Songwriters Notes E-News #210 September 2019

Hello Songwriter,
 This summer zoomed by too fast. I got a chance to slip off to Annapolis for a wedding at the naval academy and celebrate the 4th of July at the Paca House living history museum talking with William Paca a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Annapolis is a very historic town preserved to look like those early years of the birth of our great country. Check out my facebook page to see photos.

Also, I slipped away where is was nice and cool in Alaska. I actually got a picture of Denali, formerly Mt McKinley.

DSA had a blast partying around the pool and jamming at the DSA Pool Party and BBQ. So much fun. We all had a chance to get to know each other better. The Miltons are great hosts. 

We had a great showing at the Monday Meetup again in July and August. A number of members and visitors shared their songs.

At our first Thursday Meeting, above Craig Langford showed up how to care for our stringed instruments. 
We had over 35 people attending at the Opening Bell showcase on the 2nd Wednesday. Featured this month were Harry Hewlett and David Lewis, Stephen Houpt, Mandy & Jon Banks with Lance French and Buck Morgan.

A good crowd showed up at Dunn Brothers for the Third Thursday Open Mic hosted by Harry Hewlett..  It was a fun evening with a full line up.

Our attendance at Love and War was down because of the heat. Performers who put on a great show were Rickey Gene, Just Us, Ian Dickson, and host Harry Hewlett. Plus our open mic players, Johnny Cromer, Cara Thornton, Buck Morgan, Big Joe Walker, and Beau McDermott.
You can find videos on each of these performers from our showcases and open mics on our facebook page in videos.

Our regular DSA MONTHLY EVENTS:
* First Thursday Monthly Meeting, Guest Speaker, Barbe McMillen at HPB
* Songwriter Meetup, 1st Monday, at Half Price Books on NWH in Dallas
* the 3rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Brothers Coffee in Addison hosted by Harry.
* the 2nd Wednesday Showcase at Opening Bell in South Side.
* the 4th Thursday Showcase at Love and War in Texas in Plano

Our LYRIC CONTEST has quarterly deadlines: March, June, September, December.
Winners from the Spring 2019 contest has been announced below.

ANNUAL SONG CONTEST is now open with Sept 30th deadline.

YOUNG SONGWRITERS CONTEST - We have a new contest for youth 18 and under. Deadline Nov 15th.
https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

SPECIAL EVENT - MEETUP AT TONESHOP in Addison - Gibson will have a Show and Tell. Find out which guitar is best for you on Thursday, September 12th.

SPECIAL EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 15: GIVING DAY

GIVING DAY  - SAVE THE DATE

https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/dallassongwriters

Donate to DSA on Giving Day and we will get matching funds

The Southwest Regional Folk Alliance is coming to Austin at the end of September. Anyone going from Dallas? I plan to be there. Wanna drive down together? Looking to share a room?

DSA announces the songwriters and musicians that will be honored in 2020 Hall of Fame: John Denver, England Dan, John Ford Coley, Steve Wiseberg, Janie Fricke, & Gregg Smith.

Coming in Oct is the Amigo International Guitar Show in Ft Worth . DSA will have a booth so come out and party with us. https://www.facebook.com/events/2307601799471847/

Check out the book review by Allan Larson of the Terry Jennings book about his father Waylon Jennings. Read it here: https://dsabookstore.blogspot.com

We still count on you for support with your membership and donations. But most of all we want you to take advantage of the educational opportunities and participate. 
There is still a chance to donate for the new year. Your generosity keeps our organization going. Just go to www.dallassongwriters.org and click on the donation link. 

Thanks to Paul Zander, Jon Jaggers, Bobby Montgomery, Kery Maddox, 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. Go to this link: https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association

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.

WOW! There's a lot going on this month! See you at our events!

Songcerely,
Barbe

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DSA SONG CONTEST -  2019 Contest - DEADLINE SEPT 30.

http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com      Cash Prizes +

DSA is proud to announce that this years Grand Prize Casio Privia Keyboard is the new PX-S1000. This new electronic keyboard sounds and feels like a real piano and it is lighter weight than other keyboards with the same features. This “world’s slimmest digital piano” weighs in at just 24.7 pounds. The back panel includes a USB port, an audio (stereo mini-jack) port,  and two 1/4 inch outputs, (stereo and mono). The Privia PX-S1000 contains 18 different "bread and butter" sounds, including numerous acoustic pianos, Rhodes and Wurlitzer-type electric pianos, vibes, string patches, organs, harpsichord, and acoustic bass. You can also layer and split these sounds.

