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. 

http://dsameetings.blogspot.com

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

SONGWRITERS NOTES ISSUE # 239 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

 Hello Songwriter,

We've are finally blessed with some cooler weather and a season of fun. 

SEPT - Brought the close of the DSA 2023 International Song Contest, our Young Songwriters Song Contest and Summer Lyric Contest on Sept 30. The songs are in the judges hands.

Our North Texas Giving Day was a big success. We really appreciate your contribution. 

Lilly Harrigan receives a $500 scholarship from Dallas Songwriters. She's majoring in music at the university of Rochester where she is taking classes in music theory, musicianship, and intro to sound design and audio recording. She's an active member of the school’s musical community and participates in two choirs. She is also the head of an acoustic ensemble. She has started another band with her friends where they play her original songs at restaurants around Rochester. 

OCT  - DSA Prez Michael Brandenberger presenting a plaque of the Dallas Songwriters Community Service Award to the Tone Shop. Pictured from left to right - me, Mike Doty, Tommy Roberts, Austin Locker, and Grant Sheffield. 

DSA VP Bobby Montgomery presenting a plaque of the Dallas Songwriters Community Service Award to the Ruth Brinkmann of GuitArlington with Keith Dodson, Troy Inslee, and Jamey Shannon looking on. DSA members manned the booth for 2 days during the guitar show.

Former DSA President Ron Grimes has a song, Love Only Love, up for Grammy nomination with singer IMAJ.

DSA announces the Hall of Fame inductees for 2024 and a list 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. 

http://dsameetings.blogspot.com

DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques - Nov 3

Chris Robley will speak about empowering your communication with your fans
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. Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Dec. 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 Feb 15, 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.   Nov 16, Dec 28

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

SONGWRITERS NOTES ISSUE #237 MAY-AUGUST 2023

 

What a great month of May! We were so blessed with cooler weather. Perfect for our outdoor festival stages. But before we talk of that, lets recap our March-April events.

 

Alexis Tapp

MARCH - Our big event for March was the DSA Members and Community Virtual Awards on March 25 where we honored songwriters with the Song of the Year Award and the Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year Award. There were  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. Opening Bell, Tone Shop, Patty Allen Driver, and Guitarlington received DSA Community Service Awards. It was streamed on Facebook and the recording resides on our youtube channel. While you're there, please subscribe to our channel. https://www.youtube.com

And the winners are:  

         Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year - Alexis Tapp

 

         Song of the Year - Shoulda Coulda Woulda by Wayne Willingham

 

/@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/

See the replay on Youtube: https://youtu.be/biSYiLJVXV8

APRIL - Our special event for April was the DSA Hall of Fame 2023 - 

The 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony was 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 Magazine's Ron McKeown and Stoney Burns, plus Dallas Guitar Show's Jimmy Wallace, Mark Pollock, and Charley Wirz. DSA members (Ian Dickson, Wayne Willingham and Rio King) and Rising Stars under 18 ( Taylor Alyne, Claire Causey, Chloe Rae, Lavada Burns, Junia Rodriguez, and Kayden Turner) performed inductee songs with the BYOB band (Pam and Len Musgrove, Gregg Ballew, Sue Schildt, John Summers and Stan Woodward. https://dallassongwritershalloffame.blogspot.com

See the replay on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/ViqUq78aUaU

MAY - We were busy in May with two outdoor festivals. Our members performed for 4 days on several stages for the   

Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair - May 26 - 29. DSA Members performed. See all performances https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-0kMD48nrt13pDklxuLD190

We also managed and performed on the City Line Stage for 3 days at the

Wildflower Arts Festival - May 20-22 - City Line Stage - YouTube link:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-3pd2vZ4TlE7xzw5kzfuH1o

 

JUNE - Brings the opening of the DSA 2023 International Song Contest and our Young Songwriters Song Contest. See below for details and the link.

 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.

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. June 7, 14, 21, 28

Third Thursday Songwriter Spotlight streams to YouTube. 7-9 featuring Michael RJ Roth (2021 DSA SC GP runner up with Gone, Gone, Gone) June 8

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.  June 22, July 27, Aug 24

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

DOWN THE LINE

Wild Dawgs

 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

Sunday, July 23 - Columbia Lodge 66 presents the 5th Annual Blue Christmas In July -  A perfect Sunday afternoon blues event for charity including 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, 3414 Elm Street, OBA.

