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 34 YEARS IN 2024

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

Monday, June 3, 2024

DALLAS S0NGWRITERS INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST 2024 NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES : DEADLINE SEPT 30

 

 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, one instrument, one vocal)
8. Instrumental

See website for

 18 and Under Young Songwriter Contest info about contest
     https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com/
     Use this separate url to enter 18 and under category on DSA website.
     https://dallassongwriters.org/young-songwriters-contest/

Multiple Winners In Each Category
Entry Fee $25
Deadline: Monday, Sept 30th
Submissions Close at Midnight. 

Enter Online 
at DSA's Song Contest Submission Partner:
To Enter Online, you Must Join Broadjam by
Receiving a Free 90 Day PROMoB Membership.

Not interested in taking advantage of the free membership on Broadjam.com, then you can enter on the DSA site here
https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/

OR ENTER BY MAIL
download the contest form here.
Mail your check and entries to:
Dallas Songwriters Association
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 Sept 30th.
 or you can mail you entry form and CD and pay online at our DSA store with credit card or Paypal. https://dallas-songwriters-association.square.site/product/song-contest/8?cs=true
We may be the only song contest that you can still enter by mail.

Each entry is entered into the drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.
Drawing held Nov 14!

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Sept 30th
Drawing For $50 Amazon gift certificate: Nov 14, 2024
Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 14, 2024
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Jan 18, 2025

GRAND PRIZE

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

and
Song Critique from Barbara McMillen, Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College,
recording time at Joe Musik Studio



and 2 tickets to Between The Waves Music Conference




1st Place in Each Category Receives:
$100
A 1 year Broadjam Film & TV Membership ($99.95 value) 

2nd Place in Each Category Receives:
$50
A 1 year Broadjam Film & TV Membership ($99.95 value) 

Every Winner Receives:
DSA Membership ($75.00 Value)


Need More Info?
Winners will be announced on-line

Saturday, January 13, 2024

2023 Song Contest Semifinalists and Winners

 WINNERS

YOUNG SONGWRITERS
1. Dreaming Wild by Emma James, Corpus Christi, Tx
2. Happy For You by Ava Della Pietra, Old Field, NY
3. Worst Of Times by Ava Della Pietra, Old Field, NY
HM Your Plans by Nyasia Robreno, Heartland, TX
HM I Don’t Know the Words by Braden Meek, Grapevine, Tx

AMERICANA/FOLK/BLUEGRASS,,,,,
1. My Beautiful Mistake by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
2. When You Were Loving Me by Andrew & Elizabeth Wolf, Washington, DC
3. Bayou Sef--Dedicated to Frank Allen Swayze by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX

CHRISTIAN/INSPIRATIONAL,,,,,
1. I'd Be A Fool by Theodore Henning II, Fort Worth, TX
2. Other Side of the Wind by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
3. The Media's at War by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX

COUNTRY,,,,,
1. Close Enough by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
2. Nothing to Do With You by Will Townsley, Arlington, TX
3. Dallas by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
HM. I Fall Apart by Renee Safier, Redondo Beach, CA

INSTRUMENTAL,,,,,
1. Song for George by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
2. Armadillo Blues by Theodore Henning II, Fort Worth, TX
3. Summer Daze by Lance French, Rowlett, TX

LOVE SONGS/EASY LISTENING,,,,,
1. Fade Away by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
2. Until You Become Mine by Phil Ipsan, New York, NY
3. We Say I Love You by Kenney Noguera,  Conconully , WA

NOVELTY/CHILDRENS,,,,,
1. Hey Little Hero by Kelli Caldwell,  Portland, OR
2. Like This (A Dancing Song) by Kevin Reardon, Riverside, CT
3. The Door To Your Dreams by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
HM. Santa Claus Got Lost by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
HM I Got An App For That by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX

POP/ROCK/ALT/R&B,,,,,
1. Everything by Ethan Senger, Canton, GA
2. Look Away by Christy Sasser, Fairhope, AL
3. Safety Net by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
HM Pick Up Those Pieces by Kenney Noguera,  Conconully , WA

SINGER/SONGWRITER,,,,,
1. Lonesome Is As Lonesome Does by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
2. Life Is Hard by Eric Ramsey, Scottsdale, AZ
3. Wonderland by Trinity Reed, Plano, TX
HM Behind a Wall by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
HM Forever Drive by Jeffrey Widman, Plano, TX

