Saturday, December 1, 2018

SONGWRITERS NOTES E-News #202 December 2018

Hello Songwriter,

I hope everyone had a great relaxing Thanksgiving with friends and family. 

As we enter the Christmas season, we are planning our Christmas Party and our Annual Song Contest Awards Dinner, the semifinalists have been posted on the websitePerforming are John Latini, Michael Roth, William Weaver, Sandy Simmons, Rio King,  Joe Milton, Michael Brandenberger. On December 8, those who entered our song contest will find out the results. Come to the Awards Dinner and find out who are the big winners and hear your favorite local songwriters and special guest from out of town perform. 


Saturday December 8, 2018
Sons of Hermann Hall
3414 Elm St.
Dallas, Texas 75226

6:00pm….Doors Open
6:30pm….Buffet Begins
7:00pm….Program begins

Admission: $20.00 Advance Purchase……$25.00 At The Door
Buy your advance tickets now on-line and save 20%
The DSA Awards Banquet committee has been steadily working overtime on your behalf to bring about this years exciting program in which we recognize and honor the exceptional talent within our ranks.

According to our independent, industry professional judges, the song entries in both our international and monthly song contests are outstanding! I can hardly wait to hear the results.

You will enjoy a Christmas Buffet and performances by semifinalist from our song contest and membership meeting song critiques. 

Come and enjoy the fellowship of your fellow songwriters.

We have some wonderful prizes like a Casio Privia keyboard and studio time.  This is the most wonderful keyboard. This keyboard donned the Wildflower Festival a couple of years. All the artist playing keys on the Courtyard Stage had wonderful things to say about the sound and the action!    


Joe Milton is offering a demo for all three grand prize winners. 

Jo-Musik


Plus we award cash prizes for each 1st ad second place category winners. http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com 


Also, who will win the bluetooth speaker from the drawing of the entries?

Other regular DSA monthly events are:
* the Monthly Meeting, is our Awards Dinner on Dec 8 at Sons Of Hermann Hall. 
* Guitar Pull on the first Monday, Dec 3, at Half Price Books on NWH in Dallas - Harry Hewlett hosts; and 
* the 3rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Brothers Coffee in Addison.

Check out the Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame website. I will continue to add to the posts but thought it needed it's own site to showcase our inductees. There is a new article, Two Pals by Billy Bob Hill, on the songs of Blind Lemon and Lead Belly. It's a fun read and listen with links to the songs on youtube. I'll let you know when to look for other updates.

There is still a chance to donate before the end of the year. Your generosity keeps our organization going.

A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT


DSA Members and Friends,
In case you missed the chance to donate on North Texas Giving Day last month, you can still donate directly to the Dallas Songwriters Association through our annual fundraising drive. We hope you will take this opportunity to help fund and keep alive this great association of songwriters! Our funds primarily come from dues and song contest fees, but those sources do not always cover what it takes to keep the DSA going. We need your help keep the DSA a viable non-profit association that benefits our members and the community. Your tax deductible donation will help keep all of the following activities, which makes us one of the largest and busiest musical associations in the country.

• Educational programs and music industry speakers at regular monthly meeting.
• Song critiques by industry experts for your songs at each monthly meeting.
• Songwriting feedback sessions at Song Swap workshops twice a month.
• Nationwide lyric contests four time a year.
• Nationwide song contest once a year featuring 8 song categories and industry judges.
• Open mics for anyone to perform original songs 3 times a month at Half Price Books, Dunn Brothers and Burger Edge
• Performance opportunities for members at the Wildflower Festival and the State Fair of Texas,
• Songwriting and Music Workshops
• Monthly on-line newsletter with music industry information and help for songwriters
• A DSA website that enables members to have their own page on the website to share their music and activities. 