$15 at the door. $10 with toy donation

Bobby Wilbanks' and Gregg Smith's Birthday.

Aug 5 - DSA Pool Party - Good times again at Joe Miltons. Bring a pot luck dish.

 

Aug 12 - SonsStock -  Mini Woodstock - period Music and craft booths at Sons of Hermann Hall. DSA members perform. An invite to perform will be sent out through the membership google group. The performance will be gratis and will include originals and a minimum of two songs from the Woodstock playlist each set. This event benefits Hermann Sons Columbia Lodge.  Here is the link to the Facebook event page. https://fb.me/e/212cSTC3l

SONGWRITERS NOTES ISSUE #231 MAY/JUNE 2022

 HELLO SONGWRITER,

The Dallas International Guitar Show returned to Market Hall the first weekend in April 29 - May 1. Dallas Songwriters was well represented with a booth and members manning the booth to talk up the organization. Thanks to all of our members volunteers that made a successful show and VP Bobby Montgomery. Also, BIG Thanks to Jimmy Wallace for a big weekend full of guitars, rock and blues. 

We will be showcasing our talents again at the Wildflower Festival City Line Stage coming up  in May 20-22. https://dsapress.blogspot.com/2022/05/dsa-performs-at-city-line-stage-during.html

Also, there is a Steve Seskin Workshop on Friday that you should attend if you are serious about songwriting. See details below.

Heads up - The BW Stevenson Song Contest at Poor Davids Pub is in June this year. here is the link: https://poordavidspub.com/Comp.htm

Our virtual open mic is still occurring every Wednesday 7 - 9. There is a new Zoom meeting number. 617 432 0082. Love and War wants you to perform at our 4th Thursday open mic 7 - 9 and Opening Bell, 6 - 8pm, has 1 hour open mic space along with opp to showcase. Contact Bill Martin.

June brings Jamey Shannon as our meeting guest speaker on June 2nd (see below for details) and the Wild DAWG fishing trip. We will see all ya'll at Port Aransas.

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

 

 DSA Hall of Fame - 

The 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony was held on Saturday, April 23 at Love and War in Texas, streamed live to Facebook. MCs Barbe McMillen, Alexis Tapp and Harry Hewlett kept the show moving as performers sang songs by our inductees and they presented awards. Inductees David Card and Charles McGarry were on hand to receive the plaque and accept the awards. BYO band, Len Musgrove, Pamela Musgrove, Eric Spomer, Stan Bradshaw, Gregg Ballew, and Sue Schildt, backed our Rising Star performers Jane Aubrey, Jolie Hope, Claire Causey, Vada Burns, and Junia Rodriguez, and sang some of the inductees songs as well. 

Junia Rodriguez singing "If I Needed You" by Townes Van Zandt , with Pamela Musgrove, backed by the BYO band. 

There was a full house at Love and War. Thanks go out to all who were involved with the program, Deborah Driscoll, Patty Driver at Kids Who Rock and VP Bobby Montgomery.

Rising Star performer Jolie Hope with MC Alexis Tapp

Seven years ago we began to honor famous singer/songwriters with roots in the Dallas/Fort Worth area through an induction into the Dallas Songwriters Association Hall of Fame. This year's honorees are: Willie Nelson, Mickey Raphael, Charlie Pride, Townes Van Zandt, Kelly Clarkson, Leann Rimes, Bill Mack, Charles McGary, and David Card.

Here is the Facebook live stream.

https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/727838474918184

In the previous years we have honored legends such as T-Bone Walker, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Freddie King, Trini Lopez, Sam Samudo (Sam the Sham), Cindy Walker, Gus Levine, Al Johnson, Bruce Channel, Jerry Lynn Williams, Gary Nicholson, Delbert McClinton, the Nightcaps, Larry Henley, Steve Miller, Boz Scaggs, Stephen Stills, Rod Phelps, England Dan Seals, John Ford Coley, Janie Fricke, Steve Weisberg, John Denver, and Gregg A Smith. 