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
1. Fade Away by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
2. Country USA by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
3. 3. Safety Net by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
HM Nothing to Do With You by Will Townsley, Arlington, TX

  Judge Roy Elkins comments: https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/p/dsa-2023-song-contest-awards-grand.html

SEMIFINALISTS

AMERICANA/FOLK/BLUEGRASS,,,,,
All That Remains by Michael R. J. Roth, Harri Wolf, Panama City, FL
Bayou Sef--Dedicated to Frank Allen Swayze by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Country USA by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Hayride by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
My Beautiful Mistake by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
Old Abandoned Farmhouse by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
Right About You by Mark "Patterson, Barney Doyle", Plano, TX
Spending Time by Don Wall, Nashville, TN
Texas in My Genes by Don Wall, Nashville, TN
When You Were Loving Me by Andrew & Elizabeth Wolf, Washington, DC

CHRISTIAN/INSPIRATIONAL,,,,,
Forever in Love by Dave Peeler, Pottstown, PA
Gratitude, Love, and Forgiveness by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Here I Am by Matthew Mordhorst, Grapevine, TX
I Am Praying by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
I Found Jesus In a Bottle by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
I Miss Touch by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
I'd Be A Fool by Theodore Henning II, Fort Worth, TX
Miracle by Emma James, Corpus Christi, TX
Other Side of the Wind by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
The High Pasture (In The Shadow Of The Rockies) by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
The Media's at War by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
There Is a Way by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
To Be A Tree by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
You're Killing Me by Wayne Gathright Austin,TX

COUNTRY,,,,,
All I Wanna Do Is Dance by Tommy Patterson, Comanche, TX
Anything But This by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Back Then by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
Bayou Sef--Dedicated to Frank Allen Swayze by Charles,Carter, Terrell, TX
Blue Collar Man by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Bourbon Trail by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
Close Enough by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Dallas by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Folsom by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
I Fall Apart by Renee Safier, Redondo Beach, CA
I Still Got Enough for You by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Lord Lay Me Down by Andrew & Elizabeth Wolf, Washington, DC
Meet Me In The Moment by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
Millie From Oklahoma by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Nothing to Do With You by Will Townsley, Arlington, TX
Only The Warriors by Mark Patterson, Lee Parvin, Plano, TX
Proud To Call It Home by Kevin Reardon, Bobby Joe Peace", Riverside, CT
The Tunnel by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Wedding Party by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Who do You Belong To by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Who's Lying to You About Me by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
You’re Working For Somebody by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX

INSTRUMENTAL,,,,,
Armadillo Blues by Theodore Henning II, Fort Worth, TX
Conundrum by Conrad Swartz, Vancouver, WA
Ray Gun Ranger by Conrad Swartz, Vancouver, WA
Song for George by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
Summer Daze by Lance French, Rowlett, TX

LOVE SONGS/EASY LISTENING,,,,,
Again by Jill Riddiford, Dee Why, NS Wales, Australia
Dreaming Me Home (Song for Ukraine) by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
Fade Away by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
I Still Got Enough for You by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Kids On The Beach by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
Linda Mar Girl by Mark,Patterson, Plano, TX
Strawberry Margaritas by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
There's a Whole Lot More by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Until You Become Mine by Phil Ipsan, New York, NY
We Say I Love You by Kenney Noguera,  Conconully , WA
We're a Couple by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
You're A Halo by Debra M Gussin, Los Angeles, CA

NOVELTY/CHILDRENS,,,,,
Bluebirds & Butterflies by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Dreamland by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Hey Little Hero by Kelli,Caldwell,  Portland, OR
Hit Song by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
I Got An App For That by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Like This (A Dancing Song) by Kevin Reardon, Riverside, CT
Santa Claus Got Lost by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
She’s A Vampire by Allan Corby, Edgewater, NJ
Tex-Mex Ex by Allan Corby, Edgewater, NJ
The Door To Your Dreams by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX

POP/ROCK/ALT/R&B,,,,,
57 Chevy by Steve Ledford Garland,TX
Ballad of Wally Funk by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Dixie & the Kidd by Kenney Noguera,  Conconully , WA
Eleven 11 by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
Everything by Ethan Senger, Canton, GA
Fade Away by Pam & M’lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
Fame by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Fuse 42 by Andy Hill, Redondo Beach, CA
Getting Started by Michelle Holbert, Paul Smith, Coppell, TX
He Ain't Got Diddly by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Jagged Memories by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
Little Miss Logical by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Look Away by Christy Sasser, Fairhope, AL
Love And Smoke by,Scott Thoroman, Norfolk, VA
Love Me Tonight ft. Nekane by David Hardwick, Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
More Blues Than I Can Use by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
Pick Up Those Pieces by Kenney Noguera,  Conconully , WA
Safety Net by M'Lynn Musgrove, Eva Honey, Dallas, TX
She Turns To Wave Goodbye by Kenney Noguera,  Conconully , WA
The Devils Gone High Tech by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
The Media's at War by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX

