SONGWRITERS NOTES ISSUE # 225 APRIL 2021

  Hello Songwriter,

Big story this month, yeah! A lot of us have had our second vaccination. Stepping out! We had a good turn out at the Love and War open mic last Thursday. We've been having the Bring Your Own Mic Open Mic on the 4th Thursday since last June, and streaming live to facebook. Thank goodness for that! Zoom and Facebook has a helped us keep our sanity through the lost COVID year of 2020. But last Thursday, we all ventured out to listen in person and eat at a restaurant, yum! It was the best crowd we've had there in a year. It was so much fun to see everyone and get a big hug. 

We'll all be testing the pizza this month at the Porta Di Roma on the 3rd Thursday when the DSA Songwriters Round takes the stage. It will be streamed live to Facebook, but we'll be there in person. Rickey Gene Wright is the host of that Songwriters in the Round format. Wayne Willingham, Rickey Gene and Don Wall in the photo  L-R.

SPECIAL EVENTS

 DSA Hall of Fame -  April 17, 2021 Virtual 

Our annual DSA Hall of Fame Event, which honors outstanding songwriters with North Texas ties, was postponed last year, however this year we've decided to carry on our program virtually via zoom.  Live performances of the inductees songs by DSA Rising Star Students, DSA Members, and the BYO Musicians Network will be broadcast to Facebook LIVE to a global audience.  For more information about our program and inductees, go to the Hall of Fame website:  https://dallassongwritershalloffame.blogspot.com

 Donate to Hall of Fame

https://dallas-songwriters-association.square.site/product/donate-to-dallas-songwriters-hall-of-fame/27?cs=true&cst=custom

2021 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 has reached out to the local music schools and asked for auditions at each school for the honor to perform. Also some BYO musicians and DSA members will perform songs by our inductees. Here's a list of the scheduled performers.

1.  England Dan & John Ford Coley —  Alexis Tapp - MC   

•    I’d Really Love to See You Tonight - Alyne Taylor  - Rising Star
•    Love is the Answer - Amby Saenz - Rising Star
•   What’s Forever For - Eric Ramsey - DSA
•    It’s Sad To Belong To (Someone Else) - Craig St Clair - DSA
•    Nights Are Forever Without You - Wayne Willingham - DSA

     Dan Seals - Country career

•   Everything Glitters Is Not Gold - Wayne Willingham - DSA
•   Bop - Jessica Ewy - DSA
•     John Coley solo career
• You Almost Loved Me - John Mason - DSA

2.  Janie Fricke - Jessica Ewy -

• Don’t Worry Bout Me Baby - TK Brown - Rising Star
• It Ain’t Easy Being Easy  - Caroline Bowen - Rising Star
• Tell Me a Lie  - Jane Aubrey - Rising Star
• He’s a Heartache - Hannah Tanner - Rising Star
• Let’s Stop Talking About It - not taken
• Your Heart’s Not In It  - not taken

4.  Steve Weisberg  - Barbe MC - write script

   •.    Christmas For Cowboys — Chris Albert - DSA

3.  John Denver   - Loralai will MC 

• Annie's Song - Loralai Milton- Rising Star with her dad Joe Milton DSA on guitar
• Rocky Mountain High - Allen Larson - DSA
• Thank God I’m a Country Boy - Ian Dickson - DSA BYO
• Sunshine on My Shoulder - Lilly Harrigan - Rising Star
• Calypso — Cat McGee - DSA
• Take Me Home Country Roads — Ricky Gene Wright, DSA 

5.  Gregg A. Smith —performing his own songs- 

MORE --- CHECK OUT THE DATE FOR OUR OTHER EVENTS BELOW

NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

      2020 Community Awards went to Dunn Brothers Coffee and Broadjam, Inc.

             https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/p/dsa-community-awards.html

 Wanna join us online for our events via Zoom? It's easier than you think ! Here is a how to video: ZOOM’S JOIN A MEETING VIDEO (Watch this video first!)

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-?zcid=1588

 Check out the blog for DSA website. There are eight categories: Songwriting Tips, General, Humor, My Lyrics, Music Business, Music Promotion, Music Technology and Inspirational. Don Wall has another new blog post. https://blog.dallassongwriters.org/my-covid-road-trip-ii/

Please check out the blog site and read the new articles: https://blog.dallassongwriters.org 

We've added a new category to our contest so spread the word to your young friends.