The DSA's initiative is to encourage young aspiring musicians to celebrate our legends with their performances of songs made famous by our inductees. We reached out to the local music schools and asked for auditions at each school for the honor to perform. The show is also archived on our Youtube channel.

  For more information about our program and inductees, go to the Hall of Fame website:  https://dallassongwritershalloffame.blogspot.com

 Donate to Hall of Fame

https://dallas-songwriters-association.square.site/product/donate-to-dallas-songwriters-hall-of-fame/27?cs=true&cst=custom

Past programs can be viewed on our Youtube Channel  - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-3Y_SmChiZRqM9rmPfrLWbL

DSA YOUTUBE CHANNEL - PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

      2020 Community Awards went to Dunn Brothers Coffee and Broadjam, Inc.

             https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/p/dsa-community-awards.html

SONGWRITERS NOTES E-NEWS #200 July/Aug 2018

Hello Songwriter,

We're in the dog days go Summer and it's been really hot in Dallas. The constellation Sirius is winking his eye. We're getting a breather this week but the temps will climb again. So 
NO THURSDAY MEETING AT HALF PRICE BOOKS
 Instead, it's time for our pool party and jam. Members and friends of DSA welcome. Come have fun and bring instrument or pull one from someone there. It’s at Joe Milton's so if you need an address, email us.

info@dallassongwriters.org

Please RSVP and let use know what you are bringing.

What we have so far:

Brisket

Chicken

Sausage

Potato salad

Hummus and Pita

Cole Slaw

Dr Pepper, Root Beer, Ginger ale..

Water

Chips and Onion Ranch Dip

Baked Beans

Hawaiian Bread 

Our Song Contest is up and running thru Sept 30th. View the website and enter online here. http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

Other regular DSA monthly event is the open mic on the first Monday, Aug 6, at Half Price Books and on the 3rd Thursday at Dunn Brothers.   3rd Thursdays.

I had intended to get this newsletter out the minute I got back from Ireland, but I became very ill the next day after I got home. It's been a long recovery from allergies, sinus infection and bronchitis, yuck! 
In June, I got a chance to go to Madison, Wisconsin to speak at the Between The Wave Music Conference and Festival. I was invited by our partner and Song Contest Sponsor, Roy Elkins, CEO of Broadjam to speak on Music Therapy.  Broadjam is a great platform to host your songs and you can sign up for a free trial when you enter our song contest on their site.  Between The Waves, was the 15th -16th of June. I really had a great time and made some new friends. The city of Madison is wonderful. Very beautiful nestled between three lakes. I did some site-seeing as well as attending the conference and festival. I was very impressed by the quality and number of speakers at the conference. At night there were several stages of great local talent to keep us entertained in the evenings. I was glad that I had attended the nightly festival and got to see much of the talent that won awards during the MAMA Awards Show on Sunday evening. Yes, they wrapped up the week with a local awards show at the beautiful Overture Arts Center in downtown Madison that was built with money donated by Pleasant Rowland who created the American Girl doll.  The show was held in the Capitol Theater, a renovated 1920's old theater that was incorporated into the Arts Center . There was a red carpet at the entrance and photographic backdrop covered in sponsor logos. It seemed that everyone in town was a sponsor. Madison really supports it's music community. The show was incredible produced so as to not have a slow moment. There were many local business owners who were presenters of special awards that they had donated. Local music stores, studios and educators were participants. All the nominees were announced on a video screen. Some awards were live on stage and others were announced from the video screen. There were also live performances mixed in the program in which the bands set up behind the curtain. The sound, video and lights were perfect. At the end of the show a very large latin band performed and you could hear every instrument. It took a lot of talent to put that show together. It was the best local awards show I have ever seen. And the real treat was to hear the songwriter, Skylar Grey, perform on a grand piano the hit pop single, "Love The Way You Lie" recorded by Rihanna and Eminem . 

Here is a link to the video of the Madison Area Music Association awards show on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/madisonareamusicassociation/    Also, here is the conference websiteso you can check out the talent speakers and artist that were involved.  http://btwmadison.com/  

Coming this fall is Dallas Songwriters at the State Fair and the Amigo International Guitar Show in Ft Worth. 

I still plan to put up a wrap up on the Hall of Fame, so check back. 