Every working pianist in a metropolitan area where space and portability are paramount should try Casio's Privia PX-S1000 for themselves. From its realistic piano sound and touch, to its extreme portability and modern connectivity it’s truly a marvel.

Read full review at Keyboard Magazine.

https://www.keyboardmag.com/gear/review-casio-privia-px-s1000

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, 2nd and 3rd place 

wins recording time at 

Grand Prize winners receive:

1 Yr. Broadjam Primo MoB Membership

($199.95 Value) 

Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting

Category winners get cash prizes

Winners announced at our Awards Banquet.

JOHN LATINI WINS GRAND PRIZE IN THE 2018 DALLAS SONGWRITERS SONG CONTEST 
http://dsapress.blogspot.com/2019/03/john-latini-wins-grand-prize-in-2018.html

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

BARBE MCMILLEN is Guest Speaker for THURSDAY, SEPT 5, at Half Price Books. 

ANALYZING RECENT NUMBER 1 SONG ON BILLBOARD CHART

    What makes a song popular? We'll evaluate the song and find out.

Critiques will follow:
As usual, for members we will also have song critiques by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton.  Bring your song on a CD or email an MP3 to Harry Hewlett at hhhewlett@gmail.com, and also bring plenty of copies of the lyrics so the members can give comments as well.  You will also be entered in the DSA Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year contest. The cost is $10 per song.

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 or

https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/dsa-meeting-song-critique-entry/
Each song is entered into the Song of The Year and Songwriter of the Year Competition which is awarded at our December Awards Banquet. 

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DOWN THE LINE: All meetings at Half Price Books unless specified

Oct. 3 -  Ben Halim on recommended software for songwriters

Nov 7 - Annual Membership Meeting - last chance to enter a song critique

Dec 8 - DSA Christmas Party 5 - 9 at The Neathery in McKinney - no meeting at Half Price Books on Thursday Dec 5.

VIDEO OF PAST MEETINGS

JANA STANDFIELD: JUNE 6, 2019 Half Price Books

https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/2413755892187746/ 

ED BURNET:  May 2, 2019 Half Price Books
https://www.facebook.com/groups/242191552781160/permalink/839986039668372/

BRUCE CHANNEL : https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/1820749174645104/

Thanks to Harry Hewlett we have a video of the Sept 6th 2018 meeting with Bruce Channel. 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.

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BEST SONGS of the Meeting -  2019

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com

Songs Critiqued in June
Bidah by Bill Martin
What You Know by Hugh Barret
Bad Attitude by Hugh Barret
Priscilla by Hugh Barret
Gonna Love On You by Harry Hewlett
Hold Me Close by Craig Langford
What If The World Was A Better Place by Mary Jo Logan

2018

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com/2018/12/best-songs-of-meeting-critiques-2018.html

Winners were announced at the Awards Dinner. 

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR IS CRAIG LANGFORD

Review of Craig's Album, Lucky Man, by Billy Bob Hill

SONG OF THE YEAR WINNNERS

1. A TIME FOR LOVE  Michael Brandenberger

Michael Brandenberger

2. THAT’S JUST WHAT I’LL DO Craig Langford

3. BRANDY BLUES Rio King

See the Best Songs of the Meeting and Songwriter of the Year 

Past Winners here:

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com



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WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES

DSA MEETUP - 1st Monday at Half Price Books - Monday Sept 2, 7PM, hosted by Harry Hewlett 
DSA MONTHLY GUEST SPEAKER AND SONG CRITIQUES - 1st Thursday, Sept 5, 6:30pm - Half Price Books

You can follow along with my Collin College Songwriting Class in an online 10 week workshop. 

