SONGWRITERS NOTES E-NEWS #212, NOVEMBER 2019

Hello Songwriter,

Just last month I was wondering if it would ever cool down and tonight we are under a freeze warning, coming weeks earlier than normal That's freaky Texas weather. I once knew a band called Texas Weather because their personnel were always changing. 

We had a great outreach opportunity with our booth at the Three Amigos Guitar Show in Ft Worth the 1st weekend of October. Bobby Montgomery was the range tender along with ramrods Ken Duren, Shawn McMillen, Ben Halim, Jeff and Julie Cater. Rumor has it that our Prez MB drifted in and around. Thanks Three Amigos for a great time!

More photos:
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/photos/pcb.2649395748445967/2649394221779453/?type=3&theater

More photos from Ben Halim: https://www.facebook.com/pg/dallassongwriters/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2649387941780081&__tn__=-UC-R 

We had a great showing again this month at the Monday Meetup on October 7th. A number of members and visitors shared their songs, including host Harry Hewlett, DSA director Ben Halim, Hugh Lehman, Miss Mattie Ager, David Lewis, Lee Whitney, and Kevin Frederickson.

At our first Thursday Meeting, DSA Director Ben Halim talked about the importance of social media to a songwriters career and how to use it to our advantage. 

https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/481439739373815/

We had decent number attending at the Opening Bell showcase on the 2nd Wednesday. Featured in October were: Host John Mason, along with performers Harry Hewlett, Beau McDermott, Craig Langford, Rob Case, Cat McGee, and Rickey Gene Wright and Denice Owen.
You can catch the videos of the performers live on the DSA facebook page, just click on link on the name.

Attendance was down at Dunn Brothers for the Third Thursday Open Mic hosted by Harry Hewlett.  Performers included Allen Larson, Corey and Dana, Jade Lee, and Brenyn Bierbaum. It was a fun evening..

Our attendance at Love and War was down,  It was cold. Hosting was Aaron Shook, along with performers Beau McDermott and Michelle Mackie, Don Wall, Joe Milton, and Mandy and Jonathan Banks with Lance French. Harry Hewlett closed the program. 
You can find videos on each of these performers from our showcases and open mics on our facebook page in videos.

As this news goes to print, we have been told that our special showcase coming up at City Line on November 9th 6-9 has been postponed to Saturday June 6. The weather forecast was looking to be VERY COLD. This is a really great venue. We byob and get food from the many restaurants in the square. We'll remind you again next year.

The Helen Cronin workshop for this month November 16 has been postponed.  Did you know that Helene has a recent album release, Old Ghosts and Lost Causes? Check out a listen here: https://helenecronin.hearnow.com/

Our regular DSA MONTHLY EVENTS:
* First Thursday Monthly Meeting, Annual Membership Meeting and elections, last chance to submit critiques for Song of the Year and announcement of Song Contest Semifinalist at HPB
Due to a venue conflict, the meeting has been moved up a day to Wednesday, Nov 6th
* 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

In December we are changing up our schedule a bit. Instead of having the Christmas party and Awards Banquet combined, we are having our Christmas Party on Sunday, Dec 8, 4 - 8 at The Neathery in McKinney. Bring your instruments, we'll do some acoustic picking  and grinning . This is a Bed and Breakfast and a great event venue.  You may want to book an overnight stay. https://www.neatheryestate.com  No meeting at Half Price Books on Thursday Dec 5.
DSA and Sons of Hermann Columbia Lodge has partnered to raise funds for the Larry Tutson Jr. Toy Drive to give bikes and toys to the kids of the South Dallas neighborhood at Christmas time. Columbia Lodge has been partnering with Gregg Smith, DJ at KNON, for the past few years, and this is the first year that DSA has been involved. Together we raised $875.33 from the Blue Christmas in July fundraiser and online donations. 750 of it came from Sons of Hermann Columbia Lodge and Grand Lodge.

You can still donate to the DSA Toy Drive 

if you did not make it to our Blue Christmas in July fundraiser

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

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

ANNUAL SONG CONTEST is closed Sept 30th. Semifinalist will be announced on November 7th.

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

Keith Hays sent me this note I thought I'd share with you:

" Barbe,

It's been a while. I get the newsletters and enjoy seeing what you guys are up to in DSA. A month or so ago, a new friend here in Fort Smith and I were talking about the lack of support for guys to workshop songs and the limited chances to play new material. We thought about starting an NSAI chapter or an organization for songwriters in and around Fort Smith. We cleverly came up with the name Fort Smith Songwriters Organization. Don't ask me where these wild ideas come from, it's beyond me. I couldn't tell you. 

If you get a chance, check us out online at FortSmithSongwriters.org or for our friends with short-term memory issues (I can never remember what causes those) you can look us up at FS2.org "
So check 'em out and send a note to them from DSA.