With $25 you will receive a DSA T-shirt, with $50 you will get a great DSA cap. For donations of $100 or more you will get the gift premiums plus recognition in the DSA newsletter every month as a special contributor to the DSA. 
To donate, just go to www.dallassongwriters.org and click on the donation link. 
Many thanks!
Michael Brandenberger
President
Dallas Songwriters Association

Thanks to Paul Zander, Jon Jaggers, Bobby Montgomery, Ginger Stanoia, Kenneth Shoemaker, and Kristi Myers for their recent contributions to our fall fundraiser. Other contributors include Ireland, Jon Jaggers, Bill Kapac, Rio King, Mimi Balkey, Suzi Morse, and Jared LoStrato. There is still time to donate. Go to this link: https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association


 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 past Angela's showcases. Can't make it? Then tune into Facebook/dallassongwriters. Want to be on our facebook streams? Show up and perform.

Songcerely,
Barbe

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DSA SONG CONTEST - 2018 Awards Dinner on Dec, 8 at Sons of Hermann Hallhttp://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com 

Cash Prizes +

THANKS TO OUR SONG CONTEST SPONSORS

 



1st, 2nd and 3rd place 

wins recording time at 
Jo-Musik


Grand Prize winners receive:
($199.95 Value) 
Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting
1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

Category winners get cash prizes
Winners announced at our Awards Banquet on December 8.


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

There is no meeting on the first Thursday at half Price books. Instead we are having our Christmas party and Awards Dinner at Sons of Hermann Hall.Saturday December 8, 2018
Sons of Hermann Hall
3414 Elm St.
Dallas, Texas 75226

6:00pm….Doors Open
6:30pm….Buffet Begins
7:00pm….Program begins

Admission: $20.00 Advance Purchase……$25.00 At The Door
Buy your advance tickets now on-line and save 20%

----------
Thanks to Harry Hewlett we have a video of the Sept 6th 2018 meeting with Bruce ChannelBruce received an award from BMI for two million radio performances of Hey! Baby. His original record of Hey! Baby is featured in the hit movie, Dirty Dancing, and on the international sound track album, listed in BILLBOARD’s Pop Album for over three months with sales of over twelve + million units.

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BEST SONGS of the Meeting 
2018

02 Feb
BEFORE I FALL Melanie Steven
GONNA LOVE ON YOU Harry Hewlett
DAGGERS and ICE Ron Young
NAMESAKE Carol Shaw
SON I HAD ENOUGH OF YOU Doug Loyd
IT’LL BE ALRIGHT Craig Langford
THAT’S JUST WHAT I’LL DO Craig Langford

03 March
BLOOD and BONES Ron Young
IF I Barbe McMillen
LONELIEST JUKEBOX IN TOWN Craig Langford
EVERCLEAR Harry Hewlett

04 Apr
A COWBOY SONG Ron Young
DON’T SAY IT Bobby Dallas
I SHOULDN’T BUT I DO Alexis Tapp
THE MATTER OF RISK and REWARD Mitch Horner
TELL ME WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND Michael Francis

05 May
LOVES LONESOME SHOES Rickey Gene Wright
SI QUISIERAS Alejandro (Alex) Dominguez
WAITN ON MY TIME Craig Langford

06 Jun
BUT HOW Donette Murphy
ROTTIN REINDEER Melissa Standifird

07 Jul
LUCKY SWEATER Michael Brandenberger
THE FALLEN Randy Overton

09 Sept
BRANDY BLUES Rio King
LUCKY MAN Craig Langford
WHEN LOVE COMES BACK TO YOU Michael Brandenberger
JIMMY LOVES JESUS by Harry Hewlett

10 Oct
SECOND CHANCE Craig Langford
WHERE IS THE LOVE Craig Langford
HE LOOKED LIKE WAYLON SOUNDED LIKE CASH Ricky Gene Wright
MEMORIES OF DECEMBER Ricky Gene Wright
A TIME FOR LOVE  Michael Brandenberger
GREAT PLAINS LIFE Rio King
OKLAHOMA GRIT Rio King
RED RIVER RAMBLING MAN Rio King

Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner. 