Online Songwriting Workshop - http://www.barbaramcmillen.com/p/workshops-online-classes.html  

SWARFA - SOUTHWEST REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE - Sept 25-29, AUSTIN, TX

The 19th Annual Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference will be in Austin, Texas, at the Holiday Inn, Austin-Midtown, on September 25 – 29, 2019. We have open mics, Official Showcases and In Room showcases, seminars and panels during the day on Friday and Saturday which address many facets of the music business – booking and tour planning, agents and managers, music law, the internet, getting airplay, studio know how, song sharing and discussion, wellness while on the road and looking for alternate ways to get our music to the world – such as in schools and films. We eat meals together and form wonderful new relationships and renew old ones. And we are certain to have FUN! Artists, managers, agents, venue operators as well as folks who come to listen enthusiastically are all encouraged to attend.

http://www.swfolkalliance.org

Americana Music Fest, Sept 10 - 15, Nashville, TN

A gathering of thousands of artists, fans, and industry professionals from all over the world in Nashville, TN is a must-attend event for anyone who loves the melting pot of Americana's influences including roots, folk, country, blues and soul-based music. Each year, AMERICANAFEST® brings together legendary artists, the next generation of rising stars, fans, and industry professionals for six days of music and education.

https://americanamusic.org/about-americanafest

SONGWRITERS FISH CAMP Wednesday, September 25th with hit Nashville songwriters Phillip White and Leslie Satcher.

Hit songwriters Leslie Satcher ("Troubadour" by George Strait + MANY more) and Phillip White ("If It Wasn't For Texas" by George Strait + MANY more) will be putting their own fun spin on conducting a songwriters workshop in N.E. Texas!  Contact David Allen

COMING SOON!

Looper Workshop at Sam Ash

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SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

SHOWCASES: DSA SPOTLIGHT

DSA SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS JULY-DEC 2019 SIGNUP & GUIDELINES

Host takes 1st time slot 7-7:30 to start show and warm up stage.

During 6-month period, each qualified DSA performer gets at least 1 prime time 30 min slot - 7:30, 8:00, or 8:30 at Opening Bell (2nd Wed) or Love & War (4th Thur), not both. To qualify, must be current DSA member, have 1/2 hour of original songs, and be proven solo performer - no tracks, band, or complicated gear. [Note: 2 back-to-back acts can share stage for 1 hr, if arranged for in advance. ]

Each show ends with Open mic 9-10:00, signup at door, 1-3 original songs. DSA members, only.

Rotation of performers (assignment of time slots) starts again 1st half 2020.

Opening Bell - 2nd Wednesday, 7-10 hosted by Craig Langford

 Love and War - 4th Thursday, 7-10 - hosted by Rickey Gene Wright

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 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm

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

2019

SEPT
2 - DSA MEETUP Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
     DSA Young Songwriters Contest Opens
5 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
9 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
12 - DSA Meetup at the Tone Shop - Gibson Show and Tell
10 - 15 Americana Music Fest, Nashville, TN
15- Giving Day
17 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
24 - DSA Showcase at Love N War
25 - Songwriters Fish Camp, NE Texas. 
26 - 29 SWARFA - Southwest Regional Folk Alliance, Austin, Tx
30 - DSA Song Contest and Lyric Contest Deadline


Coming in Oct

‘Idiot’s Hill’ House Concert!, Sunday, October 20, Josh Grider

A native of Las Cruces New Mexico, Josh did his best to move to Texas before too much of his life went by. He landed in Waco to attend Baylor and train in Classical Voice as a Music Major, but couldn’t resist the call of playing Country Music. Fast forward several years and Josh is an established Texas Country Music Artist, with a number one Texas hit a few years back and a new album ‘Good People’ that should move him up a couple more notches. You can go to his website joshgrider.com and check him out as well as going to YouTube to see and hear his music. RSVP to Tim Phillips

OCT
3 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
4-5 - Amigo International Guitar Show, Ft Worth Tx
7 - DSA MEETUP Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
8-10 - AC3 Festival and Conference, Atlanta, GA 
14 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
15 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
20 Idiots Hill House Concert, with Josh Grider, Denton, Tx
22 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

NOV
4 - DSA MEETUP Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
7 - DSA Annual Membership Meeting and final Song Critiques entries.
13 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
15 - DSA Young Songwriters Contest Deadline
21 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
28 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

DEC
2 - DSA MEETUP Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
5 - NO DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
8 - DSA Christmas Party at the Neathery, McKinney, Tx
11 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
19 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
26 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

JAN
4 - DSA Board Planning Meeting 
2  - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques MOVED to the 6th
6 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques at Half Price Books
8 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
16 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
18 - DSA Awards Dinner 
23 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