I will be teaching Songwriting at Collin College this fall from Aug 27 - Dec 16th, on Wed nights 7PM and T-R 11:30. You'll love the classes and the chance to co-write and perform with other students. Want to take the class online? There is a 10 week course this fall that follows along with the class at Collin. https://dallassongwriters.org/online-songwriting-workshop/

A hardcopy of the Spring 2018 newsletter with 2017 contest winners named was distributed at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, Wildflower Festival and Dallas Guitar Show. You can find a link to a pdf version at the top of the side bar to the right. 

Thanks to Paul Zander, Jon Jaggers, Bobby Montgomery, Ginger Stanoia, Kenneth Shoemaker, and Kristi Myers for their recent contributions to our fall fundraiser. Other contributors include Ireland, Jon Jaggers, Bill Kapac, Rio King, Mimi Balkey, Suzi Morse, and Jared LoStrato. There is still time to donate. Go to this link: https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/donation/

 Did you know we are live streaming on Facebook? 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 Angela's showcases. Can't make it? Then tune into Facebook/dallassongwriters. Want to be on our facebook streams? Show up and perform.

Songcerely,
Barbe

___________________________________________

DSA SONG CONTEST - 2018 contest now open thru Sept 30th

Enter online http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com 

Eight Song Categories

1. Christian/Inspirational

2. Country

3. Americana/Folk/Bluegrass

4. Pop/Rock/RnB/Alternative

5. Love Songs/Easy Listening

6. Children's/Novelty

7. Singer/Songwriter (songwriter is the performer)

8. Instrumental

Multiple Winners In Each Category

Entry Fee $25

Deadline: Sunday, Sept 30th

Submissions Close at Midnight. 

Cash Prizes +

THANKS TO OUR SONG CONTEST SPONSORS

GRAND PRIZE  -   A Casio Privia Piano

1st Runner Up

 wins studio time at

2nd Runner up

wins recording time at 

Grand Prize winners receive:

1 Yr. Broadjam Primo MoB Membership

($199.95 Value) 

Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting

1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

Category winners get cash prizes

Mike P Ryan playing his
grand prize Casio  Privia  keyboard

INTERVIEW WITH 2017 GRAND PRIZE WINNER MIKE P RYAN 
Mike talks about songwriting, Texas and Louisiana lullabies 
https://dallassongwriters.org/press/dsa-song-contest-winner-mike-p-ryan-talks-about-texas-louisiana-lullabies-and-songwriting/

AWARDS DINNER

  Our Awards Banquet was held on Friday December 8, 2017 at the historic Sons of Hermann Hall celebrating with top songs of the year performed by first rate talent. Some of our DSA Song Contest Semi finalists and Best Songs of the Meeting Finalists performed, including local artists Loralai Milton, Ireland, Megan Sullivan, Don Wall, Al Lumbreras, Allen Larson and Virginia native, Mike Ryan. 

Here is a recap in pictures in case you were unable to  attend. Thanks to Gene Schillaci for taking these photos at the awards.   https://dallassongwriters.org/2017-awards-banquet-recap/

Here is a pdf of the program hard copy handed out at the event.  https://dallassongwriters.org/2017-awards-banquet-program-pdf/

See the 2017 song contest winners here:  https://dallassongwriters.org/2017-song-contes…inners-announced/

Hear the song contest winners playlist: https://dallassongwriters.org/album/2017-song-contest-finalists/

_________________________________

DSA MEETINGS - https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-meeting/

NO meeting at Half Price Books  - Pool Party and Jam at Joe Miltons on Sat. instead.

Future Meetings:

Sept 6 - Bruce Chanel
Oct 4 - Barbara McMillen on performance contracts
Nov 1 - Annual Membership Meeting and Elections
Dec 1 - DSA Christmas Party and Awards Banquet.
___________________________________________ 

BEST SONGS of the Meeting - 
winners were announced at the Awards Dinner. Contest for 2018 is in full swing. Bring your songs to the meeting for review, no need to have a recording, you can play them live, then use the benefit of the critique to rewrite if need be, or record and then turn in your songs in fall for the judge. 