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

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 Anyone interested in doing a book or CD review, I will gladly post it. Please let us know what you are reading and listening to.

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, Michael Brandenberger, Phillip Casteel, Alexis Tapp, Don Wall, Harry Hewlett, 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 fall! Come on out to our events!

Songcerely,
Barbe

___________________________________________

DSA SONG CONTEST -  2019 Contest Closed - Semifinalists announced Nov 7.

Scott Throne Cashes In On His Prize - as one of the grand prize winners of the 2018 DSA Song Contest. 

One of last years DSA international song contest winners was Scott Thorne. One of his prizes was 5 hours of studio time at JOMUSIK. He sent Joe a rough demo of "Daughter of a Gun.” When he heard the rough, Joe Milton said, "Very cool tune, with a nice twist."

Joe continues to explain, about the process of the final master,  "Scott was out of state, which meant no using him or his singer.  So with about 5 hours to work with, I listened to the tune and immediately heard upright bass, brush drums, and a kinda quasi bluegrassy feel. Did rhythm guitar first, then bass and drums. Decided on electric piano to fill it in-sounded really good and a little different. That took the most time-making that call. 

I could have sung it, but I really thought a girl should sing-called him and said for $100 bucks, we can do a female lead vocal, which he was fine with. Did vocals, a little harmony, and threw down some harmonica cause we have that in house, and a second guitar. So, instead of free, it cost $100.

Maybe he could have used his demo (I don’t believe that was ever his intention), but in roughly 6 hours, he got a good recording, a producer, and something ready to drop in whatever. Simple, cheap, but effective and competitive. I would have loved to put in another 10 hours with all live players and more stuff, but to my ear, this “Daughter of a Gun Done” sounds pretty damn good."

Joe concludes by saying, "Have a listen to the old and the new, and give a call, lets do some tunes."

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

_________________________________

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

Annual Membership Meeting and Elections of the Board of Directors, plus Last Chance critique submissions for Song and Songwriters of the Year Awards. 

Due to a venue conflict, the meeting has been moved up a day to Wednesday, Nov 6th

There will be a deli tray and a chance to socialize. 

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. 

---------------

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

Sunday, Dec 8 - DSA Christmas Party 4 - 8 at The Neathery in McKinney - You may want to book an overnight stay. https://www.neatheryestate.com
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.

___________________________________________ 

BEST SONGS of the Meeting -  2019

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com

There is a comprehensive list on this website of all submitted. So if you need reminding, check it out. 

OCTOBER

Love Seldom Walks Down Easy Street by Ricky Gene Wright

Hug to Say Goodbye by Anna Xiong

Red Yellow Black White by Harry Hewlett

Road Not Taken by Mary Logan

NOVEMBER

Love's Lonesome Blues by Ricky Gene Wright

A Woman's Smile by Ricky Gene Wright

He Looked Liked Waylon by Ricky Gene Wright

Millie From Oklahoma by Charles Carter and Joe Milton

Music Was A Miracle by Alexis Tapp

Santa Always Hits East Texas Last by Don Wall

Marie by Don Wall

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



_____________________

WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES

DSA MEETUP - 1st Monday at Half Price Books - Monday, Nov 4, 7PM, hosted by Harry Hewlett 

DSA MONTHLY GUEST SPEAKER AND SONG CRITIQUES - 1st Thursday, Nov 7, 6:30pm - Half Price Books
Due to a venue conflict, the meeting has been moved up a day to Wednesday, Nov 6th
Next month a change of date for the meeting.

Sunday, Dec 8 - DSA Christmas Party 5 - 9 at The Neathery in McKinney - You may want to book an overnight stay. https://www.neatheryestate.com

no meeting at Half Price Books on Thursday Dec 5.

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  

The Helen Cronin workshop for this month November 16 has been postponed.  Did you know that Helene has a recent album release, Old Ghosts and Lost Causes? Check out a listen here: https://helenecronin.hearnow.com/

COMING SOON!

Looper Workshop at Sam Ash

 _________________________________

SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

SHOWCASES: DSA SPOTLIGHT

DSA SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS JULY-DEC 2019 SIGNUP and 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 and 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 - guest host each month

 Love and War - 4th Thursday, 7-10 - guest host each month - moved to Tuesday 26th this month due to Thanksgiving.

Deep Ellum Arts Festival dual stages this April at Sons of Hermann Hall and DSA Street Stage at Malcom X and Main.

City Line Wildflower Stage in May

City Line - Saturday June 6, 6-9.