DSA Young Songwriters Contest - for youth 18 and under.   June 1 - Sept 30

https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

Donate to DSA in general here:

https://dallassongwriters.org/donate-to-dsa/

Check out the newsletter, Songwriters Notes, for details at:

http://songwriternotes.blogspot.com/

Stay connected to us on Facebook:

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

BECOME A DSA MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

https://dallassongwriters.org/join-dsa/ 

or

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

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. Your generosity keeps our organization going. Just go to www.dallassongwriters.org and click on the donation link. 

Thanks to Paul Zander, John Jaggers, Ben Halim, 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.

Stay at home and stay safe.

Songcerely,
Barbe

1. DSA SONG CONTEST -   2021 Contest Opens June 1

Grand Prize winner Randy Overton Shows off his Casio PX-S1000 Privia Piano

Read about the top three grand prize winners on our press blog:

https://dsapress.blogspot.com/2021/03/randy-overton-wins-grand-prize-casio-px.html

             2020 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

         This past January we celebrated the best songs of 2020 with our Virtual Song Contest Awards Program. When we did a call for semifinalists to perform, we have such a big response that we have had to make the event a two night affair. View these events on Facebook or our Youtube Channel. Please like our pages. You can also post the below links from our youtube channel on your page for your friends to watch. The awards show is in two parts. Each show is in separate parts arranged into a playlist. That way you can find your individual performance or award easily. There is also 30 second clips and everyones certificate in a certificate roll. 

         Saturday, January 9th, 12 - 3 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest Semifinalists showcased.

                       Streaming on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/events/385918485667970/

                                              2020 DSA Song Contest Awards Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O53tKlKWRs&list=PL2QmQKUl70-2fZsHAIcWZTejZVKttRKMX

         

        Saturday, January 16th, 12 - 3 Dallas Songwriters Song Contest Awards Program.

2020 DSA Song Contest Awards Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZJ_TN9f7_I&list=PL2QmQKUl70-0NTzHsFcVDDtQRkAyMoZud

2020 DSA Song Contest Award Winning Songs - 30 sec clips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVnE1vn4cN4

2020 DSA Award Certificates.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY7CJkGDKwg

We've added a new contest so spread the word to your young friends.

DSA Young Songwriters Contest - for youth 18 and under.   Winner Announced Jan 16

https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

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.

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

    For anyone that's not familiar with Zoom, Check out instructions here:   ZOOM’S JOIN A MEETING VIDEO (Watch this video first!)

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-?zcid=1588 it's very easy to do but you can email Harry  and he can give you a quick lesson on how to set it up.  

MONTHLY MEETING - Virtual 

DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques

Date: Thursday, April 1

Location: Your home
6:30 pm: Networking and visiting

7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members

https://zoom.us/j/907852000    Zoom link

Zoom ID # 907 852 000

Featuring Helene Cronin!

Helene Cronin is a Texas artist who spent most of 2019 working on a new full-length record, produced by Matt King in Nashville. OLD GHOSTS & LOST CAUSES was released to high praise on Oct. 11, 2019. This comes right on the heels of being named a 2018 New Folk Winner at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival. Helene considers her writing style a merger between Americana and Country but she's perhaps best described simply as an acoustic storyteller. You will certainly enjoy hearing her songwriting stories!

 Missed it? This meeting is on Facebook! or VIEW ENTIRE TALK ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/qEfyg5xBA_M

Critiques will follow:

As usual, for members we will also have song critiques by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton.  Play your song live, from your computer, or your phone or email an MP3 to Harry Hewlett , and also you can display your lyrics from your computer so the members can give comments as well.  You will also be entered into the DSA Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year contest. The cost is $10 per song.  
https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/

Location: Your home
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. 

May 6 - Edye Brookshire

___________________________________________ 

3. BEST SONGS of the Meeting -  2021

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.

2021

MARCH
She Looks Like Tomorrow Tonight by Michael Roth, Eric Ramsey

Second Hand News by Eric Ramsey

You'll Be Alright by Stephen Troum

4. WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES

DSA MONTHLY GUEST SPEAKER AND SONG CRITIQUES -  on Thursday, April 1 at  6:30pm - Zooming into DSA Events https://zoom.us/j/907852000

Various workshops are coming up weekly during the lockdown. I Will share them by forwarding the emails through the member google group.

5. SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

You can view our open mics and showcases LIVE via our facebook page 
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/ or Zoom to perform. 

 SHOWCASES: DSA SPOTLIGHT

We offer the opportunity for our members from all over the world. Please join our fun community via zoom and showcase. Harry offers one on one instructions to get your sound right. Zoom in with us on the Wednesday open mic and let us know you are interested in showcasing or email Harry. 

