DSA has a solid forward momentum

Fellow DSA members,

I feel a strong forward momentum with DSA this year.  We have started the year off with a bang.  It is good to see members getting involved in our activities and see the sustained growth of our membership with our new members.  As a board member, I want to see DSA flourish and grow.  I see positive things happening with our programs, workshops, song swaps, and performance activities.  I have spoken with members that are becoming active again and new members coming in this year.  We try hard to find something that we can provide that bridges across the organization.  Julie Jean White heads our programs and Lisa Byrn is tasked with our showcases and Michael Brandenberger has workshops.  If you have any ideas or contacts with industry professionals that would make a good speaker in person or via Skype, let us know.  The only thing that cannot be achieved is the thing that is never attempted.  So, lets aim high and get those speakers that are well accomplished in the music industry.

I felt a magical moment with Carly Simon and Ben Taylor in our March meeting as did many others.  They confirmed the principles that DSA teaches about the craft of songwriting, but also established the connection to that intangible spirit of the song itself.  It was kind of one of those moments where you just know that a song is a great song because you just feel it.  This does not diminish the role of the hard work that a songwriter puts in looking for proper structure and those colorful expressions and metaphors that add that extra dimension to our songs.  The words and phrases we use to make something more interesting to our listeners.  That is one of those things that sets a great song apart from others.  We have to say the same in thing in a new and interesting way, or find something new to say.  Like Carly mentioned,   she keeps notebooks of song ideas that she has kept for years.  She goes back through those notebooks and finds things to include in new songs.  When the muse visits, if you are like me, I have to write it down, or I find myself somewhere down the road without that great idea.


In April, we have Zane Williams as out guest speaker.  Zane spent about 10 years of his life in Nashville with a publishing deal and as touring musician. He had a top 20 song "Hurry Home" performed by Jason Michael Carroll.   He knows his craft.  Anybody that knows Zane understands the story within his songs.  He provides clear and vivid images that tell a story.  Zane had his magical moment recently and here is his quote:  "Zane was in heaven recently when Bob DiPiero, Jerrery Steele, and David Lee Murphy invited him up to sing an original song during their song swap at a Texas Heritage Songwriter's Association private party.  The thrills continued when the next day he performed onstage at Austin City Limits Live, opening the ceremony that inducted Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, and Townes Van Zandt into the Texas Heritage Songwriter's Hall of Fame."  Can you imagine how he felt getting to perform on stage with Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett and paying tribute to Townes Van Zandt.  This speaks highly of the talent and recognition that Zane has accomplished.


We have a couple of festivals coming up.  The first one is the Deep Ellum Arts Festival.  It will be held April 6th - 8th down in Deep Ellum.  Our stage will be at Malcolm X and Main.  We are right in the middle of things.  Come by and listen a while and browse around.  Next up we have the Wildflower Festival May 18th - 20th.  The Songwriters School will be lead by Beth Nielsen Chapman on May 18th.  Beth is a wonderful teacher and I am glad that she agreed to come back to Dallas to lead this workshop.  There are only 40 seats available, so go out to Beth's website and sign up soon: http://www.bethnielsenchapman.com/index.php?page=workshops.  Later that evening, Beth will be a headliner on stage.  Guy Clark is another headliner this year.  This is shaping up to be a great festival.  DSA will be hosting an acoustic performance stage this year.  This will be a separate stage from the Bud Light Stage that we previously hosted.  We can obtain our own sponsors, so if you know somebody that wants to be a sponsor, let a board member know.


I am proud to be a member of DSA and I am glad to see more members becoming active in our programs and activities.  We are gaining recognition and we are working hard to put together programs and workshops that any member can gain from.  I always say that you will get the most out of an organization when you are willing to invest your time in that organization.  Song swaps, workshops, open mics, and programs are here for you, the songwriter.  You will hear different opinions, views, and advice about your songs, but that is a good thing and as I see it, that is a mini sample of your greater audience.


Let's have a good year with lots of fun and learning.