2017 Song of the Year - Lucky Man by Craig Langford, Dallas, Tx

2017 Winner Songwriter of the Year - Craig Langford

See the Best Songs of the Meeting and Songwriter of the Year 

Winners here:  https://dallassongwriters.org/best-songs-songw…r-year-announced/

https://dallassongwriters.org/best-songs-songwriter-year-announced/

Finalists - https://dallassongwriters.org/song-year-finalist-announced/

_____________________

WORKSHOPS

Online Workshop on DSA site starts in the Fall. Songwriting Classes at Collin College start Aug 27th.

______________________________________                          

SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

OPEN MICS

 HALF PRICE BOOKS OPEN MIC - NORTHWEST HIGHWAY - 

EVERY 1ST MONDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm hosted by Harry Hewlett
Open mic has changed to an old fashion guitar pull and new song workshop. Bring you guitar of pull one from Harry. Play your recorded songs from your phone. 

If you want peer feedback on a song bring a few lyric sheets

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE - Addison

EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Hosted by  Harry Hewlett

In November 2017, DSA celebrated 13 years at Dunn Brothers
see review of

11th Anniversary DSA 3rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Bros.

Renew your membership online.

You'll find the link to the store on the panel to the right

Or paste this link in your browser: https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/dsa-membership/

________________ 

EVENTS - Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, and showcases.

2018

AUGUST
2 - NO MEETING - Monthly Meeting  and Critiques - POOL PARTY on the 4th

3-5, FALCON RIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, Hillsdale, NY

3-5 RHYTHMS ON THE RIO, South Fork, CO

4-6 CANMORE FOLK FESTIVAL, Canmore, Alberta, CAN

4-  DSA Pool Party and Jam

6 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books
6-8 REO Rafting Songwriting Conference, Vancouver, BC Canada

16 DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

16-19 PHILADELPHIA FOLK FESTIVAL, Philadelphia, PA
17-19 BEAR CREEK FOLK FESTIVAL, Grand Prairie, Alberta, CAN
17-19 ROCKY MOUNTAIN FOLKS FESTIVAL, Lyons, CO

22 - 25 Cutting Edge Music Conference, NOLA  

SEPT

3 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books
6 -  Monthly Meeting  and Critiques with Bruce Chanel at Half Price Books
8-9 West Coast Songwriters Conference, San Francisco, CA

20-  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
28- Oct 21 State Fair of Texas, Dallas Tx

OCT

1 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books
4 -  Monthly Meeting  and Critiques at Half Price Books
6-7 Amigo International Guitar Show, Will Rogers, Ft Worth TX
4-6 Durango Songwriters Expo, Boulder/Broomfield, Co.

18 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

NOV

1 -  Monthly Meeting  and Critiques - Annual Membership Meeting and Elections at Half Price Books
3 - Bosque Arts Center Texas Troubadour Songwriters Classic with Michael Murphy 
4 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books

15 -  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

DEC

3 - DSA Guitar Pull and New Song Workshop at Half Price Books
8 -  DSA Awards Banquet and Christmas party at Sons of Hermann Hall

20-  DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers

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/

 _______________________

DSA LYRIC CONTEST - Next deadline postmarked June 30th

Enter online https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/lyric-contest-entry/ 

or by mail   

Thanks to Lyric Contest Co- Director, Gene Schillaci

 WINTER 2018 -WINNERS ANNOUNCED 

SEMIFINALIST

"Shey" by Kenneth Adams, Rockwall, Tx 

"Dreaming" by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

"Homeless Sky" by  Michael Roth, Arlington, VA

"If You Have any Questions, Ask You" by Ken Adams, Rockwall, TX

"Five Day Weekend" by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

"The Bridge is Higher" by Minnie Murray, Sante Fe, NM

"You Are My Fantasy" by Myra Litton, London, UK

AND THE 2018 WINTER WINNERS ARE......... https://dallassongwriters.org/2018-winter-lyric-contest-winners-announced/

PAST WINNERS and LYRICS POSTED ON THE OLD  WEBSITE

LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION

Next Lyric Contest Deadline is June 30th for Spring Lyric Contest

Entry fee is $10

Please see lyric contest webpage for details.

https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest/

HARD COPY OF 2012 WINNERS IN SPRING 2013 ISSUE OF SONGWRITERS NOTES.

