Hello Songwriter,
Now in it's 32nd year, The Annual Dallas Songwriters Song Contest opens June 1. Amateur songwriters from around the world are invited to compete and can enter now through September 30th. This year’s contest will feature eight categories judged by established music industry professionals and will offer almost $5,000 in prizes to the top winners in each category. For more information go to the contest website. https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com
Also running at the same time is our song completion for teens 18 and under, the Young Songwriters Song Contest. Enter now through September 30th. For more info see: https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com
https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com
On April 30 - May 2, DSA participated in The Dallas International Guitar Show with a booth. What great time we had, seeing our old friends and making new ones. That festival is still the best entertainment value in town. Even though the Dallas Guitar Show wasn't as populated as in years past, we still managed a successful outreached. At our booth we handed out the Spring 2021 Songwriters Notes Issue which contained a list of our contest winners for the past couple of years. Get the issue here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8sOxwzmlP_W5fLjb0-PPrZAuxku5pmb/view
Harry Hewlett hosted the Bring Your Own Mic Open Mic at Love & War on the 4th Thursday in the month of May. Great fun, great music and great food. Who could ask for more. DSA's open mic is there every 4th Thursday and streams to Facebook. Also performing were Guitar George Longus, Scott Brooks, Bill Martin, John Mason, Bob Barraza and Allen Larson. https://www.facebook.com/104739376244963/videos/1397111320645421SPECIAL EVENTS - Quick look events page: https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com
A bunch of us are going to the coast next month deep sea fishing. Should be a lot of fun. We'll let you know. We're bringing instruments of a big jam, so if you down in South Texas come on over to Port Aransas.
Check out the Austin Songwriters Zoomposium -2 June 9-12 in item 4.
The 2021 Hall of Fame ceremony was held on Saturday April 17 virtually on Zoom and streamed live to Facebook. We were so lucky to have John Ford Coley join is from Nashville and perform his hits. It was truly a wonderful experience. He is such a great guy. Gregg A Smith also joined us to perform and accept his award. There were over 20 performers covering songs by our inductees. I hope you will take some time to watch it on our Youtube Channel and please subscribe.
Six years ago we began to honor famous singer/songwriters with roots in the Dallas/Fort Worth area through an induction into the Dallas Songwriters Association Hall of Fame. In the previous years we have honored legends such as T-Bone Walker, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Freddie King, Trini Lopez, Sam Samudo (Sam the Sham), Cindy Walker, Gus Levine, Al Johnson, Bruce Channel, Jerry Lynn Williams, Gary Nicholson, Delbert McClinton, the Nightcaps, Larry Henley, Steve Miller, Boz Scaggs, Stephen Stills, and Rod Phelps.
This years honorees included England Dan Seals and John Ford Coley, Janie Fricke, Steve Weinberg, John Denver, and Gregg A Smith. The DSA's initiative this year was to encourage young aspiring musicians to celebrate our legends with their performances of songs made famous by our inductees. We reached out to the local music schools and asked for auditions at each school for the honor to perform. The show is also archived on our Youtube channel.
For more information about our program and inductees, go to the Hall of Fame website: https://dallassongwritershalloffame.blogspot.comhttps://dallas-songwriters-association.square.site/product/donate-to-dallas-songwriters-hall-of-fame/27?cs=true&cst=custom
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.
Stay at home and stay safe.
Songcerely,
Barbe
2021 DSA SONG CONTEST TO KICK OFF IN JUNE
THE BELL HAS SOUNDED
ENTER DALLAS SONG CONTEST
Annual Song Contest Back For 32nd Year
Songwriters compete in 8 categories.
Category and overall winners share in almost $5,000 in prizes, including a song demo, a keyboard, a song critique, deluxe memberships in on-line music communities, $$$ cash prizes and more.
Grand Prize winner Randy Overton Shows off his Casio PX-S1000 Privia Piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O53tKlKWRs&list=PL2QmQKUl70-2fZsHAIcWZTejZVKttRKMX
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
http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com Cash Prizes +
Category winners get cash prizes
2. DSA MEETINGS - http://dsameetings.blogspot.com
Date: Thursday, June 3
HARRY HEWLETT’S BIG TALK: “HOW TO WRITE A HIT SONG, PLUS THE STORY OF MY LIFE & OTHER STUFF
https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/
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
Each song is entered into the Song of The Year and Songwriter of the Year Competition which is awarded at our December Awards Banquet.
The Hardest Thing by Michael Roth
4. WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES
AUSTIN SONGWRITERS ZOOMPOSIUM - June 9 - 12
This conference is for everyone. We have again gathered the finest in the industry to deliver workshops and private sessions tailored specifically for songwriters and performers. Whether you are a beginner or a pro there is something here for you.
https://austinsongwritersgroup.com/zoomposium-june-9-12/
We appreciate your understanding and your support for this event.
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
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!)
