Thursday, January 4, 2024

SONGWRITERS NOTES ISSUE #240 JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024

 Hello Songwriter,

Happy New Year 2024. We've had a  active year in 2023 and we will carry on with our virtual and live meetings schedule from last year with with 7-8 regular events monthly and a special event almost every month. Also, we have 2 special awards events coming up (scroll down) and 3 workshop announcements from ASG, Ironbridge and Steve Seskin (see workshops below.) Wildflower Performing Songwriting Contest deadline is coming on Feb.15. see below in Contests. 

Collin Classes start soon. You can sign up for my songwriting class on Monday nights 6-9pm as continuing ed in a class with credit students. I hope you will take this opportunity to do so now. There may not be this opportunity in the future. Here is the link to Continuing Education Registration. Located on the Plano campus, in the Commercial Music Dept. MUSC 1021. Barbara McMillen is your instructor. If you need help call CE Information 972.985.3750 or email ceinfo@collin.edu

What happened in NOVEMBER - We held Director elections (see below for the list). Officers will be elected at the Planning Meeting on January, 6. We had some final song critique entries for the Member Song Contest and we had a very informative Speaker, Chris Robley. You can find his talk on our Youtube channel.  

What happened in DECEMBER  -

DSA's Barbara McMillen and Bobby Montgomery present and $500 check from Dallas Songwriters to Bobby Wilbanks to buy bicycles for the Larry Tutson Jr. Toy Drive, Barbara and Gregg Smith's Foundation serving the kids of South Dallas. Bobby M, Barbe M, Hippie Bobby, Barbara, Gregg.


 

DSA Prez Emeritus Barbara McMillen and Director Harry Hewlett presenting a plaque of the Dallas Songwriters Community Service Award to the Opening Bell. Pictured from left to right - Harry, Robin, Barbe.

Jim Collins, 2023 DSA Hall of Fame recipient, takes a selfie of his plaque which was sent to him through the mail. He lives in Nashville. We gave up on him coming to Dallas, so Harry put it in the mail.

 

Thanks to our hosts Karol and Michael Brandenberger for hosting a great DSA Christmas party at their home. Their was lots of good food and carols.

Photo by Allen Larson  


SPECIAL EVENTS coming up.

SONG CONTEST AWARDS PROGRAM - On January 13, 2024 we will celebrate the 2023 Song Contest winners. The program will run from noon to 3pm central time and feature 15 performances by our semifinalists from all over the US and as far away as Australia. The event will be streamed to the DSA Facebook page, so please join us on Facebook.

MEMBER AWARDS PROGRAM - On February 17, 2024 we will celebrate the 2023 Best Songs Of The Meeting where we will award the Vern Dailey Songwriter of The Year Award and The Song of The Year Award. The program will run from noon to 3pm central time and feature 15 performances by our semifinalists. The event will be streamed to the DSA Facebook page, so please join us on Facebook.
 
 
DSA announces the Hall of Fame inductees for 2024 and a lit of suggested songs for performance on the program. On April 20, 2024, Rising Stars, DSA Members and the BYO Band will perform songs by our inductees.

Michael Aday (Meat Loaf) - I’ll do Anything for Love, Whatever Happened to Saturday Night, Hot Patootie Bless My Soul, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Paradise By the Dashboard Light
Billy Joe Shaver - Georgia On a Fast Train, Wacko From Waco, Old Chunk of Coal, Live Forever, Honky Tonk Heroes, Black Rose
Nora Jones - Don’t Know Why, Chasing Pirates, Thinking About You, What Am I To You, Sunrise/Come Away With Me
Erykca Badu - Didn’t Cha Know, Window Seat, Back In The Day, Appletree, Cleva
Tom Douglas - The House That Built Me, Little Rock, Southern Voice, Grown Men Don’t Cry, Meanwhile Back at Mama’s, I Got a Car
Buck Owens - Crying Time, I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail, Love’s Gonna Live Here, Together Again, Under Your Spell Again
Miranda Lambert - The House That Built Me, Gunpowder and Lead, Famous In a Small Town, Baggage Claim, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Keeper of the Flame

 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. 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2476523092
DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques - Jan. 4
Chuck Rainey, the most recored bass player in the history of music
https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/

