SONGWRITERS NOTES ISSUE #236 MARCH/APRIL 2023

Happy Spring! 

            Yes, St Patty's Day is just around the corner and then Easter. The redbuds are blooming here in Texas. I have one white Iris blooming among the redbuds and forsythia. Music festivals also bloom at this time of year, starting with the Ft Worth Music Festival, then SXSW during spring break, Dallas Guitar Festival, Wildflower Fest, Deep Ellum Community Arts Festival, and Kerrville Folk. 

Waiting for the winner

Besides our regular monthly events, our big event for March is the DSA Members and Community Virtual Awards on March 25 where we will honor songwriters with the Song of the Year Award and the Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year Award. There will be performances by our member contestants Wayne Willingham, Troy Enslee, Ace Pounder, Alexis Tapp, Wayne Gathright, Rio King, Bill Martin, Michael Brandenberger, Michael Roth, Harry Wolf, and Barbara McMillen. Community partners, Opening Bell, Tone Shop, Patty Allen Driver, and Guitarlington. I hope you will tune into our facebook page for the live stream and later watch it on our youtube channel. While you're there, please subscribe to our channel. https://www.youtube.com/@dallassongwriters_official2702 - Thanks to our judge Jamey Shannon who had a hard job. The scores were very close.

For a list of the competing songs go to the Best Songs of the Meeting Page: https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com/2022/03/

Also, our special event for April is the DSA Hall of Fame 2023 - 

The 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 15 at Love and War in Texas, streamed live to Facebook. Inductees are Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Sly and Family Stone (Dance to the Music), Roger Miller, Jim Collins (Damn Strait), Selena Gomez and Buddy Magazines Ron McKeown and Stoney Burns. see who is performing what songs form our inductees as the program develops. https://dallassongwritershalloffame.blogspot.com

We celebrated our song contest winners on Saturday, January 14 live streamed to Facebook. The awards were presented by Barbara McMillen, Alexis Tapp, Bob Ehlert, Bill Martin, Dorinda Duncan, Bobby Smith, Bobby Montgomery, Michael Brandenberger, and Roy Elkins. Performances were by Emma James, Joli Reiman, Rick Valente, Kent Strong, Kevin Toqe, Wayne Gathright, Ava Della Pietra, Rio King, Mike Ryan, Michael Roth, and Harri Wolf. Our technical staff is Harry Hewlett and Troy Enslee.

You can now view this on our youtube channel: https://fb.me/e/2u00tel0K

Press release on Winners: https://dsapress.blogspot.com/2023/03/dsa-international-2022-song-contest.html

Press release on the Grand Prize Winners: https://dsapress.blogspot.com/2023/03/32nd-annual-song-contest-awards-grand.html

REGULAR EVENTS

The FIRST THURSDAY VIRTUAL MEETING WORKSHOP is held monthly and features a guest speaker and song critiques. It is streamed live to facebook. Our guest speaker is Tony Ramey. See below for details and the Zoom meeting link.

Our virtual open mic is still occurring every Wednesday 7 - 9. Join us via the Zoom meeting number. 617 432 0082 or just watch on the Dallas Songwriters Facebook page as we stream live. Some of our members, who are home bound or from out of town depend on this weekly opportunity to share their songs. The hosting duties are shared by Bill Martin, Allen Larson, Seth Ginsberg, Keith Dodson and Barbara McMillen.

Love and War wants you to perform at our 4th Thursday open mic 7 - 9. Rickey Gene Wright hosts with a
songwriters round format. Come out and sign up with RGW.  

Quick look events page: https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com

DOWN THE LINE

Wildflower Arts and Music Festival - May 19-21. DSA Members perform on the Cityline Stage.

Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair - May 26 - 29. DSA Members perform.

Wild Dawgs

Oh Yeah, and the Wild DAWG deep sea fishing adventure in Port Aransas June 15 - 18 will be an awesome weekend. Join our Facebook Wild Dawg group and posting some photos and videos. If you have been on this trip you will want to join and post to share your photos of your past trips. Also, if you plan to go next year, this is a great way to connect for info. https://www.facebook.com/groups/486583939901589

 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 about the Wild Dawgs Fishing Trip. https://blog.dallassongwriters.org/wild-dawgs-fishin-on-the-guff/

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

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 Sarah Skoog, 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 showcases. Can't make it? Then tune into Facebook/dallassongwriters. Want to be on our facebook streams? Show up and perform.

