Mission

Annual Song Contest held by the Dallas Songwriters Association to provide a benchmark for popular songwriting competency. Winners in each category, plus grand prize winners.

CATEGORIES AND JUDGES:Finalists in each category will be judged by music industry professionals from record labels and publishing companies; Grand Prize winner will be chosen by A&R and/or industry professionals of Broadjam.com

DSA is CELEBRATING 33 YEARS IN 2023

JOIN * LEARN * COLLABORATE * GROW - MOTIVATING & UPLIFTING SONGWRITERS THROUGH EDUCATION

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Grand Prize Winners Announced by Elkins

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Just Me and You by Macy Medford, Jonathan George, Houston, TX

1ST RUNNER UP
That Old Shirt by Steve Chizmadia, Peekskill, NY

2ND RUNNER UP
You'll Be Back by Debra M. Gussin, Jonathan Bluth, LA, CA


4.)  Is That You?
5.)  Another Night
6.)  Holy Water
7.)  Find My Way
8.)  Liar
Others:
I Love It When You Call
Blue Room
Sing Your Song
I Like The Way You Look At Me
I Am Not James Taylor
Those Were The Days



Roy Elkins Comments still to come, but meanwhile here's a brief:


"One song, Just Me And You, caught me ear throughout the process.  Second place was a battle between 13 other songs which switched places just about everyday.  I think if you presented these same songs to me in 6 months, I might have a different list as 5 points (based on the DSA form) separated the top 14 songs. " 

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Winners Announced


AMERICANA
1. That Old Shirt by Steve Chizmadia, Peekskill, NY
2. Kids These Days by Andy Hill, Renee Safier and Hardrain, Redondo Beach, CA
3. Find My Way by Chris Alvarado, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
CHILDREN'S / NOVELTY
1. Bookstore Blues by Eric Colville, The Selkies, Ipswich, MA
2. Our Gumtree Home by Glen Naylor, Bright, Victoria, Australia
3. The Monster Masher by Lanny Sherwin, Santa Barbara, CA
CHRISTIAN
1. Blue Room by Keeton Coffman, Sping,TX
2. Is That You? by Debra M. Gussin, Rik Howard, LA, CA
3. Holy Water by Spencer Clark, Saint Helena, CA 
COUNTRY
1. Abilene From Abilene by Kevin Reardon, Riverside, CT
2. Liar by Daniel Sumber, Josh Patton, Brandon Sparks, (Patton Sparks Band), Austin, Tx
3. I Love It When You Call by by Andy Taylor, Alpharetta, GA
INSTRUMENTAL
1. Dolphins In Love by Gavin R. Potter, Simons Town, S. Africa
2. I Need You by V. Padla Gootee, Arlington, VA
3. The Struggles Within by Diane Lekven, Jordan Perez, Rancho Sante Fe, CA
LOVE SONGS
1. I Like The Way You Look At Me by Belle Schneiderman, NY, NY
2. Believe In Love by Robert Graham, Toronto, Ont, CAN
3. Do U Miss The Heat by Debra M. Gussin, Stacy Hogan, LA, CA
POP/ROCK/RNB/ALT
1. Fade To Grey by Chris O'Neil, Heathmont, Victoria, Australia
2. Those Were The Days by Chase Thompson, Pasco, WA
3, Julie by Philip Creamer, Daniel Creamer, Tucker Cauble, Dallas, TX
HM: So Confused by Nestor Cora, Brooklyn, NY
HM: You'll Be Back by Debra M Gussin, Jonathan Bluth, LA, CA

SINGER SONGWRITER
1. I Am Not James Taylor by  Gordon Lustig, Napa, CA
2. Just Me and You by Macy Medford, Jonathan George, Houston, TX
3. Sing Your Song by Susie McLean, Mississauga, Ontario, CAN
HM  I Gave You Away by Becky Wright, Tahlequah, OK

We'll be announcing the grand prize winners soon as we know.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Sorry We're late in announcing the winners

The judges are still deliberating. It looks like we may be a week or so late in announcing the winners. Thanks for patience.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

DSA 2012 SONG CONTEST SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED JUNE 12TH



Last night at the Dallas Songwriters 2nd Tuesday meeting, the following DSA 2012 Song Contest Semifinalists were announced.

