Hello Songwriter,
What happened in JANUARY -
We held elections for officers at the Board of Directors Planning Meeting on January, 6 where we enjoyed the hospitality of Michael and Karol Brandenberger who opened their home to us. Our monthly workshop guest speaker was Chuck Rainey on January 4. You can find his talk on our Youtube
channel. On January 13 we held a virtual awards program for the DSA International Song Contest with semifinalist performing and directors and judges presenting, all made possible by the wizard HH Hewlett as director. Look for that program on YouTube. See below, more on our Grand Prize winners, M'Lynn Musgrove and Will Townsley along with all the category winners. plus the winner of the Young Songwriters Contest, Emma James.
What happened in FEBRUARY - Our monthly workshop guest speaker was Roy Elkins who spoke about the use of AI in songwriting on February 1. You can find his talk on our Youtube channel. On the 13th we celebrated Red Byboth's birthday at Love and War.
 |
| Choya and Alexis Tapp, Red Byboth, Barbe McMillen, Troy Inslee, Karol and Michael Brandenberger |
On the 17th we held a virtual Best Songs of the Meeting Awards Program with 11 performers and 21 songs from the submissions of the meeting critiques. Winners were announced for the Song Of The Year Award, Keith Dodson, and the Vern Dailey Songwriter Of The Year Award, Wayne Gathright. See below for details and YouTube for the program.
https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/
The Journey of A Song - Songwriters perform in the round. Please sign up with host Emmeline Miles open mic 7 - 9.
Quick look events page: https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com
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.
Songcerely,
Barbe
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.
2023 Grand Prize Winners
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
1. Fade Away by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
2. Country USA by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
3. 3. Safety Net by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
HM Nothing to Do With You by Will Townsley, Arlington, TX
Judge Roy Elkins comments: https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/p/dsa-2023-song-contest-awards-grand.html
 |
| Grand prize Winner M'Lynn Musgrove |
 | ||
| Grand prize Runner Up Wayne Gathright |
 |
| Grand Prize Honorable Mention Will Townsley |
 |
| Young Songwriter Contest Winner Emma James |
1. Dreaming Wild by Emma James, Corpus Christi, Tx
2. Happy For You by Ava Della Pietra, Old Field, NY
3. Worst Of Times by Ava Della Pietra, Old Field, NY
----------------
http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com Cash Prizes +
Category winners get cash prizes
2. DSA MEETINGS - http://dsameetings.blogspot.com
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
The Dallas Songwriters Association has moved it's monthly workshop
to the second Thursday from the first Thursday. It will remain virtual
because we have members from all over the world.
Thursday, March 14 - Harry Hewlett
Making Reels for social Media Marketing
March's meeting will feature one of the most active directors at DSA, Mr. Harry Hewlett!! He is credited for building extensive content for the DSA Youtube channel . He is also the person that keeps track of the talent among the members and fills the slots on out festival stages. Harry is also the person behind all our virtual meetings and awards programs. He is co-diretor of our contests and the cog that keeps DSA rolling. This will be quite a treat, because he will share with us his extensive experience with making reels, an important tool in social media marketing.
https://www.thetroumatics.com
Dr. Troum has been practicing exclusively hand and upper extremity surgery for over 20 years and has been in the Dallas-Ft Worth community since 2000. He has published many journal articles and book chapters on topics including arthroscopy, vascular disease, hand infections, tumors, replantation, and various subjects in general surgery.
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.
___________________________________________
On Saturday February 17, DSA gathered on Zoom for the Best Songs
of the Meeting Awards Program. Barbara McMillen hosted the show along
with presenters Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Bill Martin,
Seth Ginsberg and Keith Dodson and our director Harry Hewlett.
Thanks to our performers Steve Ledford, Bill Martin, Wayne Willingham, Michael RJ Roth, Harri Wolf, Seth Ginsberg, Don Wall, Troy Inslee, Alexis Tapp, Keith Dodson, and Wayne Gathright the show was full of 21 wonderful songs between the awards given.
DSA President Michael Brandenberger informed us of the new this year trophies to be given out for song and songwriter of the year will be called the SONGBIRD AWARD.
