Songwriters Notes E-news #201 September 2018

Hello Songwriter,

You may have notice that our website was down and now the look of it has changed. We've had a problem with our website due to malware, so we are back to using Blogspot until we can get it resolved. We could use help from someone who is familiar with Wordpress. Please email me.

Our annual song contest is up and running thru Sept 30th. View the website and enter online. I hope you will consider entering on Broadjam, our submission partner. We have some wonderful prizes like a Casio Privia keyboard and studio time.  This is the most wonderful keyboard. I was privileged to use it a couple of years at the Wildflower Festival. All the artist playing keys on the Courtyard Stage had wonderful things to say about the sound and the action! 

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

Other regular DSA monthly events are the open mic on the first Monday, Sept 3, at Half Price Books on NWH in Dallas, the Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques with Bruce Channel who had the number one hit song, "Hey Baby" and on the 3rd Thursday at Dunn Brothers Coffee in Addison.

Coming this fall is Dallas Songwriters at the State Fair and the Amigo International Guitar Show in Ft Worth. 

I still plan to put up a wrap up on the Hall of Fame, so check back. 

A hardcopy of the Spring 2018 newsletter with 2017 contest winners named was distributed at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Wildflower Festival and Dallas Guitar Show. You can find a link to a pdf version at the top of the side bar to the right. 

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 contest now open thru Sept 30th

Enter online http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com 

Eight Song Categories

1. Christian/Inspirational

2. Country

3. Americana/Folk/Bluegrass

4. Pop/Rock/RnB/Alternative

5. Love Songs/Easy Listening

6. Children's/Novelty

7. Singer/Songwriter (songwriter is the performer)

8. Instrumental

Multiple Winners In Each Category

Entry Fee $25

Deadline: Sunday, Sept 30th

Submissions Close at Midnight. 

Cash Prizes +

THANKS TO OUR SONG CONTEST SPONSORS

 

GRAND PRIZE  -   A Casio Privia Piano
https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments/stage-pianos/px-360

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

Winners announced at our Awards Banquet on December 8.

Mike P Ryan playing his
grand prize Casio  Privia  keyboard

INTERVIEW WITH 2017 GRAND PRIZE WINNER MIKE P RYAN 
Mike talks about songwriting, Texas and Louisiana lullabies 
https://dallassongwriters.org/press/dsa-song-contest-winner-mike-p-ryan-talks-about-texas-louisiana-lullabies-and-songwriting/

AWARDS DINNER

  Our Awards Banquet was held on Friday December 8, 2017 at the historic Sons of Hermann Hall celebrating with top songs of the year performed by first rate talent. Some of our DSA Song Contest Semi finalists and Best Songs of the Meeting Finalists performed, including local artists Loralai Milton, Ireland, Megan Sullivan, Don Wall, Al Lumbreras, Allen Larson and Virginia native, Mike Ryan. 

Here is a recap in pictures in case you were unable to  attend. Thanks to Gene Schillaci for taking these photos at the awards.   https://dallassongwriters.org/2017-awards-banquet-recap/

Here is a pdf of the program hard copy handed out at the event.  https://dallassongwriters.org/2017-awards-banquet-program-pdf/

See the 2017 song contest winners here:  https://dallassongwriters.org/2017-song-contes…inners-announced/

Hear the song contest winners playlist: https://dallassongwriters.org/album/2017-song-contest-finalists/

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

Bruce Channel is Guest Speaker for Thursday, Sept 6, at Half Brice Books.

Bruce Channel recorded the song, HEY! BABY. In 1961. Six months later he watched in awe as this recording soared to number one in the pop charts and stayed there for three weeks.

     Thus began a long and fascinating touring and recording career in the U.S. and England. Later, hits on Goin’ Back To Louisiana, Mr. Bus Driver, and Keep On, kept Bruce at the forefront of the pop scene for many years. At the height of his popularity in England, he headlined a show featuring a relatively unknown recording group, THE BEATLES! After more than a decade of touring and recording, Bruce grew tired of the road and the music business. He returned to Ft. Worth to settle down with his wife Christine, whom he had met in England, and left the music scene for a while.

