You Miss All the Shots You Never Take

Don't forget to come out to the Deep Ellum Festival starting tomorrow and support the DSA Acoustic Stage hosted by Craig Saint Clare. Many thanks again this year, Craig. Have a look at the final schedule, attached. Glad I did! I'm playing Saturday afternooninstead of Friday evening. Good to know! Sure had fun at DSA Songwriter Showcase with Lisa Byrn at the Balcony on Tuesday. Lots of DSA people turned out to support Lisa and Julie Jean White. It's a fun place, so please come out next Tuesday to see Lisa and me share the stage from 6:15-7. If you'd like to perform some Tuesday, talk with Lisa. Don't forget 1st Monday Song Swap at Half-Price Books, 7ish this Monday. We have opportunities. Can we take advantage?  A quick story: Recently I visited my daughter in Atlanta. I was with Brooke, a junior, having dinner al fresco at an Italian restaurant. We were aware of some young people behind us also having dinner, and also having a good time. Brooke leans over and tells me she knows this girl, or thinks she does. She's an actress on Degrassi and on Vampire Diaries, two of my favorite shows. (Just bit my tongue. It was in my cheek.) Suddenly, Brooke huffs, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take," and politely asks the woman if she is Nina Dobrev. The actress was delighted to be recognized and to pose for a picture (attached). It was the highlight of the night; the highlight of the visit. I learned something that night from my daughter. I want to swing away when there's opportunity. (She said she was quoting Wayne Gretsky, so you have to swing sticks to make shots.) If you're looking for a shot, on June 4 the DSA can have 2 hours, from 3-5 p.m., at the world famous Kayaks for Cancer race near Mason, Texas. It's a good ways away. It probably means staying overnight, or for some, for the weekend. It is a beautiful part of the Texas hill country. The best barbecue I have ever eaten is within 40 minutes, at Coopers in Llano. Jackie Doss and I sang last year and had a blast. Maridale and I had more fun than teenagers that weekend. (I'm serious. For instance, we caught Fred, the Mason walker, out for a stroll late at night. The good news is that Fred wears underwear. Otherwise, I would have said that we caught Fred and "the boys" taking a midnight stroll.) Our host, Jerialice Arsenault, has offered DSA performers free time at River Sound Recording Studio. You'll hear and meet some great songwriters and performers fromCentral Texas. You'll bond with fellow performers, and if you don't perform, you'll bond and have a hoot of a time. So far we have Lisa, Julie Jean and me. We could split two hours among more than that. Maridale, Buster (the Boxer) and I will make a weekend of it. Even so, if enough people are interested, we can rent a mini van and make this a trip to remember. Lots of ways to slice and dice.  Who's interested? Here's the pass. Who's taking the shot? See you this weekend, Buck, DSA prez

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Attachment(s) from Steve Morgan

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 DEEP ELLUM SCHEDULE FINAL.xls

Strange and Busy Days

Lost some all-timers over the last week. RIP Pinetop Perkins, Ferlin Husky and Nate Dogg. Find links to their music, etc. below. http://pinetopperkins.com/index.htm http://www.last.fm/music/Ferlin+Husky http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leskJNqjOwI If you had spring break, I hope you enjoyed it and are ready to get in a productive groove. What a year so far. Kind of hard to get a handle on everything worldwide. Hope somehow we can find silver linings and lessons from the man-made and natural tragedies taking place across the world.  Before focusing on music, I had a long corporate life, working for a huge American company as well as giants from the UK and Germany. I asked  a colleague from across the pond what had impressed him most about America, and without hesitation he said, "Your freedom." We don't know how free we are. We have much to be grateful for, and much to guard against. It seems many on TV and radio, and maybe next door, too, want to focus on half empty glasses. Can you smile and be pessimistic? Need some good news to help crack a grin? Our glasses are half full, and I just heard the fridge door open. Fill 'em up! DSA CALENDAR: Tonight, March 22, from 7-10 you can see the great Scott Sean White and Kyle Level at Caddilac Pizza in McKinney. On Saturday, March 26, at North Park Mall we have a half-dozen DSAers performing for Arts in the Park. Unless I'm wrong, our stage is between Dillards and Starbucks and can best be found by using the entrance by Magione's. Among those taking the stage starting at 1:45 are the great Mark Wayne Glasmire, Kevin Mountcastle, Barbara McMillen, Buck Morgan, Hillary Roberts and Mary Guthrie. We only have an hour, so come out and hear everyone! Beginning April 1, the DSA will have a huge presence at the acoustic stage at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival. The festival runs through Sunday, April 3. On April 4 we have 1st Monday Song Swap at Half Price Books beginning around 7. On April 5 come out and support the DSA Songwriters 1st Tuesday Showcase with Lisa Byrn at the Balcony Club from 6-9. Our 2nd Tuesday Program on April 12 is going to be huge. We have Tim DeLaughter, founder and front man of Polyphonic Spree. Networking starts at 6:30. You should get a card in the mail on this. Be sure to RSVP, because it could be SRO. On April 18 we have 3rd Monday Song Swap at Tino's in Plano, then on April 21 come to Dunn Bros Coffee in Addison for DSA 3rd Thursday Open Mic. Don't forget to find Dallas Songwriters on Facebook, and join our new Meet Up group. We have a lot going on, so use these tools to get the most out of DSA. Exercise your freedom to express yourself. See you soon, Buck Morgan, DSA prez