Songcerely,
Barbe

1. DSA SONG CONTEST -   2023 Song Contest Opens June 1. 

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.

http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/

  

We have a song contest for young singer/songwriters 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

       The 2022 Contest winners were announced at our Awards Program on January 14. For a complete list of the winners see our song contest page http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/2023/01/dallas-songwriters-song-contest-awards.html and our press pages:

https://dsapress.blogspot.com/2023/03/dsa-international-2022-song-contest.html

https://dsapress.blogspot.com/2023/03/32nd-annual-song-contest-awards-grand.html

2022 Grand Prize Winners 

 

Grand Prize Winner Thierry Coupey shows off his Casio PX-S1000 Privia Piano

1st and 2nd Grand Prize Runner Up Mike P Ryan

Young Songwriter Contest Winner Joli Hope

 ----------------

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 me and I can give you a quick lesson on how to set it up.  

DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques

Location: Your home

6:30 pm: Networking and visiting

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

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082 -

Thursday, March 2 : Guest Speaker Don Wall

You won't want to miss this month's meeting because we will have Don Wall regale us with stories from Nashville! Don is DSA member and former board member who moved from Dallas to Nashville about a year ago to be in the center of the songwriting world. He has gotten involved with the songwriter scene there and has met lots of folks that I'm sure have helped him in his songwriting journey. He will share some of his experiences over the last year maybe give us some tips on how to make connections in Nashville. I'm sure it will be a very informative and entertaining meeting!

DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, April 6th

Location: Your home
6:30 pm: Networking 

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

Zoom ID #   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2476523092

This month's meeting is really something no one should miss!!  Join us to hear Roy Elkins, music industry veteran and founder of Broadjam, and find out how to effectively create and market your songs and improve your odds. Elkins will draw from data characteristics from more than 20,000 songs that have been successfully pitched in the music industry — data that doesn’t lie. He'll also look at characteristics of the most commonly placed songs (they’re not necessarily what you’d think), review writing techniques, and address any questions you might have about licensing, Broadjam or the industry.

Also, be sure to get in your songs to be critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and considered for the 2023 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year.  Please Note: You must go to the Dallas Songwriters website (see link below) to enter your song, or you can play them live.  When you go to the website look for "Forms" on the upper right-hand corner of the page then point to "Song Critiques" and the form will show up.  You can type in the lyrics or cut & paste.  For the song audio go to "Choose File" and load your audio file(s).  You can pay online via the critique form, and the cost is $10 per song.

Cost is $10 per song. You can pay online for critiques at: https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/
https://www.dallassongwriters.org
If you have a problem with this link, you can pay on square and show lyric and play audio on your computer. Here is square link.
https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association

http://www.dallassongwriters.org
Each song is entered into the Song of The Year and Songwriter of the Year Competition which is awarded at our Program in February.

DOWN THE LINE:
MAY 4 - Nancy Peacock
JUN 1 - TBA
JUL 6 - TBA
AUG 5 - DSA Pool Party
SEPT 7 - TBA
OCT 5 - TBA
NOV 2 - TBA
DEC 7 - DSA Christmas Party
___________________________________________ 

3. BEST SONGS of the Meeting -  2022

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.

JAN

Go Nowhere But Straight Ahead by Seth Ginsberg

Memorial Day by Eric Ramsey and Michael Roth

Montreal (We All Flew To Paris) by Wayne Willingham and Michael Roth

Even As The Fire Burns Bright by Alexis Tapp

FEB

The Hardest Thing To See by Michael Roth

Full Moon Over His Shoulder by Wayne Willingham

I Know A Guy by Troy Inslee & Bobby Montgomery

I'll Stay by Troy Inslee

Drink Happy Thoughts by Troy Inslee

4. WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES

DSA MONTHLY GUEST SPEAKER AND SONG CRITIQUES -  on First Thursday, at  6:30pm - Zooming into DSA Events - Zoom ID # 617 432 0082

Ft. Worth Music Festival - March 2 - 4  https://buddymagazine.com/events/fwmf-2023/

SXSW Conference & Festivals | March 10-19, 2023 Happy Spring!

South by Southwest® (SXSW®) celebrates the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture. Join us in Austin, Texas for SXSW 2023! https://www.sxsw.com

Getting the Best Music For Your Content and Getting Your Music Into Content 

 April 18,  6:30PM, Texas Theater 

presented by the Creative Factory and produced by the Dallas Film Commission.  FREE

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

   

 

SWRFA is hosting a one-day event for music folks in COLORADO.  

COLORADO ROOTS MUSIC SUMMIT

Presented by: the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA)
Sponsored by: Mad Dog Ranch Studios and Woodsongs Lutherie.
Produced by: Jackson Emmer
Hosted by: Swallow Hill Music

WHEN: Sunday May 21st, 2023 - 9am-5pm
WHERE: Swallow Hill Music - 71 E Yale Ave. Denver, CO 80210
WHAT: SWRFA meetup for the Colorado acoustic music industry/community. Networking, educational panels, performance opportunities.
COST: $25 covers meals and materials. Scholarships available.

