SONGWRITERS NOTES issue #215 FEBRUARY 2020

Hello Songwriter,

💖💗🏈🎶🎸🎤🎉
February turns out to be a party month with the Super Bowl, Valentines Day and Mardi Gras. So stay well. Wash your hands and try not to get the flu or the corona virus. Is Corona Beer a remedy?

Ron Sanchez on drums- Kyle Short on keys

The DSA Song Contest Awards Dinner that was held on Saturday, January 18, at Sons of Hermann Hall was well attended with 70+. Awards were presented for the Song Contest, Lyric Contest, Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Semi-finalists  Eddie Bowers, Charles Carter, Addison Havens, David Lewis, Bill Martin, Kyle Short and Stephanie Sammons will be performing, as well as, young songwriters Jade Nichol and TK Brown, who received 18 and under Rising Star Awards, plus Harry Hewlett and Barbara McMillen.
Robert Ehlert won the Fall lyric Contest  
Here is a link to a list of the winners: https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

Sorry you were not able to appear in person. Here is a link to a video of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69Ov2xo-Acs

And there are oodles of photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/dallassongwriters/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2883673535018186

Here is a link to a pdf of the Awards Program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12U21eMdAYS13sS4Z5smSL3AD059xYUVt/view?usp=sharing

John Jaggers

We combined our Meetup with our Monthly Meeting on Monday January, 6. Our guest speaker was John Jaggers and his partner of his company, Colorado Capo who developed a capo that doesn't get in the way of your hand when you’re making chords. coloradocapo.com Here's a video of the meeting on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/615703919198867/

We had a slim audience attending at the Opening Bell showcase on the 2nd Wednesday, Jan 8,  but a great line up of performers, including: Bill Sibley and Bill Hudson

Attendance was up at Dunn Brothers for the Third Thursday Open Mic hosted by Harry Hewlett.  Check out the videos of Beau McDermott, Brenyn Bierbaum, Allen Larson, Cat McGee and Harry Hewlett. 
https://www.facebook.com/pg/dallassongwriters/videos/?ref=page_internal

Our attendance at Love and War was slim but a great line up of performers including host Harry Hewlett, Cara Thornton, Don Wall, Rob Case, Buck Morgan, Jeff Groce, Rio King, and TK Brown, who was presented with a Rising Star Award by Barbara McMillen.  https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/175441503809598/
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, with guest speaker and song critiques.
* 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 closed on Sept 30th. Semifinalist were announced on November 7th. Winners to be announced at the Awards Banquet on January 18, 6PM, Sons of Hermann Hall.

YOUNG SONGWRITERS CONTEST - We have a new contest for youth 18 and under. Winners were announced on Jan 18. 2020Contest opens June 1.
https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

SPECIAL EVENTS COMING UP
CALL FOR PERFORMERS
2020 Hall of Fame inductees: John Denver, England Dan Seals, John Ford Coley, Steve Wiseberg, Janie Fricke, and Gregg Smith. Last year, DSA initiated a new Rising Star program to encourage young aspiring musicians to celebrate our legends with performances of songs by our inductees. DSA is reaching out to the local music schools and asking for auditions at each school for the honor to perform. These students will be backed up by the DSA Hall of Fame band consisting of highly respected local musicians. The band members and special guests will also perform songs by our inductees.
WHAT: DSA Halll Of Fame
WHERE:  Love and War in Texas
WHEN: April 18th, Doors open 6:30PM  Show Starts at 7PM
TICKETS: General Admission - 15 in advance, 18 at the door
                   Students:   10 in advance,  12 at the door

Ticket link 

https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association/item/dallas-songwriters-hall-of-fame

DEEP ELLUM DALLAS SONGWRITERS SPOTLIGHT STAGE -APRIL 3 - 5, 7-11pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/1501080823389755/

DALLAS SONGWRITERS SPOTLIGHT ON THE WILDFLOWER CITY LINE STAGE -MAY 15-17

We are migrating our member forum from yahoo to google groups. Here is the new google group. https://groups.google.com/d/forum/dallas-songwriters-members

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, John Jaggers, Bobby Montgomery, David Lewis, 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, John 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! What a exciting spring full of great events. Happy Valentines and Mardi Gras.

