DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, September 10th

Location: Your home via ZOOM

6:30 pm: Open portal and networking 

7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082  Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

GUEST SPEAKER -  Barbe McMillen!  

Do you know what the judges are looking for when you enter a song contest? 

Barbe will reveal the judges critique form and the rubric for song evaluation.

This week's meeting will feature Barbara McMillen as our speaker for the evening!  Barbe, as we call her, is the founder and President Emeritus of the Dallas Songwriters Association, and a longtime songwriter, music educator, producer and performer.  As a recording artist she released five albums of WHIT records and was a voting member of the Recording Academy (the Grammys) for over 20 years.  Her songwriting spans rock, pop, R&B, Americana and she has even written two musicals!  As an educator she is Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College and also offers online songwriting workshops and voice, piano, and music theory lessons.  Having judged and critiqued thousands of songs, Barbe is going to share her secrets of being a good judge and how to use a judging scoresheet, so don't miss it especially if you want to write good songs!

Also, bring your songs to the meeting and get live critiques by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2026 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year.  Until our website gets updated you will have to go to the different links below to submit the mp3 and lyrics and pay for the critiques.  The cost is $10 per song, limit 3 per meeting.  However, please be advised that songs that make use of Artificial Intelligence for any lyrics, melody or production will not be eligible for the Member Song Contest. 

 

 BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING CONTESTS

Started over in January for 2026

members only pay $10 here in our Square store

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/02JSQHH1RYQP5/checkout/MRGZLHJH5IRTCVIRCKPBBKKG

  

Upload lyrics in pdf file format and audio file in mp3 format on our Google drive.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nz_0TRsPERTYVG-eSzFMRF13JYqpfqvE?usp=sharing

DSA MONTHLY MEETING AND WORKSHOP FOR JUNE AND JULY 2026

DSA Monthly Meeting & Song Critiques - Thursday, JULY 9

Location: Your home via ZOOM
6:30 pm: Open portal and networking 

7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082  Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

 

Our Guest Speaker is         Jamie Dominguez
Jamie Dominguez is the National Director of Industry Relations at the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), where she builds and strengthens relationships with songwriters, publishers, and music industry stakeholders while advancing The MLC’s mission to ensure songwriters and music publishers receive their U.S. mechanical streaming royalties. She represents The MLC at key industry events and conferences across the music ecosystem. Prior to joining The MLC, Jamie spent 19 years at SESAC, most recently as Senior Director of Creative Services, and later helped launch Sound Royalties’ New York presence.

Our Guest Speaker is from the MLC   

The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) is a U.S. nonprofit organization created by the Music Modernization Act of 2018 to ensure songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers accurately receive their digital audio mechanical royalties. They issue blanket mechanical licenses to streaming services and distribute royalties without administrative deductions.
If you distribute your own music or operate a publishing company in the U.S., you can check your eligibility or register your compositions by visiting The MLC Membership.

Key Functions of The MLC

Royalty Collection: The MLC collects mechanical royalties generated by interactive streaming and downloads from U.S. digital service providers (DSPs) like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music
Free Distribution: Because their operating expenses are covered by the DSPs, they distribute 100% of the royalties collected directly to rights holders without deducting a commission
Public Database: They maintain a comprehensive and publicly accessible musical works database that ensures transparency in tracking song ownership shares
Member Hub: Independent, self-administered songwriters and music publishers can join for free to register their songs and claim their royalties

 

 

 DSA Monthly Meeting & Song Critiques - Thursday, JUNE 11

 

Our Guest Speaker is Will Townsley  

 Will is a professional composer/arranger/film composer/sound designer/songwriter, and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Texas at Arlington! Plus, he is also a member of the Dallas Songwriters Association and has performed at several DSA showcases!
Will Townsley who is from Arlington, Texas won a Grand Prize Honorable Mention for his song,"Nothing To Do With You" in the 2023 Dallas songwriters Song Contest.  A former writer for Curb Publishing and Al Jolson/Black and White Music, both out of Nashville, Will Townsley’s songs have been recorded by Jason Ashley, Colt Prather, and others.
Will has performed with artists that include Sammy Kershaw and Joe Nichols and opened for Jake Owen, Brett Young, Chris Jansen, Richie McDonald (Lodestar), Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), Tim Rushlow (Little Texas), Blues Traveler, and The Wilder Blue. He has performed for major organizations including the Dallas Cowboys and was invited to perform at songwriter showcases that include the world-famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee and the Wildflower Music Festival.
Will teaches currently teaches music industry courses at the University of Texas–Arlington.
Will is going to talk about his musical journey and answer any questions you may have, so don't miss it! http://www.townsleymusic.com/song-portfolio.html
     Also, get your song critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2026 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year. Limit of 3 songs per meeting. You can pay online via the critique form, and the cost is $10 per song. However, please be advised that songs that make use of Artificial Intelligence for any lyrics, melody or production will not be considered for the Member Song Contests.

 BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING CONTESTS

Started over in January for 2026

members only pay $10 here in our Square store

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/02JSQHH1RYQP5/checkout/MRGZLHJH5IRTCVIRCKPBBKKG

  

Upload lyrics in pdf file format and audio file in mp3 format on our Google drive.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nz_0TRsPERTYVG-eSzFMRF13JYqpfqvE?usp=sharing

MONTHLY MEETING and Workshop - 2nd THURSDAY APRIL 9 and May 14

DSA Monthly Meeting & Song Critiques - Thursday, MAY 14

Location: Your home via ZOOM
6:30 pm: Open portal and networking 

7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082  Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Our Guest Speaker is Lyle Blackburn  

http://www.lyleblackburn.com 

Lyle Blackburn is a native Texan known for his work as an author, podcaster, cryptid researcher, and musician. His early attraction to cryptid creatures and strange phenomena has resulted in a lifelong exploration of these subjects. Lyle has written several acclaimed books, including “The Beast of Boggy Creek” and “Texas Bigfoot,” which offer a balanced view of the topics while delivering gripping accounts of real-life mysteries. His research into "The Legend of Boggy Creek" reports in particular, has been instrumental in preserving the history of this notable Bigfoot case.

Lyle is a frequent guest on radio programs such as Coast To Coast AM, and he has contributed to the production of eight documentaries by the Small Town Monsters film company. Lyle has also appeared on numerous television shows, including The UnXplained, Monsters and Mysteries in America, Strange Evidence, Finding Bigfoot, and The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs.

As a professional musician, Lyle has achieved similar success as the founder of the rock band, Ghoultown. The band has released nine albums, which have not only earned a loyal worldwide following, but found their way into movies, video games, and numerous live venues across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Highlights include an invitation to write a song for iconic horror maven, Elvira Mistress of the Dark, which aired on her nationally syndicated show, Movie Macabre. Prior to forming Ghoultown, Lyle was a member of the acclaimed doom metal band, Solitude Aeturnus.

When Lyle isn't writing books, hunting monsters, or recording music, he can be found speaking at various cryptozoology and paranormal conferences around the United States. Just look for the trademark black cowboy hat. 

 

 

 DSA Monthly Meeting & Song Critiques - Thursday, MAY 14

Our Guest Speaker is Jonathan Jeter   

 From humble beginnings as a singer and songwriter from Greenville, TX to forming his own Dallas-based band the Revelators and also playing drums and stage managing for Reverand Horton Heat, Jonathan is hitting his stride.  His new release "Hard For You" is drawing attention to his group, and working with "The Rev" recently brought Jonathan his first opportunity to play music in the UK.  Jonathan's own music blurs the genres of Americana, roots music and a healthy dose of good ol' fashioned punk rock.  The songs are marked by rich storytelling, powerful lyrics and emotional depth.  They often convey personal narratives, cultural heritage and historical themes, connecting listeners to their shared experiences and emotions.  Jonathan will be talking about his musical journey of songwriting and performing so you won't want to miss it!

 

 

Also, get your song critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2026 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year. Limit of 3 songs per meeting. You can pay online via the critique form, and the cost is $10 per song. However, please be advised that songs that make use of Artificial Intelligence for any lyrics, melody or production will not be considered for the Member Song Contests. 

 BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING CONTESTS

Started over in January for 2026

members only pay $10 here in our Square store

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/02JSQHH1RYQP5/checkout/MRGZLHJH5IRTCVIRCKPBBKKG

  

Upload lyrics in pdf file format and audio file in mp3 format on our Google drive.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nz_0TRsPERTYVG-eSzFMRF13JYqpfqvE?usp=sharing

DSA MONTHLY MEETING AND WORKSHOP WITH SONG CRITIQUES - MARCH 12, 2026

 Next Meeting & Workshop with Song Critiques -
DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, March 12

Location: Your home via ZOOM
6:30 pm: Open portal and networking
7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members
Zoom ID # 617 432 0082  Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Our Guest Speaker is Keith Watson  - https://www.theintemperatesons.com/
 

Keith Watson is part of The Watson family—Keith on drums, Jake on guitars, and Max on vocals, guitars, and keys who joined forces with longtime friend and bassist Mark Marks to create The Intemperate Sons. They caught the ear of rock heavyweights Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh (Orgy, Dead By Sunrise, Julien-K), who signed them to their Frame|Work label in 2021. Even a global pandemic couldn’t derail their momentum—holed up in The Kitchen Recording Studios, they crafted their debut album, The Color Within (2022), with tracks like “Dust to Dust” and “Running Man” that pulse with raw emotion and retro grit. Collaborations with legends like Tony Franklin (Whitesnake, The Firm) and Derakh’s production on singles like “Game of Keep Away” and “Dark Day’s Night” featured on their second and highly successful album, Dark Day’s Night (2024) pushed their sound further, blending post-grunge edge with folk and hard rock undercurrents.
For fans of alternative rock, this band is a throwback and a revelation. They have traveled and played the whiskey. Keith will be joined by his sons on the Zoom call.

Also, get your song critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2026 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year.  Enter your songs online or you can play them live.  

Members enter and pay $10 here in our Square store.
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/02JSQHH1RYQP5/checkout/MRGZLHJH5IRTCVIRCKPBBKKG
 
Upload lyrics pdf and mp3 in google file.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nz_0TRsPERTYVG-eSzFMRF13JYqpfqvE?usp=sharing    

Please be advised that songs that make use of Artificial Intelligence for any lyrics, melody or production will not be considered for the Member Song Contests.

DSA 2026 JANUARY & FEBRUARY WORKSHOP AND SONG CRITIQUES

 

MONTHLY MEETING and Workshop -  2nd THURSDAY

http://dsameetings.blogspot.com

Next Meeting & Workshop with Song Critiques -

DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, FEBRUARY 12, Darren Wise

Location: Your home via ZOOM
6:30 pm: Open portal and networking 

7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082  Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

  Our guest Speaker is Darren Wise. Darren Wise is a published ASCAP songwriter and rock music performer who also is the music creator/director of live music shows for Drew Pearson Live. He will talk about his songwriting style, performing and the current music business. 

Also, this is the first chance of the year to get your song critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2026 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year.  Go to the Dallas Songwriters website (see link below) to enter your song, or you can play them live.   At the website look for "Forms" on the upper right-hand corner of the page then point to "Song Critiques" and the form will show up.  You can type in the lyrics or cut & paste.  For the song audio go to "Choose File" and load your audio file(s), limit of 3 songs per meeting.  You can pay online via the critique form, and the cost is $10 per song.  However, please be advised that songs that make use of Artificial Intelligence for any lyrics, melody or production will not be considered for the Member Song Contests.

 

 BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING CONTESTS

Starts over in January for 2026

members only may pay here

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/02JSQHH1RYQP5/checkout/MRGZLHJH5IRTCVIRCKPBBKKG

 Upload lyrics and mp3 in google file.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nz_0TRsPERTYVG-eSzFMRF13JYqpfqvE?usp=sharing

 

DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, January 8th

Featuring Patti Allen Driver!

We have a wonderful guest speaker for our first meeting of the year, Patti Allen Driver!  Although she is a real estate agent by day, Patti is also an accomplished singer/songwriter.  In 2004 she started Chicks Who Rock to empower adult women to play on stage.  Then in 2015 after many years in bands and working in other organizations with kids, she founded Kids Who Rock Camps to provide an amazing setting for cool kids who love music, art and fun.  The camps have a team of instructors who are motivated by their love of music to transfer their skills and knowledge to the kids. For many years most of the Rising Star performers at the annual DSA Hall of Fame induction have come from Kids Who Rock.  And last year Patti put together a great backing band for the performers.  She will talk about her experiences in songwriting/performing and leading Kids Who Rock! 

