Monday, September 4, 2023

SONGWRITERS NOTES ISSUE #238 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023

Hello Songwriter,

It's been a long hot summer and the heat still lingers but we are looking forward to some cooler fall weather. Our hot summer included some hot events. Let's Recap.

JUNE - Brought the opening of the DSA 2023 International Song Contest and our Young Songwriters Song Contest. Deadline to enter the contests is Sept 30. 


http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

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

 

https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

 

2023 Wild Dawgs

The Wild DAWG deep sea fishing adventure in Port Aransas on June 15 - 18 was an awesome weekend. Good times and big fish were caught by all. 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



JULY -

  On Sunday, July 23 - Columbia Lodge 66 presented the 5th Annual Blue Christmas In July -  A perfect Sunday afternoon blues event for charity included a BBQ Brisket, Chicken, Sausage Dinner + potato salad (bring a side) and a show with Texas Slim and Gregg A Smith to benefit the Larry Tutson Toy Drive at Sons of Hermann Hall.
 
 All proceeds went to the Larry Tutson Jr Foundation to give toys to kids in South Dallas at Christmas. This is an important community outreach event for Dallas Songwriters. This event is held each year on Bobby Wilbanks' and Gregg Smith's Birthday.
 

AUGUST - 
 
DSA held it's annual Pool Party at Joe Milton's on Saturday, Aug 5. There was enough gourmet food to feed an army. Joe is a great cook and also everyone brought side dishes. The pool was a bit warm as the hot weather has been relentless. There was lots of jamming throughout the afternoon. Yours truely has the flu and missed the party but look how much fun they had. 


SEPTEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS
North Texas Giving Day - 9-21-23
Early Giving opened September 1st!
https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/dallassongwriters

The North Texas Giving Day season is here! Early Giving opened on Friday, September 1.


 
‘Repeat Your Donation’ you gave in 2022 on Thursday, September 7th with one simple click.

SWARFA - Southwest Regional Folk Alliance - Sept 27 - Oct 1 Austin, Tx
http://www.swfolkalliance.org
 
DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE THE STATE FAIR ON YOUR CALENDAR. 9/29-10/22

 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. See below for details and the Zoom meeting link.
DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques - Sept 7
Dae Bogan from MLC will speak about collecting mechanical royalties 
https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/

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, Ace Pounder, Allen Larson, Keith Dodson and Barbara McMillen. Sept 6, 13, 20, 27

Second Thursday Songwriter Spotlight streams to YouTube. 7-9 Hosted by Harry Hewlett featuring co-host Barbe McMillen and songwriter performance and interview
Thursday Sept 14, 7pm - Alexis Tapp (Songwriter of The Year Winner)
Thursday Oct 12, 7pm - Jamey Shannon (Music Biz Prof at Mississippi Delta College

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.  Sept 28, Oct 26, Nov 30

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


 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

Donate to DSA in general here:

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

Stay connected to us on Facebook:

BECOME A DSA MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
 


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:

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


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.


THANKS TO OUR SONG CONTEST SPONSORS



1st, 2nd and 3rd place 

wins recording time at 
Jo-Musik
Grand Prize winners receive:
($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 # 247 652 3092-

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2476523092

Thursday, Sept 7th

FEATURES Dae Bogan


Dae Bogan serves as Head of Third-Party Partnerships for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), where he leads The MLC’s strategy for engaging third-party entities to support initiatives in rights administration, data management, operations, and membership services.  He will be able to give us some great insights into the issue of mechanical licensing and its importance to all of us as songwriters, so you definitely won't want to miss this one.


Thursday, Oct 5th

FEATURES Stephen Valenzuela
He will be talking about how to monetize what you’re already doing and other tips to make money.  

Stephen is certainly well qualified for this topic; he describes himself as a certified music nerd and band geek that has been playing guitar since I was 12, but can also play drums, piano, and horn instruments.  He signed his first independent record deal when he was 19 with his band “Somebody’s Weird”, which did one album that sold 25,000 copies in the local area and garnered a lot of radio play.  The band were picked up by the Warner label a year later and after releasing their first album with Warner hit the road on a tour with Motley Crue.  He continued that for several years while touring around the world and has released 4 albums and numerous singles with over 1 million streams of his music. Stephen has also written songs for commercials, the biggest one being a campaign for Absolute vodka, plus songs for movies and documentary soundtracks.  He's lived in the DFW area for 7 years and really enjoys the number of opportunities there are for singer songwriters.  