SINGER/SONGWRITER,,,,,
A Thought by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Bayou Sef--Dedicated to Frank Allen Swayze by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Behind a Wall by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
Dallas by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Dallas Tonight by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Forever Drive by Jeffrey Widman, Plano, TX
Golder by Wayne Gathright Austin TX
I'm Sorry by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Life Is Hard by Eric Ramsey, Scottsdale, AZ
Lonesome Is As Lonesome Does by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
Love And Smoke by Scott Thoroman, Norfolk, VA
River Of Memories by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
Second Chances by Andrew Wolf, Mark Reynolds, Washington, C
The Tunnel by Charles, Carter, Terrell, TX
Wonderland by Trinity Reed, Plano, TX
Zipcode by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX

YOUNG SONGWRITERS
Dreaming Wild by Emma James, Corpus Christi, Tx
Happy For You by Ava Della Pietra, Old Field, NY
Worst Of Times by Ava Della Pietra, Old Field, NY
Your Plans by Nyasia Robreno, Heartland, TX
I Don’t Know the Words by Braden Meek, Grapevine, Tx

LYRIC CONTEST WINNERS 2023
SUMMER  The Last Song  by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
SPRING  Final Moments by Dwayne Hummel, Gig Harbor, WA
WINTER  Kingdom Come by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ 

Winner of the Drawing: Entry #138, "Again" by Jill Riddiford, Dee Why, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Charles Carter is winner of the Charles Carter Most Nominated Songs award again this year.

Announcement of Winners at Awards Program Jan 13, 2023 on Youtube.

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx3AUPhNG5ZXU69o9IPQlGGp7n96FRGKm_?si=aS2aqcqwlGakgM06

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Dallas Songwriters 2023 Song Contest Semifinalists

 

 AMERICANA
1. All That Remains
2. Bayou Sef
3. Country, USA
4. Hayride
5. My Beautiful Mistake
6. Old Abandoned Farmhouse
7. Right About You
8. Spending Time
9. Texas in My Genes
10.When You Were Loving Me

CHRISTIAN/INSPIRATIONAL
1. Gratitude, Love and Forgiveness
2.  Here I Am
3. I Am Praying
4. I Found Jesus In A Bottle
5. I Miss Touch
6. I’d Be A Fool
7. Miracle
8. Other Side of the Wind
9. The High Pasture (In The Shadow Of The Rockies)
10. The Media’s At War
11. There Is A Way
12. To Be A Tree
13. You’re Killing Me
14. Forever In Love


COUNTRY
1. Anything But This
2. Back Then
3. Bayou Sef
4. Blue Collar Man
5. Bourbon Trail
6. Close Enough
7. Dallas
8. Folsom
9. I Fall Apart
10. I Still Got Enough For You
11. In Dreamland
12. Lord Lay Me Down
13. Meet Me In The Moment
14. Millie From Oklahoma
15. Nothing To Do With You
16. Only The Warriors
17. Proud To Call It Home
18. The Tunnel
19. Wedding Party
20. Who Do You Belong To
21. Who’s Lying to You About Me
22. You’re Working for Somebody
23. All I Wanna Do Is Dance

INSTRUMENTAL
1. Armadillo Blues
2. Conundrum
3. Ray Gun Ranger
4. Song For George
5. Summer Days

LOVE SONGS/ EASY LISTENING
1. Again
2. Dreaming Me Home
3. Fade Away
4. I Still Got Enough For You
5. In Dreamland
6. Kids On The Beach
7. Linda Mar Girl
8. Strawberry Margarita
9. There's a Whole Lot More
10. Until You Become Mine
11. We Say I Love You
12. We're a Couple
13. You're a Halo

NOVELTY/CHILDREN’S
1. Bluebirds & Butterflies
2.  Dreamland
3. Hey Little Hero
4. Hit Song
5. I Got An App For That
6. In Dreamland
7. Like This (A Dancing Song)
8. Tex-Mex Ex
9.The Door to Your Dreams
10. Santa Claus Got Lost
11. She’s a Vampire