Our virtual open mic is still occurring every Wednesday 7 - 9. Join us via the Zoom meeting number. 247 652 3092 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 Harry Hewlett. Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28

Second Thursday Songwriter Spotlight streams to YouTube. 7-9 Hosted by Harry Hewlett featuring co-host Barbe McMillen and songwriter performance and interview
Thursday Feb 8, 2024, 7pm - Bradley Banning

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.   Jan 26, Feb 22

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 Troy Inslee, Barbara McMillen, 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 Awards virtual program will be held on January 13, 2024 Noon-3pm featuring performances from all around the world. It will be streamed to Facebook so please join us.
On November 3 at our Annual Membership meeting we had our guest speaker, Chris Robley choose a number from the contest entries for the Amazon gift certificate. He chose song entry #138.   The songwriter will be revealed at the Awards Program on January 13. The semifinalist were announced on Nov. 3.

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.  
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, Jan 4

                                       FEATURES Chuck Rainey 
This month's meeting will feature one of the most recorded bass players in the history of music, Mr. Chuck Rainey!!  He is credited for playing bass on more than 1,000 albums plus TV and movie sessions and has performed and recorded with many well-known acts including Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan and Quincy Jones.  He is also a music educator with several instructional books and music videos on bass guitar.  This will be quite a treat, I'm sure he will share with us some of his experiences in working with many music personalities and singer/songwriters so don't miss it!
 
 Thursday, Feb 1, Roy Elkins
 Finishing Your Lyrics with AI
 
Our good friend, Roy Elkins, our song contest Grand Prize judge has spoken to us in the past and even flown to Big D to give Saturday workshops before the Zoom era. His topics are always the most current and most interesting. Besides running the Broadjam.com platform for songwriters, he also spearheaded a Music Conference, Between The Waves in Madison, WI. Roy has the heart of the educator and truly cares about songwriters. You can be sure his topic has been on your mind. It's been all over the news in many different areas. He will talk to us about the use of AI in songwriting.  
 
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. 

___________________________________________ 

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.
Tune in to the DSA Facebook stream of the Awards show on February 17.

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 & Eric Ramsey
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 & Eryn Michael

 

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 & Shanna Hoar
Sweet Songs by Steve Ledford

 

JULY

What Should I Do by Michael Roth & Harri Wolf

I Need to Ride by Michael Roth & Harri Wolf

Inside My Dream by Wayne Gathright  

Boxcar Lullaby by Steve Ledford

Pork is the Point by Keith Dodson


 SEPT

 Knew Her When She Wasn't All That by Wayne Gathright

I Declare!  by Seth Ginsburg

On the Fourth of July  by Seth Ginsburg

Wiggle Room by Troy Inslee

Everything by Troy Inslee & Alexis Tapp

 

OCT

Get On Going by Seth Ginsburg

The UPS Man by Seth Ginsburg

I Hate Jazz by Wayne Gathright

Bit By Bit by Wayne Gathright

Girl of My Streams by Keith Dodson

Sandy Bernard by Keith Dodson

All That Remains by Michael RJ Roth & Harri Wolf

Believer Outta Me by Wayne Willingham

I wish You’re Memory Would Tell Me Goodbye by Steve Ledford

 

NOV 

 Coming Home by Wayne  Gathright

Country USA  by Wayne  Gathright

The Light Shines (A Christmas Song) by Keith Dodson

Fort Collins by Bill Martin - A + L

Fishin' on the Gulf  by Don Wall

Love in a Sleeping Bag by Don Wall



4. WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES


DSA MONTHLY GUEST SPEAKER AND SONG CRITIQUES -  on First Thursday, at  6:30pm - Zooming into DSA Events - Zoom ID # 247 652 3092
 