Don't know how to Zoom? It's easy! You can Zoom on computer, tablet or phone. Check out instructions here:   ZOOM’S JOIN A MEETING VIDEO (Watch this video first!)

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-?zcid=1588

DSA GLOBAL VIRTUAL SHOWCASE - every Saturday 12 - 3.

   https://www.facebook.com/events/385918485667970/

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87932958559

Wanna perform on our virtual showcases?  Here’s how: 

1. Join Dallas Songwriters Association here: https://dallassongwriters.org/join-dsa/

2. Contact Harry Hewlett hhhewlett@gmail.com to have a free private session to help you understand how to get the best sound on Zoom. 

3. Join us for the Wednesday night open mic to get your feet wet.

4. Once you got the virtual performance under your belt, schedule a showcase with Harry.

DSA CITYLINE COURTYARD SHOWCASE – resumes in May 2021

DSA FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT STAGES

Deep Ellum Arts Festival Sept 10-12 2021

Wildflower cancelled
State Fair Stage in Oct 2021

OPEN MICS - these events will be on Zoom except Love and War

 Love and War - 4th Thursday, 7-10, Open Mic - perform for Audience - streamed to Facebook

 DSA VIRTUAL OPEN MIC every Wednesday, 7-9
Harry will be hosting these events as an open mic on Zoom. We will perform in the round in the order that you come into the meeting.

Hosted by Harry Hewlett - streamed live to Facebook

       https://www.facebook.com/events/717703665629658/

ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86341155881

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE - Addison. 

Has been discontinued in June 2020 and beyond until further notice

In November 2019, DSA celebrated 15 years at Dunn Brothers. DB was discontinued in June 2020 and beyond until further notice. The longest running open mic in DSA history was started by Craig St Clair on Thursday, November 18, 2004 and was held on every third Thursday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30pm for 15 and 1/2 years until the COVID pandemic shut us down in March of 2020. Dunn Brothers will be receiving a DSA Community Award on January 16 at our 2020 Awards Program.

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

6. 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

2021
All DSA events are via Zoom except Love and War,  Porta Roma, Deep Ellum Arts Fest

APRIL 
1 - DSA 1st Thursday Meeting and Song Critiques - Helene Cronin

2 - 4 Deep Ellum Arts Fest - DSA stage postponed to Sept

3 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase

7 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic

10 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase

14 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic

16 - Rickey Genes Songwriters Round at Porta Roma

17 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase - Hall of Fame

21 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
22 - DSA Showcase at Love N War
24 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase

28 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic

MAY

1 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase

5 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic

4 - DSA 1st Thursday Meeting and Song Critiques - Edye Brookshire

8 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase

12 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic

15 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase
19 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
22 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase
26 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
27 - DSA Showcase at Love N War
29 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase

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/

_________________________________

7. DSA LYRIC CONTEST 

- Next deadline WINTER CONTEST postmarked March 31
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

                                     2020 Summer Winners

https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com/2020/12/2020-summer-winners.html

                                       2020 Spring Winners

https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com/2020/08/2020-spring-lyric-contest-winners.html

                                      2020 Winter Winners 

https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com/2020/08/2020-lyric-contest-winners.html

                                     Enter Here

DETAILS and COMMENTS ON THE WINNERS  - https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com

LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION
Quarterly deadlines - Winter - March 31 - Spring - June 1 - Summer - Sept 30 - Fall - December 31
Entry fee is $10
Please see lyric contest webpage for details.

_________________________________

8.  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.

Directors opted to continue same lineup for another year due to the pandemic and in ability to meet in person for the elections.

Officers 2021
Michael Brandenberger - Prez
Bobby Montgomery - VP Programs
Phil Casteel - Treasurer
Jessica Ewy - Secretary
Alexis Tapp - Lyric Contest Director
Position open, VP Membership
Barbe McMillen - Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - VP of A/R, showcases

Ben Halim - VP of Technology, Marketing
Bill Martin - Showcase Co-Director,
Don Wall - PR Communications
 Joe Milton, Ken Duren, Rene Sullivan, 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 Workshops

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

Allen Larson released a video of his song, I Can't Breath" on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=allen%20larson&epa=SEARCH_BOX

NEW MEMBERS: Have you joined our member only google 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, BEN HALIM

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: Dr Francis Langdon, Dwight Green, Steve Dresser, Brad Davis, Heather Hatchet, Emmeline Miles, Dalia Maraoulaite, Joe Parfume, Eric Ramsey, Kwame Adjei, Chuck Ehrmann, Larry Beamer, Trevor Valentine, Stephen Troum, Seth Ginsberg, Rick Valente

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Ken Duren, Cat McGee, Stephen Houpt, Raquel Linderman, Julie & Jeff Cater, Cara Thronton, Kyle Short, Ben Halim, Bill Sibley, Trisha James, John Mason, Keith Dodson, James Foster, Richard Kirby, William Lee, Gregg Hinds, Carl Roberts, Stephen Hill, Adam Rekerdres, Liza Messiah, Anna Xiong, Wayne Willingham, Donette Murphy, Jeff Groce

Renew your membership online.

