DSA Monthly Meetings

DSA MEETS THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH Except August

Education • Networking • Encouragement • Advocacy

Learning Opportunity presented by the Dallas Songwriters

* Monthly Workshops which feature guest speakers from all fields of the music industry.

• Critique sessions that give honest, creative, and helpful advice on improving writing style and technique.

Motivating and Uplifting Songwriters through Education

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

DSA Christmas Party



DSA Christmas Party at The Loft (inside Gilleys)
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011
1135 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX  75215-1036
The Loft: 214-421-2021

What a great place for a party!  Get together with DSA friends and family as folks from the Chevy Sonic Sounds contest showcase the finalists at The Loft, inside Gilley’s.  Food provided, see you there!
Please RSVP by Dec. 10 to:  maryguthrie@swbell.net
6:30 p.m.             Networking and food for members & family, VIPs, Chevy reps, tech, and Chevy Sonic Sounds finalists
7:30 p.m.             Open to public
8:00 p.m.             Finalist performances


10:00 p.m.           Winner announced

Monday, November 7, 2011

Entertainment Attorney, Craig Crafton to Speak on Nov. 8th

Craig worked in the music business as a musician, artist, producer, label and retail owner for fifteen years. Craig is Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Sports and Entertainment Law Section and serves as Associate Editor for the State Bar of Texas Sports and Entertainment Law Section journal. Craig has represented apparel designers, video game creators and radio personalities in trademark matters, musicians, bands, labels, publishers, athletes and sports managers, film producers, magazine publishers and art galleries in contract disputes, negotiations and business entity formation. Mr. Crafton's combination of entertainment business experience as a performer and creator and legal training provides a unique and insightful perspective. He currently operates a music label and 3345 Music Publishing. See cozen.com for more information. http://www.cozen.com/attorney_detail.asp?d=1&atid=1002

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Heather Little ( cuts by Miranda Lambert) Will Speak on Tuesday October 11














 Heather Little - Heather Little was born in north-central Texas. She grew up all around Austin and Dallas and all the music that thrives there. "I just want to make good music. Whether it's rock or country or blues or earthy acoustic- good music moves people. That's what it's about for me. I write songs about my life and real life things; even the hard stuff. It has to be real. We live real lives. I write real songs about that." -Heather Little


NOV: Annual Membership Meeting, Atty. Craig Crafton
DEC: Christmas Party at House Of Blues

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Entertainment Attorney, Craig Crafton to Speak on Nov. 8th

Craig worked in the music business as a musician, artist, producer, label and retail owner for fifteen years. Craig is Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Sports and Entertainment Law Section and serves as Associate Editor for the State Bar of Texas Sports and Entertainment Law Section journal. Craig has represented apparel designers, video game creators and radio personalities in trademark matters, musicians, bands, labels, publishers, athletes and sports managers, film producers, magazine publishers and art galleries in contract disputes, negotiations and business entity formation. Mr. Crafton's combination of entertainment business experience as a performer and creator and legal training provides a unique and insightful perspective. He currently operates a music label and 3345 Music Publishing. See cozen.com for more information. http://www.cozen.com/attorney_detail.asp?d=1&atid=1002

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Marty Rendleman to Speak at 2nd Tuesday on July 12th


What do LeAnn Rimes, Mikaila, and American Idol Finalist, Kristy Lee Cook, have in common…Marty Rendleman.

Marty Rendleman has over 25 years experience in the music business and Is probably the only person to ever take two 9-yr olds and a 14-yr old to major-label contracts…two in Country and one in Pop. This book chronicles how that happened, and then offers invaluable advice and education for anyone seeking a career in the music business.


http://martyrendleman.com/

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Scott Sean White Guest Speaker for June 14

Scott%20Sean%20WhiteSPEAKER: SCOTT SEAN WHITE

A prolific songwriter and performer, Scott has bodacious cred: owner/manager/performer for top party band Professor D; numerous song placements in TV series and movies; song placement in feature films and EA Sports video games; and writing and performing on Nashville’s music row.  Plus, he is co-writer with DSA member Bob Paterno on the DSA Song of the Year, “This Love!”

Scott will describe what it’s like to be a full time musician and songwriter – something most of us only dream about -- and will share what he’s learned in Nashville about the craft and art of songwriting. 

Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to get the inside look from the industry pros at the DSA monthly meetings!

Tuesday, June 14
Center for Community Cooperation, Rio-Gulf Room
2900 Live Oak, Dallas, TX  75204

·         6:30 p.m. meet & greet
·         7 pm short business meeting
·         7:20-ish, featured speaker Scott Sean White
·         Up to ten Song Critiques to follow, time allowing; open to DSA members,$5 each entry.  If you are entering, bring about 25 copies of the lyrics to your song, but leave your name off the lyric sheet.
·         Did You Know: Top winners of each month’s critiques are in the race to be named DSA Song of the Year!