Iron Bridge Songwriting Retreat at Lake Tawakoni, Jan 11-14
 Panelist Helene Cronin, Matt Hillyer and Heather Little
Four nights of lodging and 3 days of meals will provided. This retreat is limited to 10 attendees.
Cost $550 per person - this may seem hard to believe but we have a very generous friend giving us a killer deal on lodging! Without her this price would not be possible. To register or to ask questions, send an email to ironbridgesongs@gmail.com and use @staciTX (PayPal) for the deposit of $150 to hold your spot.
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 Steve Seskin's 20th annual Songcrafting Seminar - January 26th - 28th, 2024 at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville TN. 
Two full days of education and inspiration featuring me and my two very special guests Allen Shamblin and Emily Shackleton plus two nights of concerts and much more. For more detailed information and to secure a spot, click HERE!
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2024 ANNUAL TEXAS SONGWRITER SYMPOPSIUM-
FEBRUARY 7-11 2024
20th Annual Texas Songwriters Symposium
HOLIDAY INN MIDTOWN 6000 Middle Fiskville Rd. Austin, TX 78752
Reserve Your Room Here.
 Wildflower Songwriting Workshop - coming in May
 
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 back in 2024 
DSA Virtual Songwriters Spotlight  - normally 2nd Thursday 7-8pm
Hosted by Harry Hewlett featuring rotating co-host and songwriter performance and interview 
Thursday Feb 15, 2024, 7pm - Bradley Banning
 
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)
Thursday, Sept 14, Alexis Tapp,  7pm - (2022 Song of the Year Winner) Host-Barbe McMIllen
https://youtu.be/etgEeKh_smo?si=UxRXCWJT0oiUU0YG
Thursday, Oct 12, Jamey Shannon,  7pm - (DSA Director) Host-Barbe McMIllen
 
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 
Coming up in 2024
 Deep Ellum Community Arts Festival - April 5 -7
 
 Wildflower Arts Festival - May 17-19 - City Line Stage
 
2023 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. Because of Thanksgiving Nov 16 instead of 4th Thursday

 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 # 247 652 3092

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

2024
All DSA virtual events are via Zoom streamed to Facebook Live
 
JAN
3 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts
4 - 1
10 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Ace Pounder hosts
11-14 -  Ironbridge Songwriting Conference 
13 - DSA Song Contest Awards
17 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts
24 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts
25 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright
26-8 Steve Seskin Bluebird Workshop, Nashville
31 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Mystery Guest hosts

FEB
1 - DSA Meeting & Workshop w/Guest Speaker Roy Elkins and Song Critiques 
7 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts
7-11 ASG Symposium, Austin, TX
8 - Bradley Banning on DSA Spotlight
14 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Ace Pounder hosts
15 - Wildflower Song Contest deadline
17-  DSA Member Contest Awards -
21 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts
28 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts
29 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright

MAR
6 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts
7 - DSA Meeting & Workshop w/Guest Speaker and Song Critiques
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
 
APR
3 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts
4 - DSA Meeting & Workshop w/Guest Speaker and Song Critiques  
5-7 - Deep Ellum Communtiy Arts Fair
10 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Ace Pounder hosts
13 - DSA Hall of Fame
17 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts
24 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts
25 - DSA Open Mic at Love N War with Rickey Gene Wright  

MAY
1 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Bill Martin hosts
2 - DSA Meeting & Workshop w/Guest Speaker and Song Critiques 
8 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Ace Pounder hosts
17-19 Wildflower Festival
22 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Allen Larson hosts
29 - DSA Virtual Open Mic - Keith Dobson hosts
30 - 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 WINTER CONTEST postmarked March 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 SUMMER LYRIC CONTEST FINALISTS  
BLUE by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ
FREE PIANO by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ
THE FIRST by Karla Langston, Sachse, Tx
The Last Song  by Wayne Gathright, Austin, 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 were elected at the Nov 3, 2023 Annual Membership Meeting. Directors for 2024 are:
1.  Michael Brandenberger           9. Joe Milton
2.  Bobby Montgomery                  10. Phil Castee
3.  Harry Hewlett                            11. Ken Dure
4.  Bill Martin                                   12. Troy Insle
5.  Ben Halim                                     13. Keith Dodson
6. Barbara McMillen                    14. Renee Sullivan
7.  Alexis Tapp                                     15.  Ace Pounder
8. Jamey Shannon.                                16. Dr Emmeline Miles

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

Fundraising - Bobby Montgomery

Administration - Barbe McMillen

At-Large – 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

Former DSA President Ron Grimes has a song, Love Only Love, up for Grammy nomination with singer IMAJ.
 
