SONGWRITER NOTES NEWSLETTER ISSUE #229 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

 HAPPY NEW YEAR from Dallas, Tx

We made it through 2021 and that is something to celebrate! I know this is a little late coming but I've had a lot on my hands to keep me busy with the award shows.

Thanks to Zoom and our Harry Hewlett, we stayed very active in 2021 and have more activities planned for 2022.

On January 15th we has our Awards Program for the 32nd Annual Dallas Songwriters Song Contest with performances from our semifinalists and appearances from our illustrious judges. Awards were given in each of the eight categories, plus grand prize awards, Lyric Contest Awards and a Young Songwriters Song Contest Awards .   More info on our song contest and to view the winners got to: https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com For the Young Songwriters Song Contest Winners see: https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com  For the 2021 Quarterly Lyric Contest winners: https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com Next deadline Next deadline March 30, 2022.

On January 22nd we awarded the Best Songs of the Meetings, Song of the Year and Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year Awards, plus our community awards. Community Awards went to Red Byboth at Love and War in Plano, Both shows were on Saturday 12-2 via Zoom streamed to facebook and archived to Youtube.

RECAP OF 2021

Along with our Awards show in January, our special events for last year included:

 our Hall of Fame in April, a booth at the Dallas Guitar show in May, the Wild Dawg Fishing Adventure in June, Showcase at the Staples in Ft Worth in August, 2 stages for 2 days at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in Sept, a booth at the guitar show in Arlington in Oct., and our Christmas party at the Neathery in McKinney.

   At our booth at the guitar show, we handed out the Spring 2021 Songwriters Notes Issue which contained a list of our contest winners for the past couple of years. Get the issue here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8sOxwzmlP_W5fLjb0-PPrZAuxku5pmb/view

The Wild Dawg Fishing Adventure in June, 

A bunch of us went to the coast to Port Aransas in June for some deep sea fishing. What a lot of fun. Check out the DSA Facebook page for photos . We brought instruments and played our songs at a dinner on Saturday night that was streamed to Facebook live. Harry put it on youtube for us. Check us out here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-0l1P2b_GE1aDxctg1HmYEm

 Don put a recap on the blog:  https://blog.dallassongwriters.org/wild-dawgs-fishin-on-the-guff/

Showcase at Staples in August, 

Starting February we are adding a 2nd Thursday Open Mic at Opening Bell 6-8pm and a 3rd Thursday Songwriters Spotlight to our regular Monthly Events.

Here are the monthly events:

1st Thursday Virtual Workshop with Guest Speaker and Song Critiques

2nd Thursday Open Mic and Showcase at Opening Bell

3rd Thursday Member Songwriters Spotlight

4th Thursday Open Mic at Love and War

Every Saturday Virtual Showcase

3rd Friday Songwriters Round at Porta Di Roma

Every Wednesday Night Virtual Open Mic

Harry Hewlett hosts the Bring Your Own Mic Open Mic at Love & War on the 4th Thursday each month. Great fun, great music and great food. Who could ask for more. DSA's open mic is there every 4th Thursday and streams to Facebook.  Performances are archived on the DSA Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-2BUBV_3yyYejRGK4lu9vMM

Porta Di Roma - Songs In The Round is still going strong with great songs and excellent Italian food! DSA Songwriters Round takes the stage there on the 3rd Friday every month and is streamed live to Facebook. Rickey Gene Wright is the host of that Songwriters in the Round format. Three DSA members perform each month: You can find archives on the DSA Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sH48H7wcW0&list=PL2QmQKUl70-0i4zr97msbRLENE-cPTBLV

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

The Between the Waves Music Conference, presented by Broadjam, is back and ready to rock in 2022! This year, BTW will be a 1-day, fully-virtual conference on February 26, 2022. See more below.
Register Today! 

WILDFLOWER SONG CONTEST

Al Johnson Performing Songwriting Contest

Deadlne to Enter March 4 Enter here:

https://wildflowerfestival.com/songwriter-contest/

 DSA Hall of Fame - 

The 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Saturday April 23, hopefully in a live venue, Loe 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, Charlie Pride, Townes Van Zandt, Kelly Clarkson, Leann Rimes 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 ISSUE #228 JULY/AUG 2021

  Hello Songwriter,

I hope you will take some time out in the summertime to enter our song contests. It's great way to get recognition for your songwriting and win some prizes. 