HARD COPY OF 2013 FALL ISSUE INCLUDES SPRING AND SUMMER WINNERS 2013

HARD COPY OF SUMMER AND FALL 2013 WINNER ARE IN THE 2014 SPRING ISSUE OF SONGWRITERS NOTES

 2017 FALL WINNERS ARE.........  https://dallassongwriters.org/winners-2017-fall-lyric-contest/

_______________

 MEMBER NEWS -

Member Mr Troll had a stroke this summer and is in rehab in a facility in north Richardson on Shiloh Road. Send him a card or drop by and visit him. San Remo, 3550 Shiloh Rd. Richardson, TX. Or send him get well wishes by Email.

Also, Rod Phelps has been in the hospital again this summer. He had a stroke on May 23rd. Email him with your get well wishes.

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 elected at our Nov 6th 2017 Annual Membership Meeting were:

Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Phillip Casteel, Barbe McMillen, Joe Milton, Marcus Belmore, Steve Sullivan, Ken Duren, James Pappas, Jessica Ewy, Rod Phelps,Gene Schillaci and Harry Hewlett. New officers were elected at the planning meeting on Jan 6th. 

 Officers 2018

Michael Brandenberger -  Prez

Bobby Montgomery - VP Programs

Phil Casteel - Treasurer
Jessica Ewy - Secretary

Alexis Tapp - VP Membership, Lyric Contest Director

Barbe McMillen - Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - A/R 
Gene Schillaci - Lyric Contest Director, Webmaster

Steve Sullivan, James Pappas, Joe Milton, Ken Duren - At Large
Marcus Belmore - Executive VP,  Technology

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 Winspear Opera House events.

Lyricists are invited to co-write with music writers by submitting your lyric through the member yahoo group.
NEW MEMBERS: Have you joined our member only yahoo group where you can talk with the group and get special offers and last minute updates on events? subscribe: dallassongwriters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

                   PATRON SAINTS: PAUL ZANDER, BOBBY MONTGOMERY, JOHN JAGGERS

Patron Sponsor L3: Michael Brandenberger, Bill Honker, John Stone

Patron Sponsor L1: Cliff Monroe, Suzi Morse,  Rio King, Ginger Stanoio

Patron Sponsor: Mimi Balkey, Kristi Myers

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Donette Murphy, Alejandro Dominguez, Jack Simmons, Steve Brown, Terry Jennings, Todd Catham, Jack Allday, Josh Goode, Ryan Mahoney, Steve Ledford, Lance French, Melissa Standifird, Douglas Lloyd, Mitch Horner, Kerry Maddox, Brandon Elliott, 

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Suzi Morse, Ricky Gene Wright, Cat McGee, Aaron Shook, Ken Duren, Raquel Linderman, Phillip Wildman, Greg Waits, Randy Wallace, Ryan Galloway, Phillip Casteel, Joseph Lopez, Don Wall, David Claerr, Stephen Valenzuela, Gene Schillachi, Ricky Gene Wright, Aaron Shook, Jacquelyn Schwartz

TIME TO RENEW: The following members owe dues:

YOU HAVE A TWO MONTH GRACE PERIOD TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE MEMBER GROUP

EXPIRED IN MAY: Daniel LaToof
EXPIRED IN JUNE: Robin Dossey, Joe Austin, Wayne Talley, Loralee Pearman, Lynn McCracken
EXPIRED IN JULY: Bill Nash, Bill Cox
EXPIRED IN AUGUST: Yanna Zovich, Warren Hanson
EXPIRED IN SEPT: Adrianna Braddon Patrick Deasey

EXPIRED IN OCT: Charles Carter, Roger Kaye
EXPIRED IN NOV: All renewed -Thanks
EXPIRED IN DEC: All renewed -Thanks
EXPIRED IN JAN: Conrad Shwartz, Chris Sjostrom, Lauren Paley, Pam Oliver, Yulia Petrova, Bonnie Warren, Don Coyne 
EXPIRED IN FEB: Bianca Rodrequez, Trevor Dahlen
EXPIRED IN MARCH: Al Lumbreras, Jessica Ewy, Charles Barrale, Jeff Stachowesky, Victoria Bouton, Julia Pauletti, David Byboth
EXPIRED IN APRIL: Aubrey and Audie Teeter, Claude Webb
EXPIRED IN MAY: Rob Case, Dan Roark, Dickey Johnson, Kevin Brennan, Matt Brent, Stephanie Sammons, Charles Leftwich, John Nelson.
EXPIRED IN JUNE: Brad Banning, Davis Banning, Bill Honker, Robert Tomberlin, Malini Shaw, Marcus Belmore.
EXPIRED IN JULY: JR Rosenberger, Bob Sullivan, Mike Mullins, Bill Cox, Brook Malouf, Bill Sibley
TIME TO RENEW: Robert Graham, Lanny Sherwin, Wayne Willingham, Minnie Murray