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 DSA blog site at: https://blog.dallassongwriters.org

 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 
 
Music AI in 2023: a database of tools
To help you navigate this particular space, we’ve published two useful sets of data, below, in the form of an interactive toolboard and a database, to help clarify and contextualise the many AI tools available. They range from consumer-focussed music-generation platforms, to music production tools and stem-separation plugins, and beyond. – by Joe Sparrow / Music:)ally

10 Predictions for media, entertainment & tech for 2024
AI will continue to dominate the headlines, but TikTok and Hollywood M&A will also play leading roles. – by Peter Csathy / Fearless Media

Tyler, The Creator is one of the most successful songwriters in 2023
The NMPA has announced the top Gold & Platinum songwriters for Q3 2023, including the top artist-songwriter, Tyler, The Creator, and top non-performing songwriter, Jon Brion. – by Ashley King / Digital Music News

Microsoft’s AI Chatbot Copilot can now compose songs from text prompts via integration with
generative music app Suno
Copilot users can now input simple verbal prompts, and Suno will produce a song for them, complete with lyrics, instrumentals and even singing voices. – by Mandy Dalugdug / Music Business Worldwide

Why are certain songs greyed out on Spotify?
Over the years, more than a few music fans have asked, “Why are some songs greyed out on Spotify?” Here’s a quick look at answers to the common question as well as potential solutions. – by Dylan Smith / Digital Music News
 

IN MEMORIAM 
  Nov 2023 
  
Johnny Ruffo
Singer and songwriter
35
November 10, 2023

Conny Van Dyke
Singer and actress
78
November 11, 2023
Los Angeles, California, U.S.

George Brown
Kool & the Gang
74
November 16, 2023
Long Beach, California, U.S.

Mars Williams
The Psychedelic Furs, The Waitresses, Liquid Soul
68
November 20, 2023

Jean Knight
Soul singer
80
November 22, 2023
Tampa, Florida, U.S.

Jim Salestrom
Singer-songwriter
67
November 22, 2023
Arvada, Colorado, U.S.

Greg "Fingers" Taylor
Harmonica player most notably with Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band
71
November 23, 2023

Les Maguire
Gerry and the Pacemakers
81
November 25, 2023
Liverpool, England

Shane MacGowan
The Pogues
65
November 30, 2023
Dublin, Ireland

Dec 2023

Denny Laine
Wings, The Moody Blues
79
December 5, 2023

Jeffrey Foskett
The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson
67
December 11, 2023

Colin Burgess
AC/DC, The Masters Apprentices
77
ca. December 16, 2023

Laura Lynch
Dixie Chicks
December 22, 2023
El Paso, Texas, U.S.

Willie Ruff
Jazz musician and educator
December 24, 2023
Killen, Alabama, U.S.

Rudy Flores
Los Humildes
December 26, 2023
Houston, Texas, U.S.

Tom Smothers
Comedian and musician
December 26, 2023
Santa Rosa, California, U.S.

Les McCann
Jazz pianist and vocalist
December 29, 2023
California, U.S.

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/

Bruce Springsteen, An Imposter?

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, 2024

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, 2024

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/ 

 
Wildflower Performing Songwriter Contest Deadline Feb 15. 

The 2024 award-winning Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest encourages the growth of the art of independent performing songwriters in the genres of Americana, Blues, Celtic, Country, Folk, Rock, Pop, Rap, Jazz, Bluegrass, etc. For over 20 years the contest has created an experience for finalists that provides networking opportunities amongst some of the top songwriters in the nation, live performances at the festival over the course of the weekend, and the chance to be a part of an historical experience.  Previous contest finalists include Ruthie Foster, Beth Wood, Karen Mal, Grace Pettis, Dave Carter, Louise Mosrie, BettySoo, Matt Harlan, Nicolette Good, RJ Cowdery, Drew Kennedy, Matthew Thomas and Tom Faulkner. Judging is based on originality, lyrics, melody, harmonic structure, and other song-craft elements. 

How to Enter

  • Complete the online application through Broadjam (please read contest rules before applying)
  • $30 entry fee
  • Two songs are required per entry fee

The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024. The finalist will be notified by March 28, 2024.

____________________________________________________

_________________________

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

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