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.
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:
OCT 5 - TBA
NOV 2 - TBA
DEC 7 - DSA Christmas Party
___________________________________________ 

3. BEST SONGS of the Meeting -  2023
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

 

MAR

A Little More Time by Wayne Willingham

Let's Sit Together and Tell Our Stories by Seth Ginsberg

Peanut Butter Poor by Troy Inslee

Love Verse Is All by Troy Inslee

Rattlesnake Rita by Keith Dodson

 

APR

He Ain’t Got Diddy  by Wayne Gathright
Cheap as a Kiss  by Michael R. J. Roth
Lamborghini Dreams  by Steve Ledford
At Our House  by Wayne Willingham
Broken Pieces (Of What Used to Be) by Troy Inslee
Lovers Dose by Troy Inslee
I'm Money!  By Seth Ginsburg
Hide a way by Heather Hatchet
Almost Everything by Seth Ginsburg
Jonah Chapter 4 by Keith Dodson
End of the Line by Steve Ledford
Even as the Fire Burns Bright by Alexis Tapp

 

MAY

Save Me by Wayne Gathright
We’re Here for the Ones We Love by Seth Ginsburg
Cinco de Mayo by Keith Dodson
I Sing Sad Songs Too by Steve Ledford
What A Day To Feel Gods Peace by Troy Inslee
There’s Always a Train by Steve Ledford
Slingshot at the Moon by Michael Roth

 

JUN

Perfect Harmony by Wayne Gathright
Who Gets The Love by Wayne Willingham
In The City Of Angels by Troy Inslee
I Look To The Sky by Alexis Tapp
I’m Not As Ugly As I Look by Michael RJ Roth
Sweet Songs by Steve Ledford

 

JULY

What Should I Do by Michael Roth

I Need to Ride by Michael Roth

Inside My Dream by Wayne Gathright 

Boxcar Lullaby by Steve Ledford

Pork is the Point by Keith Dodson



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

SWRFA(Southwest Regional Folk Alliance)
Conference: September 27 – October 1, 2023
Austin, TX 
 
The Old Bolivar Station Songwriter Festival is a one-day event on September 23, 2023.
The Old Bolivar Station Songwriters Festival is a free music festival sponsored by the City of Sanger, Texas. The festivals’ mission is to promote the art of songwriting and celebrate those that write the songs.
Former DSA President, Ron Grimes is giving a seminar.
https://www.discoversanger.com/obsfest
 
 Regional Folk Alliance Conferences : https://folk.org/about/regions/
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 Sept 14,  7pm - Alexis Tapp (Songwriter of The Year Winner)
Thursday Oct 12,  7pm -   Jamey Shannon (Music Biz Prof at Mississippi Delta College)
 
Youtube archives
January 31 performers Don Wall and Allen Larson
Feb 3 - Rickey Gene Wright, host - Bill Martin
Feb 3 - 2022 Grand Prize Song Contest Winner Thierry Coupey, host - Barbara McMillen
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)
Thursday May 11,  7pm - Wayne Willingham (2022 Song of the Year Winner)
 Thursday June 8,  7pm - Michael RJ Roth (2021 DSA SC GP runner up with Gone, Gone, Gone)
Thursday July 13,  7pm - Jolie Hope  (2022 DSA Young Songwriter Contest Winner and scholarship recipient) 
 
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!)

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 STAGE Performances on YouTube

Deep Ellum Community Arts Festival - May 26 - 29
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-0kMD48nrt13pDklxuLD190
 
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 - We may be on stage or inside in a round.

 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, Ace Pounder- 3rd Wed, Allen Larson - 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

SEPT
6 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts
7 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Critiques - Guest Speaker - TBD
13 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Ace Pounder hosts
20 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts
22 - North Texas Giving Day
23 - Sanger Songwriting Festival
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 - Ace Pounder hosts 
18 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson 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 - Ace Pounder hosts
15 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson 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 - Ace Pounder hosts
20 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson 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 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

Enter Here

 2023 SPRING LYRIC CONTEST FINALISTS
FINAL MOMENTS by Dwayne Hummel, Gig Harbor, WA
Broken By War by Michael Cantrell, Salisbury, Maryland
Without Clipped Wings by Cheryl Cawood, Hitchcock, Tx
                                     

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 - Harry Hewlett/ - 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 - Harry Hewlett/ Troy Inslee Vanderhoof/Bill Martin  

Workshop Director - open

Showcase Director - Bill Martin/Ace Pounder

Song Contest Director - Barbe McMillen/ Harry Hewlett

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. 