Future Programs:
Aug: No Meeting
OCT: Heather LittleHeather Little was born in north-central Texas. She grew up all around Austin and Dallas and all the music that thrives there. "I just want to make good music. Whether it's rock or country or blues or earthy acoustic- good music moves people. That's what it's about for me. I write songs about my life and real life things; even the hard stuff. It has to be real. We live real lives. I write real songs about that." -Heather Little
NOV: Annual Membership Meeting, Barbe on Marrying Lyric to Melody
DEC: Christmas Party

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Arnold McCuller Skyped for Meeting on May 10th

You may not know the name, but you certainly know the voice.
At some point in your life you have heard Arnold McCuller's rich and distinctive vocals that have captured the hearts and ears of many well-respected musicians and fans alike. Long time featured vocalist with some of the best recording artist around, including Phil Collins and James Taylor. more......
http://www.arnoldmcculler.com

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Meeting the 2nd Tuesday in APRIL

Tim Delaughter, will be our guest speaker for April 12.
41781_28665105980_4502_n.jpg
leader of Polyphonic Spree -  Polyphonic Spree is a massive collective of musicians boasting a ten-member choir, two keyboardists, percussion, bass guitar, flute, trumpets, trombone, violin, French horn, theremin, pedal steel, and an electronic effects wizard. In addition to traveling the world for performances, Polyphonic Spree has had its songs featured in TV commercials (“Follow the Day,” Volkswagen), television shows (“Scrubs”), included in films (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), performed as the opening act for David Bowie, and much, much more.

Due to high interest, seats will be reserved for the first 24 DSA members who RSVP . Members may RSVP for bringing a guest. Seating is limited RSVP now.

Future Programs:
May
TBA
June
Scott Sean White
July
Marty Rendleman
Aug.
No Meeting
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DSA T-SHIRTS $10 at the meeting (you must ask me for the special) or 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

2ND TUESDAY MONTHLY MEETING & WORKSHOP

Tom will talk about his cut by Randy Travis, the songs TV exposure, and a new reality show produced locally about songwriters.





is a singer-songwriter of breathtaking vision. His voice belies his musicianship and his extraordinary songs. From Rishi’s Garden with it’s homage to Ravi Shankar to the groove of Sleeping Beauty , Tom’s music is melodic, ambitious, and reverent.
Since the fall of 2007 Tom has been on hiatus from touring - staying home, producing records, raising two stepdaughters, and walking one rather large Golden Doodle named Thurman. In addition to producing, he’s a teacher, currently at White Rock Montessori in Dallas, formerly of The University of Virginia’s Young Writer’s Workshops - where he created the songwriting curriculum and taught for eight years.
From headlining major festivals 15 years ago, to the relative obscurity of his recording studio - Tom has continued to mature as an artist. That work has blossomed into an impressive resume of producing credits as well as cuts (his songs covered by other artists). 2009 will mark Tom’s first solo release in 10 years.
Tom Prasada-Rao was born in Ethiopia of Indian parents and raised in Washington DC. He moved to Texas in 2003 and is married to singer-songwriter Cary Cooper.
Tom will be speaking Tuesday night, March 8, 7pm at the Center For Community Cooperation 2900 Live Oak, Room 202 Gulf/Rio 
http://www.cccdfw.org/pages/location.html, for the Dallas Songwriters Association 2nd Tuesday Meeting. 


Networking:6:30 Room 202 Gulf/Rio
Announcements at 7PM followed by Speaker
Song Critiques will follow: Members only $5

The meeting is free to members. Visitors are requested to give a $5 donation.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming dates!

Future Programs:

April 12 (202 Gulf/Rio): Tim DeLaughter of Polyphonic Spree & Tripping Daisy

May 10 (202 Gulf/Rio): Beth Nielson Chapman via skype (tentative)

June 14 (202 Gulf/Rio): Co-writing Ins and Outs with Scott White (tentative)

July 12 (300 Trinity): Marrying Melody to Your Lyrics with Barbe McMillen

No Meeting in August

Sept 13 (300 Trinity): Craig Crafton on legal issues for songwriters

Oct 11 (300 Trinity): TBA

Nov 8 (300 Trinity): Annual Membership Meeting

Dec 13 (301 Brazos): Christmas Party

Jan 10 2012 (301 Brazos): TBA

Feb 14 (301 Brazos): TBA

Thursday, February 3, 2011

DSA Meeting Tuesday, February 8, 2011 6:30-9:30

GUEST SPEAKER: David Banning,  Getting Your Songs Cuts and NOT Living in Nashville. 

Former DSA member, David has cuts, The Horse That Nobody Can Ride and Baby I'll Come Back To You, on Joey + Rory's Billboard charted Album #2 . He also has the bonus track "Buy Our CD" on the Wal-Mart version of the CD.  Rory is also a former DSA member. David met Rory and a DSA showcase.

Free to Members
$5 for Visitors

Sign in and Networking begins at 6:30
Announcements at 7PM
Program about 7:30
Song Critiques follow - Members only may enter for $5

Future Programs:
March: Tom Prasada-Rao - renowned touring singer songwriter. http://tomprasadarao.com/
Tentative Future Programs:
April: Extreme co-writes
May: Beth Nielson Chapman via skype
June: Co-writing Ins and Outs with Scott White
July: Marrying Melody to Your Lyrics with Barbe McMillen
No Meeting in August