Songcerely,
Barbe

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DSA SONG CONTEST -  Winners were announced at the Awards Dinner on January 18, at Sons of Hermann Hall, Dallas Tx.

Dam Stasi and Kickbend is Grand Prize Winner with song UNLESS https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=444966422937309

Here is a link to a complete list of the winners: https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

The DSA Song Contest Awards Dinner that was held on Saturday, January 18, at Sons of Hermann Hall was well attended with 70+. Awards were presented for the Song Contest, Lyric Contest, Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Semi-finalists  Eddie Bowers, Charles Carter, Addison Havens, David Lewis, Bill Martin, Kyle Short and Stephanie Sammons will be performing, as well as, young songwriters Jade Nichol and TK Brown, who received 18 and under Rising Star Awards, plus Harry Hewlett and Barbara McMillen.
Robert Ehlert won the Fall lyric Contest.

Sorry you were not able to appear in person. Here is a link to a video of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69Ov2xo-Acs

And there are oodles of photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/dallassongwriters/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2883673535018186
Here is a link to the pdf of the Awards Program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12U21eMdAYS13sS4Z5smSL3AD059xYUVt/view?usp=sharing

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

- No Meeting at Half Price Books on Jan 2. Instead we are combining with the Monday Meetup group for our monthly meeting.

MONTHLY MEETING - Thursday, Feb 6, 6:30

Guest Speaker is Don Wall - DIY Music Video. 

DSA Board member, Don Wall, will make a presentation on  DIY Music audio & video techniques to capture your original songs for YouTube, Facebook, songwriting contests, and other sharing vehicles.  Don has worked in TV for more than 40 years, and has been a pioneer on YouTube, with his own channel for more than 10 years, with more than 2 million views.  Topics include using video as a songwriting tool, self critiquing, co-writing, publishing, and promoting finished work.  Learn more about Don’s work on his YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/donwallproductions and on Reverb Nation https://www.reverbnation.com/donwall

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, your phone 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. 

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

VIDEO OF PAST MEETINGS
John Jaggers about the Colorado capo, January 6, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/615703919198867/

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. Also, past winners can be located at the above url.

Winners were announced at the Awards Dinner on Jan. 18, 6Pm Sons of Hermann Hall.

2019 SONG OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALIST

THE STORY OF BONNIE & CLYDE - Barbe McMillen

WATERING HOLE - Harry Hewlett

 MONAHANS by Randy Overton

I FOUND LOVE by David Lewis

RED YELLOW BLACK AND WHITE - Harry Hewlett

SANTA ALWAYS HIT EAST TEXAS LAST - Don Wall

GONNA LOVE ON YOU - Harry Hewlett

HE LOOKED LIKE WAYLON BUT SOUNDED LIKE CASH - Rickey Gene Wright

I NEVER CRIED - Rio King

MADISON ELIZABETH'S DAY - David Lewis

THE MUSIC WAS A MIRACLE - Alexis Tapp

THOUGHTS OF YOU - Barbe McMillen

WINNER OF BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING

SONG OF THE YEAR

THE STORY OF BONNIE AND CLYDE - Barbe McMillen

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR - Harry Hewlett

Jack Allday, Judge, Barbe McMillen, Harry hewlett

_____________________

WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES

DSA MEETUP - 1st Monday at Half Price Books - Monday, Feb 3, 7PM, hosted by Harry Hewlett 

DSA MONTHLY GUEST SPEAKER AND SONG CRITIQUES -  on Thursday, Feb 6 at  6:30pm - Half Price Books: Don Wall on DIY Music Video

COMING SOON!

Looper Workshop at Sam Ash

 _________________________________

SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

SHOWCASES: DSA SPOTLIGHT

DSA SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS  2020 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 every 6 months.

Opening Bell - 2nd Wednesday, 7-10 - guest host each month

 Love and War - 4th Thursday, 7-10 - guest host each month - 

City Line - Saturday June 6, 6-9.