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/
Local Blues events: Bluelisablues.blogspot.com
Local Jazz events: https://www.kntu.com/live-wire/

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DSA LYRIC CONTEST 

- Next deadline SUMMER CONTEST postmarked SEPT 30th
Enter online https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest/
or 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


SPRING 2019 - WINNERS ANNOUNCED -
SEMIFINALISTS
She’s So Mysterious
Before
I Don’t Love You Anymore
https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/lyric-contest.html

WINTER 2019 -WINNERS ANNOUNCED -
We had a tie between Ireland and Harri Wolf
https://dallassongwriters.org/winners-ireland-and-harri-wolf-tie-in-the-2019-winter-lyric-contest/

FALL 2018 LYRIC CONTEST WINNER - 
We've awarded Michael Roth the contest winner. 
https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest-winner-fall-2018

THE 2018 SUMMER WINNER IS .........
.https://dallassongwriters.org/2018-summer-lyric-contest-winners/

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.
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 -

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 Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Phillip Casteel, Barbe McMillen, Joe 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 were elected at the planning meeting on Jan 5th.

Officers 2019
Michael Brandenberger - Prez
Bobby Montgomery - VP Programs
Phil Casteel - Treasurer
Jessica Ewy - Secretary
Alexis Tapp - Lyric Contest Director
Renee Sullivan, VP Membership
Barbe McMillen - Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - A/R
Ben Halim - Tech Director
Rickey Gene Wright - Showcase Co-Director,
Buck Morgan - PR Communications
James Pappas, Joe Milton, Ken Duren, Jack Allday - 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.

NEWS: DSA friend Helene Cronin, former song contest winner and song of the year winner is releasing a new album this fall.

DSA Member, Brook Malouf is celebrating a cut with Maddie Wilson called RIP. It was just released on Friday. You can check out the song here:
https://www.maddiewilsonmusic.com/music/ RIP. 

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: Natasha Blanton, Leah Mesiah, Jeff Groce, Mary Logan, Hugh Lehman, Robert Ehlert, Bill Martin, Nichol Daniels, Jana Stanfield, Amanda Banks, Pamela Musgrove, Beau McDermott, Christopher Kuhn, Jade Nichol, Stephanie Sammons, Mathew Carroll, Ainsley Lornds, Ben Halim, Keith A Dodson, Julie and Jeff Carter, Steven Lowden, Ted Vahovius, David Lewis, Anna Xiong, Jane Fallon, Caera Thornton, Robert Long, Michael Richards, Teresa Ann Turner, Katie Dundas

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Allen Larson, Joanna Endsley, Cat McGee, David Banning, Brook Malouf, Alexis Tapp, Gigi Gostas, Anthony Groom, Ken Duren, Randy Overton, Carol Shaw, Lance French, Dori Weaver,Rob Case, Steve Ledford, Ryan Mahoney, Raquel Linderman, John Nelson, Ron Young, James Pappas, Jacquelyn Schwartz, Aaron Shook, Gene Schillaci, James Foster, Stephen Valenzuela, Johnny Cromer, Terry Bloss, Don Wall, David Clearr, Phil Casteel, Ryan Galloway, Rick Babb, Ken Golden

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 SEPT::Serges Himbaza, Doc Parker, Lezleigh Kleibrink
EXPIRED IN OCT: Christine Winburn
EXPIRED IN NOV: Martha Myer, Greg Waits, Randy Wallace
EXPIRED IN DEC: None
EXPIRED IN JAN: Jeff Moxcey, Joseph Lopez, Mitch Horner, Shanna Stallworth, Ross Miller, Jane Fallon, Yulia Petrova, Deb Weedekind, Natinee Paris, Lucia Commes, Bernard Groll
EXPIRED IN FEB: Melanie Stever, Tim SharpEXPIRED IN MARCH: Melissa Standifird
EXPIRED IN APRIL: None Thanks for renewing
EXPIRED IN MAY: Alejandro Dominguez, Steve Brown
EXPIRED IN JUNE: Donette Murphy, Jack Simmons, Robert Long
EXPIRED IN JULY: Mary Guthrie, Haley McDaniel
EXPIRED IN AUG:Michael Richards, Trevor Dahlen
TIME TO RENEW:Katie Dundas, Teresa Ann Turner, Jane Fallon, Cara Thornton, Ken Golden, Harry Hewlett, Stephen Houpt, Scott Mendenhall, John Mason