Now in it's 32nd year, The Annual Dallas Songwriters Song Contest opens June 1. Amateur songwriters from around the world are invited to compete and can enter now through September 30th. This year’s contest will feature eight categories judged by established music industry professionals and will offer almost $5,000 in prizes to the top winners in each category. For more information go to the contest website. https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

Catch o the day

Also running at the same time is our song completion for teens 18 and under, the Young Songwriters Song Contest. Enter now through September 30th. For more info see: https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

Reminder that the Spring Quarterly Lyric Contest closes on June 30th.
https://dallassongwriterslyriccontest.blogspot.com
 

Breakfast on the beach

Reelin er in        

   At our booth at the guitar show, we handed out the Spring 2021 Songwriters Notes Issue which contained a list of our contest winners for the past couple of years. Get the issue here: 

Seeking shade on beach - wrangler Bobby Montgomery standing in background

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r8sOxwzmlP_W5fLjb0-PPrZAuxku5pmb/view

A bunch of us went to the coast to Port Aransas in June for some deep sea fishing. What a lot of fun. Check out the DSA Facebook page for photos . We brought instruments and played our songs at a dinner on Saturday night that was streamed to Facebook live. Harry put it on youtube for us. Check us out here: 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-0l1P2b_GE1aDxctg1HmYEm

Stephen Troum at Love and War

Harry Hewlett hosted the Bring Your Own Mic Open Mic at Love & War on the 4th Thursday in the month of June and Stephen Troum was one of the performers. Great fun, great music and great food. Who could ask for more. DSA's open mic is there every 4th Thursday and streams to Facebook. Also performing were Guitar George Longus, Scott Brooks, Bill Martin, John Mason, Bob Barraza and Allen Larson. https://www.facebook.com/104739376244963/videos/1397111320645421

Last month I attended Porta Di Roma for Songs In The Round and pasta, yum. Excellent Italian food! DSA Songwriters Round takes the stage there on the 3rd Friday every month and is streamed live to Facebook. Rickey Gene Wright is the host of that Songwriters in the Round format. Performing last month were: Ian Dickson, Rickey Gene and Rio King. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances we did not get a stream for that night. Yes, a good reason to come out in person. There were quite a few of us there.

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

 DSA Hall of Fame -  can now be viewed on our Youtube Channel  - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2QmQKUl70-3Y_SmChiZRqM9rmPfrLWbL

The 2021 Hall of Fame ceremony was held on Saturday April 17 virtually on Zoom and streamed live to Facebook.  We were so lucky to have John Ford Coley join is from Nashville and perform his hits. It was truly a wonderful experience. He is such a great guy. Gregg A Smith also joined us to perform and accept his award. There were over 20 performers covering songs by our inductees. I hope you will take some time to watch it on our Youtube Channel and please subscribe.

Six 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. 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, and Rod Phelps.

This years honorees included England Dan Seals and John Ford Coley, Janie Fricke, Steve Weinberg, John Denver, and Gregg A Smith. The DSA's initiative this year was 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

NEW 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 Issue #216 MARCH 2020

Hello Songwriter,

🎶🎸🎤☘㉀
Life goes on as the threat of a pandemic looms. While many are brushing up on their Irish songs, DSA members, Rising Stars, and the BYO Hall of Fame band is brushing up on songs by our inductees to be performed at Love and War on April 18. Wow, the talent line up is really coming together.