Renew your membership online.

You'll find the link to the store on the panel to the right

Or paste this link in your browser: https://dallassongwriters.org/shop/dsa-membership/

_____________________

Featured Articles:

Frank Sinatra was a one or two take kinda guy. The beauty of his recordings is listening to him turn the few mistakes he made into works of art on the fly.

The Problem With Perfect: The Power Of Musical Mistakes

By Patrick McGuire (Flypaper)

While an error in either recording or performance is bane of many musicians' existence, such errors aren't necessarily the worst thing that can happen. In fact, some mistakes can ultimately play out in an artist's favor in some surprising way. Continue Reading 

'God Bless America': 100 Years of an Immigrant's Anthem

By Sheryl Kaskowitz (New York Times)

As "God Bless America" celebrates its 100th birthday this summer, anyone who sings it should remember that it began as — and at root will always be — a love song to this country from an immigrant grateful to have been given a chance at a new life.  Continue Reading 

Film Musicians Residuals Fund Collects Record $100 Million

By David Robb (Deadline Hollywood)

The record industry might be tanking, but the music industry is thriving within the film and TV business. Employer contributions to a residuals fund for musicians whose work is heard on the big and small screens hit a record $100 million last year, according to the latest report from the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund. Continue Reading 

4 Myths Musicians Believe About Succeeding in the Music Industry

By Krizel Minnema (Soundfly Partners)

I've found that there are four big myths that musicians end up believing about succeeding in the music industry. And unfortunately, a lot of this blind hope only sets them up for failure.  Continue Reading 

MUSIC BUSINESS

Essential Artist One-Sheet Checklist

By Garrett Gomez (Repost Network)

For those unfamiliar, a one-sheet is a one page overview of your band and/or music. Often, a one-sheet is used by PR agents, distributors, and other industry professionals to determine how sellable your band is to any given audience. When crafting a one-sheet, you want to ensure that it's pleasing to the eye and making an impactive impression of your band. By following our essential checklist, your one-sheet will stun readers and professionals alike.  Continue Reading 

How To Build A Perfect Musicians One Sheet

By Janelle Rogers (Tunecore)

The one-sheet, a simple single page overview of you and your music, is a tool used by the many music industry gatekeepers (think radio stations and booking agents) to determine how sellable you are as a band or artist. Here we look at a checklist designed to help you write the most effective one-sheet possible.  Continue Reading 

How to Get Your Music to the Top of the Pile When Submitting It for Licensing

By Evan Zwisler (Flypaper)

These days, music licensing seems to be one of the most lucrative ways to make money as a musician. ... Like so many things in the music industry, getting your foot in the door is the hardest part.  Continue Reading 

How to Get an Endorsement as a Musician

By Monique Hernandez-Fuentes (Bandzoogle)

... some pointers for the best way to get an endorsement from the company you love. Continue Reading 

Struttin' your stuff music, baby! Let the good times roll! Continue Reading 

The 6 Must-Dos When Taking Band Photos

By Hugh McIntyre (Sonicbids)

Is It Possible to Change the Title of a Work That I've Registered?

By Rob Kasunic, Director of Registration Policy and Practices at the US Copyright Office (Copyright Alliance)

7 Reasons You Aren't Getting the Gig

By Dan Reifsnyder (Sonicbids)

Do I Have To Use My Legal Name To Register A Work?

By Rob Kasunic, Director of Registration Policy and Practices at the U.S. Copyright Office (Copyright Alliance)

How to Find Session Musician Jobs

By Evan Zwisler (Bandzoogle)

Hints from DK: Be able to read music and play your part - cold – with appropriate emotion - which requires you to have spent most of your life practicing.

