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 #230 MARCH/APRIL 2022

 

HELLO SONGWRITER,

Tonight Thursday, April 7, is the Dallas Songwriters Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques and our guest speaker is from Iceland, Eyvindur Karlsson of Strongwriter.net

Don't miss this interesting guy talk about songwriting. Song critiques follow. 

Our 3 day stage performances for the Deep Ellum Arts Festival was really really great. The weather was beautiful and our DSA performers were super! Please check our youtube channel for select recordings of performances. Please subscribe to our channel and like each video. It helps with the algorithm.

We will be showcasing our talents again at the Wildflower Festival City Line Stage coming up  in May. Also, there is a Steve Seskin Workshop on Friday that you should attend if you are serious about songwriting. See details below.

Heads up - It's April so there is a BW Stevenson Song Contest at Poor Davids Pub this month. here is the link: https://poordavidspub.com/Comp.htm

We will have a booth at the Dallas Guitar Show April 29- May 1 at Market Hall. Wanna represent DSA at our booth? Contact Bobby Montgomery.

We have 10 events for the month of April. For a complete detailed list go to our events website.

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

SATURDAY APRIL 3, 6PM LOVE AND WAR - performances by the BYO Band, DSA Members and Rising Stars.

 

 DSA Hall of Fame - 

The 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Saturday April 23, hopefully in a live venue, Love and War in Texas, or option is virtually on Zoom and streamed live to Facebook.  

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.

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 #211 OCTOBER 2019

Hello Songwriter,

 I don't know if the weather will ever turn cool. It's still in the 90's. The State Fair of Texas has started and it's gotta get cooler so we can enjoy it.

We are back in the swing of a busy fall season.

We had a great showing again this month at the Monday Meetup on September 2nd. A number of members and visitors shared their songs.

At our first Thursday Meeting, yours truly analyzed two very popular songs from pop and country genre, followed by song critiques.

We had decent number attending at the Opening Bell showcase on the 2nd Wednesday. Featured in September were: Host Cat McGee, along with performers month were Harry Hewlett, Joe Milton, Dorinda Weaver, and Jade Nichol. Performing during open mic times were Beau McDermott and Michelle Macky, and Natasha Blanton.

A good crowd showed up at Dunn Brothers for the Third Thursday Open Mic hosted by Harry Hewlett..  Performers included Allen Larson, Roland, Jade Lee, and Miss Ager. It was a fun evening..

Our attendance at Love and War was up, with around 40 attending. It was still a little warm. Hosting was Buck Morgan, along with performers Stephanie Sammons, Allen Larson, and Rio King.  Joining these performers at our 9pm open mic were Natasha Blanton and Harry Hewlett. 
You can find videos on each of these performers from our showcases and open mics on our facebook page in videos.

Our regular DSA MONTHLY EVENTS:
* First Thursday Monthly Meeting, Guest Speaker, Ben Halim at HPB
* Songwriter Meetup, 1st Monday, at Half Price Books on NWH in Dallas
* the 3rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Brothers Coffee in Addison hosted by Harry.
* the 2nd Wednesday Showcase at Opening Bell in South Side.
* the 4th Thursday Showcase at Love and War in Texas in Plano

Our LYRIC CONTEST has quarterly deadlines: March, June, September, December.
Winners from the Spring 2019 contest has been announced below.

ANNUAL SONG CONTEST is closing Sept 30th. Semifinalist will be announced on November 9th.

YOUNG SONGWRITERS CONTEST - We have a new contest for youth 18 and under. Deadline Nov 15th.
https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

SPECIAL EVENT - Coming up on Oct 5 and 6 is the Amigo International Guitar Show in Ft Worth . DSA will have a booth so come out and party with us. https://www.facebook.com/events/2307601799471847/

NORTH TEXS GIVING DAY:  
We raised around $500. 

https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/dallassongwriters

DSA announces the songwriters and musicians that will be honored in 2020 Hall of Fame: John Denver, England Dan, John Ford Coley, Steve Wiseberg, Janie Fricke, and Gregg Smith.

I few days ago, I got this nice email from Chip Kirkland. Thought you might be interested.
"Barbe,

I have been on your mailing list for a very long time, and have witnessed your dedication to songwriting. It was probably 14 years ago that my son Joe and I attended one of your meetings. You were kind enough to ask him to play one of his songs at your meeting. Flash forward...... Joe attended N. TX University as a percussion performance major. Dropped out his senior year to join a band. Has traveled the US and many parts of the world, appeared on The Voice, and is now a 32 year old, professional songwriter, signed with Warner-Chappel Publishing, and living in LA, (Resume attached). Just wanted you to know that you and your organization had an influence on Joe's career. I know that you love your work, and are committed to your craft. Thanks for your influence. 