AMERICANA
1. Abilene by Michael Waid, San Antonio, TX
2. Broke Down Carousel by R.X. Bertoldi, Everett, WA
3. Find My Way by Chris Alvarado, Santa Rosa Beach, FL
4. Fine Line by Elise Fillpot and Red Roc Hill, Iowa City, IA
5. Good News by David F. Lykins, Antioch, IL
6. It Takes a Dream to Kill a Dream by Scarlet Moreno of Flowerglass, NY, NY
7. Kids These Days by Andy Hill, Renee Safier and Hardrain, Redondo Beach, CA
8. Magpie by Lauren Marcus, NY, NY
9. Raindrops From Heaven by Mark W. Courtney, Las Cruces, NM
10. Set It Free by Rorey Carroll, Prairie View, CO
11. Shadows by R.X. Bertoldi, Everett, WA
12. That Old Shirt by Steve Chizmadia, Peekskill, NY
13. These Days by Christal Prout (Chatham Street), Stephens City, VA
14. Vacant Plot of Land by Jeremy Graham, Jeremiah Webb, Long Beach, CA
15. Walk Away by Shelley Miller, Chicago, IL
CHILDREN'S / NOVELTY
1. Bookstore Blues by Eric Colville, The Selkies, Ipswich, MA
2. Our Gumtree Home by Glen Naylor, Bright, Victoria, Australia
3. Rock and Rolling Nana by Glen Naylor, Bright, Victoria, Australia
4. The Monster Masher by Lanny Sherwin, Santa Barbara, CA
5. Floppy Arm by Randy Sauer, Hays, Kansas
6. Goldfish Heaven by Brent Elrod, Dallas, Tx
CHRISTIAN
1. Save Me by Josh Cogan, Boiling Springs, N C
2. I Hear God by Ronald Planks, Plano, TX
3. Blue Room by Keeton Coffman, Sping,TX
4. Is That You? by Debra M. Gussin. LA, CA
5. Ten Thousand Miles (Psalm 72:12-14) by Matt Stemme, Castaic, CA
6.  Holy Water by Spencer Clark, Saint Helena, CA 
COUNTRY
1. Carry Your Rain by Brook Malouf, Dallas, Tx
2. Hello To Goodbye by Paul Kariege, St Louis, MO
3. She's My Miss America by Jeff Moxcey, Waterville, ME
4. That Boy Could Sing  by Gale Campbell, Kaufman, TX
5.  You Feel Like Home by Richard Harris, St Louis, MO
6. Whiskey Reigns by Mack Harrell, Boca Raton, FL
7. Need A Little Grace by Kimberly Torres, Kaufman, TX
8. He Was Her Friend Too by Chris Comerty, Colbert, WA
9. Sunset Silhouette by Kevin Reardon, Riverside, CT
10. Abilene From Abilene by Kevin Reardon, Riverside, CT
11. Teardrops by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NB
12. Liar by Daniel Sumber, Austin, Tx
13. I Love It When You Call by by Andy Taylor, Alpharetta, GA
14. Loving It Up (Foolin Around) by Luther Zachery, Annadale, VA
15. It's Gonna Be A Good One by Laura Flowers, Nashville, TN
16. Wish by Alan White, Adams, TN
17. Without You by Alan White, Adams, TN
18. She's Everywhere I Am by Shane Martin, Independence, MO
19. End Up Here by Ruben Estevez, Nashville, TN
20. Lie by Ruben Estevez, Nashville, TN
INSTRUMENTAL
1. Dolphins In Love by Gavin R. Potter, Simons Town, S. Africa
2. I Need You by V. Padla Gootee, Arlington, VA
3. The Struggles Within by Diane Lekven, Jordan Perez, Rancho Sante Fe, CA
4. If I Stay by Katy Hardyman, Pampoolah, New South Wales 
5. Winter Solstice Between Heaven and Earth by Bill Wren/Frank Ralls, Valley Mills, Tx
LOVE SONGS
1. Believe In Love by Robert Graham, Brockville, Ont, CAN
2. Do U Miss The Heat by Debra M. Gussin, LA, CA
3. Up Is Down by Mike Hyden, Ralston. NB 
4. Why Did She Go by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NB
5. A Love Song by Katie Hardyman, Pampoolah,Taree, New South Wales
6. Two of a Kind by Aryn Calhoun, Coppell, TX
7. Write About Our Love by Reed and Kathleen Ferguson, Atlanta, GA
8. The World Could End Tonight by Gavin Potter, Simons Town,South Africa
9. Tell Me Why by David Mowry, Philadelphia, PA
10. That's What I Remember by Randi Ddriscoll, LA, CA
11. It's All About You by John Townsend, London, UK
12. This is Our Time by Debra M Gussin, LA, CA
13. I Like The Way You Look At Me by Belle Schneiderman, NY, NY
14. I Need Your Love by Marty Rigby, Austin, TX
POP/ROCK/RNB/ALT
1. Trippin' On by Debra M. Gussin, LA, CA
2. You'll Be Back by Debra M. Gussin, LA, CA
3. Julie by Philip Creamer, Dallas, TX
4. Another Night by Ryan Stogner, Dallas, TX
5. Doin' It My Way by Kathleen Ferguson, Atlanta, GA
6. Rolling the Dice by G William Boyd, Plano, TX
7. Perfect by Steve Wilson, Haslet, TX
8. So Confused by Nestor Cora, Brooklyn, NY
9. Fade To Grey by Chris O'Neil, Heathmont, Victoria, Australia
10. Peach Hunny by Judy Hahs, Winfield, IL
11. Those Were The Days by Chase Thompson, Pasco, WA
12. Dark Side Of Paradise by Michael Young, Brentwood, TN
SINGER SONGWRITER
1. I Gave You Away by Becky Wright, Tahlequah, OK
2. At the End of Every Song by Lanny Sherwin,  Santa Barbara, CA
3. Bide My Time by Kathryn Hallberg, Spring, TX
4. I Am Not James Taylor by  Gordon Lustig, Napa, CA
5. Sing Your Song by Susie McLean, Mississauga, Ontario, CAN
6. Falling Down by Susie McLean, Mississauga, Ontario, CAN
7. Dreamers by Ryan Sy, LA, CA
8. So I Guess the World's Gonna End Today by Ryan Sy, LA, CA
9. Miracle to Me by R.X. Bertoldi, Everett, WA
10. Just Me and You by Macy Medford, Houston, TX