LISTEN 

The Beatles' Revelatory White Album Demos: A Complete Guide 
By Jordan Runtagh (Rolling Stone) 
We delve deep into the 1968 home recordings that planted the seeds for the band's classic self-titled double LP (Staring the demo's themselves.)  Continue Reading  

Delbert McClinton
Bruce Channel
Gary Nicholson
Jerry Williams
Nightcapes

VIDEO
https://www.facebook.com/pg/dallassongwriters/videos/ 

VIDEO: This 8 Year Old Drummer Slaying Zeppelin is Giving Me Life

(Vimeo)

8-year-old Japanese drummer Yoyoka Soma says her three favorite drummers are Chris Coleman, Benny Greb and Led Zeppelin's John Bonham.  Continue Reading 

Video: "Dixie Walker"

By Henry Butler & Steven Bernstein

Hadn’t been to New Orleans in a while. This helps feed my soul.

IN MEMORIAM

https://www.ranker.com/list/musicians-who-died-in-2018/celebrity-lists

RECORDING

How Rap Ushered the Piano into Its Next Developmental Phase

By Charles Burchell (Flypaper)

One instrument that has remained a constant in some of hip-hop's biggest hits is the piano. As unlikely as it sounds, you can go back to any year since 1987 and find a popular hip-hop song that features the piano cleanly or electronically processed as the primary melodic instrument. Continue Reading 

How to Make Your Streaming Music Sound Waaaaay Better

By Jon Gugala (Fatherly)

Tips, tricks, and hacks to improving your music in the age of compression.  Continue Reading 

10 Best Audio Editing Software for PC (2018)

PERFORMANCE 

How to NOT Lose Your Voice On Tour!

By Nico Padden (DIY Musician)

10 ways to keep your voice in top shape on the road Continue Reading 

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

Getting The Most Out Of Criticism Of Your Music

By Patrick McGuire (Flypaper)

Humans, for the most part, don't often take criticism particularly well, and having someone pass judgement on your music can seem especially personal. Here we look at how make the most out of criticism and turn it into a positive source for growth ...  Continue Reading 

30 Creative Songwriting Prompts Courtesy of Eno's Oblique Strategies

By Evan Zwisler (Flypaper)

If you've ever found yourself experiencing writer's block or circling the same idea over and over, unable to progress, you'll benefit from having some of these prompts at your disposal.  Continue Reading 

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/

_____________________

 Song and Talent Contests

 DSA Quarterly Lyric Contest http://dsalyriccontest.blogspot.com/

Next deadline - March 31

Best Songs of the Meeting - for DSA Members only - submit at the monthly meeting.
  

DSA Song Contest OPEN NOW - SEPT 30

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

Entries are now being accepted for the Texas Troubadour Songwriter Classic.  Entries should be submitted to the following locations: online at BosqueArtsCenter.org or by mail to Bosque Arts Center/PO Box 373/Clifton, TX 76634.  Entry guidelines are available online; email questions to Music@BosqueArtsCenter.org.

FAI's Regional and International Events and Deadlines

FARM | Folk Alliance Region Midwest
Official Showcase applications due June 10
October 25 - 28, 2018
Grand Rapids, Michigan
*Look for FAI staff at this event!


NERFA | Northeast Regional Folk Alliance
Semi-Formal Showcase applications due July 9
November 8-11, 2018
Stamford, Connecticut
*Look for FAI staff at this event!


SWRFA | Southwest Regional Folk Alliance
Official Showcase application due July 15
September 26 - 30, 2018
Austin, Texas
*Look for FAI staff at this event!


FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
Official Showcase application due August 15
February 13 - 17, 2019
Montréal, Québec, Canada


FAR-West | Folk Alliance Region West
Summer Registration Rate ends August 31
October 11 - 14, 2018
Woodland Hills, California
*Look for FAI staff at this event!


SERFA | Southeast Regional Folk Alliance
More Info Here
May 15 - 19, 2019
Chattanooga, Tennessee
*Look for FAI staff at this event!

A comprehensive list of Song Contests compliments of MusesMuse.com

http://www.musesmuse.com/muselinks/Songwriting/Contests/index.html