You'll find the link to the store on the panel to the right
https://dallassongwriters.org/join-dsa/

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

9. Featured Articles:  Visit the new DSA blog site at: https://blog.dallassongwriters.org

Live music is about to get its grand reopening... And it’s going to be total chaos

Local, regional, and independent music scenes — populated by the metal bands that often make a pilgrimage to Saint Vitus — live and die in the small clubs and venues across the country that face a perilous next few months. Many were among the first to close, and their cramped, body-packed design makes them a significant transmission risk and likely to be among the last businesses to figure out how to safely reopen. – by Patrick Sisson / Marker 

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

John Ford Coley - You Almost Loved Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxTfYkBU9Cc

Danny Seals - It's Gonna Be Easy Now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSr3GiGAuPM

Steve Wiseberg - John Denver singing Christmas For Cowboys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejLQSpVBxBE

Gregg Smith - Don't Cry No More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxTfYkBU9Cc

Janie Fricke - Greatest Hits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz2volLD_98&list=PLfqMV5g63sBlb7PDjRWmdA_21Bzapf4sa

IN MEMORIAM

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

https://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/musicians-who-died-in-2020.html

Connie Bradley, Former ASCAP Senior Vice President and Influential Music Industry Leader, Passes Away at 75

(ASCAP)

Connie Bradley, who worked for more than three decades with ASCAP (1976 - 2010) and rose through the ranks from her start as a Membership Representative to Senior Vice President and Nashville Head, has died. Bradley was a fierce advocate for music creators. Under her leadership, ASCAP signed and supported the careers of Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Rodney Crowell, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, John Rich, George Strait, Sugarland, Wynonna and Chris Young, among many more. For many years, Bradley was among an elite group of dedicated professionals whose talent and vision helped to shape the Nashville music community into the creative force it is today.

 VIDEO

The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down to Georgia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBjPAqmnvGA

 BOOK REVIEW - looking for book reviews

We have a 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

Is My Parody Fair Use?

By Erin Williamson (Copyright Alliance)

If you’ve ever watched an episode of South Park or heard a song by “Weird Al Yankovic,” you’re no stranger to parodies. Some creators have built their entire careers on parodying the copyrighted works of others. Maybe you’ve even asked yourself, “Is this legal?” This post will tackle when a work is considered a fair use parody and when it is not.

Click here  - 'Top 5 Songwriting Trends In Today's Country Music'.

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/

________________________________

 10. Song and Talent Contests

DSA offers four contests to meet our mission of providing a benchmark for competency in songwriting.  Anyone can enter our Annual International Song Contest. Entries are worldwide. You do not have to be a Dallas Songwriters Association member. The 2021 contest opens June 1. 

DSA Song Contest JUNE 1 - Sept 30

More info  http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com  Enter here: https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/ 

DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest

The Dallas Songwriters Quarterly Lyric Contest Entries are worldwide. You do not have to be a Dallas Songwriters Association member. Quarterly deadlines - March 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31. More info: https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com  Enter here: https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest/ 

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: Zoom Virtual meeting
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 members bring their songs to our monthly song critique session. Each song critiqued is entered for a chance to win Songwriter of the Year or Song of the Year annually. DSA members who are unable to attend in person can upload theirs songs online and receive a recording or the song critique. Ongoing monthly on the 1st Thursday.  More info: http://dsameetings.blogspot.com   Members only enter here:https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/ 

DSA Young Songwriters Contest - for youth 18 and under.   June 1 - Sept 30, 2021

Our annual Young Song Contest for Rising Star Award  is for young songwriters 18 and under. More info: https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com/  Enter Here: https://dallassongwriters.org/young-songwriters-contest/ 

____________________________________________________
BW STEVENSON SONG CONTEST - poordavidspub.com
April 2021
TO ENTER, SEND MP3 OR CD OF TWO ORIGINAL SONGS
ALONG WITH A $25 ENTRY FEE TO:
POOR DAVID'S PUB
1313 S. LAMAR ST.
DALLAS, TX 75215
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND SONG TITLES

Wildflower Contest has been cancelled for this year.

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