     In 1978, Bruce moved to Nashville and began writing songs for Nashville recording artists. Since then his successes as a writer include number one records for T.G. Shepherd on Party Time, Janie Fricke on Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby, John Conlee As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You, Anne Murray’s re-make of Hey! Baby, and Mel McDaniel’s smash, Stand Up. Bruce has also had cuts by Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom Jones. He co-wrote the country hit You‘re The Best, with Kieran Kane who recorded it, and Gonna Have A Party, recorded by Alabama.

     Bruce 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.

Thanks to Harry Hewlett we will be Skyping Bruce in from Nashville. 

CRITIQUES FOLLOW 

Location: Half Price Books/Northwest Highway in Dallas
6:00 pm: Doors Open/Networking and visiting
7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members only
Pay online for critique. https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association
Each song is enter into the Song of The Year and Songwriter of the Year Competition which is awarded at our December Awards Banquet. 

Down the Line:
Oct 4 - Issac Jamal - Creating a music video
Nov 1 - Annual Membership Meeting and Elections/ Barbara McMillen on performance contracts
Dec 8 - DSA Christmas Party and Awards Banquet.

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BEST SONGS of the Meeting - 
winners were announced at the Awards Dinner. Contest for 2018 is in full swing. Bring your songs to the meeting for review, no need to have a recording, you can play them live, then use the benefit of the critique to rewrite if need be, or record and then turn in your songs in fall for the judge. 

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 

Winners here:  https://dallassongwriters.org/best-songs-songw…r-year-announced/

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

Finalists - https://dallassongwriters.org/song-year-finalist-announced/

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WORKSHOPS

Online Workshop on DSA site starts in January. Songwriting Classes at Collin College for spring start Jan 27th.

Big Barn Dance Music Festival

bigbarndance.com/

Michael Hearne's 15th Annual Big Barn Dance Music Festival - Taos, New Mexico - September 7-9, 2017.

‎Artist Lineup · ‎About · ‎FAQ's · ‎Performance Schedule

Songwriting Workshop with Lloyd Mains and Terri Hendrix

Saturday, September 8th | 10:00am-2:00pm
At the Taos Center for the Arts,
located next to the festival grounds

SWRFA – Official Website

www.swfolkalliance.org/

The 19th Annual Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference will be in Austin, Texas, at the Holiday Inn, Austin-Midtown, on September 26 – 30, 2018.

AmericanaFest - Americana Music Association

americanamusic.org/about-americanafest

Our 19th annual AMERICANAFEST®: The Americana Music Festival & Conference will take place September 11-16, 2018, gathering thousands of artists, fans, ...

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SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

OPEN MICS

 HALF PRICE BOOKS OPEN MIC - 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 new song workshop. Bring you 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 2017, DSA celebrated 13 years at Dunn Brothers
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

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

2018

SEPT

3 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books
6 -  Monthly Meeting  and Critiques with Bruce Chanel at Half Price Books
7-9 Big Barn Dance Music Festival, Taos, NM
8-9 West Coast Songwriters Conference, San Francisco, CA
11-16 Americana Music Fest, Nashville, TN

20-  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
26 - 30 SWRFA, Austin Tx
28- Oct 21 State Fair of Texas, Dallas Tx

OCT

1 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books
4 -  Monthly Meeting  and Critiques at Half Price Books
6-7 Amigo International Guitar Show, Will Rogers, Ft Worth TX
4-6 Durango Songwriters Expo, Boulder/Broomfield, Co.

18 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

NOV

1 -  Monthly Meeting  and Critiques - Annual Membership Meeting and Elections at Half Price Books
3 - Bosque Arts Center Texas Troubadour Songwriters Classic with Michael Murphy 
4 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books

15 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

DEC

3 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books
8 -  DSA Awards Banquet and Christmas party at Sons of Hermann Hall

20-  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/

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DSA LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked Sept 30th

Enter online https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association
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 Schillaci

 WINTER 2018 -WINNERS ANNOUNCED 

SEMIFINALIST

"Shey" by Kenneth Adams, Rockwall, Tx 

"Dreaming" by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

"Homeless Sky" by  Michael Roth, Arlington, VA

"If You Have any Questions, Ask You" by Ken Adams, Rockwall, TX

"Five Day Weekend" by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

"The Bridge is Higher" by Minnie Murray, Sante Fe, NM

"You Are My Fantasy" by Myra Litton, London, UK

AND THE 2018 WINTER WINNERS ARE:

