Wonderful Night at DSA Open Mic, Nov.

Last night was great. It was fantastic. It's what music is about. It's why the DSA is a special place for people who love and feel music. Last night was art. I was late. I was host, but I got to Dunn Bros just minutes before we were scheduled to start. I worried about having to kick off by doing 6 songs in a row, because I had zero sign ups, at the same time realizing that I wasn't sure what song I would do first. I looked at my harmonicas sitting in waiting on a table several steps away and decided to do one without them, to get things rolling without further delay. So I did a song about cats. It went over like a hair ball. That was an omen. When you start at the bottom, you can only climb up. After the next song, I gave up the mic to Chad, a friend and writing buddy of Trevor's. Chad's good, and things were starting to pick up. Next was Trevor, who carried a new (to me) guitar. Looks like Trevor and I both have GAS (guitar acquisition syndrome). Trevor did two songs, then he did something different. He put his guitar down flat on the floor, picked up a harmonica, stood up and slammed a new song about Christmas. I say slammed, because he sang/spoke the song au copula, with a little harmonica between verses. He got a long, sustained applause. The karma had shifted. We were on our way to an extraordinary Thursday night. Barbe had talked Devin from Dunn Bros into playing, and he hadn't performed his songs in a while. Even had to borrow my guitar, making me wish I had changed my strings last week. Devin's songs were wonderful, but then he went off track for a cover of Pink Floyd's 'Welcome To The Machine'. And for this he brought up Rolland, whom he called 'The Human Beat Machine'. So, while Devin played and sang, Rolland spit beats. You can hear an earlier version by them on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp7XIwyOnRE. You can hear Rolland and Devin again Dec. 1 at Dunn Bros 1st Wednesday Open Mic. The whole night, Dixon had been sitting with Mary, Paul and Barbe, soaking up the vibe, just beaming. To his credit, he didn't leave after Rolland and Devin, because he was next, and they were tough to follow. Instead, he delivered some beautiful, original Christmas music. Dixon has a great voice, perfect for his songs. But after a few tunes, he seemed to waive me up for a quick consultation. Now I understand he was waiving to Rolland. They did an impromptu Marvin Gaye tune "What's Going On" with Dixon on guitar and vocals and Rolland spitting beats. All I can say is "Mother mother, there's too many of you crying...." Gorgeous. What was I supposed to do after that? Well, I had a play, so I threw down my ace and called up Scott Fant. After a couple of songs, Barbe sidled up to me and told me "You should ask Scott to sing a few more songs." Too late, Barbe, I already had. Do yourself a favor and go hear some Scott Fant right now at the link below. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=448705 You can also hear him, Scott Sean White and others this Sunday at Memphis in Addison. After Scott, Chad came back up and sang the dark Christmas song that Trevor had slammed. So, why do I love the DSA? Visit Dallas Songwriters on Facebook to see some photos from last night. See you at the Christmas party. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Buck

Randy Brown is Great, plus Christmas Party

2nd Tuesday Meeting Nov. 9

GUEST SPEAKER Randy Brown joined the list of guest speakers who have been astonished by the quality of the songs we listen to and critique every 2nd Tuesday. This is a proud heritage, and all of us who have participated in having our songs critiqued this year should have an extra bowl of exercise this week. (What is a bowl of exercise? It's a typo and a sign of a guilty conscience. I meant a bowl of ice cream.)

Vern gets credit, but I think Barbe did most of the legwork involved in getting Randy to us. He has a wonderful attitude about songs, songwriting and performance. He's gifted at all three. Since he can't talk without a guitar around his neck, we experienced what is important to him about the means and the ends. For him, the ends is art. A process is involved, but the goal is art. Sometimes the process is magical, too. He writes lots of songs. Some are good. Most are stinkers, but all are art.

I'm trying to come to terms with art. I don't call myself an artist, nor what I do art. Maybe I should. Maybe, as Randy said, that's part of accepting that money is not part of the original equation, and that the initial end result isn't a product, but art. Hmmm.

SONG CRITIQUES: Wonder what these artist would think. We listened to songs by Trevor, Vern, Bobby, Donna, Nancy & Vern and Morrie of Levelland.

The range of scores were amazing. Everyone received at least one independent score of 40. High scores from the panel judges were a 48 for A Different Life by Morrie of Levelland and 47 for Whiskey Wins by Donna.

The Official Winners, including panel and audience, were 1st place for The Checker at Counter Nine by Nancy and Vern and 2nd place for Whiskey Wins by Donna.

A GREAT NIGHT. Among the highlights for me was hearing Donna and Evan volunteer to join Barbe, Roger, Steve and me as screeners for the Annual Song Contest. I hope others will join us. Drop me a note if you're interested. When you hear the level of artistry that our song contest attracts, you'll be proud of the DSA. We are known around the world, and the Annual Song Contest entrees prove it.

We had elections. The way we do it is nominate 15 members to be on the board. So, if I know your name, you were probably nominated. Active board members this past year were Barbe, Roger, Steve, Bob and I. We hope to have everyone back, plus some company for next year. That will be sorted out in January.

NEXT MONTH we'll have a holiday party for the Dec. 14 2nd Tuesday meeting. Would be lovely to have a few guitars and other instruments to sing carols to.

More important, next month will be 'Bring a Great Song' time. Try to bring a CD or mpg file to share with members. Bring lyric sheets, maybe 8 or 10. Tell us what it is you love about the song you bring. Give it some thought, and share some beautiful music with your friends. Could be a seasonal song, but whatever the genre, exercise your brain and bring a great song.

We may also attempt spontaneous songwriting. Let's call it Create a Song. Ken suggested we interview someone, then write a song based on the information given. What would it be like to have a song about you written by Vern? What kind of song could Vern inspire from you? A lyricist could work with a composer.

So let's have fun on Dec. 14. If I may, I request that Ken and Donna work with Roger, Barbe and me as Dec. 14 committee members. We need to think about food, drink, decorations, amusements and what would be required for Great Song and Create a Song.

Take ownership. Make it your Christmas party. Bring a friend. Contact me if you have a question.

Nov. 18, DSA 3rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Bros, Addison. See you there.

Buck Morgan
972 345 2133
wmsmorgan@verizon.net