Chip Kirkland 9/18/19"

Check out the book review by Allan Larson of the Terry Jennings book about his father Waylon Jennings. Read it here: https://dsabookstore.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. 
There is still a chance to donate for the new year. Your generosity keeps our organization going. Just go to www.dallassongwriters.org and click on the donation link. 

Thanks to Paul Zander, Jon Jaggers, Bobby Montgomery, 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, Jon 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 Angela's showcases. Can't make it? Then tune into Facebook/dallassongwriters. Want to be on our facebook streams? Show up and perform.

WOW! There's a lot going on this fall! Come on out to our events!

Songcerely,
Barbe

___________________________________________

DSA SONG CONTEST -  2019 Contest - DEADLINE SEPT 30.

http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com      Cash Prizes +

DSA is proud to announce that this years Grand Prize Casio Privia Keyboard is the new PX-S1000. This new electronic keyboard sounds and feels like a real piano and it is lighter weight than other keyboards with the same features. This “world’s slimmest digital piano” weighs in at just 24.7 pounds. The back panel includes a USB port, an audio (stereo mini-jack) port,  and two 1/4 inch outputs, (stereo and mono). The Privia PX-S1000 contains 18 different "bread and butter" sounds, including numerous acoustic pianos, Rhodes and Wurlitzer-type electric pianos, vibes, string patches, organs, harpsichord, and acoustic bass. You can also layer and split these sounds.

Every working pianist in a metropolitan area where space and portability are paramount should try Casio's Privia PX-S1000 for themselves. From its realistic piano sound and touch, to its extreme portability and modern connectivity it’s truly a marvel.

Read full review at Keyboard Magazine.

https://www.keyboardmag.com/gear/review-casio-privia-px-s1000

THANKS TO OUR SONG CONTEST SPONSORS

 

GRAND PRIZE  -   A Casio Privia Piano

https://www.casio.com/products/electronic-musical-instruments/stage-pianos/px-360

1st, 2nd and 3rd place 

wins recording time at 

Grand Prize winners receive:

1 Yr. Broadjam Primo MoB Membership

($199.95 Value) 

Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting

Category winners get cash prizes

Winners announced at our Awards Banquet.

JOHN LATINI WINS GRAND PRIZE IN THE 2018 DALLAS SONGWRITERS SONG CONTEST 
http://dsapress.blogspot.com/2019/03/john-latini-wins-grand-prize-in-2018.html

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DSA MEETINGS - http://dsameetings.blogspot.com

BEN HALIM, DSA Director and Music Tech and Software Tools, is Guest Speaker for THURSDAY, Oct 3, at Half Price Books. 

SOCIAL MEDIA AND SONGWRITERS
How the wrong use of social media is hurting songwriters/artists.

Ben is an accomplished producer and ghost writer, but he also has a background in marketing and information technology. Read about Ben here: https://dallassongwriters.org/team-bio/ben-halim/

Critiques will follow:
As usual, for members we will also have song critiques by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton.  Bring your song on a CD or email an MP3 to Harry Hewlett at hhhewlett@gmail.com, and also bring plenty of copies of the lyrics so the members can give comments as well.  You will also be entered in the DSA Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year contest. The cost is $10 per song.

Location: Half Price Books/Northwest Highway in Dallas
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/shop/dsa-meeting-song-critique-entry/
Each song is entered into the Song of The Year and Songwriter of the Year Competition which is awarded at our December Awards Banquet. 

---------------

DOWN THE LINE: All meetings at Half Price Books unless specified

Nov 7 - Annual Membership Meeting - last chance to enter a song critique

Dec 8 - DSA Christmas Party 5 - 9 at The Neathery in McKinney - no meeting at Half Price Books on Thursday Dec 5.

VIDEO OF PAST MEETINGS

JANA STANDFIELD: JUNE 6, 2019 Half Price Books

https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/2413755892187746/ 

ED BURNET:  May 2, 2019 Half Price Books
https://www.facebook.com/groups/242191552781160/permalink/839986039668372/

BRUCE CHANNEL : https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/1820749174645104/

Thanks to Harry Hewlett we have a video of the Sept 6th 2018 meeting with Bruce Channel. Bruce received an award from BMI for two million radio performances of Hey! Baby. His original record of Hey! Baby is featured in the hit movie, Dirty Dancing, and on the international sound track album, listed in BILLBOARD’s Pop Album for over three months with sales of over twelve + million units.