DSA in 2012 (Building on a SOLID 2011 Foundation)

DSA Members,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity and trust to lead DSA as President.  Buck Morgan has done an outstanding job as President during his terms in 2010 and 2011 and leaves me a big set of boots to fill.  We have experienced growth and increased the average attendance during our monthly meetings.  Mary Guthrie brought a whole new level of activity to the Vice-President of Membership by designing new membership flyers and making sure that members where contacted every month to encourage their participation in our monthly programs and let people know when their membership renewal was due.  Barbe has been a constant hard worker that is always there when we need her to do all sorts of things for us.  We owe Barbe a debt of gratitude.  Bobby Montgomery was diligent in keeping our finances and worked with Barbe to maintain our fiscal responsibilities for DSA.  Donna Scoggins got together great programs and Michael Brandenberg was responsible for overseeing some great workshops.  I want to thank each member of the 2011 Board of Directors personally for their service.

It was nice to attend board meetings at Michael's home where we had to fight for seating almost.  It is refreshing to work with a room full of creative minds that are dedicated to making DSA a great organization.  We have another great lineup of board members this year and I expect to have another great year.  We will all be seeking new and innovative ways to deliver a solid foundation to our membership and provide you with the best programs, workshops, performance opportunities, and overall support that accomplishes the DSA charter.

We all have busy lives, but we all have that desire to write and/or perform that winning song.  Sometimes the music industry demands sacrifice for our art.  Musicians hours and demands that our art and craft be nurtured and fed.  We as board members in 2012 want each and every member to participate in as many programs and activities as possible.  We will be posting programs, workshops and events and some fun musical outings for members to participate in this year.  I want every member to feel that they are included and feel satisfied with DSA.  We still have opportunities for members to serve on committees and special projects along with guitar shows and other activities we participate in each year.  We have Deep Ellum Arts Festival and Wildflower coming up soon just to mention a couple.

We as a board have been elected by the membership to serve the members.  This is our goal.  In stating this goal please contact your board members with any concerns that you have or great ideas that you would like to see for DSA.  We are a 501c3 organization that depends upon donations and membership, so we may not be able to fund activities or speakers, but feel empowered to bring your ideas to us.  If there is a way to make something happen, we will try.  We are here for you.

Roger

Hard Road to Nashville

Did you make it out for Scott Sean White on Tuesday? Feel like you have the real picture now on what it takes to be taken seriously in Nashville? Scott is a straight shooter, and he is willingly and strategically paying his dues in Music City, twice a month, three days at a time.

If you don’t know who he is, you should look up Scott on ReverbNation.  As Barbe told me after the meeting while a few of us were at Adairs having a beer and a burger. “Scott is a really good looking guy, and he’s a great singer, a great musician, and he writes great songs. It makes you wonder what they are looking for in Nashville.”

Scott opened some eyes on Tuesday. For seven years he’s been making trips to Nashville, having writing sessions with 2 or 3 people, then hitting all the industry events he can make in the evening. He’s finally becoming a familiar face.

Nashville is a closed town. You can ignore Scott’s advice—heck, you can stop reading now if you want—but if you’re smart, and you are, you’ll learn from someone else’s experiences. Because Scott is so passionate about songwriting and songwriters, he desperately wants to share what he’s learned so that aspiring Nashville writers can avoid his mistakes.

A word of advice that I think I can finally follow is “do it here,” and by here, I mean Nashville. Cut your demos in Nashville. Have a lawyer in Nashville. At Adairs someone complimented Roger on his haircut. Someone else said “Should have cut it in Nashville.”

It’s a closed town. You’ve got to be patient and persistent to be accepted, and it doesn’t hurt to be good-looking, talented and tall.

We also heard some from next month’s speaker, Marty Rendleman. She has some great stories to tell about her days with LeAnn Rimes and others from Dallas who broke big. She’s also got a new book. You won’t want to miss the July meeting, the last 2^nd Tuesday meeting we’ll have before we take our August break.