CALL FOR PERFORMERS - last chance to apply this week.
2020 Hall of Fame inductees: John Denver, England Dan Seals, John Ford Coley, Steve Wiseberg, Janie Fricke, and Gregg Smith. Last year, DSA initiated a new Rising Star program to encourage young aspiring musicians to celebrate our legends with performances of songs by our inductees. DSA is reaching out to the local music schools and asking for auditions at each school for the honor to perform. These students will be backed up by the BYO Hall of Fame band consisting of highly respected local musicians. The band members and special guests will also perform songs by our inductees.
WHAT: DSA Hall Of Fame
WHERE:  Love and War in Texas
WHEN: April 18th, Doors open 6:30PM  Show Starts at 7PM
TICKETS: General Admission - 15 in advance, 18 at the door
                   Students:   10 in advance,  12 at the door
More Info: http://dallassongwritershalloffame.blogspot.com

Ticket link 

https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association/item/dallas-songwriters-hall-of-fame

SPECIAL EVENTS COMING UP

DEEP ELLUM DALLAS SONGWRITERS SPOTLIGHT STAGE -APRIL 3 - 5, 7-11pm
Check out the line up on the event page.
https://www.facebook.com/events/624936004966130/

DALLAS SONGWRITERS SPOTLIGHT ON THE WILDFLOWER CITY LINE STAGE -MAY 15-17
https://www.facebook.com/events/587790638677242/

Our regular DSA MONTHLY EVENTS:
* First Thursday Monthly Meeting, with guest speaker and song critiques.
* 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


We had a great showing again this month at the Monday Meetup on Feb 3. A number of members and visitors shared their songs, including host Harry Hewlett, David Case, Chris George, William Tel, Bill Martin, Liz Merida, Carolyn Humphreys, Bryan Durklin, and Kent Hofmeister.

At our first Thursday Meeting, Don Wall talked to us about how to make videos for our songs. Here's a video of the meeting on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/615703919198867/

We had a good crowd attending at the Opening Bell showcase on the 2nd Wednesday, Feb 12,  and a great line up of performers, including: Bill Martin; Cat McGee; John Mason; Allen Larson; HOST: Harry Hewlett. You can start here with Allen Larson and scroll forward.
https://www.facebook.com/104739376244963/videos/1037145709985649/

Attendance was way up at Dunn Brothers for the Third Thursday Open Mic on Feb 20 hosted by Harry Hewlett.  Check out the videos of Beau McDermott, Roland, Jeff grace, Keith Dodson, Natasha Blanton, Bill Martin, Ashley Andrade, Barbe McMillen, Allen Larson, Phil Ward and host Harry Hewlett. You can start here with Harry Hewlett and scroll forward.
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/197677308264231/

Our attendance at Love and War was slim but a great line up of performers including host Harry Hewlett, Joining Cromer, Don Wall, Just Us, Craig Langford, and open mic performers Jeff Groce, Morgan Bennett, Allen Larson and Phill Ward. You can start here and scroll backward. https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/181656559927547/
You can find videos on each of these performers from our showcases and open mics on our facebook page in videos.

Our LYRIC CONTEST has quarterly deadlines: March 31, June, September, December.
Winners from the Spring 2019 contest has been announced below.

ANNUAL SONG CONTEST Opens on June 1. Semifinalist were announced on November 7th. Winners to be announced at the Awards Banquet on January 18, 6PM, Sons of Hermann Hall.  https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

YOUNG SONGWRITERS CONTEST - We have a new contest for youth 18 and under. Winners were announced on Jan 18. 2020 Contest opens June 1.
https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

We are migrating our member forum from yahoo to google groups. Here is the new google group. https://groups.google.com/d/forum/dallas-songwriters-members

We still count on you for support with your membership and donations. But most of all we want you to take advantage of the educational opportunities and participate. 
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, John Jaggers, Bobby Montgomery, David Lewis, Michael Brandenberger, Phillip Casteel, Alexis Tapp, Don Wall, Harry Hewlett, Kery Maddox, Ginger Stanoia, Kenneth Shoemaker, and Kristi Myers for their recent contributions to our fall fundraiser. Other contributors include Ireland, John Jaggers, Bill Kapac, Rio King, Mimi Balkey, Suzi Morse, and Jared LoStrato. Go to this link: https://squareup.com/store/dallas-songwriters-association

Thanks to Harry Hewlett you can view some of our open mics and guest speakers in a live stream on Facebook? See guest our guest speakers, and past Angela's showcases. Can't make it? Then tune into Facebook/dallassongwriters. Want to be on our facebook streams? Show up and perform.