SCHEDULE:
9-9:45am - Registration
9:50-10:15am - Welcome remarks from Jackson Emmer, Dalis Allen, Swallow Hill Music

PANEL CONVERSATIONS

10:15am-11am - How to Book Better Gigs - Building Relationships, Building Your Audience - Panelists are Kendall Smith (booker at TACAW) and Bruce Trujillo (booker at Swallow Hill Music), more TBA.
11:15am-12pm - Recording 101 - When to DIY, and When to Book A Studio - Panelists are John McVey (Yonder Mountain Stringband, I'm With Her), Aaron Youngberg (Head for the Hills), and Marc Meeker (Rascal Flatts, Jimmy Buffett, Bela Fleck).
12:15pm-1pm - Social Media for Folkies - panelists TBA.
1pm-2pm - LUNCH
2pm-4:30pm - Official Showcases - 15 min slots (free application link is sent after conference registration is confirmed)
5pm - Farewell.
Poster art by Raihana Omri - Carbondale, CO.

REGISTRATION: https://swrfa.wufoo.com/forms/z1j6ke020svjnzz/

SHOWCASE APPLICATION: https://swrfa.wufoo.com/forms/z1etn15y1pzscyx/

Various workshops are coming up weekly. 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. Barbe or 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 email Bill Martin.

Coming this spring 

DSA Virtual Songwriters Spotlight  - normally 2nd Thursday 7-8pm

Hosted by Harry Hewlett featuring rotating co-host and songwriter performance and interview

Thursday March 16,  7pm - Buck Morgan (former DSA President)

Tuesday March 21,  7pm - Mike P Ryan (2nd and 3rd place Grand Prize Winner)

Thursday April 20,  7pm - Robert Graham (all the way from Perth, Australia)

Youtube archives

See January 31 performers Don Wall and Allen Larson

 https://www.youtube.com/live/g0unbTgkt_8?feature=share

Feb 3 - Performer - Rickey Gene Wright, host - Bill Martin

https://www.youtube.com/live/-uLWZBUfY7I?feature=share

Feb 3 - Performer - 2022 Grand Prize Song Contest Winner Thierry Coupey, host - Barbara McMillen

 https://www.youtube.com/live/64PbQpk0JpQ?feature=share

 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

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

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

2. Contact Barbara McMillen 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 Bill Martin.

DSA FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT STAGES

Deep Ellum Community Arts Festival - May 26 - 29

Wildflower Arts Festival - May 20-22 - City Line Stage

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

LOVE AND WAR (Plano) - 4th Thursday, 7-10, Bring Your Own Mic Open Mic - perform for Audience - streamed to Facebook

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

Hosted by Bill Martin -1st Wed,  2nd Wed, Allen Larson- 3rd Wed, Seth Ginsburg - 4th Wed - Keith Dodson, 5th Wed - mystery host (this could be you)

 streamed live to Facebook on the Dallas Songwriters Association page

      

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082

 

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

2023
All DSA virtual events are via Zoom streamed to Facebook Live

MAR

1 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

2- DSA 1st Thursday Meeting and Song Critiques - Don Wall

8 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larsen host host

15 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Ace Pounder hosts

22 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

23 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

25 - DSA Member and Community Awards

29 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Mystery guest host

APR

5 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

6 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Critiques - Guest Speaker - Tony Ramey

12 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

15 - DSA Hall Of Fame at Love and War

19 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

26 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

27 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

MAY

3 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

4 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Critiques - Guest Speaker - Nancy Peacock

5-7 - Dallas International Guitar Festival

10 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

17 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

19-21 Wildflower Festival City Line Stage

24 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

25 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

26-29 Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair

31 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Mystery guest host

JUN

1 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Critiques - Guest Speaker - TBD

7 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

14 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

15-17 Wild Dawg Fishing Trip

21 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

22 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

28 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

JUL

5 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

6 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Critiques - Guest Speaker - TBD

12 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

19 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

22 - Blue Christmas In July at Sons of Hermann Hall

26 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

27 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

AUG

2 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

5 - DSA Pool Party at Joe Miltons

9 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

12 - Sonstock - Sons of Hermann Hall -  DSA Members perform

16 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

23 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

27 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

30 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Mystery guest host

SEPT

6 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

7 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Critiques - Guest Speaker - TBD

13 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

20 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

22 - North Texas Giving Day

27 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

28 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

OCT

4 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

5 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Critiques - Guest Speaker - TBA

11 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts 

18 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

21-22 - GUITARLINGTON

25 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

26 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

NOV

1 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

2 - DSA Annual Business Meeting with elections and Critique Blowout

8 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

15 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

22 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

30 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright - 5th Thursday to be confirmed

DEC

6 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts

7 - DSA Christmas Party - date subject to change

13 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts

20 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Seth Ginsburg hosts

27 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts

28 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

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 SPRING CONTEST postmarked March 31
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

Enter Here

2022 FALL LYRIC CONTEST WINNERS

1st place:  Nothing Can Bring Me Down by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

2nd place: Someday Soon by Bill Martin, Dallas, Tx

3rd place: Taste Of Love So Sweet by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

See all 2022 winners here: https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com/p/2022-lyric-contest-winners.html

                                     

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.

