Sunday, December 7, 2008

DSA E-News #90 December 2008

Hello Songwriter,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with family. I can't believe Christmas Season is here. WOW! College is out this week. What a semester. DSA has a lot of work to do this season with the late closing of our song contest. This will be the latest we have ever concluded the contest.
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1. 2008 SONG CONTEST - CONTEST CLOSED - DEC 1ST


http://www.dallassongwriters.org/scontest.htm

ANNOUNCEMENT DATES HAVE BEEN MOVED TO JANUARY.


**********************
2. SONGS FROM THE SOUL OF SERVICE
http://www.songssoulservice.org
WINNERS ANNOUNCED ,
Thanks to our judges : Lawrence Gelburd, Blake Milton, Sir Earl Toon, Barbara Farkas, Mark Menza, Steve Weingart & Mitch Paliga.
Thanks to our screeners: Mary Dawson, Ducado Vega, Trade-off, Mathew JC, Michael Gott, and Greg Dugan
Song are currently being produced for the new CD.
Read the latest story about this years winners
http://songssoulservice.blogspot.com/

*******************************
3. DSA MEETINGS

MONTHLY MEETING - http://www.dallassongwriters.com/meetingblog.htm

DSA Monthly Guest Speaker & Song Critiques
- Every Second Tuesday, except Aug.

At the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak, Dallas


The next meeting is Tuesday, DEC. 9

DSA CHRISTMAS PARTY - FOOD AND FUN - NETWORKING
Our Program will be a surprise video short - a must see

Bring a sweet or chips and dip.
Barbara is bringing beef and chicken taquitos and a vegetable tray

Critiques will follow.
Planned 2008 Speakers
JAN - Rayan Callaway
FEB - Adam Mitchell
MAR - John Christopher Davis
Have any suggestions? What kind of programs would you like?

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DSA T-SHIRTS $10 christmas special at the meeting or online by mail $15

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Songwriting, Song Swap Workshop
FIRST MONDAY – Jan 5, 7-9
White Rock Coffee in East Dallas. http://www.wrcoffee.com/

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4. SHOWCASES & OPEN MICS -
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/showcasesblog.htm

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE - Thurs. Nov. 20
OPEN MIC EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

SONGWRITERS CONNECTING TO SENIORS - nothing currently scheduled
“In Their Own Words” Songwriters playing their own songs
-----------------------------------------------
5. LYRIC CONTEST
LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION
Summer Contest Winners still to be announced.

Next Lyric Contest Deadline Extended to- January 13th, 2008
 for Fall Lyric Contest
( Yes, we are running slightly behind)
Entry fee is $10
Please see lyric contest webpage for details.
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/lyriccontestblog.htm
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6. MEMBER NEWS - Membership Meeting & elections report
Monthly Meeting on November 11.


WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Tommy Byrd, Jeremy Ellis, Roger Russell, Adrian Hall and SSS Contest Winners: Sergent Paul Cataldi, Capt. Morgan Greene, Lt Billy Roberson, Specialist Robert Charles, Specialist Greg Pritchard, Capt. Steve Wilson, Airman Jane Cumberland, SSG Adrian Taylor, Specialist Pam Barragan, Capt Michael Del Palazzo, Specialist Zach Johnson, Specialist Frankie Cleary, Col. Curtis Goho,
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: Paul Penrod, Reagan Redfern, Nancy Rynders, Michael Roth

TIME TO RENEW: The following members have an
anniversay month in:


MARCH: Jack Gullege, Matt Martindale, Fred Christoffer


APRIL : Glitter Rose, Nataliya Stinson


MAY: Max Stalling, Steve Samuels, Susan Fowler, JR Byrd, BonJean Rush,


JUNE: Jose Volante, Dyanna Kristie, Scott White,
 Mike Dawson, Anne White, Bobby McBride
JULY: Austin Cunningham, Bill Honker, Charlotte Ryerson, Alex Townes, Sally Ritchie, Randy Wallace, Jackie Doss, Aaron Corey, John Gasperic
AUG: Emily Elbert, 


SEPT: Tina Marzola, Pat McGuire, David Kenoly, Kevin Sproul, Charles Sterling, Sylvia Urech, John Metz, Debra Lane
OCT: Judith de los Santos, Morri Hartgraves, Tony Burroughs, Michael Hart, Adam Donmoyer, Rich Ellis, Danny Everitt, Mathew Marsh, Brad Price, William LLoyd.
NOV: Robert Couch, Joni Ringo, Donna Aylor, Jenna Drey, Mike Hyden, Richard Kirwin, Will Brown, Elizabeth KirchgatterAl Scroggins, Ian Dickson, Will Livingston, Clif Munroe, Jan Seides, Steve Smith, Alisha Jackson, Sharon Pisors, David Carter, Tim Dawson, Terry Fann, Jason Heald, Brad Henske, Forrest Lawson, Phillip Marcus, Linda Moroziuk, Paul Reaney, Walter Sargent, Andy Taylor, John T Wilson,
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: http://store.kagi.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?storeID=7TE_LIVE&&
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7. WORKSHOPS - DSA WORKSHOPS ARE SPONSORED BY BMI
(Each month we have a workshop at our monthly meeting on the 1st Monday and 2nd Tuesday.)
DSA will be giving a Saturday workshop at a college in the spring.