___________________________________________ 

BEST SONGS of the Meeting -  2019

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com

Songs Critiqued in September

Thoughts of You by Barbe McMillen
My Merry Rocketship by Carol Shaw
Give Me Back My Heart by Harry Hewlett
Mall Santa by Harry Hewlett
Don't Bring Your Reindeer by Harry Hewlett
I Never Cried by Rio King
When We Were Young by Alexis Tapp
Ballad of Francis Barlow by Jon Jaggers

2018

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com/2018/12/best-songs-of-meeting-critiques-2018.html

Winners were announced at the Awards Dinner. 

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR IS CRAIG LANGFORD

Review of Craig's Album, Lucky Man, by Billy Bob Hill

SONG OF THE YEAR WINNNERS

1. A TIME FOR LOVE  Michael Brandenberger

Michael Brandenberger

2. THAT’S JUST WHAT I’LL DO Craig Langford

3. BRANDY BLUES Rio King

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

Past Winners here:

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com



_____________________

WORKSHOPS and CONFERENCES

DSA MEETUP - 1st Monday at Half Price Books - Monday, Oct 5, 7PM, hosted by Harry Hewlett 

DSA MONTHLY GUEST SPEAKER AND SONG CRITIQUES - 1st Thursday, Oct 1, 6:30pm - Half Price Books

You can follow along with my Collin College Songwriting Class in an online 10 week workshop. 

Online Songwriting Workshop - http://www.barbaramcmillen.com/p/workshops-online-classes.html  

Helene Cronin - Songwriting Workshop - Saturday, Nov. 16th

3pm - 8pm at Sons of Hermann Hall Community Room

Lecture  - pizza  - performance of her songs

Admission $20 advance purchase, $25 at the door, 

Students $12 advance purchase, $15 at the door

COMING SOON!

Looper Workshop at Sam Ash

 _________________________________

SHOWCASES AND OPEN MICS

SHOWCASES: DSA SPOTLIGHT

DSA SPOTLIGHT PERFORMERS JULY-DEC 2019 SIGNUP and GUIDELINES

Host takes 1st time slot 7-7:30 to start show and warm up stage.

During 6-month period, each qualified DSA performer gets at least 1 prime time 30 min slot - 7:30, 8:00, or 8:30 at Opening Bell (2nd Wed) or Love & War (4th Thur), not both. To qualify, must be current DSA member, have 1/2 hour of original songs, and be proven solo performer - no tracks, band, or complicated gear. [Note: 2 back-to-back acts can share stage for 1 hr, if arranged for in advance. ]

Each show ends with Open mic 9-10:00, signup at door, 1-3 original songs. DSA members, only.

Rotation of performers (assignment of time slots) starts again 1st half 2020.

Opening Bell - 2nd Wednesday, 7-10 - guest host each month

 Love and War - 4th Thursday, 7-10 - guest host each month

OPEN MICS

 HALF PRICE BOOKS OPEN MIC and co-writes - 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 group discussion about creation to biz. Bring your 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 - 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Hosted by  Harry Hewlett

In November 2018, DSA is celebrated 14 years at Dunn Brothers. Check out our facebook page for performance videos

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://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association
_________________________________

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

2019

‘Idiot’s Hill’ House Concert!, Sunday, October 20, Josh Grider

A native of Las Cruces New Mexico, Josh did his best to move to Texas before too much of his life went by. He landed in Waco to attend Baylor and train in Classical Voice as a Music Major, but couldn’t resist the call of playing Country Music. Fast forward several years and Josh is an established Texas Country Music Artist, with a number one Texas hit a few years back and a new album ‘Good People’ that should move him up a couple more notches. You can go to his website joshgrider.com and check him out as well as going to YouTube to see and hear his music. RSVP to Tim Phillips

OCT
3 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
4-5 - Amigo International Guitar Show, Ft Worth Tx
7 - DSA MEETUP Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
8-10 - AC3 Festival and Conference, Atlanta, GA 
14 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
15 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
20 Idiots Hill House Concert, with Josh Grider, Denton, Tx
22 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

NOV
4 - DSA MEETUP Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
7 - DSA Annual Membership Meeting and final Song Critiques entries.
13 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
15 - DSA Young Songwriters Contest Deadline
16 - Helene Cronin Songwriting Workshop
21 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
28             - DSA Showcase at Love N War

DEC
2 - DSA MEETUP Guitar Pull and Discussion at Half Price Books
5 - NO DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques
8 - DSA Christmas Party at the Neathery, McKinney, Tx
11 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
19 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
26 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