Review of Craig's Album, Lucky Man, by Billy Bob Hill
2017 Song of the Year - Lucky Man by Craig Langford, Dallas, Tx
2017 Winner Songwriter of the Year - Craig Langford

See the Best Songs of the Meeting and Songwriter of the Year 
2017 Winners here:

https://dallassongwriters.org/best-songs-songwriter-year-announced/

_____________________

WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES

1st Monday at Half Price Books - DEC 3rd, 6:30PM, hosted by Harry Hewlett - co-writes

NO 1ST THURSDAY WORKSHOP

STEVE SESKIN
 15th Annual Songcrafting Seminar in Nashville is coming up on January 26th and 27th, 2019! This amazing event is one of my favorite workshops of the year. At the seminar you'll have the opportunity to connect with other songwriters and learn from some of the best and brightest folks in the music biz. It's a great weekend of music, learning, and fun. You will hopefully leave more inspired about your writing than ever!


This unique and intimate gathering features two full days of lectures, workshops, critiques, performances, and a publisher presentation that will totally change the way you look at songwriting. I have prepared several new talks for this years seminar. To learn more about possible topics to be covered, click here.

SONGWRITING RETREAT WITH PETER MULVEY IN HILL COUNTRY
Maybe it's time! Are you ready to take your songwriting seriously?  A rare retreat weekend Feb 22-24 at beautiful Blue Rock Studio in the Texas Hill Country with songwriting master Peter Mulvey.  Limit 21 participants.
$500   More Info
Peter will perform a concert Thursday night the 21st (rsvp below), then the weekend retreat begins.  Four Sessions, individual feedback, evening song circle.  Register HERE.

FAI is the world's largest gathering of the folk music industry and community. It attracts over 2800 attendees from 35 countries. At FAI artists and touring musicians perform for hundreds of festivals, venue bookers, agents, managers, media, and music industry representatives.
The FAI folk umbrella represents the broadest international iteration of the genre. At FAI, folk encompasses a diverse array of music including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Francophone, Global Roots, Indigenous, Latin, Old Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word and every imaginable fusion.

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SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

OPEN MICS

 HALF PRICE BOOKS OPEN MIC and co-writes - NORTHWEST HIGHWAY - 
EVERY 1ST MONDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm hosted by Harry Hewlett
Open mic has changed to an old fashion guitar pull and group discussion about creation to biz. Bring your guitar of pull one from Harry. Play your recorded songs from your phone. 
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  Harry Hewlett
In November 2018, DSA is celebrated 14 years at Dunn Brothers. Check out our facebook page for performance videos

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

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://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association
_______________ 

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

2018

DEC
3 - DSA Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
8 - DSA Awards Dinner and Christmas Party at Songs of Hermann Hall
8 - Hill House Concert with David Lee.
20 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

MORE:
Saturday, December 8th  Hill House Concert in Denton will feature a Texas songwriter, David Lee.  You’ve all heard his music at some point over the last 25 years, like ‘It’s 19 (seventy) Something’ (Mark Wills), ‘Letters From Home’ (John Michael Montgomery), ‘I Need You’ (Tim & Faith), ‘Hello World’ (Lady Antebellum) and ‘Lucky Man’ (Montgomery/Gentry). He has songs covered by Country stars like those already mentioned along with Trace Adkins, Terry Clark, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Lee Ann Womack and a guy nicknamed ‘The King’… George Strait. He's got number one Country Hits and I think you'll love to come and hear him.
Doors open around 6 and David will perform around 7. You must RSVP to attend.
Check out David’s website and see more about his music and career.

2019

JAN
3 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
5 - DSA Board Planning Meeting
7 - DSA Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
17 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
26-27- Steve Seskin Songwriting Conference, Nashville

FEB
7 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
4 - DSA Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
13-17 Folk Alliance in Montreal
21 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

MAR
7 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
4 - DSA Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
8 - 17 SXSW
21 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

APR
3 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
4 - DSA Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
13 - DSA HALL OF FAME
18 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

See Texas Music Office events calendar https://gov.texas.gov/music/events
Moses Avalon's List of Top Ranked Music Conferences.
See house concerts and coffee houses here: http://unclecalvins.org/
 _______________________

DSA LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked Dec 31st


Enter online https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest/
or by mail
Dallas Songwriters Lyric Contest, 
Sammons Center For The Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd #20 Dallas, Tx 75219