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:

"Old Town Road" and "Despacito" Defied A 20-Year Trend In Hit Music. Math Explains Why

By Nsikan Akpan (PBS News Hour)

For more than two decades, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men could not be knocked off their U.S. Billboard throne. From December 1995 to March 1996, their ballad "One Sweet Day" spent 16 weeks at the top of the charts, setting a record that outlasted the megahit-makers that came after them: Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce, Outkast, Green Day, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Adele. Then "Despacito" and "Old Town Road" arrived. Continue Reading 

Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road': 5 things the music industry should learn from its record-setting run

How did this wacky song become the defining single of the entire year? Of course, “Old Town Road” remains incredibly singular, its hook impossibly catchy, and Lil Nas X genuinely charismatic as a new artist. But there must be more to learn, when it comes to performing an “Old Town Road” autopsy and figuring out how to replicate its success -- or, at the very least, a fraction of it. Here are five takeaways for the music industry as it tries to find the next “Old Town Road. – by Jason Lipshutz / Billboard

How Does Music Engage The Brain and Evoke Feelings Of Nostalgia Amongst Listeners?

By Gideon Waxman (Music Think Tank)

Humans are surrounded by music. It is undeniable that it affects people's moods and emotions. But even more than that, it has the power to transport listeners to a very particular date, time or event.  Continue Reading 

Say it loud: How music changes society

A song doesn’t have to have a message in order to change society. Race relations, gender equality and identity politics have all been shaped by music. – by James Atkins / UDiscover Music

The 5 hardest questions in pop music

I've been making classroom visits for years, I've never felt sufficiently prepared for certain questions that always seem to materialize - questions about cultural appropriation, problematic lyricism, selling out, the ethics of posthumous listening, and the slippery white whale of 21st-century cultural criticism, "separating the art from the artist." – by Chris Richards / The Washington Post

MUSIC BUSINESS

The Do's & Don'ts of Sample Clearances

By Annie Zaleski (Spotify for Artists)

What you need to know to avoid the potential landmines of borrowing a few sounds.  Continue Reading 

4 Ways To Build More Content From Your Music Videos

By Hugh McIntyre (Tunecore)

Creating a music video can be a complex, lengthy, and above all expensive endeavor, meaning you should work to get as much out of the end product as you can. Here we look at four clever ideas for how you can utilize elements of your music video to create other valuable content you can apply to additional promotional efforts.  Continue Reading 

7 Unusual Tools to Boost Your Music Career

By Angela Mastrogiacomo (Sonicbids)

As a savvy emerging musician, you've probably made sure to have all the necessary tools going into your career. You have your home recording studio, your social media pages, the best of the best in terms of instruments and stage equipment — and yet, something still feels like it's missing. Here are seven of the most powerful tools I've found for myself and the artists I've worked with that don't get nearly as much attention in the music industry.  Continue Reading 

Music Law 101: Common Music Licenses

Provided by Brooks Pierce (Reverb Nation)

Like any other property, music copyrights and the individual exclusive rights thereof, can be transferred, sold, licensed, and divided among several owners.  Continue Reading 

PERFORMANCE 

7 Vocal Methods (and Magic Tricks) to Make Your Voice Rule the World

By Cari Cole (Sonicbids)

From stars to rock legends and Grammy winners to tens of thousands of emerging independents, one thing is true: You don't have to have the best voice in the world, but you do have to have a good one. And one that won't quit on you when it matters.  Continue Reading 

How to Hydrate Your Voice So It Stays Healthier Longer

By Christine Elise Occhino (Flypaper)

The following tips cover everything from the obvious, to some lesser-known facts, and hopefully some additional earth-shattering vocal hydration knowledge to help ensure you keep those pipes healthier longer!  Continue Reading 

RECORDING

Producing Tracks For Licensing – How To Boost Your Chances For Success [Part 2]

By Gary Gray (Tunecore)

In this second part of a breakdown on how to improve your odds for success when producing tracks for licensing, we look at what you need in order to ensure you have your organizational ducks in a row with respect to your digital audio workstation, your paperwork, and your network. Continue Reading 

Pharrell Williams and his idiosyncratic approach to production

Pharrell has always left his distinct touch — whether through the staccato, pointillist punch in his beats, or slipping by in more subtle, largely unnoticeable ways elsewhere. For better and worse, Pharrell is undoubtedly unique in his approach to the music he has touched. – by Tre Simmons / Medium

