DSA Monthly Meetings

DSA MEETS THE SECOND 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.

MMotivating and UUplifting SSongwriters through EEducation

Monday, September 1, 2014

Dru Richmond to Demo Band In A Box

Dru Richman (Keyboard Technologist) - is a veteran with over 45 years of keyboard experience. Dru started playing in rock and roll bands in the mid-sixties and during the early 80s Dru was lead keyboardist for the country/rock band Glen Bailey & Showdown. Since 1991, Dru has arranged all the music for LoveSong as well as handling all keyboard parts.
Dru uses the software program, Band In A Box, and will demonstrate how songwriters can use it to record and perform their songs.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Joe Milton to Speak at 2nd Tuesday Meeting July 8th

 Joe Milton is well-known for his independent recording studio, Jo-Musik, where he writes and records his own material and produces new talent. Joe's songs have been featured in film and television, including the NBC mini-series, Hunt For the Unicorn about fugitive Ira Einhorn. http://joemilton.com/mus.htm

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

JAY JOHNSON WILL SPEAK AND PERFORM JUNE 10TH

JAY JOHNSON

Jay's music has found homes in various genres, from southern rock to blues to americana/country to funk and singer songwriter...so please peruse through the entire catalog - thanks so much! 

Jay Johnson is a multi-genre (he hates that term, by the way,) multi-award winning (hates that one, too) performer singer/songwriter. Among his most recent accolades, Jay was nominated for Singer/Songwriter of the Year at the 2007 Texas Music Awards.

Jay was voted Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2005 Texas Music Awards in which he and his band at the time received the most nominations (6) in the history of the show, including Song, Album, Musician and Entertainer of the Year. He was also selected as a Regional Finalist in the 2004 Sony/USA Network Nashville Star TV Show.

This 18-yr veteran performer has self-released 3 albums (all received statewide, regional and international airplay)while sharing the stage with such talent as Jackson Browne, Pat Green, Willie Nelson, Charlie Robison, Jack Ingram, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Steven Fromholtz, Gary P. Nunn and countless others. Several of Jay's songs have been released by fellow songwriters as well. Johnson's style of writing is as diverse and all encompassing as the writer himself and his writing savvy has been compared to James Taylor, The Black Crowes, Neil Young, Jackson Browne & Townes Van Zandt.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Ted Pearce Speaks On his Career As A Christian Artist at May 13th Meeting

Christian Artist Ted Pearce
American praise and worship artist, widely admired in the "Messianic” circles (jewish folk and Israeli influences,) formerly on Integrity Records with “Lamb” and has had 2 songs covered by Paul Wilbur. Ted has produced 8 albums and written songs that are played weekly in messianic synagogues worldwide.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

CO-WRITES SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 8

Co-writes are back by demand. We will divide into small groups to complete a writing assignment. More details to come. This is our most fun meetings, so don't miss this one.
Free to members. $5 for visitors

Meeting Schedule:
6:30: Sign in and network
7:00: Association Announcements
7:15: Program
8:15: Song Critiques - Members only. $10



Future Programs:
May: Christian touring singer songwriters, Ted Pearce
June: Singer Songwriter, Jay Johnson
July: Dove nominated producer, Joe Milton

Saturday, March 1, 2014

PRODUCER PETE MILLER REVEALS SONG OF THE YEAR 2013

Local producer and our judge for Best Songs of the Meeting, PETE MILLER, will reveal the Song of The Year 2013 by reviewing the top five songs with their critiques.

ABOUT PETE MILLER

Pete has enjoyed a successful career in both live performance and recording. With extensive touring over the years, he has had the opportunity of sharing the stage with a number of musical greats including The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Beach Boys, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, and Garth Brooks. Recording credits cover a wide range of musical styles and projects such as albums for various artists, and jingles for TV and radio. In the DFW area, he has had the honor of producing and arranging projects for many artists and songwriters. One of his most recent works was for DSA Board member Aaron Shook.

CRITQUES WILL FOLLOW

Saturday, February 1, 2014

McMillen to Analyze the Grammy Winning Song Of The Year at the Feb. 11th Workshop

If you watched the Grammy Awards last Sunday, you know that the 3 hour show was full of noteworthy performances by the best of the best current artists and some oldie but goodies. Of special note to us songwriters was the award for Song Of The Year. We will analyze the melody and lyric of the winning song, Lorde's "Royals", to discover the elements that make it a popular song. Come out for some fun picking this song apart.

About Barbara McMillen: Founding President Emeritus and a voting member of the Recording Academy, Barbara currently teaches Songwriting at Collin College and workshops online. She is a performing songwriter, music therapist and producer with experience in label management, publishing, and marketing music. http://www.barbaramcmillen.com