WOW! What a exciting spring full of great events. Happy Valentines and Mardi Gras.

Songcerely,
Barbe

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DSA SONG CONTEST -  Winners were announced at the Awards Dinner on January 18, at Sons of Hermann Hall, Dallas Tx.

Dam Stasi and Kickbend is Grand Prize Winner with song "UNLESS" https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=444966422937309

Here is a link to a complete list of the winners: https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

The DSA Song Contest Awards Dinner that was held on Saturday, January 18, at Sons of Hermann Hall was well attended with 70+. Awards were presented for the Song Contest, Lyric Contest, Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Semi-finalists  Eddie Bowers, Charles Carter, Addison Havens, David Lewis, Bill Martin, Kyle Short and Stephanie Sammons will be performing, as well as, young songwriters Jade Nichol and TK Brown, who received 18 and under Rising Star Awards, plus Harry Hewlett and Barbara McMillen.
Robert Ehlert won the Fall lyric Contest.

Sorry you were not able to appear in person. Here is a link to a video of the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69Ov2xo-Acs

And there are oodles of photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/dallassongwriters/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2883673535018186
Here is a link to the pdf of the Awards Program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12U21eMdAYS13sS4Z5smSL3AD059xYUVt/view?usp=sharing

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

_________________________________

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

MONTHLY MEETING - Thursday, March 5, 6:30

JINGLE JANGLE with Hooper and Brooks

Learn why Dallas is the focus of the jingle industry and hear jingles and how they are developed from guest speakers Johnny Hooper and Randy Brooks. 

Johnny Hooper, award winning composer of radio and TV jingles, including promos for Kix Brooks' “American Country Countdown”, Radio Disney, and Casey Kasem’s “Top 20 Countdown”. Johnny was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. In addition to being an expert on this topic he is a performing vocalist, writer and guitarist who played at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England.

Randy Brooks Singer/songwriter of novelty songs, including "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer," "Will You Be Ready at the Plate When Jesus Throws the Ball," and "I'd Rather Be Sailin' (with Governor Palin.") Performs often at the Bluebird Cafe and also performs with the bands The Bad Monkeys, Young Country, and Southwestern Pilgrimage

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, your phone 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. 

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VIDEO OF PAST MEETINGS
Don Wall about DIY Music videos, Feb 6, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/564837404103111/

John Jaggers about the Colorado capo, January 6, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters/videos/615703919198867/

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 -  2020

https://bestsongsofthemeeting.blogspot.com

There is a comprehensive list on this website of all submitted. Also, past winners can be located at the above url.

2020

JAN
Take Another Chance - David Lewis
Must Be Present to Win - John Jaggers

Light On The Sand - Beau McDermott

FEB

Full Moon - Barbe McMillen

Red White and Blue - Don Wall

The Forgotten Vet - Don Wall
Another Whiskey - David Case

2019

Winners were announced at the Awards Dinner on Jan. 18, 6Pm Sons of Hermann Hall.

2019 SONG OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALIST

THE STORY OF BONNIE & CLYDE - Barbe McMillen

WATERING HOLE - Harry Hewlett

 MONAHANS by Randy Overton

I FOUND LOVE by David Lewis

RED YELLOW BLACK AND WHITE - Harry Hewlett

SANTA ALWAYS HIT EAST TEXAS LAST - Don Wall

GONNA LOVE ON YOU - Harry Hewlett

HE LOOKED LIKE WAYLON BUT SOUNDED LIKE CASH - Rickey Gene Wright

I NEVER CRIED - Rio King

MADISON ELIZABETH'S DAY - David Lewis

THE MUSIC WAS A MIRACLE - Alexis Tapp

THOUGHTS OF YOU - Barbe McMillen

WINNER OF BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING

SONG OF THE YEAR

THE STORY OF BONNIE AND CLYDE - Barbe McMillen

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR - Harry Hewlett

Jack Allday, Judge, Barbe McMillen, Harry hewlett

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