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


Could BandLab replace the recording studio?

"It's getting to the point where there's pretty much nothing you can't do" with BandLab, says the artist SSJ Twiin. – by Elias Leight / Billboard


A conversation with the minds behind Georgia State’s music distribution label

A conversation with the minds behind Georgia State’s music distribution label Professors Al Thrash and Ben Yonas have created a student-run distribution and licensing company that is enjoying early success and teaching young artists how to build careers in the music business. – by Noelle Toumey Reetz / GSU


Best music distribution services in 2023

These services handle everything from getting your music onto streaming platforms to providing physical copies of your single or album to put in shops. Having this part of the music business taken off my plate was a huge help, and allowed me to continue writing and doing what I enjoy most: actually making music! – by Jordan Reynolds / Better Songs

 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

IN MEMORIAM
Sept 2023
    [04 Sep 2023] Steve Harwell (American singer for Smash Mouth), 56, liver failure
    [01 Sep 2023] Jimmy Buffett (American singer-songwriter), 76, lymphoma. The leader of the Parrot Heads who was an early pioneer in promoting a laid-back beach culture as a musician- singer, songwriter, author, sailor, pilot, folk hero, and entrepreneur.
       
August 2023
    [30 Aug 2023] Jack Sonni (American musician for Dire Straits), 68
    [24 Aug 2023] Bernie Marsden (English rock guitarist for Whitesnake), 72
    [23 Aug 2023] Bob Feldman (American songwriter and record producer), 83, who was behind some of the biggest hits of the 1960s, including the hit “My Boyfriend’s Back,”
    [18 Aug 2023] Ray Hildebrand (American singer and songwriter for Paul & Paula), 82, topped the pop charts in the 1960s as half of the duo Paul & Paula.
    [09 Aug 2023] Robbie Robertson (Canadian musician for The Band and film composer), 80, prostate cancer. Guitarist and singer-songwriter who was best known as front man of Americana pioneering group The Band whose songs included “The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Ol’ Dixie Down,” “Up On Cripple Creek” and numerous others.
    [08 Aug 2023] Jamie Reid (British visual artist for Sex Pistols), 76
    [07 Aug 2023] David LaFlamme (American singer and violinist), 82 who led It’s a Beautiful Day, the San Francisco band of “White Bird” fame.        
    [07 Aug 2023] Toussaint McCall (American R&B singer), 89  His biggest hit was Nothing Takes the Place of You which reached #5 in the US R&B chart in 1967. Although he continued to perform and record, he did not repeat this success. Asleep at the Wheel covered his hit in 1976 and Robert Plant covered it in 2020.
    [04 Aug 2023] John Gosling (English keyboardist for The Kinks), 75   
    [03 Aug 2023] Carl Davis (American-British composer and conductor), 86, brain hemorrhage
    [03 Aug 2023] Wendell B (American R&B singer),65, cancer

July 2023
    [26 Jul 2023] Randy Meisner (Eagles)
    [26 Jul 2023] Sinéad O’Connor
    [21 Jul 2023] Tony Bennett
    [16 Jul 2023] Jane Birkin
    [05 Jul 2023] George Tickner (Journey)

June 2023
    [23 Jun 2023] Lee Rauch (Megadeth)
    [20 Jun 2023] John Waddington (The Pop Group)
    [18 Jun 2023] Teresa Taylor (Butthole Surfers)
    [13 Jun 2023] Blackie Onassis (Urge Overkill)
    [05 Jun 2023] Astrud Gilberto
    [04 Jun 2023] George Winston
    [01 Jun 2023] Cynthia Weil

May 2023
    [24 May 2023] Bill Lee
    [24 May 2023] Tina Turner
    [23 May 2023] Sheldon Reynolds (Earth, Wind & Fire)
    [22 May 2023] Chas Newby (The Beatles)
    [19 May 2023] Andy Rourke (The Smiths)
    [09 May 2023] Jon Povey (Pretty Things)
    [07 May 2023] Seán Keane (The Chieftains)
    [04 May 2023] Rob Laakso (Kurt Vile and the Violators)
    [03 May 2023] Linda Lewis
    [01 May 2023] Gordon Lightfoot
https://www.ihopeidiebeforeigetold.com/dead-rock-stars.php
https://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/musicians-who-died-in-2022.html

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

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 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/ 

____________________________________________________

_________________________

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,
  Online Songwriting Workshop




Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)