For other workshops around the country, please click on the workshop link to your right.
or paste this in your browser: http://www.dallassongwriters.org/workshopsblog.htm
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8. Events - Featuring local and worldwide events of the songwriting community including, seminars, conferences, showcases, and contests. Click on the link #8 to the right or copy and paste this link in your browser.

http://songwriterevents.blogspot.com/
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9. Featured Articles:

Texans Grab Grammy Nominations
The nominations for the 51st annual Grammy Awards were announced Wednesday, December 3, with several Texas artists in the running.
T Bone Burnett - Album of the Year and Record of the Year, ( for his role in producing the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss album Raising Sand).
George Strait - Best Country Album (Troubadour), Best Male Country Vocal Performance (for the same album’s title track), Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (for which he was nominated twice — for “House of Cash” with Patty Loveless, and “Shiftwork” with Kenny Chesney).
Lee Ann Womack - Best Female Country Vocal Performance (for “Last Call”)
LeAnn Rimes - Best Female Country Vocal Performance ( “What I Cannot Change”)
Rodney Crowell’s Sex & Gasoline - Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album.
Grupo Fantasma - Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Marcia Ball - Best Contemporary Blues Album
Pinetop Perkins - Best Traditional Blues Album
Ruben Ramos & the Mexican Revolution - Best Tejano Album
Brooks & Dunn - Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
the Mars Volta - Best Hard Rock Performance
Trout Fishing in America - Best Musical Album for Children
Kirk Franklin - Best Gospel Song and Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album-
Beyoncé - Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Don Henley’s the Eagles - Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and
Jonas Brothers - Best New Artist ( who bought a house in Dallas earlier this year)
The Grammy Awards will be held Feb. 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast
on CBS.
On another Grammy note, There's a new museum. The GRAMMY Museum is more than just a celebration of the music industry's most prestigious award. It's a one-of-a-kind experience where music fans are invited to look behind the curtain at how today's music is created and produced. As a GRAMMY Museum Charter Member, your support will be instrumental in shaping the future of the Museum, as well as music around the world, starting right here in Los Angeles.

In this exciting year of firsts, your membership will be your backstage pass to explore a world of intimate performances, lectures, classes and events.
Plus as a Recording Academy member you will receive a 20% discount!
In order to get your 20% discount please enter the promotional code CHARTER when applying for membership.

There are four easy ways to join:
1. Call the membership office: 213.765.6800 (press 3 for Membership)
2. Send us an e-mail: membership@grammymuseum.org
3. Join online: www.grammymuseum.org/membership
4. Send a check to:
Membership Department
714 W. Olympic, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Songwriter Spotlight

Arlos Smith had his first #1 hit with John Michael Montgomery's 'Home To You' and was named Songwriter of the Year back in 2000. Smith hit #1 again in 2004 with Rascal Flatt's 'Mayberry', which gained him SESAC's Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Read more in Music City News.........
http://www.nashvillemusicguide.com/nmg_052.htm


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Thanks for reading this far. I have added a new Events page to the newsletter. Let me know if you have any other suggestions.
On a final note, my songwriting class at Collin College will be performing their final song at the Abbey Grill in Frisco Monday Dec 8 at 7PM.
I'm sorry I missed those of you who may have come out to see me at the Crossroads showcase last Saturday night. I'm sick with a bad soar throat and did not want to spread my germs. I know the showcase was wonderful anyway. The Crossroads showcase is each first Saturday night at the Varsity Grill in Plano and each Thursday at the Filling Station.

Happy Holidays

Songcerely,
Barbara McMillen, Editor
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSA

Thursday, October 30, 2008

DSA E-News #89 November 2008

DSA SPECIAL EVENT FUNDRAISER

Bring your family and friends to the old Square in McKinney, Texas. Help us fill all the seats of the McKinney Performing Arts Center on Nov. 9th for the Crossroads Benefit Concert headlining the fabulous new grass band, Beatlegras. One of the band members is Milo Deering, a session players that has played on many DSA members albums, including LeAnn Rhimes' first.

MUSIC DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS.