First Place::   Shey  by Kenneth Adams, Rockwall, Tx 

Second Place::  Dreaming by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

Third Place:: Homeless Sky by  Michael Roth, Arlington, VA

Fourth Place: If You Have any Questions, Ask You by Ken Adams, Rockwall, TX

Honorable Mention:  Five Day Weekend by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

Honorable Mention:  The Bridge is Higher by Minnie Murray, Sante Fe, NM

Honorable Mention: You Are My Fantasy by Myra Litton, London, UK

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.

http://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/lyric-contest.html

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

 2017 FALL WINNERS ARE.........  https://dallassongwriters.org/winners-2017-fall-lyric-contest/

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 MEMBER NEWS -

Charles Carter's wife, Elise, is having lung surgery. Email or facebook Charles your words of encouragement.

Member Mr Troll had a stroke this summer. He has moved from his rehab facility. He is viewing his facebook and email so that's the best way to reach him with your messages of encouragement.

Also, Rod Phelps has been in the hospital again this summer. He had a stroke on May 23rd. Email him with your get well wishes. He is out and recovering at home.

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 6th 2017 Annual Membership Meeting were:

Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Phillip Casteel, Barbe McMillen, Joe Milton, Marcus Belmore, Steve Sullivan, Ken Duren, James Pappas, Jessica Ewy, Rod Phelps,Gene Schillaci and Harry Hewlett. New officers were elected at the planning meeting on Jan 6th. 

 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/R 
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 Monroe, Suzi Morse,  Rio King, Ginger Stanoio

Patron Sponsor: Mimi Balkey, Kristi Myers

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Donette Murphy, Alejandro Dominguez, Jack Simmons, Steve Brown, Terry Jennings, Todd 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: 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 OCT: Charles Carter, Roger Kaye
EXPIRED IN NOV: All renewed -Thanks
EXPIRED IN DEC: All renewed -Thanks
EXPIRED IN JAN: Conrad Shwartz, Chris Sjostrom, Lauren Paley, Pam Oliver, Yulia Petrova, Bonnie Warren, Don Coyne 
EXPIRED IN FEB: Bianca Rodrequez, Trevor Dahlen
EXPIRED IN MARCH: Al Lumbreras, Jessica Ewy, 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, Brook Malouf, Bill Sibley
EXPIRED IN AUG: Robert Graham, Lanny Sherwin, Wayne Willingham, Minnie Murray
TIME TO RENEW:Serges Himbaza, Doc Parker, Lezleigh Kleibrink, Stephen Houpt, Scott Mendenhall

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

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Featured Articles:

More Than An Elective: Why Music Education Is Essential

By Courtney Myers (Music Think Tank)

With budget cuts, a changing curriculum and myriad other factors playing into the modern school day, it may come as no surprise that courses in music, art, vocational trades and more are often on the chopping block, considered as electives that are not paramount to student success.... Even if your child isn't the next Sting or has zero interest in pursuing music as a hobby or career, there are reasons why attendance in these courses should be required, considered just as vital to a well-rounded education as math, science or reading.  Continue Reading 

MUSIC BUSINESS

IRSC vs ISWC: What's the Difference?

The music industry is full of acronyms - ASCAP, BMI, IP, and DSP to name a few. However, you may not know what an ISRC or ISWC are, or even what they mean – and that these two acronyms can have a major impact on collecting your royalties. Learn more about the differences between an ISRC and an ISWC, and why they are a vital step in collecting your earned royalties. READ MORE

Music Metadata: The Secret Ingredient To Getting Discovered In Music Libraries

By Dave Kusek (Disk Maker Blog)

Getting discovered in music libraries is not a game of luck. Increasing your chances of being returned in search results comes down to defining relevant and descriptive music metadata for the songs you upload.  Continue Reading 

7 Out-of-the-Box Ideas to Attract People to Your Band Merch Table

By Dan Reifsnyder (SonicBids)

Taking Common-Law Copyright for Pre-1972 Sound Recordings Seriously

By Zvi S. Rosen (Mostly IP History)

So, what is common-law copyright? Continue Reading 

Calculating A Tour Budget

By Michael Gallant (Disc Makers)

Booking Hitting the road can be a wonderful way to share your music, expand your fanbase, and have amazing experiences. But when you add up all the costs, it can be pretty expensive, so you'd better make a tour budget before you book those gig.  Continue Reading 

The Flourishing Business of Fake YouTube Views

By Michael H. Keller (NY Times)