DSA FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT STAGES

Deep Ellum Arts Festival dual stages this April at Sons of Hermann Hall and DSA Street Stage on Main. https://www.facebook.com/events/1501080823389755/

City Line Wildflower Stage in May 15 - 17

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 or 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. A List of DSA events only can be found at https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com

2020
FEB
3 - DSA 1st Monday Meetup at Half Price Books
6 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques at Half Price Books
12 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
20 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
27 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

MAR
2 - DSA 1st Monday Meetup at Half Price Books
5 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques at Half Price Books
11 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
20 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
27 - DSA Showcase at Love N War
31 - Deadline for Lyric Contest

APRIL
2- DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques at Half Price Books
3 - 4 Deep Ellum Fest DSA spotlight Stage
6 - DSA 1st Monday Meetup at Half Price Books
8 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
16 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
23 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

MAY
1 - 3 Dallas International Guitar Show - DSA booth
4 - DSA 1st Monday Meetup at Half Price Books
7 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques at Half Price Books
13 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
15-17 Wildflower Festival DSA Spotlight on City Line Stage
21 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
21 - 31 Kerrville Folk Festival
28 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

JUNE
1 - DSA Song Contest Opens
1 - 7 Kerrville Folk Festival
1 - DSA 1st Monday Meetup at Half Price Books
4 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques at Half Price Books
6 - DSA @ Cityline - 6 - 9pm
10 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
18 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
25 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

AUG
28-30 DIY Musician Conference, Austin, TX

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 WINTER CONTEST postmarked Mar 31st
https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/lyric-contest.html
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

FALL 2019 - WINNERS ANNOUNCED at the Awards Banquet on Jan 18

There were 25 entries

Thanks to Lyric Contest Director, Alexis for these comments.

WINNERS 

1. Bow River by Robert Ehlert, Carrollton, TX

2. Tethered To The Wind  by Robert Bowen, Bishopville, SC

3. Decrepitude by Harold Cronson, Dallas, Tx

Finalists:

Tethered to the Wind by Robert Bowen, Bishopville, SC

Decrepitude by Harold Cronson, Dallas, Tx

I’ll Be There by Susan Odella, Virginia, MN

Bow River by Robert Ehlert, Carrollton, TX

The Days ’til Christmas by David Case, Rockwall, Tx

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

_________________________________

 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.

2020 Directors elected at our Nov 4 2019 Annual Membership Meeting were:
Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Phillip Casteel, Barbe McMillen, Ben Halim, Joe Milton, Rene Sullivan, Ken Duren, Jessica Ewy, Alexis Tapp, Harry Hewlett, Buck Morgan, Jack Allday, Don Wall and Ricky Gene Wright. New 2020 officers were elected at the planning meeting on Jan 4th.

Officers 2020
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 - VP of A/R, showcases
Ben Halim - VP of Technology
Rickey Gene Wright - Showcase Co-Director,
Don Wall - PR Communications
James Pappas, Joe Milton, Ken Duren, Buck Morgan, 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 forum group. We are currently migrating the yahoo group to a google group. 

https://groups.google.com/d/forum/dallas-songwriters-members

Members have a chance to play in local venues and festival stages.

MEMBER NEWS

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: https://groups.google.com/d/forum/dallas-songwriters-members

PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, BOBBY MONTGOMERY, JOHN JAGGERS

Patron Sponsor L3: Michael Brandenberger, Bill Honker, John Stone, David Lewis
Patron Sponsor L1: Cliff Monroe, Suzi Morse, Rio King, Ginger Stanoio
Patron Sponsor: Mimi Balkey, Kristi Myers

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:  Carl Roberts, Greg Hinds, Richard Kirby, William Lee, Adam Rekerdres, William Wheeler, TK Brown, Bill Sibley, David Case, 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,

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: David Lewis, Bernard Groll, 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, , 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 FEB: Melanie Stever
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
EXPIRED IN NOV: Ryan Galloway, Anna Xiong
EXPIRED IN DEC: none
EXPIRED IN JAN:Ginger Stanoiu, Kerry Maddox, Bobby McCormick, Ted Vahovious, Steve Lowden, Randy Bell, Andre Kerek, Stephen Valenzuela, Don Wall, Terry Bloss, Denise Roster,  Gene Schillaci, David Claerr, Renee Saffier, Scott Thorn, Clark Ford, Stephanie Johnson, Mark Patterson
TIME TO RENEW: Keith Dodson, Josh Goode, Mathew Carroll, Ashley Sounds, Ben Halim, Julie and Jeff Cater

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:

Top Songs and Artists From Each Year This Decade

By Jack Norcross (TEGNA)