JAN
4 - DSA Board Planning Meeting 
2  - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques MOVED to the 6th
6 - DSA Monthly Meeting and Song Critiques at Half Price Books
8 - DSA Showcase at Opening Bell
16 - DSA Open Mic at Dunn Brothers
18 - DSA Awards Dinner 
23 - DSA Showcase at Love N War

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/

_________________________________
DSA LYRIC CONTEST 

- Next deadline SUMMER CONTEST postmarked SEPT 30th
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


SPRING 2019 - WINNERS ANNOUNCED -
SEMIFINALISTS
She’s So Mysterious
Before
I Don’t Love You Anymore
https://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/lyric-contest.html

WINTER 2019 -WINNERS ANNOUNCED -
We had a tie between Ireland and Harri Wolf
https://dallassongwriters.org/winners-ireland-and-harri-wolf-tie-in-the-2019-winter-lyric-contest/

FALL 2018 LYRIC CONTEST WINNER - 
We've awarded Michael Roth the contest winner. 
https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-lyric-contest-winner-fall-2018

THE 2018 SUMMER WINNER IS .........
.https://dallassongwriters.org/2018-summer-lyric-contest-winners/

2018 Spring Winners: https://wp.me/p5ky4B-32R

2018 Winter Comments are posted here: http://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/lyric-contest.html

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.
http://dallassongwriters.blogspot.com/p/lyric-contest.html

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 -

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.

2019 Directors elected at our Nov 1st 2018 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, Harry Hewlett, Craig Langford, Buck Morgan Ricky Gene Wright. New 2019 officers were elected at the planning meeting on Jan 5th.

Officers 2019
Michael Brandenberger - Prez
Bobby Montgomery - VP Programs
Phil Casteel - Treasurer
Jessica Ewy - Secretary
Alexis Tapp - Lyric Contest Director
Renee Sullivan, VP Membership
Barbe McMillen - Administration, Newsletter
Harry Hewlett - A/R
Ben Halim - Tech Director
Rickey Gene Wright - Showcase Co-Director,
Buck Morgan - PR Communications
James Pappas, Joe Milton, Ken Duren, Jack Allday - At Large

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.

NEWS: DSA friend Helene Cronin, former song contest winner and Song of the Year winner has released her new album, Ghosts and Lost Causes.

Stephen Houpt recently released his new album, Light On The Mountain.

DSA Member, Brook Malouf is celebrating a cut with Maddie Wilson called RIP. You can check out the song here:
https://www.maddiewilsonmusic.com/music/ RIP. 

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: Natasha Blanton, Leah Mesiah, Jeff Groce, Mary Logan, Hugh Lehman, Robert Ehlert, Bill Martin, Nichol Daniels, Jana Stanfield, Amanda Banks, Pamela Musgrove, Beau McDermott, Christopher Kuhn, Jade Nichol, Stephanie Sammons, Mathew Carroll, Ainsley Lornds, Ben Halim, Keith A Dodson, Julie and Jeff Carter, Steven Lowden, Ted Vahovius, David Lewis, Anna Xiong, Jane Fallon, Caera Thornton, Robert Long, Michael Richards, Teresa Ann Turner, Katie Dundas

THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Allen Larson, Joanna Endsley, Cat McGee, David Banning, Brook Malouf, Alexis Tapp, Gigi Gostas, Anthony Groom, Ken Duren, Randy Overton, Carol Shaw, Lance French, Dori Weaver,Rob Case, Steve Ledford, Ryan Mahoney, Raquel Linderman, John Nelson, Ron Young, James Pappas, Jacquelyn Schwartz, Aaron Shook, Gene Schillaci, James Foster, Stephen Valenzuela, Johnny Cromer, Terry Bloss, Don Wall, David Clearr, Phil Casteel, Ryan Galloway, Rick Babb, Ken Golden

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

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EXPIRED IN JUNE: Donette Murphy, Jack Simmons, Robert Long
EXPIRED IN JULY: Mary Guthrie, Haley McDaniel
EXPIRED IN AUG:Michael Richards, Trevor Dahlen
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Featured Articles:

Interview: In Jamaica with Island Records founder Chris Blackwell

As the founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell guided the careers of Bob Marley, U2, Cat Stevens and more. Now, with the label he launched turning 60, one of the music business’ greatest-ever moguls looks back on a career, and a life, well-lived. – by Dan Rys / Billboard

MUSIC BUSINESS

A Step-By-Step Guide To Making The Most of Your Next Single Release

By James Shotwell (Haulix Daily)

Your next single release should be the biggest moment of your career to date. Whether or not that turns out to be the case is entirely up to you. Continue Reading 

Are you REALLY Monetizing Your Content on YouTube?