Off To A Good Start

Last night was kind of casual. We didn't have a speaker, but we still had a neat program. We extended the business portion of 2nd Tuesday to discuss with every member and guest what he or she wants from the DSA. We have a lot of eloquent people, and it was a warm, enjoyable "conversation" with the brave and kind souls who came out on a cold night. We had about 15 people. It shouldn't surprise you that most of us want to improve our songwriting skills. Some of us want to be better performers. Many want to explore the mysteries of melody, and others want to build a fun and beneficial organization, to extend boundaries and broaden participation. We can only do what we can do. The magic is in the "do", and we can do anything. We had fun voting on the Grammy's Country Song of the Year. Our votes didn't count, but Barbe's did. She led us through six of the songs. I wish I could recall them all, but the one that won our vote was The House That Built Me, which was co-written by a former DSAer. I don't recall his name, either, but maybe Barbe can tell us who she ultimately cast her vote for and also recognize our DSA success person. Our own success story, current and past, is Vern Dailey, who once again out-pointed stiff competition to win the song critique. Vern's Ask Your Heart had a 6-point cushion over new member Guy Rourk's beautiful For Just A Moment, which just beat out fine songs by Bobby, Kevin and Steven. You should have heard Steven's au cape la rendition of Middle of the Road. Great performance, wonderful song. Hope to see you at Tino's for Song Swap next Monday. Buck

WE'LL MISS YOU, BOB PATERNO

Two or three years ago, when I was feeling out the DSA as an organization, I went to a meeting in November. My interest was pricked, and I joined. I found out about the song swaps and showed up on 1st Monday on a night when the regular leader was out, but Bob and James were there. I liked Bob's songs right away. (I liked James' stuff, too, but this isn't about James. It's about Bob.)

I had a song that night that I was trying to do in 3/4 time, then change to 4/4 time at the bridge, then go back to 3/4. Bob listened. He listened to the whole song, and he told me, that's not 3/4.

That night sold me on the DSA. Bob and James listened to me, and they listened to my songs. They liked them, but they saw ways to make them better. They spoke the truth. They didn't let me fool myself.

I still have that song, and I'm still trying to get it to go 3/4 time.

Bob Paterno is a smart, straight shooter. He's a caring, crafting, damn good songwriter. When he tells you something, you listen or go stupid. I couldn't help but first be happy for Bob when he told me he was moving to Nashville. He's taking meat from the table, but he's moving to a position of strength, and he has made us stronger while he was with us. Bob wanted something, so he did something. He made the DSA something that would make him a better songwriter. He wanted something and was willing to work for it. He made the DSA a better group.

Someday, I'll bet, we'll be reaching out to Nashville, saying, hey Bob, can you do a program for us? Free membership if you do.

Hope you hit a homer, Bob.

Buck Morgan
DSA Prez

A Very Christmas Party

Some of us are still having fun from the Christmas party Tuesday night. My beautiful wife Maridale (I know she's beautiful. Vern told me. Practically shouted it into the phone yesterday) loves word puzzles and shared the one Ken brought with work colleagues. See more on that in the previous emails. We plan to pull out the puzzle again when company comes.

Besides my shirt and James' ice sculpture, other party highlights were the many and various songs and how we heard them. Dixon introduced us to his family tradition of writing a Christmas song, and then we got to hear a version of one of his with full band support. Barbe shared "Breath of Heaven", a new and unusual Christmas song to my ears.

Donna brought Kenny Chesney and his song about looking back on high school football days. Some folks were close to tears.

James, Julie Jean and Mary played and sang a favorite Christmas song. You know, James does not strike me as a Carpenter's fan, but who doesn't love "Merry Christmas, Darling."

The prettiest harmonies of the night came from Mary's choice of song. The artist and song were new to me. I was thrown at first by the song's yearning to get home. It reminded me of how I feel even now as I wait for my daughters to fly in the day after Christmas. Soon it became apparent that the author was ready to go home to heaven. Dixon and I exchanged looks, both thinking, 'if you're going, you'll get there soon enough.' Hope you'll share a link with us to the song, Mary.

Ken let us participate in the first Christmas song he's written. Great performance, Ken.

Evan brought out one of my favorite songwriters, Darrell Scott, who sang about brothers, uncles, a Gibson Hummingbird, and his father. Michael shared his love of jazz by playing Sarah Vaughan's version of 'Green Dolphin Street'.

Julie Jean pulled out her guitar and sang a lovely song about a mongrel puppy, "Choose Me". I'll have to share that one with my dog-loving sister in Oklahoma. Another one I think she'll like is a song recommended by Bobby, "Where's the Line for Jesus?"

Lisa broke my heart with a song that breaks my heart every time I hear it, about dancing as a little girl with her late father, her feet on top of his, her hands gripping his fingers.

If that didn't do it, late-arriving Steve pulled out his guitar for the last song of the evening and sang a tribute to his recently passed father, a song that takes on a whole new level of meaning, "Daddy, Are We There Yet?".

Thanks for a wonderful night. Hope to see you tonight at DSA Open Mic, Dun Bros Coffee, Addison.

Buck

PS--Look for photos soon on Dallas Songwriters in Facebook.

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