Julie Jean, Lisa, Karyna and I traveled to the Texas Hill country earlier this month to provide two hours of music for the Great Castell Kayak Race on the Llano River. We had a blast. Thanks to friend and member Jerialice Arsenault for inviting us. Hope to be back this fall to collect on the free time at River Sound Studio.

What a year we’ve had. Each 2^nd Tuesday we double our attendance from a year ago, and we’ve delivered great programs. Our 3^rd Thursday Open Mic at Dunn Bros, Addison, is popping, and tonight we expect talented new member Paul Cataldi to perform again. Allen Larson plans to be there. Last month we competed with a Mavs/Thunder playoff game, and we had perhaps the most fun ever. This time we compete with the Mav’s parade, (Yay Mavs!), but also with Guy Clark at Poor David’s. Do what you have to do, but those who come will find Roger on sound and me playing host, and we will be giggin’!

Monday is 3^rd Monday at Tino’s. If you haven’t been out to this song swap, put it on your calendar. We start at 7 and go ‘til 9.

Maybe you’ve heard about the cool Beth Nielsen-Chapman workshop July 16 at Love & War, Plano. Not only is she the hit writer for Faith Hill, but she’s also been covered by Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson.  A neat twist is a little contest she’s having among those who attend. Could lead to some stage time later in the evening. You’ll find the details under the 'workshops' tab.

Speaking of songs and critiques, we are going to implement a rule for 2^nd Tuesdays. Part of our 2^nd Tuesday success is that we get double digit song submissions for critiques. We had 12 last time and had to return money and songs to an unlucky few, me included. We ran out of time.

So be forewarned: We are capping submissions at 10. It is first come, first serve. If you want a song critiqued, especially by someone like Scott or Marty, come at 6:30 and get signed in.

Some people love rules. I don’t.  I love to bend ‘em. So, I’m sorry to impose this rule, but delighted that so many want to be heard every month.

Consider this excellent plan: Write a good song. Bring it to a song swap. Sing it at an open mic, then submit it for a 2^nd Tuesday critique. Then write another good song.

See you tonight,

Buck

PS—Our friend and DSA member Tim DeLaughter and Polyphonic Spree are performing at the Dallas Art Museum tomorrow night.

Late Night Summer Block Party 

Kick off the summer with our annual Summer Block Partyfeaturing a free outdoor concert by The Polyphonic Spree Friday, June 17th from 6:00 p.m.- midnight. The Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Collection of Asian Art, and Nasher Sculpture Center will host concerts, films, performances, tours of all three museums, and more! For a complete schedule of Late Night events visit DallasMuseumofArt.org/Events/LateNights.

PSS---Here’s a little blurb on Marty: What do LeAnn Rimes, Mikaila, and American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook have in common? Marty Rendleman.

Marty Rendleman has over 25 years experience in the music business and Is probably the only person to ever take two 9-yr olds and a 14-yr old to major-label contracts, two in country, one in pop.  Want to hear more? See you next month.

Arnold McCuller Is A Gem, Again I Say...