Kindly rush, do not walk, to the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wqs2W0ORXk&eurl=http://www.pegasusnews.com/bands/beatlegras/
[NOTE: Be advised, the brief animation antics at the front of the
video quickly evolve into live performance footage of Beatlegras.]

Lean more about the band at http://www.beatlegras.com/

Also, the McKinney Performing Arts center is a WONDERFUL VENUE, like a fine wooden instrument that has aged, for a great sound. The historic building also has a great sound SYSTEM. Did you know that it was the old courthouse? It reminds me of the courtroom in the movie "To Kill A Mockingbird".

Here is a note from DSA Director Mary Guthire about the event.

Just a note here to encourage you to support DSA in its brand-new fundraiser, the big event happening on Sunday, Nov. 9 inside the gorgeous McKinney Performing Arts Center, located on McKinney's historic downtown square.

Why support the event? Because it will help fund your DSA programs. Do you look forward to workshops, seminars, contests, open mics? Do you enjoy networking with other DSA members via the Yahoo group, at Song Swap and more? Then step on up and let's go hear some fantastic music together on Nov. 9 in McKinney and keep this good thing going!

Headliner is internationally acclaimed Beatlegras, known for their original acoustic takes on Beatles music. Supporting that are five -- count 'em -- five local woman artists who will present a smashing day of pop, rock, roots, Latin and more: Lisa Mickelson, Jeanie Sliva, Lisa Apple, Tania Cordobes and Annie Cornelius (performance times below). And did we mention the Silent Auction yet? I heard there's even a $100 wine tasting -- come check it all out.

Tickets are $21 each in advance, and benefit both the Dallas Songwriters Association and the Crossroads Family Services, a nonprofit that helps women and families via education, intervention, and crisis counseling. It's a wonderful partnership, and you get to help two worthy organizations at once!

Here's how to get tickets:

Event tickets may be purchased online at www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org or by calling (214) 544-4630 Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The cost for a ticket, which includes access to all performances and events, is $21. Additional fees apply to phone and online purchases. Or, you can probably snag a ticket from DSA President Steve Sullivan himself at $21 flat.

Here's the other details:

The event begins at 2:00 p.m. with local singer songwriter artists Lisa Apple; 2:30 Jeanie Sliva; 3:00 Lisa Mickelson; 3:30 Tania Cordobés; and 4:30 Annie Cornelius performing pop, folk, and Latin tunes. Internationally famous concert headliner, BEATLEGRAS, (www.beatlegras.com) will perform from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The silent auction and wine tasting will also take place from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the basement Gallery Room.

If you have other questions, you might want to post them to DSA President Steve Sullivan - this has become a labor of love for him, and he's the man with the answers. That said, thanks, Steve, for your efforts to raise funds for DSA -- we will all benefit!

See you in McKinney --
Thanks,
Mary Guthrie
DSA Board Member

Quick Look Schedule: Doors open at 1:30
DSA Members Showcase
2:00 Lisa Apple;
2:30 Jeanie Sliva;
3:00 Lisa Mickelson;
3:30 Tania Cordobés;
4:30 Annie Cornelius
5-7 Beatlegras http://www.beatlegras.com

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

1. 2008 SONG CONTEST - ENTER NOW- DEC 1ST


http://www.dallassongwriters.org/scontest.htm

The DSA 2008 Song Contest is still accepting submissions, the deadline has been extended to Dec 1. This year TWO new categories have been introduced - "Bare Bones" (vocals + 1 or 2 instruments) and "Music Video."


**********************
2. SONGS FROM THE SOUL OF SERVICE
http://www.songssoulservice.org
WINNERS ANNOUNCED ,
Thanks to our judges : Lawrence Gelburd, Blake Milton, Sir Earl Toon, Barbara Farkas, Mark Menza, Steve Weingart & Mitch Paliga.
Thanks to our screeners: Mary Dawson, Ducado Vega, Trade-off, Mathew JC, Michael Gott, and Greg Dugan
Song are currently being produced for the new CD.
Read the latest story about this years winners
http://songssoulservice.blogspot.com/

*******************************
3. DSA MEETINGS

MONTHLY MEETING - http://www.dallassongwriters.com/meetingblog.htm

DSA Monthly Guest Speaker & Song Critiques
- Every Second Tuesday, except Aug.

At the Center for Community Cooperation, 2900 Live Oak, Dallas


The next meeting is Tuesday, NOV 11
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & ELECTIONS
Our Program will be Co-Writing Round Tables.
Lyricist bring your lyrics, players bring your instruments (a piano is available)
Critiques will follow.
Planned 2008 Speakers
DEC - Christmas Party
JAN - Rayan Callaway
FEB - Adam Mitchell
MAR - John Christopher Davis
Have any suggestions? What kind of programs would you like?