Our sponsor JeriAlice of River Sounds Recording Resort was our judge and she presented the SONGBIRD AWARDS.
Community Awards were given to Guitars and Growlers by Bill Martin, and Guitars For Vets Dallas by Bobby Montgomery.
WINNER OF THE VERN DAILY SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Vern Daily Songwriter of the Year - Wayne Gathright
Wayne Gathright written and recorded over 150 songs and garnered awards from Austin Songwriters, becoming ‘Songwriter of the Year’ in 2019. Wayne also won 3rd place in the Dallas Songwriting Competition, and has several ‘Publisher Picks’ in the Texas Songwriter’s Symposiums. Wayne is from Austin but has been an active DSA Member for the past two years.
WINNER OF THE SONG OF THE YEAR AWARD
Song of the Year - Rattlesnake Rita by Keith Dodson
Keith Dodson retired from Raytheon as an engineer about 14 months ago to devote his time to songwriting. Besides being a DSA member and Director he is also involved in Acoustic Fridays in Lewisville where once a month they write a song with a prompt. Also he attends the Carrollton Bluegrass group once a monthly.
1st runner up I Hate Jazz by Wayne Gathright
Boxcar Lullaby by Steve Ledford
2nd runner up There’s Always a Train by Steve Ledford
Bit By Bit by Wayne Gathright
2023 SEMIFINALISTS
Memorial Day by Eric Ramsey and Michael RothA Little More Time by Wayne Willingham
Rattlesnake Rita by Keith Dodson
Jonah Chapter 4 by Keith Dodson
There’s Always a Train by Steve Ledford
Boxcar Lullaby by Steve Ledford
I Hate Jazz by Wayne Gathright
Bit By Bit by Wayne Gathright
Coming Home by Wayne Gathright
Country USA by Wayne Gathright
JAN
Hold Me Close by Don WallSpending Time by Don Wall
The Front Runner by Keith Dodson
Fort Collins by Bill Martin
Mr Moon by Wayne Gathright
Cut To The Chase by Keagan Riley
Outlaw Outta Me by Troy Inslee and Alexis Tapp
Ashes of Paradise by Michael Roth, Harry Wolf, Sarah Riddell
Classic Cars Are Nothing New by Steve Ledford
I Didn’t Sing To Her by Steve Ledford
Boo Bye Bye by Alexis Tapp
FEB
I Won’t Bring You Flowers Anymore by Michael RothWalk a Mile in My Blues by Keith Dodson
Keep It Down by Theodore Henning
Wedding Party by Wayne Gathright
I'll Never Be a Falling Star by Steve Ledford
Back Then by Steve Ledford
That Street by Wayne Willingham
Perfectly Imperfect (or something like that) by Alexis Tapp
Fuels The Flame by Rickey Gene Wright
Love Washes Off by Michael Roth
Red, White and the Blues by Don Wall
Me and You by Don Wall
MAR
4. WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES
______________________________________________________- 5. SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS |
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/ or Zoom to perform.
Hosting rotated as an open mic on Zoom. We will perform in the round in the order that you come into the meeting.
* 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.DSA FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT STAGE
6. EVENTS - Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, and showcases. A List of DSA events only can be found at https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com
All DSA virtual events are via Zoom streamed to Facebook Live
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
WINTER 2023
Kingdom Come by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ
SPRING 2023
SUMMER 2023
See winners and judges comments here:
https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com/
See all 2022 winners here: https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com/p/2022-lyric-contest-winners.html
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.
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:
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
President - Michael Brandenberger
Executive VP Programs - Bobby Montgomery
Secretary - Bill Martin
Treasurer - Phillip Casteel
VP Membership - Emmeline Miles
VP Technology - Ben Halim
Marketing Director -Jamey Shannon
A&R Director - Barbe McMillen
Workshop Director - Bobby Montgomery
Showcase Director - Bill Martin/Ace Pounder
Song Contest Director - Barbe McMillen/ Harry Hewlett
Lyric Contest Director - Alexis Tapp
PR/Communications Director - Troy Vanferhoof/ Keith Dodson
Fundraising - Bobby Montgomery
Administration - Barbe McMillen
At-Large – Renee Sullivan/Ken Duren/Ace Pounder/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
Scholarship recipient Lilly Harrigan has been busy attending muisc school and performing. Check out her performance on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4KSe6SujZ7/?igsh=Z3N4MDU0djY1ODE3
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
https://dallassongwriters.org/join-dsa/
_________________________________
platform had the most modified songs in 2023?
