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

TONY RAMEY DELIVERS BIG

Future speakers at DSA 2nd Tuesdays have a tough bar to clear. Tony Ramey (http://tonyramey.com/) set it sky high in January with a program that will be hard to surpass.  In sports terms, Ramey's a triple threat. He writes great songs. He tells great stories. And he gives gentle but helpful criticism. He's a good singer and picker as well, as the full room at The Center for Community Cooperation can attest.

Ramey can drop some names, but they fall easily from his lips because he's not trying to impress. He's been writing songs for almost 20 years, most of that time in Nashville, so he's met and worked with some of the big talents. He wrote for George Strait's publishing house, Muy Bueno, for 8-plus years. Here's Strait's version of the Ramey co-write 'Hot Grease and Zydeco': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRVtMYjIr_0

Craig Morgan, Trisha Yearwood, Doug Stone, Alabama, Johnny Lee, and the late Ray Price are among others who've sung his tunes. Last night, Ramey played the heartfelt but unreleased 'The Bible, the Bottle and the Gun,' on which Willie Nelson will sing a verse. (I hope I got that title right.) Most recently, he has a Texas music hit with Aaron Watson, 'Summertime Girl':  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnciWv9ieCI

In fact, Ramey's written something like 1,600 songs. Almost all are in full or demo production.  "And no one's going to pitch them unless I pitch them," he said with a laugh.

Don't take things too seriously. That was the theme of the night. Don't take yourself, your work or your ambitions too seriously.  Hold things loosely. Live your life loving what you do.  (Nice hook there.)

Ramey loves to write and perform. He says he was able to write 150 songs a year partly because his brain is always humming. He writes lyrics and melody at the same time. When he hears a clever phrase, he immediately begins to explore it with melodies. He says you can't wait for inspiration if you're hoping to be a professional songwriter. Writing becomes a discipline.

Ramey, who once pursued a PhD in literature at Middle Tennessee State University, now lives and works in the Dallas area, where he helped start Dig It Deep Publishing, http://digitdeeppublishing.com/. Catch him most Tuesday's at Love & War, Plano. He'll also open Feb. 7 for Mark Chesnut at Hank's in McKinney. 

Nashville Songwriter Tony Ramey to Speak on Tuesday, January 14th

Tony has had hit songs and gold and platinum record awards for songs on albums cut by George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Doug Stone, Craig Morgan, John Michael Montgomery, Easton Corbin, Alabama, Johnny Lee, Texas artists Aaron Watson and Jason Meadows, and a host of others. After working in Nashville for more than 10 years for Strait's publishing company, Tony has moved to Greenville, Tx where he resides with his wife and two children. More about Tony at http://tonyramey.com/about-tony/

DSA CHRISTMAS PARTY AT TINO'S TOO ON DECEMBER 10TH

 Tuesday, Dec.10 - CHRISTMAS PARTY - OPEN MIC 

(We are not meeting at the normal place, CCC, for Second Tuesday Workshop - instead) 

Lisa Byrn will host our Xmas Party Open Mic (Christmas originals or Christmas covers) Tuesday Dec. 10 at Tino's, Too, 2205 K Ave. near downtown Plano. Networking starts at 6:30, and tunes start around 7. DSA will provide appetizers, but feel free to come for dinner and drinks. This is a great time to bring a friend or spouse to meet your friends at the DSA. 

Annual Membership Meeting and Elections - plus Capt. Steve Wilson to Speak on Nov 12

Veteran and songwriter, Capt. Steve Wilson to speak following elections.

http://stevedwilson.bandcamp.com/

http://www.stevedwilson.com/

Critiques will follow

JENNI PEAL TO SPEAK AT 2ND TUESDAY MEETING OCT 8

""How'd you learn to write a song like that?" Townes Van Zandt to Jenni, Jan. 1996, after hearing her song "Two Sisters."

Jenni Mansfield Peal is a songwriter and singer, guitarist, accordionist, and mountain dulcimist. Her experience includes two tours of Northern Ireland, main stage at the Kerrville Folk Festival, numerous original productions and ensembles, and four independent albums. The Mr. Peppermint Show featured Jenni's songs on multiple episodes that were syndicated world-wide for years, and her most recent recording is for children and families: Putting On the Old Folk's Clothes. Jenni was named The Best Folk Song Writer in North Texas by CBS DFW, among four, in October 2010. Original is her newest ensemble, with jazz bass player Mark Wilson and award-winning fiddler Linda Relph.

Michael Brown to talk about jingle writing at the 2nd Tuesday Meeting on Sept. 10th

Guest speaker, Michael Brown

     Michael is currently the Executive Producer and resident voice talent at The McCarthy Agency in Dallas

and is professionally represented by The William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills, Ca. and The Kim Dawson Agency in Dallas, Tx. who keep him busy voicing commercials, narrations, film trailers, and live events. 

His voice is currently featured on several commercials running across the USA as well as narrator for the Discovery Channel program Naked & Afraid, and trailers for Thomas The Tank Engine. 

A native Texan who has been producing and voicing radio & television advertising for over 3 decades, he has thousands of commercials on his resume, for a who’s who of American advertisers, including Southwest Airlines, Cargill Corp, Radio Shack, Time Life, Federal Express, McDonalds, ABC prime time, CBS News, Chrysler Plymouth, Sonic, Nissan, Chevrolet, Hasbro Toys, Texaco, Wrangler Jeans, and many more.      

    Michael began his production career in Dallas radio at the legendary FM station KZEW.  In 1978 he took on the task of broadcast producer for Radio City Music Hall in New York and simultaneously launched his production company, M.G. Audio, producing tour advertising for Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Elton John, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and John Denver.  

    His busy career has encompassed all aspects of advertising production; Copy writing, custom music and jingle production, voice over, audio production, location video & audio, and video editing.