By Chris Robley (DIY Musician)

Since the YouTube Partner Program criteria applies to ALL channels, it's important to know where you stand and how to meet all the minimum criteria.  Continue Reading 

SEO for Musicians: 6 Best Ways To Promote Your Music

By Maryn McDonnell (Hypebot)

Here we look at how DIY artists can employ Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to increase their content's chances of being discovered via organic searches.  Continue Reading 

6 Instagram Story Features Musicians Should Be Using In 2019

By Hugh McIntyre (Sonicbids)

Instagram may be the most important social media platform at this point, as it allows you to do so much and there are now hundreds of millions of people using it every day. You're probably already posting great photos and videos on your account, but are you using Instagram Stories? If not, you're missing out; and even if you are, there's so much more to try.  Continue Reading 

PERFORMANCE 

How To Pull In More Money At Your Merch Table

By Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan (Discmakers)

In addition to acting as an important representation of your band, the merch table is also an important source of income for any touring artist, so maximizing your earning potential there is key. Here we look at ten ideas for increasing your take Continue Reading 

RECORDING

Do I Need Mixing or Mastering for My Music? What's the Difference?

By Erik Veach (Flypaper)

Having performed music live for years and having dabbled in the studio, I understood that both used mixing; but I had never heard of mastering. How is it different than mixing? Why is it needed? Why didn't my mixing engineer just do that work for us? I went looking for the answers.  Continue Reading 

How the producers of 'Despacito' use samples to create global hits

In a quiet street in Pasadena, California, is a house where one of the world’s most famous pop songs was made. It’s owned by Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo, the duo behind “Despacito.” I’m sitting in their home studio to talk to them about one of the key techniques they use to make many of their hits: sampling. 

– by Dani Deahl / The Verge

LISTEN 

Ancient Swedish Herdingcall

By Jonna Jinton (YouTube)

"In the middle of the bright summer night I went out to call for the cows. I thought that maybe, something deep inside them, remember the sounds from the ancient times when people called for them over far distances." Continue Reading 

Country Roads - John Denver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vrEljMfXYo

England Dan - John Ford Coley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIdQeSis4vw

IN MEMORIAM

https://www.ihopeidiebeforeigetold.com/dead-rock-stars.php

https://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/musicians-who-died-in-2019.html

Robert Hunter's Words Helped Bring Life To The Grateful Dead

By Piotr Orlov (NPR)

Grateful Dead wordsmith Robert Hunter passed away on Monday evening at the age of 78. If he had never written another lyric after "Truckin'," the rock radio staple off 1970's American Beauty immortalized by the refrain, "what a long strange trip it's been," chances are good that the headline writers of America would still have voted him into their hall of fame. Continue Reading 

Ric OCAS, Cars Singer and Weezer Producer, Dead at 75 ...

https://www.rollingstone.com › ric-ocasek-cars-dead-obituary-884792

Sep 15, 2019 - Ric Ocasek, the idiosyncratic singer and guitarist for the Cars and hitmaking album producer, died on Sunday in his New York City apartment.

 VIDEO

 BOOK REVIEW

We have a new book review by Allan Larson of the Terry Jennings book about his father Waylon Jennings. Read it here: https://dsabookstore.blogspot.com

CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

Why 'Wichita Lineman' Contains the Greatest Musical Couplet Ever Written

By Dylan Jones (Literary Hub)

Dylan Jones on Jimmy Webb's enduring masterpiece.  Continue Reading 

7 (Other) Blogs for Inspiring Your Songwriting Process

By Angela Mastrogiacomo (Tunecore)

As in any creative profession, songwriters often struggle with writing new and interesting content that will make a splash with fans. Inspiration (like so many things in the music business) takes work, so we here look at seven songwriting blogs that might help get the creative juices flowing. Continue Reading 

6 Ways to Approach Song Structure If You're New to Songwriting

By Sammy Hakim (Flypaper)

The structure of your songs has a big impact on the way your listeners will take them in. Writing lyrics and a catchy melody is one thing, but sculpting the journey that one is taken on as they move through a song is what separates the best songwriters on the planet from everyone else...  Continue Reading 

'Too Many Lyrics, Not Enough Tune.'

By Charlotte Yates (Song Doctor)

Content alone in a lyric may not be enough to sustain a listener's attention throughout an entire song, without a strong enough melody for the words to ride on – no matter how important the topic. It's worth investing time developing a melody that allows your lyrical idea to fully register with the audience. So how do you write a tune that folks can remember irrespective of the lyrics?  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/

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