In early 2023, we published a report on the state of modified audio across user-generated content (UGC) platforms. We found hundreds of millions of pieces of modified audio on these sites, representing millions in potential missed royalties for music rightsholders. After quantifying this issue, we dove deeper, launching a weekly modified audio newsletter and looking at modified audio across DSPs like Spotify. Almost one full year later, we’ve rerun the data to see how the amount of sped up, slowed down, or otherwise modified songs has changed online. Keep reading for the updated report to learn which platform now has the most modified audio. – by Larry Mills / Pex
Lately, we’ve seen several headlines and comments from tech giants say that AI ventures simply cannot succeed if they are forced to contend with the copyrights in the billions of works they have scraped for the purpose of machine learning (ML). When these headlines are paired with the rampant assertions that ML is inherently fair use—a subject addressed in last Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee (SJC) hearing on AI and journalism—one has to wonder about the business decisions being made before generative AI exploded last year. – by David Newhoff / Illusion of More
IN MEMORIAM
JAN 2024
Larry Collins
Country guitarist and singer-songwriter
79
January 5, 2024
Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
Undisclosed[4]
Jo-El Sonnier
Country and Cajun singer-songwriter and musician
77
January 13, 2024
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Cardiac arrest[12]
Melanie
Singer-songwriter
76
January 23, 2024
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Undisclosed[17]
FEB 2024Toby Keith
Country singer-songwriter
62
February 5, 2024
Stomach cancer[26]
Henry Fambrough
The Spinners
85
February 7, 2024
Sterling, Virginia, U.S.
Natural causes[27]
Mojo Nixon
Musician, actor, and DJ
66
February 7, 2024
On a cruise ship
Cardiac arrest[28]
Randy Sparks
The New Christy Minstrels, The Back Porch Majority
90
February 11, 2024
San Diego, California, U.S.
Undisclosed[31]
Kerry "Fatman" Hunter
New Orleans Nightcrawlers
53
February 13, 2024
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Hit by a car[32]
Etterlene DeBarge
Gospel singer
88
February 16, 2024
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Undisclosed[33]
W. C. Clark
Blues musician
84
March 2, 2024
Undisclosed[39]
Brit Turner
Blackberry Smoke
57
March 3, 2024
Glioblastoma[40]
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 ContestsDSA
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.
____________________________________________________
A comprehensive list of Song Contests
https://www.ghostswelcome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Songwriting-Competitions-2019.png_________________________
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
Country singer-songwriter
62
February 5, 2024
Stomach cancer[26]
Henry Fambrough
The Spinners
85
February 7, 2024
Sterling, Virginia, U.S.
Natural causes[27]
Mojo Nixon
Musician, actor, and DJ
66
February 7, 2024
On a cruise ship
Cardiac arrest[28]
Randy Sparks
The New Christy Minstrels, The Back Porch Majority
90
February 11, 2024
San Diego, California, U.S.
Undisclosed[31]
Kerry "Fatman" Hunter
New Orleans Nightcrawlers
53
February 13, 2024
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Hit by a car[32]
Etterlene DeBarge
Gospel singer
88
February 16, 2024
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Undisclosed[33]
W. C. Clark
Blues musician
84
March 2, 2024
Undisclosed[39]
Brit Turner
Blackberry Smoke
57
March 3, 2024
Glioblastoma[40]
https://www.ihopeidiebeforeigetold.com/dead-rock-stars.php
https://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/musicians-who-died-in-2022.html
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/
________________________________
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/
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.
https://www.ghostswelcome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Songwriting-Competitions-2019.png
_________________________
DSA depends on your support.
Your gift enables us to meet our mission.
Donations are welcome year round.
Thanks for reading this far. If you have any suggestions for the newsletter, please let me know. Follow me on Twitter @barbemcmillen. Give me a tweet.
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