May 11, 2001

...well shoot. Had a nice little message going, but I went to add a few links, and it vanished. Maybe that's a good thing. I'll start again. Ahem. I had a great time with Arnold McCuller last night. He's a prince. Kudos to Roger for setting up the Skype session. I thought it worked well. The 30 folks present had a group conversation with Arnold. He didn't have a program, but he was open with his answers and generous with his time. It was nice to see the sincere warmth he felt toward Roger and his mom. Here's some Arnold for you:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM6sBYfDBI8 Isn't it nice to know that some really nice people are successful in the music business? Our speakers this year have been real gems. I missed Arnold's first reference. Dustin Miller?  Asked about his favorite blues singer, he mentioned a new name to me, J.B. Lenoir. Nice to meet you, J.B. Here's a couple of links. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkyJJ-L015k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZRd2wA8IyI&NR=1 I'd probably heard Adele, another artist Arnold respects, but now I've made a closer acquaintance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b85COxs6uos And here's the Bruno Mars song he mentioned, 'Grenade'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR6iYWJxHqs Perhaps the highlight of the night was the Song Critiques.  Again, we had 10. I'm not bragging, but we're amazing. So many good songs. The DSA is a gem, too. ------------------- Some of us, Trevor, Barbe, Buster and me, are making plans to catch Zane Williams and Dave Roberts on Friday at Love & War in Plano. Here's my favorite Zane Williams song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obW62vqTl6Q&NR=1 I don't know Dave Roberts, but I'm betting this is the guy.  http://www.reverbnation.com/davidrobertsmusic Am guessing things will get going around 8. Why not join us?  Drop me a line for further details. Hope to see you at 3rd Monday 5/16 at Tino's and at the 3rd Thursday DSA Open Mic at Dunn Bros coffee 5/19. Craig has to work, so I'll be hosting. Let's have some fun! Buck Morgan, DSA prez

Great Time with Tim DeLaughter, Polyphonic Spree

2nd TUESDAY PROGRAM WITH TIM DELAUGHTER, LEADER OF POLYPHONIC SPREE AND TRIPPING DAISYS

Hope your night was as gratifying as mine. Tim was like a Nikon camera. He opened his f-stop and let light flood in. I feel like he sucked the room into his lens and took us on a mysterious, complicated tour of creativity.

Did he mention college? Maybe I missed it. I know he had an early love for music. Tim is of the moment, whether he's creating a song, singing or telling. The demo song he shared bears this out. There was a switch on his recorder that sped up the song. 'Wonder what it would sound like. Nice. I'll keep it,' and he moves onto the next moment. He's a fluid guy who doesn't ask why. He takes in light until the shutter goes off. You get the picture?

The world is a wonderful place, because we're different. Some are thinkers, some are feelers, some are knowers, and some make salad. Tim told us almost nothing of what he knows, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know. He had no rules, no short cuts, no can't misses. He seemed to have no ego. The brief story of his life was filled with groups of people making music.

LESSONS FROM TIM:
o Don't force the moment
o Be open to suggestions
o Think and live in the moment (Light, shutter, picture. Light, shutter, picture.)
o Free, creative people need help. It's good to have a detail person (Mrs. Tim) listening in and helping out.
o Get a recorder
o Surround yourself with people who can make music
o There is no right plan or master rule
o Let others contribute
o You can make money from tangible things. (Vinyl is good!)
o Digital music is a free spirit's quandary
o Own your publishing
o Make the most of your moment (SXSW, first open mic)
o Less can be more. Leave them wanting more.

The one topic on which Tim broke form was money. He was delighted in the growth in vinyl sales because he can sell vinyl. Digital technology is like keeping music in Pandora's box. Once the song is out, it can go anywhere, and the musician/music industry loses control.

I didn't really know Polyphonic Spree or Tripping Daisy until I researched them before meeting Tim. I heard a lot of positive songs. They are rare and wonderful gifts. Here's one from Tim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GewbAuTgu5g

What a great night. Wonderful turn out. Thanks especially to Donna and Mary for their efforts to get Tim on board and to get the word out to membership. It was a great RSVP event, and we had to find more chairs.

Of course, some might say the highlight was the 11 songs we critiqued. Roger and Tim did a fine job as panelists, and we made it through them all, and they were high-scoring songs! I love being able to ask a speaker like Tim to sit on our critique panel, because I know we're going to knock his head back. Like a jab in the forehead, the talent this group shows month after month gets the attention of proven, talented musicians like Tim, or Tom, or David, or Randy....

We can learn from Tim, but even more, we can learn from each other. Come to the 3rd Monday Song Swap. Take some knowledge. Share some knowledge. But after hearing Tim, 'knowledge' isn't the word I'm seeking.

This is better: Come to Song Swap. Open your f-stop and let light flood in. Oh, the pictures you'll make.

Buck
DSA prez

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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 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