Board of Directors 2023

President - Michael Brandenberger

Executive VP - Bobby Montgomery

Secretary - Bill Martin

Treasurer - Phillip Casteel

VP Membership - Troy Inslee Vanderhoof

VP Technology - Ben Halim/Advisors - Wayne Willingham/Jamey Shannon

VP Programs - Bobby Montgomery 

Marketing Director - Wayne Willingham/Jamey Shannon

A&R Director - Troy Inslee Vanderhoof/Bill Martin  

Workshop Director - open

Showcase Director - Bill Martin/Ace Pounder

Song Contest Director - Barbe McMillen

Lyric Contest Director - Alexis Tapp 

PR/Communications Director - Jamey Shannon/ Wayne Willingham

Administration - Barbe McMillen

At-Large – Michael Roth/Renee Sullivan/Ken Duren/Jack Allday/Joe Milton

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

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

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

How 25 artists achieved long careers in music and what the record business can learn from their success
Featuring: Suede, Norah Jones, KT Tunstall, Tears for Fears, Gary Numan, Los Lobos, Maximo Park, Everything Everything, Death Cab For Cutie, Calexico, Teenage Fanclub, The Coral, The Waterboys, Embrace, Interpol, Barenaked Ladies, Feeder, Suzanne Vega, James, Spoon, The Divine Comedy, Belle and Sebastian, Mew, Nerina Pallot, Turin Brakes. – by Keith Jopling / The Art of Longevity

Supreme Court eyes Section 230 ruling that could be BAD for musicians
How effective will TikTok or YouTube be a music marketing platform if every artist and fan must repeatedly prove that they have the right to use a song? – by Bruce Boughton / Hypebot

AI music startup WaveAI launches a tool for human songwriters
“Our AI is not designed to compete with musicians or steal the spotlight, but instead be an ally acting as a humble sage, sitting quietly in the background until you need its help,” is how CEO Dr Maya Ackerman described its role. – by Stuart Dredge / Music:)ally

100+ ChatGPT prompts for musicians
In case you have been trapped under a rock or you have just been ignoring this sorta thing like you ignored NFTs (I get it!), I urge you to check ChatGPT out. Why? Because It’s the fastest-growing consumer app that has ever been released – by January of 2023, just 8 weeks after it came out it had over 100 MILLION users. Microsoft owns it and it has Google quaking in their boots racing to get their own version called Bard up and running ASAP. – by Ariel Hyatt / Cyber PR

Copyright: AI and music copyright: A field guide for artists and developers
Amidst the highly ambiguous legal landscape for creative AI, we wanted to provide a more accessible, foundational state-of-play resource for artists and developers who are eager to experiment, but unsure of their rights and risks. – by Water & Music

IN MEMORIAM

Star Trek & Gilligan’s Island composer Gerald Fried, 95 has died
Del-Vikings vocalist Chuck Jackson, 85 has died.

[05 Mar 2023] Gary Rossington (American Hall of Fame guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd), 71
[03 Mar 2023] David Lindley (American musician), 78
[21 Feb 2023] Jesse Gress (American guitarist for Todd Rundgren), 67
[16 Feb 2023] Chuck Jackson (American R&B singer), 85
[11 Feb 2023] James H. Morton, Sr (American musician and pastor), 76
[02 Feb 2023] Butch Miles (American jazz drummer), 78
[31 Jan 2023] Charlie Thomas (The Drifters)
[23 Jan 2023] Top Topham (The Yardbirds)
[18 Jan 2023] David Crosby (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
[12 Jan 2023] Lisa Marie Presley
[10 Jan 2023] Jeff Beck (British guitarist for The Yardbirds)
[10 Jan 2023] Dennis Budimir (The Wrecking Crew)
[09 Jan 2023] Les Brown Jr.
[02 Jan 2023] Ted "Kingsize" Taylor (Kingsize Taylor and the Dominoes)
[01 Jan 2023] Fred White (Earth, Wind & Fire)

https://www.ihopeidiebeforeigetold.com/dead-rock-stars.php
https://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/musicians-who-died-in-2022.html

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

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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 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 2023 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, 2023

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/ 

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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

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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