Martin Vassilev makes a good living selling fake views on YouTube videos. Working from home in Ottawa, he has sold about 15 million views so far this year, putting him on track to bring in more than $200,000, records show. Plays can be bought for pennies and delivered in bulk, inflating videos' popularity and making the social media giant vulnerable to manipulation.  Continue Reading 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

How to Earn ASCAP Royalties for Your Music on YouTube 

Digital has transformed the way we listen to music, and it's more important than ever to have your music available on YouTube. Fortunately, ASCAP can pay royalties for many different types of YouTube performances. Let's take a look at how ASCAP royalties work for YouTube performances, and the steps you should take to get paid. Read More

LISTEN 

Thanks to Etan Rosenbloom for the link.

Aretha Franklin Performs "That's Life"

My favorite cover.

VIDEO

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

Deconstructing “Good Vibrations” 

IN MEMORIAM

https://www.ranker.com/list/musicians-who-died-in-2018/celebrity-lists

I hear attempts to capture some piece of Aretha's magic in almost every pop and soul act that came after her. The impact she had on my life and career was profound. And, I'll bet that can be said about almost everyone in the music business that came up at the same time. Her memory lives on in her music. We must never forget the greatest singer in the history of postwar popular music.

Aretha Franklin, The 'Queen Of Soul,' Dies At 76

By Ted Robbins (NPR)

Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," died Thursday in her home city of Detroit after battling pancreatic cancer. Her death was confirmed by her publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn. She was 76. Franklin sold more than 75 million records during her life, making her one of the best-selling artists of all time. She took soul to a new level and inspired generations of singers who came after her.  Continue Reading 

Happy 100th Birthday, Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein would have turned 100 next week. In the history of modern music, you'd be hard-pressed to find a figure more universally beloved than this cherished composer, pianist, conductor and ASCAP music legend. Celebrate Bernstein's centennial with our appraisal of his legacy, and playlists of some of his greatest work.  Read More

RECORDING

Nashville is home to some of the greatest musicians in the world. Most of them read music in the traditional way ... but all of them carry an extra arrow in their musical quiver.

What Is the Nashville Number System?

By Andre Madatian (Flypaper)

From an outsider’s perspective, a “Nashville-style” chart can look like hieroglyphics at times, and has even been known to confuse scholarly musicians on first glance! The truth is that this form of notation is useful beyond the city limits of Nashville. Continue Reading 

PERFORMANCE 

How To Hold A Microphone When Singing Or Rapping

By Liam Duncan (Music Industry How To)

As you practice your vocal technique, you will become a better vocalist. You'll learn to sing with better intonation, learn to emote well and save your voice from harm. If you're a singer (or a rapper for that matter) you should be working on your technique! ... What may not come easily is singing into a microphone. Continue Reading 

Becoming a Better Singer

By Rick Goetz (MusicConsultant.com)

Interview with Linda Septien one of the top vocal coaches in the U.S. ... Linda has trained superstar artists and performers Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Beyoncé, Ryan Cabrera, Hunter Parrish, Glee, including Kevin McHale (Glee), Jessica and Ashlee Simpson and four top-25 American Idol finalists.  Continue Reading 

How to Overcome Vocal Fatigue Before a Recording Session

By Gavin Whitner (SonicBids)

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

One Chord to Rule Them All

By Charlotte Yates (Flypaper)

...five songs that reached the Billboard Top 5 in 2017 featured only one recognizable chord, so perhaps harmonic minimalism is becoming the norm in pop music after all?  Continue Reading 

In the Write

By Jewly Hight (Vulture)

Country Music Hall of Famer Harlan Howard famously boiled the philosophy of country songwriting down to a simple phrase: "three chords and the truth." ... The truth he spoke of capturing in song wasn't autobiographical accuracy; he and his peers were after stories and sentiments that would ring true emotionally when someone else delivered them ... But there's a contrasting pattern emerging in numerous pockets of the Nashville music industry: Newer artists, women especially, are leaving clear fingerprints on their songs and emphasizing the individualized perspectives in what they're singing.  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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 Song and Talent Contests

 DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/

Next deadline - Sept 30

Best Songs of the Meeting - for DSA Members only - submit at the monthly meeting.
  

DSA Song Contest OPEN NOW - SEPT 30

http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

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

http://www.musesmuse.com/muselinks/Songwriting/Contests/index.html