 

Also, this is the first chance of the year to get your song critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2026 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year.  Go to the Dallas Songwriters website (see link below) to enter your song, or you can play them live.   At the website look for "Forms" on the upper right-hand corner of the page then point to "Song Critiques" and the form will show up.  You can type in the lyrics or cut & paste.  For the song audio go to "Choose File" and load your audio file(s), limit of 3 songs per meeting.  You can pay online via the critique form, and the cost is $10 per song.  However, please be advised that songs that make use of Artificial Intelligence for any lyrics, melody or production will not be considered for the Member Song Contests.

 

 BEST SONGS OF THE MEETING CONTESTS

Starts over in January for 2026

members only may pay here

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/02JSQHH1RYQP5/checkout/MRGZLHJH5IRTCVIRCKPBBKKG

 Upload lyrics and mp3 in google file.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nz_0TRsPERTYVG-eSzFMRF13JYqpfqvE?usp=sharing

 

 

JAMES NEEL TO SPEAK AT DSA MEETING ON OCT 9, 2025

DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, October 9

Location: Your home via ZOOM
6:30 pm: Open portal and networking
7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6174320082

Featuring James Neel!

This month's meeting will feature James Neel, a classically trained composer, sound designer, multi-instrumentalist and audio-post engineer.  James has spent more than four decades crafting original music and sound effects that have appeared in TV, radio, film, documentaries and websites for top advertising agencies, entertainment producers, and Fortune 500 companies.  His prestigious client list includes work for a diverse collection of familiar brands, including Lucasfilm Ltd, NutriSystem, Playboy, Oral Roberts, IBM, Dallas Cowboys, Bell Helicopter, Coca-Cola, EDS, Nokia, General Motors, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Frito-Lay, Tony Roma's, Zales, American Cancer Society, Neiman Marcus, Midas Mufflers, Murine, Alcatel, Brinker International, Bud Light, Evan Williams, Dallas Video Festival, Dr Pepper, JC Penny, Mobil Oil, Church's Chicken, Dairy Queen, McKinsey & Company, Eye Masters, Six Flags Over Texas, Kaiser Permanente, La Madelene, Shell Oil, Texas Instruments, Splash Media, Pier One Imports,, Texaco Star Mart, American Heart Association, Half Price Books, Fina, Verizon, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Chevy Truck's, and many more.

James is going to speak on AI and Songwriting.

Also, DSA members can get their songs critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2024 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year.  Please Note: You must go to the Dallas Songwriters website (see link below) to enter your song, or you can play them live.  When you go to the website look for "Forms" on the upper right-hand corner of the page then point to "Song Critiques" and the form will show up.  You can type in the lyrics or cut & paste.  For the song audio go to "Choose File" and load your audio file(s), limit of 3 songs per meeting.  You can pay online via the critique form, and the cost is $10 per song.

DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, September 11th, 2025

 

DSA Monthly Meeting - Thursday, September 11th

Location: Your home via ZOOM
6:30 pm: Open portal and networking 

7:00 pm: Program followed by song critiques for members

Zoom ID # 617 432 0082  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6174320082

Featuring Lane Fabian & Guitars 4 Vets!

Guitars 4 Vets is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing relief to struggling veterans This month's meeting will feature Lane Fabian who talk about Guitars 4 Vets, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing relief to struggling veterans through the healing power of music and community.  Guitars 4 Vets was presented DSA's 2023 Excellence in Community Service Award.  Lane Fabian, who represents the organization in North Texas, joined the program in 2018 as an instructor for the Dallas chapter and now serves as Chapter Coordinator for the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  The Chapter has five in-person locations across four counties, along with a North Texas cyber program, and offers a unique10-week guitar instruction program that puts the healing power of music in the hands of our nation's heroes. 

Also, get your new songs critiqued by industry pros Barbe McMillen and Joe Milton and be considered for the 2025 Member Song Contest and Songwriter of the Year.  You can go to the Dallas Songwriters website (see link below) to enter your song, or you can play them live.  When you go to the website look for "Forms" on the upper right-hand corner of the page then point to "Song Critiques" and the form will show up.  You can type in the lyrics or cut & paste.  For the song audio go to "Choose File" and load your audio file(s), limit of 3 songs per meeting.  You can pay online via the critique form, and the cost is $10 per song.

https://dallassongwriters.org/song-critique/