Want Fuller Sounding Songs? Try These 4 Tips

By Caleb J. Murphy (Sonicbids)

Fullness. It's one thing that separates a great-sounding song from a clearly home-produced song. But how do you get fuller sounding songs? It would be nice if there were a "make my song sound fuller" knob I could turn on. But as far as I know, there's not (yet).  Continue Reading 

How to Embed Metadata in Music Files (and Why It Matters)

By James Shotwell (Haulix Daily)

Files without proper metadata are not harmful, per se, but they can restrict an artist's ability to succeed. How can anyone reach you if they do not have the proper contact information? How do licensing teams know who to send checks to? How does anyone do anything with your music without it?  Continue Reading 

8 Tips for Mixing an Entire Album So It Sounds Consistent

By Efa Etoroma (Flypaper)

3 Ways The Lines Between Songwriter and Producer Are Blurring

By Patrick McGuire (ReverbNation)

One of the more fascinating transformations happening in music today is how insanely easy it's become for anyone with a laptop and microphone to create, record, and release music.  Continue Reading 

LISTEN 

Old Town Road # 1 song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Ov5jzm3j8

Traveller - Chris Stapleton  #1 Americana Folk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kBnFgLP8po

Country Roads - John Denver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo

England Dan - John Ford Coley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIdQeSis4vw

IN MEMORIAM

https://www.ihopeidiebeforeigetold.com/dead-rock-stars.php

https://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/musicians-who-died-in-2019.html

 VIDEO

Video: Top 20 Acoustic Guitar Intros of All Time

By Rick Beato

Satchmo in His Adolescence: 1915 Film Clip May Show Young Louis Armstrong

By Sco

 BOOK REVIEW

We have a new book review by Allan Larson of the Terry Jennings book about his father Waylon Jennings. Read it here: https://dsabookstore.blogspot.com

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

What No One Tells You About Inspiration

By Sarah Spencer (Song Fancy)

There's a lesser known aspect about Waiting around to "get inspired to write a song" that never gets talked about. And it's a game changer.  Continue Reading 

What Makes a Song "Catchy?"

By Hunter Farris (Flypaper)

"From a cognitive point of view... we define catchiness as long-term musical salience, the degree to which a musical fragment remains memorable after a period of time." Continue Reading 

18 Tips We Learned At Beatcamp For A Successful Music Collaboration

By Andy Jones (MusicTech)

Here are some helpful tips to guide you through the often daunting prospect of collaborating with other musicians and producers.  Continue Reading 

Practical Approaches to Writing Lyrics (for Producers, Mainly)

By Will Marshall (Flypaper)

It's time to bone up on some lyric-writing strategies once and for all! Let's dive in.  Continue Reading 

10 Myths About Songwriting Busted!

By Charlotte Yates (Flypaper)

Wake up, people! Don't get caught in your own productivity traps.  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/

________________________________

 Song and Talent Contests

 DSA Song Contest NOW OPEN - Deadline Sept 30
http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest/

Next deadline - Sept 30th

Best Songs of the Meeting - for DSA Members only - next chance to submit is Thursday, July 1  at the Monthly Meeting at Half Price Books.
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 or

DSA Young Songwriters Contest - for youth 18 and under.  Deadline Nov. 15th

https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

Fall 2019 Music City SongStar contest 

You will receive a detailed song evaluation and might win some awesome prizes, like $3,000 cash and a Bluesman Vintage guitar. Click here to enter and check out the other prizes!  December 15th

ASCAP members, click here to receive a discount coupon code!!

FAI's Regional and International Events and Deadlines

FARM | Folk Alliance Region Midwest
Official Showcase applications due June 10
October 24 - 27, 2019
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, 2019
Stamford, Connecticut
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

SWRFA | Southwest Regional Folk Alliance
Official Showcase application due July 15
September 26 - 30, 2019
Austin, Texas
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

FAR-West | Folk Alliance Region West
Summer Registration Rate ends August 31
October 10 - 13, 2019
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!

https://www.folk.org/page/Regions

A comprehensive list of Song Contests
https://www.ghostswelcome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Songwriting-Competitions-2019.png

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

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. 

 **************

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 Workshop