DSA CITYLINE COURTYARD SHOWCASE – resumes in June 2021
DSA FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT STAGES
Deep Ellum Arts Festival Sept 10-12 2021
State Fair Stage in Oct 2022
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.
11th Anniversary DSA 3rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Bros.
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
All DSA events are via Zoom except Love and War, Porta Roma, Deep Ellum Arts Fest
23 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
26 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase
30 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
21 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
24 - DSA Virtual Global Showcase
28 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
25 - Harry's DSA Virtual Open Mic
28 - 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/
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7. DSA LYRIC CONTEST
- Next deadline SPRING CONTEST postmarked June 30
http://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com
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
SEMIFINALISTS
Fishing Alone by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ
Ships, Nicotine stains on the bloodshot cowboy by Martin Robley, West Leeds, Australia
Will There Ever Be a Break of Day by Robert Davoli, Lincoln, MA
Lost Angeles - Lost Angeles by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ
WINNERS ANNOUNCED HERE http://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.
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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
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.
Members have a chance to play in local venues and festival stages.
MEMBER NEWS
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: Jeff Groce, 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: Don Grantham, Steven Dresser, 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: Ian Dickson, Minnie Murray, Chris Albert, Bob Barraza, Steven Tran, Prudence Huskey, Helene Cronin, 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
https://dallassongwriters.org/join-dsa/
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The Definitive Guide to Deciding Where to Submit Your Music
By Aaron Trumm (Flypaper)
In the music business, there are thousands upon thousands of gatekeepers, promotional outlets, and other “opportunities” out there where you can submit your tracks. Since promoting your newly released music is largely about submitting and submitting and submitting again, you simply can’t ignore this aspect of the business. That said, there is no way you can realistically submit to everything — nor would you even want to — so you need to pick and choose. Here’s a definitive guide to what things you’ll need to consider when evaluating whether to submit to a particular opportunity or company.
Making The Transition From Hobbyist To Professional Musician
By Sam Bowman (Music Think Tank)
As of 2019, over 1,500 full-time musicians were working in the U.S. The key word there is “working.” Being a professional musician is, indeed, a job. Some people take different routes to get there. But, we can probably all agree that there’s a big difference between touring the country to play nightly gigs and having jam sessions in your best friend’s garage.
MUSIC BUSINESS9 Tips For Writing an Informational Band Bio
By Bobby Borg (DiscMakers)
A solid bio is a key tool in any band or artist’s promotional arsenal. Here, music industry consultant Bobby Borg offers some tips on what to include in a band bio in order for it to be used effectively across platforms.
RECORDINGHow to EQ an Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar
By Aaron Trumm (Flypaper)
Guitarists are in a unique situation — they play an instrument that comes in two wildly different and distinct flavors. When it comes to audio engineering, the treatment of acoustic guitars is at times a night and day difference from that of an electric guitar played through an amp, let alone all the various types of acoustic body shapes and string types.
PERFORMANCEWhy Singers Need to Learn to “Self-EQ” With Their Vocals
By Ellisa Sun (Flypaper)
Let’s say you’re producing your own vocals at home, or even prepping to record at a studio space. Your voice is sounding great, and you feel good about the vocal takes you’re demoing, but when you listen back, something’s not quite right.
LISTEN
John Denver- Greatest Hits
England Dan - John Ford Coley
John Ford Coley - You Almost Loved Me
Danny Seals - It's Gonna Be Easy Now
Steve Wiseberg - John Denver singing Christmas For Cowboys
Gregg Smith - Don't Cry No More
Janie Fricke - Greatest Hits
IN MEMORIAM
B.J. THOMAS DEAD AT 78
ARLINGTON, Texas – Five-time Grammy award winner and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, B.J. Thomas, died today at home in Arlington, Texas at the age of 78 from complications due to stage four lung cancer. Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s.. .https://bjthomas.com
9 Tips For Writing an Informational Band Bio
By Bobby Borg (DiscMakers)
A solid bio is a key tool in any band or artist’s promotional arsenal. Here, music industry consultant Bobby Borg offers some tips on what to include in a band bio in order for it to be used effectively across platforms.
How to EQ an Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar
By Aaron Trumm (Flypaper)
Guitarists are in a unique situation — they play an instrument that comes in two wildly different and distinct flavors. When it comes to audio engineering, the treatment of acoustic guitars is at times a night and day difference from that of an electric guitar played through an amp, let alone all the various types of acoustic body shapes and string types.
Why Singers Need to Learn to “Self-EQ” With Their Vocals
By Ellisa Sun (Flypaper)
Let’s say you’re producing your own vocals at home, or even prepping to record at a studio space. Your voice is sounding great, and you feel good about the vocal takes you’re demoing, but when you listen back, something’s not quite right.
VIDEO
Roger Miller https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0T04A-YF7w
BOOK REVIEW - looking for book reviewsWe 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
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.
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/
https://www.ghostswelcome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Songwriting-Competitions-2019.png
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Your gift enables us to meet our mission.
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.
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