WINNER OF THE IPOD DRAWING:  Richard Chaulk of Top Cat Records, our guest speaker for the evening, was honored to officiate the drawing for the IPOD. And the winner is:

David Mowry of Philadelphia, PA for entry number 178, "Tell Me Why". Congratulations, David!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012 Song Contest Deadline May 14


Eight Song Categories
1. Christian/Inspirational
2. Country
3. Americana/Folk/Bluegrass
4. Pop/Rock/RnB/Alternative
5. Love Songs/Easy Listening
6. Children's/Novelty
7. Singer/Songwriter (songwriter is the performer)
8. Instrumental

Multiple Winners In Each Category
Entry Fee $20
Deadline: Monday, May 14th, 2012
Submissions Close at Midnight. 

Enter Online 
at one of two DSA Song Contest Submission Partners:
To Enter Online, you Must Join Broadjam by
Receiving a Free 90 Day PROMoB Membership.

or

To Enter Onlineyou Must Join Sonicbids
Receiving a Free 90 Day Membership with a 2 week Free Trial of Sonicbid's EPK
Electronic Press Kit)

Sonicbids is the leading matchmaking site for emerging bands and music promoters. Its community of 325,000 registered artists use the site to connect with 25,000 music promoters - ranging from some of the world's largest music festivals and conferences, to clubs, colleges, music supervisors and other people looking to book or license music.
New to Sonicbids? Sign up to submit your band to sonicbids.com/dsa and get a free trial, plus 25 "Tokens" to submit to 25 Token Gig Listings at no additional cost. Previous Sonicbids members can reactivate their membership for only $1!