Thanks to Lyric Contest Co- Director, Gene Schilaci

 SUMMER 2018 -WINNERS ANNOUNCED 

SEMIFINALIST
A Seat At The Table by Ross Miller, Newton. MA
Come Rain Come Shine by Martin Robley,  Ballajura Western Australia
Fireworks Don't Last Very Long by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ
Let Yourself Fly by Ross Miller, Newton. MA
Restored(The Jimmy Song) by Patrick Shade
Rottin’ Reindeer by Melissa Standifird, Dallas Tx
Rockin’ Reindeer by Melissa Standifird, Dallas Tx


Till We All Drove It by TY Nelson, Billings, MT

FIND OUT WHO THE 2018 SUMMER WINNER IS at the Awards Dinner on Dec. 8 at Sons of Hermann Hall

2018 Spring Winners: https://wp.me/p5ky4B-32R



2018 Winter Comments are posted here: http://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/lyric-contest.html


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.

_______________
 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.

2019 Directors elected at our Nov 1st 2018 Annual Membership Meeting were:
Michael BrandenbergerBobby Montgomery, Phillip CasteelBarbe McMillenJoe Milton, Marcus Belmore, Steve Sullivan, Ken Duren, James Pappas, Jessica Ewy, Rod Phelps,Gene Schillaci,  Harry Hewlett, Craig Langford, Buck Morgan Ricky Gene Wright. New 2019 officers will be elected at the planning meeting on Jan 5th. 

 Officers 2018
Michael Brandenberger -  Prez
Bobby Montgomery - VP Programs
Phil Casteel - Treasurer
Jessica Ewy - Secretary
Alexis Tapp - VP Membership, Lyric Contest Director
Barbe McMillen - Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - A/
Gene Schillaci - Lyric Contest Director, Webmaster
Steve Sullivan, James Pappas, 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 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, JOHN JAGGERS
Patron Sponsor L3: Michael Brandenberger, Bill Honker, John Stone
Patron Sponsor L1: Cliff MonroeSuzi Morse Rio KingGinger Stanoio
Patron Sponsor: Mimi BalkeyKristi Myers

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Anna XiongJane Fallon, Caera Thornton, Robert LongMichael Richards, Teresa Ann Turner, Katie Dundas, Donette Murphy, Alejandro Dominguez, Jack Simmons, Steve Brown, Terry JenningsTodd Catham, Jack Allday, Josh Goode, Ryan Mahoney, Steve Ledford, Lance French, Melissa Standifird, Douglas Lloyd, Mitch Horner, Kerry Maddox, Brandon Elliott, 


THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Ryan Galloway, Rick Babb, K
en Golden, Scott Mendenhall, Stephen Houpt, John Mason, Trevor Dahlen, Ginger Stanoui, Gigi Gostas, Alexis Tapp, Suzi Morse, Ricky Gene Wright, Cat McGee, Aaron Shook, Ken Duren, Raquel Linderman, Phillip Wildman, Greg Waits, Randy Wallace, Ryan Galloway, Phillip Casteel, Joseph Lopez, Don Wall, David Claerr, Stephen Valenzuela, Gene Schillachi, Ricky Gene Wright, Aaron Shook, Jacquelyn Schwartz

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: Conrad Shwartz, Chris Sjostrom, Lauren Paley, Pam Oliver, Yulia Petrova, Bonnie Warren, Don Coyne 
EXPIRED IN FEB: Bianca Rodrequez
EXPIRED IN MARCH: Al Lumbreras, Charles Barrale, Jeff Stachowesky, Victoria Bouton, Julia Pauletti, David Byboth
EXPIRED IN APRIL: Aubrey and Audie Teeter, Claude Webb
EXPIRED IN MAY: Rob Case, Dan Roark, Dickey Johnson, Kevin Brennan, Matt Brent, Stephanie Sammons, Charles Leftwich, John Nelson.
EXPIRED IN JUNE: Brad Banning, Davis Banning, Bill Honker, Robert Tomberlin, Malini Shaw, Marcus Belmore.
EXPIRED IN JULY: JR Rosenberger, Bob Sullivan, Mike Mullins, Bill Cox, Bill Sibley
EXPIRED IN AUG: Robert Graham, Lanny Sherwin, Wayne Willingham, Minnie Murray
EXPIRED IN SEPT::Serges Himbaza, Doc Parker, Lezleigh Kleibrink
EXPIRED IN OCT: Christine Winburn, Morri Hartgraves
EXPIRED IN NOV: Martha Myer, Ryan, Greg Waits, Randy Wallace
TIME TO RENEW: None

