aspiring Dickinsons and Whitmans suffering through the same mental blocks that musicians experience. These writing exercises can help you do something about it.  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 - June 30th
  
Lonestar Songcrafters is having a performing songwriter contest every Sunday at the Texas Muscians Museum in Irving. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=lonestar%20songcrafters 

DSA Song Contest Opens in June  

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/ 

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.

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 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. 

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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,

  Songwriting Consulting Services

  Online Songwriting Workshops and Classes