OR ENTER BY MAIL, 
download the contest form here.
Mail your check and entries to:
Dallas Songwriters Association
2011 Song Contest Director
Sammons Center For The Arts
3630 Harry Hines Blvd. #20
Dallas, Texas 75219
(voicemail) 214-750-0916 x1

MAIL IN ENTRIES MUST BE POST MARKED BY May 14th.
 or you can mail you entry form and CD and pay online at our DSA Kagi store with credit card or Paypal. Click here to enter our Kagi store.

Each entry is entered into the drawing for an IPOD
Drawing held June 12!

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: May 14, 2012
Drawing For Free Ipod: June 12, 2012
Semi-Finalists Announced: June 12, 2012
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Aug 1, 2012

GRAND PRIZE
Premier Demo By

A Premier Nashville Recording Service
(List Value $705.00)
Beaird Music Group recorded the demo of Lady Antebellum's "I Run to You" which was just voted as the Single of the Year at the CMA Awards.
See recording demo here

and a Taylor Guitar
autographed by Beth Nielsen Chapman

Grand Prize Winner, and
1st and 2nd Runner Up Receive:
($199.95 Value) 
Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting
1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

Additional Prizes
1st Runner Up Receives:
1 Day of FREE high quality recording on one song,  and a night in
Merlin's Cabin at RIVER SOUNDS on the Llano River in the Texas Hill Country.


2nd Runner Up Receives:
Song Critique from Barbara McMillen, Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College
and recording time at Joe Musik Studio


1st Place in Each Category Receives:
$100
A 1 year Broadjam MoB Membership ($49.95 value)
A 1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

2nd Place in Each Category Receives:
$50
A 1 year Broadjam MoB Membership ($49.95 value)
A 1 Yr. Sonicbids Membership

Every Winner Receives:
DSA Membership ($50.00 Value)


Need More Info?
Winners will be announced on-line


TOP TEN REASONS TO ENTER THE DSA SONG CONTEST
10. You can win a Traditions guitar.
9. You can win cash
8. You can win a one year DSA membership or more.
7. You can get a free trial membership for entering online at Broadjam or Sonic Bids
6. Semifinalists get a chance to perform at the Crossroads Showcase
5. Semifinalists and Winners get their names published in Songwriter Notes and the Press Release
4. Entrants can get peer review on their song
3. Winners get their songs on the awards podcast
2. Contest recognition looks good on your resume
1. We are a small contest, so you have a better chance to win.

TOP TEN REASONS TO ENTER THE DSA SONG CONTEST

10. You can win a casio privia keyboard.

9. You can win cash

8. You can win a one year DSA membership or more.

7. You can get a free trial membership for entering online at Broadjam

6. Semifinalists get a chance to perform at the Awards or other DSA Showcases

5. Semifinalists and Winners get their names published in Songwriter Notes and the Press Release

4. Entrants can get peer review on their song

3. Winners get their songs on the awards soundcloud site.

2. Contest recognition looks good on your resume

1. We are a small contest, so you have a better chance to win.

Now in it's 33rd year!

The DSA Song Contest is one of the longest running international song contests for amateur songwriters. Offering over $5,000 in cash and prizes this year, the DSA has EIGHT categories in all. See Contest Rules for eligibility.

JOIN LEARN COLLABORATE GROW

Join -Learn - Collaborate - Grow
DSA is a 501 C-3 non-profit educational organization dedicated to providing to songwriters everywhere opportunities for learning about the craft and business of songwriting. Songwriters Newsletter is published by the Dallas Songwriters Association c/o Sammons Center for the Arts 3630 Harry Hines Blvd Box 20 Dallas, TX 75219.
Barbara McMillen, Editor, Founding President Emeritus http://www.barbaramcmillen.com

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