Songs and artists on Billboard's year-end charts from the past 10 years.  Continue Reading 

10 Benefits of Listening To Music

By Jack Brandy (Music Think Tank)

Why do we live for live music? On the molecular level, research shows that listening to music improves our mental well-being and physical health. Continue Reading 

The 13 Universal Emotions Evoked by Music

(UC Berkeley)

UC Berkeley scientists have surveyed more than 2,500 people in the United States and China about their emotional responses to these and thousands of other songs from genres including rock, folk, jazz, classical, marching band, experimental and heavy metal. Continue Reading 

Cynthia Erivo, Bernie Taupin, Diane Warren Earn 2020 Oscar Nominations

(ASCAP)

Bernie Taupin was nominated for his lyrics to "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again," the lone original song from Rocketman, the biopic based around his longtime songwriting partner Elton John. The pair recently won a Golden Globe for the song. This is Taupin's first Oscar nomination. Continue Reading 

MUSIC BUSINESS

Does It Still Make Sense to Release Physical Music in 2020?

By Suzanne Paulinski (Sonicbids)

Everything seems to still be dripping of nostalgia So, are we looking forward or looking backwards when it comes to releasing new music?  Continue Reading 

4 Ways To Handle Distribution Costs For Your First Album

By Brooke Chaplan (Music Think Tank)

Creating a great body of work is the first step towards a successful career in the music business, but getting the songs heard by countless people across the world should be the next move.  Continue Reading 

PERFORMANCE 

How to Use Spotify and SoundCloud Analytics to Figure Out Where to Tour

By Randi Zimmerman (SonicBids)

30 Creative Promotion Ideas for Increasing Show Attendance

By Ronnie Higgins (Eventbrite)

Selling as many tickets as possible is both a goal and a top stressor for event organizers. If you've already deployed all the promotional tactics in your playbook, consider some new ways of getting to "sold out." Here are 30 creative event promotion ideas to help skyrocket your ticket sales.  Continue Reading 

Crowdfunding Concerts: How, Where, Who

By Mary Ivanova (crowdfundingformusicians.com)

It doesn't matter what music genre you play in – you probably want to play shows as big as the Billboard 200 get. Or you just want to play more often than once or twice a year, which is a valid concern for many musicians who have reached a certain level of professional accomplishment, yet haven't yet reached any kind of actual stardom where teams of people take care of the business side of things. One way to take matters into your own hands is concert crowdfunding.  Continue Reading 

RECORDING

What To Buy If You Want To Start Producing Music At Home

By Terrence O'Brien (Engadget)

Setting up a home studio doesn't have to be hard or expensive. Continue Reading 

Low-Budget Musician: How to Use Your Phone To Create and Share Music

By Brooke Chaplan (Music Think Tank)

If you're looking for more affordable methods to make music, consider using your phone. With the following tips, you can share and create music from your smartphone...  Continue Reading 

What Makes a Great Recording?

By Larry Crane (Tape Op)

I would wonder what the artists I liked did to make their records feel so good, and I'd compare sounds between different LPs and guess at what was going on in those magical "recording studios."  Continue Reading 

Five Simple Production Tricks to Make Your Song Sound Fuller

By Caleb J. Murphy (Flypaper)

Jacob Collier is a veritable master when it comes to a lot of things. But one thing he's particularly good at is creating fullness. His mixes always sound fleshed out, both in depth and width. How does he do it? And what can we learn from him?  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

In Memoriam 2019: The Musicians We Lost

Morning Edition (NPR)

Jerry Herman, Composer of 'Hello, Dolly!' and Other Broadway Hits, Dies at 88

By Robert D. McFadden (The New York Times)

His rich melodies and powerful lyrics, also heard in "Mame" and "La Cage aux Folles," dazzled critics and kept audiences returning for more.  Continue Reading 

Singer-Songwriter David Olney Dies on Stage At Age 71

By Theresa Waldrop and Carma Hassan (CNN)

Americana singer and songwriter David Olney, whose music was recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Steve Young, Emmylou Harris and others, died of an apparent heart attack while performing on stage in Florida Saturday ... He was 71. Olney stopped in the middle of a song and paused, said "I'm sorry," and "put his chin to his chest," said fellow singer-songwriter Scott Miller, who was performing with Olney at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Santa Rosa Beach. "He never dropped his guitar or fell (off) his stool," Miller wrote on Facebook. "It was as easy and gentle as he was." Continue Reading 

 VIDEO

In December 2019 former song contest winner and DSA member Rachael Sage has just released two separate videos by award-winning filmmakers for her current single “Bravery’s On Fire”, which benefits Women’s Cancer Research. The universal anthem about finding strength in resilience will also appear on her forthcoming album "Character", due for release March 6th on MPress/ILS/Universal. View and share the US version here, and the UK version here.