POP/ROCK/ALT/URBAN
1. ’57 Chevrolet
2.  Ballad of Wally Funk
3. Dixie and the Kidd
4. Eleven
5. Everything
6. Fade Away
7. Fame
8. Fuse 32
9. Getting Started
10. He Ain’t Got Diddly
11. Jagged Memories
12. Little Miss Logical
13. Look Away
14. Love and Smoke
15.Love Me Tonight
16. More Blues Than I Can Use
17. Pick Up Those Pieces
18. Safety Net
19. She’sTurn to Wave Goodbye
20. The Devil Goes High Tech
21. The Media’s at War

SONGER SONGWRITER
1. A Thought
2.  Bayou Sef
3. Behind A Wall
4. Dallas
5. Dallas Tonight
6. Forever Drive
7. Golder
8. I’m Sorry
9. In Dreamland
10. Life Is Hard
11. Lonesome As Lonesome Does
12. Love and Smoke
13. River Of Memories
14. Second Chances
15. The Tunnel
16. Wonderland
17. Zipcode

Semifinalist are invited to perform at the Virtual Awards Program on Jan 13, noon - 3pm when the winners will be announced. Please contact Harry Hewlett if you are interested in performing via Zoom on the program. Include in your subject: SC2023 Awards Program performance request. In the email body please include the song title and category. Performers will be considered on a first come first serve basis, your performance ability and the flow of the show. You may be asked to perform on the Wednesday night virtual open mic as an audition. We can instruct you on the art of performing on Zoom if your are a rookie. Congratulations to the Semifinalists. 

On November 3 at our Annual Membership meeting we had our guest speaker, Chris Robley choose a number from the contest entries for the Amazon gift certificate. He chose song entry #136.   The songwriter will be revealed at the Awards Program on January 13.

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Sept 30th
Drawing For $50 Amazon gift certificate: Nov 2, 2023
Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 2, 2023
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Jan 13, 2023
 
GRAND PRIZE

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

and
Song Critique from Barbara McMillen, Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College,
recording time at Joe Musik Studio



and 2 tickets to Between The Waves Music Conference




1st Place in Each Category Receives:
$100
A 1 year Broadjam Film & TV Membership ($99.95 value) 

2nd Place in Each Category Receives:
$50
A 1 year Broadjam Film & TV Membership ($99.95 value) 

Every Winner Receives:
DSA Membership ($75.00 Value)


Need More Info?
Winners will be announced on-line
 

 

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

DALLAS SONGWRITERS SONG CONTEST 2023 - OPENS JUNE 1 - DEADLINE SEPT 30

 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

See website for

 18 and Under Young Songwriter Contest
     https://dallassongwriters.org/young-songwriters-contest/
     Use this separate url to enter this category only on DSA website.
     https://dallassongwriters.org/young-songwriters-contest/

Multiple Winners In Each Category
Entry Fee $25
Deadline: Friday, Sept 30th
Submissions Close at Midnight. 

Enter Online 
at DSA's Song Contest Submission Partner:
To Enter Online, you Must Join Broadjam by
Receiving a Free 90 Day PROMoB Membership.

Not interested in taking advantage of the free membership on Broadjam.com, then you can enter on the DSA site here
https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest/

OR ENTER BY MAIL
download the contest form here.
Mail your check and entries to:
Dallas Songwriters Association
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 Sept 30th.
 or you can mail you entry form and CD and pay online at our DSA store with credit card or Paypal. https://dallas-songwriters-association.square.site/product/song-contest/8?cs=true
We may be the only song contest that you can still enter by mail.

Each entry is entered into the drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.
Drawing held Nov 2!

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Sept 30th
Drawing For $50 Amazon gift certificate: Nov 2, 2023
Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 2, 2023
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Jan 13, 2023

GRAND PRIZE

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

and
Song Critique from Barbara McMillen, Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College,
recording time at Joe Musik Studio



and 2 tickets to Between The Waves Music Conference




1st Place in Each Category Receives:
$100
A 1 year Broadjam Film & TV Membership ($99.95 value) 

2nd Place in Each Category Receives:
$50
A 1 year Broadjam Film & TV Membership ($99.95 value) 

Every Winner Receives:
DSA Membership ($75.00 Value)


Need More Info?
Winners will be announced on-line

TOP TEN REASONS TO ENTER THE DSA SONG CONTEST

10. You can win a 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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