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://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association

_____________________

Featured Articles:

Threadgill's In Austin To Shutter South Location

By Adam Durnham (Music Think Tank)
Music can be a tranquil, relaxing, and very beneficial thing. There are so many different types of music out there and every individual has their own preferred type of music. While it can help just about anyone, music can be truly beneficial for those who are in recovery from an addiction  Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

MUSIC BUSINESS

As a songwriter or an artist, you sometimes have to wait up to six months or more to get paid for your work. It’s frustrating, even for those who have been working in the music industry for decades. If royalties were generated yesterday, why would it take half a year to reach your pocket? To understand this problem, you need to take a closer look at the entire business process. – by Narjeet Soni / Billboard

(Hypebot) -- Artists have been finding ways to game the system since the digital age began, often in the form of purchasing likes or subscriptions...

By Jake Hulyer (The Guardian)
Once derided, the successors to Muzak have grown more sophisticated – and influential – than any of us realize.  Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

By Juan Lopez (MusicLawContracts.com)

LISTEN 
Read the article by Billy Bob Hill about the friendship between Blind Lemmon Jefferson and Ledbelly. This was so much fun to read and listen to the links to the covers of their songs. Thanks so much, Billy, for an entertaining read and listen.

Pickleball  by Harry Hewlett 
Harry song has become adapted by the city of Plano as the official Pickleball Song. His song was recently performed a a school concert in Plano, Tx

RECORDING
By Caleb Murphy (Music Think Tank)
I've been making home recordings for about 10 years, which means I've learned through mistakes. So here are five recording mistakes beginner producers make. Five mistakes I've made.  Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

PERFORMANCE 
By Rick Goetz (Music Consultant)
Eva Alexiou-Reo is the president and founder of FATA Booking Agency in Philadelphia, PA. She talks about how touring has changed for artists in the past 20 years. She also shared some advice for artists looking to book their own shows as well as some tips for those who want to work on tours with booking agents.  Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING
By Charlotte Yates (Flypaper
Many a stumped songwriter has at times felt throttled by rhyme's all-powerful constraints. Here are three creative ways to release that choke and find your flow again. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

By Scott McCormick (Disc Makers)
As an independent music artist, you've got a few seconds — at most — to reel a listener in to your single or lead-off track. Here are some strategies to craft a song intro that will make your listeners pay attention. Continue Reading f5ec743b4e5e4c2c9587db8c6ec80b4d.gif

Barbe McMillen's blog, The Craft of Songwriting

Online Thesaurus and Rhyming Dictionary

Great web tool for lyric writing
_____________________
 Song and Talent Contests

 DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest/
Next deadline - Dec 31

Best Songs of the Meeting - for DSA Members only - next chance to submit in January.
  

DSA Song Contest CLOSED

FAI's Regional and International Events and Deadlines

FARM | Folk Alliance Region Midwest
Official Showcase applications due June 10
October 25 - 28, 2018
Grand Rapids, Michigan
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

NERFA | Northeast Regional Folk Alliance
Semi-Formal Showcase applications due July 9
November 8-11, 2018
Stamford, Connecticut
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

SWRFA | Southwest Regional Folk Alliance
Official Showcase application due July 15
September 26 - 30, 2018
Austin, Texas
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
Official Showcase application due August 15
February 13 - 17, 2019
Montréal, Québec, Canada

FAR-West | Folk Alliance Region West
Summer Registration Rate ends August 31
October 11 - 14, 2018
Woodland Hills, California
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

SERFA | Southeast Regional Folk Alliance
More Info Here
May 15 - 19, 2019
Chattanooga, Tennessee
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com