Is Social Media Ruining Your Music Career? [Video]

By James Shotwell (Haulix Daily)

Social media is [literally] a job in itself. Balancing a music career with your engagement efforts online can be more complicated than many are willing to admit.  Continue Reading 

 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 Makes a Song "Catchy?"

By Hunter Farris (Flypaper)

"Why do we like the music we like?" That has been the overarching question of all of my musical studies for the past few years. I'm constantly seeking to figure out why some songs just stand out among an ocean of others, to help people understand the music they love, and how to write music that other people will love.  Continue Reading 

What Is Timbre In Music, Sound and Voice? With Examples

By David Andrew Wiebe (Music Industry How To)

You may have heard the term "timbre" being used in musical conversations. It could have popped up in a method book, magazine or even in a YouTube video. It's possible it left you scratching your head wondering what it is. That's because there's a term that commonly gets used in its place these days, which is "tone". There are plenty of associated terms, too, like "tonal characteristics", "tone color", "tone quality", "sound quality" and many others. But it all relates to how something sounds – more specifically, how we hear it. Continue Reading 

5 Songwriting Techniques The Beatles Taught Us All

By Dre DiMura (Flypaper)

Here is our list of five things The Beatles taught us about songwriting, in reverse order of randomness.  Continue Reading 

The Road To Becoming A Great Composer

By Kevin Gardner (Music Think Tank)

Music is a universal language that creative people have used to express their thoughts for centuries. Crafting a well-composed piece of music is challenging, as there are many practical and theoretical factors to consider.  Continue Reading 

5 Tragically Overlooked Preparations to Make When You Start Writing

By Charlotte Yates (Flypaper)

Preparation is like tilling the soil before planting seeds. Not much grows in barren ground. Preparation for songwriting is active, rather than the equally necessary incubation, which is more about your subconscious connections coming to the party. Ignore at your peril.  Continue Reading 

New Tools For Songwriters

(The Future of What)

Artists have to view themselves as small businesses in order to survive, and income streams within the industry are increasingly fragmented. Thankfully, there are a multitude of services available to bands, artists, and songwriters to help them collect these fractionalized income streams so that they can keep their creative businesses afloat and their rights secure.  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 Song Contest CLOSED - Winners announced Jan. 18th
http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

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

Next deadline - Mar 31st

Best Songs of the Meeting - for DSA Members only - submit your song for critique on the 1st Thursday,  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 https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/

DSA Young Songwriters Contest - for youth 18 and under.  Opens June 1

https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES!! DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS FEBRUARY 29, 2020. The Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition for Emerging Songwriters will be held during the 49th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival. The 6 New Folk Award Winners will receive $650 in prize money, a fall New Folk Tour, and will play 20-minute original sets during the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award Winners Concert May 31, 2020.  https://www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org/newfolk

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES!! DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS FEBRUARY 29, 2020.

WILDFLOWER SINGER SONGWRITER CONTEST

The award-winning Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest is accepting 300 entries beginning January 1, 2020. The submissions will be narrowed to 10 Finalists who will then compete for the Grand Prize, Second Place or the Michael Terry People’s Choice Award. The deadline to enter is March 1 and all finalists perform live on stage at the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival in Richardson that draws a crowd of 65,000 attendees each year.

http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/2019/12/29/contest-seeks-300-songwriters-to-compete-for-prizes/

COMING IN SPRING - BW STEVENSON SONG CONTEST - poordavidspub.com

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. 

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Thanks for reading this far. If you have any suggestions for the newsletter, please let me know. Follow me on Twitter @barbemcmillen. Give me a tweet.

Songcerely,

  Barbara McMillen, Editor

  Songwriter Notes

  Founding President Emeritus,

  Songwriting Consulting Services

  Online Songwriting Workshop