State Fair Stage in Oct 2020

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
_________________________________

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

2019

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
16 - Helene Cronin Songwriting Workshop - Postphoned
21 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
26 - Tuesday before Thanksgiving  - 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 5 - 8  at the Neathery, McKinney, Tx
      DSA Special event. 
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/

_________________________________
DSA LYRIC CONTEST 

- Next deadline SUMMER CONTEST postmarked Dec 31st
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

     First Place: She’s So Mysterious by Mimi Balkey, Plano, Tx

Second Place:  Before by Lisa Simmons, Carrollton, TX

Third Place:  I Don’t Love You Anymore by Kyle Short, McKinney, Tx

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/

_________________________________

 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: Joe Milton has turned out yet another children's musical,  Open Heart Musicals new show, “More Power to You”,  their fifth musical,( and two books) for Choristers Guild. These are Christian Youth musicals.  This tune is called Joshua, is from the new show. It's kind of a jazzy thing about bringing down the great wall. Have a listen!

DSA friend Helene Cronin, former song contest winner and Song of the Year winner has released her new album, Ghosts and Lost Causes.

Stephen Houpt recently released his new album, Light On The Mountain.

Bobby Montgomery now has physical CDs in hand from his album, All My Forevers, newly released last summer on CD Baby with the help of Harry Hewlett. The songs were recorded and mastered with the help of Joe Milton of JoMusik and includes a collaboration with Barbara McMillen.

DSA Member, Brook Malouf is celebrating a cut with Maddie Wilson called RIP. 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: Phillip Ward, Susan Hanlon, Mattie Ager, William Grant, 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: Andrew Plan, 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 DEC: None
EXPIRED IN JAN: Jeff Moxcey, Joseph Lopez, Mitch Horner, Shanna Stallworth, Ross Miller, Jane Fallon, Yulia Petrova, Deb Weedekind, Lucia Commes, Bernard Groll
EXPIRED IN FEB: Melanie Stever, Tim Sharp
EXPIRED 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
EXPIRED IN SEPT: Katie Dundas, Teresa Ann Turner, Jane Fallon, Cara Thornton, Ken Golden,  Stephen Houpt, Scott Mendenhall, John Mason
EXPIRED IN OCT: Nitanie Paris
TIME TO RENEW: Ryan Galloway, Anna Xiong

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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Numerous amazing singing professionals were damaged because of learning incorrect vocal singing strategies.  Continue Reading 

RECORDING

A Step By Step Guide on How to Build a Recording Studio in Your Home

By RJ Frometa (Vents Magazine)

Being a musician is no easier than having a regular nine-to-five job, in a way, it may even involve more work than your traditional desk job...  Continue Reading 

LISTEN 

John Denver- Greatest Hits 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo&list=PLfDF7WcaaE8-6fo_0X7vnGN7OvNMIB7b3

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

Ed Cherney, Grammy-Winning Engineer for Bonnie Raitt & The Rolling Stones, Dies at 69

By Melinda Newman (Billboard)

Ed Cherney who worked on such seminal albums as Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time, Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven, The Rolling Stones' Bridges to Babylon, Willie Nelson's My Way and hundreds more, died Tuesday (Oct. 22) from cancer. He was 69. Other artists he worked with included Bob Dylan, Bette Midler, Elton John, Sting, Etta James, Bob Seger and Jackson Browne, among others. Continue Reading 

Ginger Baker, Cream Drummer And Force Of Nature, Dies At 80

By Tom Moon (NPR)

The wild-eyed son of a South London bricklayer, Baker was the engine room of rock's first and still most revered power trio, Cream. He played a similarly key role in shaping the more finessed work of one of rock's first supergroups, Blind Faith.  Continue Reading 

 VIDEO

You have to turn on the sound for this one.

VIDEO: How Do You Rewrite the ABCs? The Secrets of Songwriting on "Sesame Street"

By Shane O'Neill & Melena Ryzik (New York Times)

 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

The Most Iconic Intervals EVER Used In Music

By Rosie Pentreath (Classic fm)

From the octave leap in Harold Arlen's beloved 'Over the Rainbow', to that irresistible Bernstein tritone in 'Maria' from West Side Story, we celebrate the very best intervals found in the whole history of music. Continue Reading 

8 Tips for Writing Kickass Songs

By Cari Cole (Sonicbids)

Scale Mode Cheat Sheet: How to Remember Each and Every Mode

By Guest Writers (Flypaper)

Modes are a great resource for both improvising and composing. They give us a great variety of harmonic choices, but it's often difficult to remember the difference between one and the other. In this article, we will look at a way to remember which notes make up a certain mode.  Continue Reading 

How the Silence Makes the Music

By Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim (The New York Times)

Debussy wrote that the music is not in the notes, but in the spaces between them. In a similar vein, Miles Davis said, "It's not the notes you play; it's the notes you don't play." A brief, incomplete, very quiet guide to the history of music's negative spaces.  Continue Reading 

Every Second Counts: Why Songs Are Getting Shorter and What It Means For The Music Biz

By Mark Sutherland (Music Week)

The revelation from Facebook's Vanessa Bakewell in last week's issue of Music Week that you only have three seconds to grab people's attention for your artist on social media prompted plenty of gnashing of teeth in the industry about falling attention spans. 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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