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

DSA T-SHIRTS $12 at the meeting or online by mail $15

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

Songwriting, Song Swap Workshop
FIRST MONDAY – Nov 3, 7-9
White Rock Coffee in East Dallas. http://www.wrcoffee.com/

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

4. SHOWCASES & OPEN MICS -
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/showcasesblog.htm

DUNN BROTHERS COFFEE HOUSE - Thurs. Nov. 20
OPEN MIC EVERY 3RD THURSDAY - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

SONGWRITERS CONNECTING TO SENIORS - nothing currently scheduled
“In Their Own Words” Songwriters playing their own songs
-----------------------------------------------
5. LYRIC CONTEST
LYRICISTS GAIN RECOGNITION THROUGH COMPETITION
Summer Contest Winners will be announced at November meeting.

Next Lyric Contest Deadline - December 9th, 2008
 for Fall Lyric Contest
Entry fee is $10
Please see lyric contest webpage for details.
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/lyriccontestblog.htm
-------------------------------------------------------
6. MEMBER NEWS - Membership Meeting & elections scheduled for
Monthly Meeting on November 11.

We are looking for dedicated members to serve on our Board of Directors or as a committee member. Our committees include: Membership, Song Contest, Lyric Contest, Workshops, Critiques, Meetings, Marketing, Finance, fundraising, sponsorship, public relations. You can join this list of committee members by volunteering to info at dallassongwriters.org

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: Tania Cordova, Jenna Colston, James Foster, Taylor Houdeh, Mardi Garcia, Kipp Brennan
THANK YOU FOR RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP: James Papas, Lisa Apple, Ken Golden, Jerry Dobson
TIME TO RENEW: The following members have an
anniversay month in:


MARCH: Jack Gullege, Matt Martindale, Fred Christoffer


APRIL : Glitter Rose, Nataliya Stinson


MAY: Max Stalling, Steve Samuels, Susan Fowler, JR Byrd, BonJean Rush,


JUNE: Jose Volante, Dyanna Kristie, Scott White,
 Mike Dawson, Anne White, Bobby McBride
JULY: Austin Cunningham, Bill Honker, Charlotte Ryerson, Alex Townes, Sally Ritchie, Randy Wallace, Jackie Doss, Aaron Corey, John Gasperic
AUG: Emily Elbert, 


SEPT: Tina Marzola, Pat McGuire, David Kenoly, Kevin Sproul, Charles Sterling, Sylvia Urech, John Metz, Debra Lane
OCT: Judith de los Santos, Paul Penrod, Morri Hartgraves, Tony Burroughs, Michael Hart, Adam Donmoyer, Rich Ellis, Danny Everitt, Mathew Marsh, Brad Price, Reagan Redfern, William LLoyd.
Renew your membership online,
You'll find the link to the store on the panel to the right

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7. WORKSHOPS -
Last month DSA gave A FREE WORKSHOP for students and members at
Richland College. Topics included Music Biz, Song Rights,
Anatomy of a Song & Popular Song Forms,
Writing Good Melodies and Lyrics,
plus song critques. We had 18 students participate.

SPONSORED BY BMI

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Thanks for reading this far. I hope you have enjoyed the new newsletter format. I welcome your input.
Also, thanks to those of you who have asked about how the songwriting class at Collin College is going. It's been really fun.
I will be performing at the new Crossroads venue at the Filling Station on Preston Rd at Lloyd, almost to Plano, on the 1st and 2nd Thursday in November, 6th and 13th. I'll be playing for a one hour set. DSA President Steve Sullivan is running that showcase and will also be performing a set. Come on out.
Songcerely,
Barbara McMillen, Editor
Songwriter Notes
Founding President Emeritus, DSA

Oct e-news #88

Hello Songwriter,

I wanted to let you know that I'm am speaking on melody writing
at the DSA meeting tonight in Dallas, Tx.
at the Center For Community Cooperation 2900 Live Oak at Oak
street near Baylor Hospital, 7PM

I'm teaching songwriting at Collin College, so I'm behind in
getting out the monthly newsletter. I hope to get one to you
in the next few days with more DSA news.

More events this week:
Summer Lyric Contest deadline today.
Annual Song Contest deadline Oct 31st.
DSA Open mic at Dunn Brothers this Thurs
DSA has a booth at the Arlington Guitar Show this weekend
Crossroads Fundraisers featuring Beatlegras and DSA members
on the Square in McKinney, Tx Nov. 9.

Check our website - a newsletter to come.

Thanks for reading this email!
Barbara McMillen
Founding President Emeritus
Dallas Songwriters Association
info.at.dallassongwriters.org