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

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

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Dallas Songwriters Song Contest Awards Announced - January 14, 2023

DSA Song Contest 2022 Winners were announced at the virtual awards program on January 14. You can view this recording on youtube here: https://youtu.be/2UE9wwsCODg


Americana/Folk/Bluegrass

1. A Vagabond Wind by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC

2. Maybe All Men Could Be Free by Louie Cate, Dawn Degeare, Alexandria, VA

3. Painted Sky Cafe by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC


 Christian/Inspirational

1. Holding On by Kevin Toqe, Andrews Sanders, Bluffton, SC

2. All Right With Me by Lady Dang, Vista, CA

3. Graffiti My Heart by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA

HM Don’t Forget You’re a Child of God by John Ludwig, Tinley Park, IL


Country

1. Vagabond Wind by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC

2. Heaven or Hell by Charles Carter, Dallas, TX

3. I Like It Right Here by Tim Koerber, Sylmar, CA


Instrumental

1. Soothing Times (2017-2022) by Thierry Coupey, Saint Anne, Quebec, CAN

2. Redemption (The Last Waltz) by Thierry Coupey, Saint Anne, Quebec, CAN

3. Mes Séries B by Thierry Coupey, Saint Anne, Quebec, CAN


 Love Songs/Easy Listening

1. Frostbite Heart by Randall Mark, El Cajon, CA

2. When the World Begins Again by Robert Graham, Spearwood, Western Australia

3. Live Where the Love Is by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA

HM. Come Rain Come Shine Martin Robley, West Leederville, Western Australia


Novelty/Children's

1. Snacks and Naps by Susan Odella, Virginia, MN

2. Christmas Tonight by Ava Della Pietra,  Will Hicks, E. Setauket, NY

3. All Ways Together, Always by Kelli Caldwell, Portland, OR


 Pop/Rock/RnB/Alternative

1. Open Road by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA

2. Zipcode by Charles Carter, Dallas, TX

3. I’ve Been Thinking by Ava Della Pietra, E. Setauket, NY

HM Ballad of Wally Funk by Charles Carter, Dallas, TX


Singer/Songwriter (songwriter is the performer)

1. What Love Needs by Denise Rosier, Colorado Springs, CO

2. Christmas Tonight by Ava Della Pietra, Will Hicks,  E. Setauket, NY

3. Some Goodbyes by Mike Ryan, Clifton, VA

HM. The Moments Lost by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX

HM. Between Heaven and The Ground by Mike Ryan, Clifton, VA

HM Skin Time by Rio King, Malinda Cannon, Plano, TX


Grand Prize

1. Redemption (The Last Waltz) by Thierry Coupey, Saint Anne, Quebec, CAN

2. Some Goodbyes by Mike Ryan, Clifton, VA

3. Between Heaven and The Ground by Mike Ryan, Clifton, VA


Comments from Grand Prize Judge, Roy Elkins

https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/p/dsa-2022-song-contest-winners-judges.html


Young Songwriters Song Contest

1st - Broken People by Jolie Hope (Reiman), Dallas, TX  jolir1@icloud.com

2nd - If This Guitar Could Talk by Emma James,  Corpus Christi, TX     emmajamesmusicinfo@gmail.com 

3rd - Someday by Evan Huang, Dallas, TX   ehuang1256@gmail.com

4th - Always the One by Emma James,  Corpus Christi, TX  


Most nominated - Charles Carter 32


Winner of the drawing - Jim Aitken from Kilmarnock,  Ayrshire, UK with his song entry #137, “I See Her Dancing”


Also announced:

DSA Lyric Contest 2022

Winter

1ST PLACE:  WEDDING DAY by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

2ND PLACE:  CITY OF STONE by Eric Douglas, Gilbert, AZ

3RD PLACE:  SINGLE MOM by Robert Ehlert, Carrollton, Tx


Spring

1. Christmas Tonight by Della Pietra, Old Field, NY

2. Transistor Radio and Me by Bob Davoli, Lincoln, MA

3. Nothing Aches as Hard (as a Broken Country Heart) by Bob Davoli, Lincoln, MA


Summer

1. SKIN TIME by Rio King and Melinda Cannon, Plano, TX

2. TRANSISTOR RADIO AND ME by Robert Davoli, Lincoln, MA

3. BUBBA'S BACK IN TOWN by Winston Watt and Alvin Cain, Collyville, TX

HM. TAKE MY HAND by Alvin Cain, Collyville, TX


Fall 2022 Lyric Contest Winners

1st place:  Nothing Can Bring Me Down by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ

2nd place: Someday Soon by Bill Martin, Dallas, Tx

3rd place: Taste Of Love So Sweet by Bill Kapac, West Wildwood, NJ



 

Thursday, November 3, 2022

DALLAS SONGWRITERS SONG CONTEST SEMIFINALIST ANNOUNCED

 Semifinalists in Eight Song Categories    


Americana/Folk/Bluegrass

A Better Man by Mike Ryan, Clifton,VA

A Vagabond Wind by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC

Blackberries by Brent Funkhouser, Reston,VA

Cheap As A Kiss by Eric Ramsey & Michael Roth, Scottsdale, AZ

Fishin' on the Guff by Don Wall, Nashville, TN

Folsom by Charles Carter, Dallas,TX

I Want To Ride Horses by Steve Ledford, Garland,TX

Love in a Sleeping Bag by Don Wall, Nashville,TN

Maybe All Men Could Be Free by Louie Cate & Dawn Degeare, Alexandria,VA

Men Hurt Too by Steve Ledford, Garland,Tx

No Love Lost Cafe by Harri Wolf & Michael Roth, Novato, Ca

Our Heroes by Kent Strong, Chandler, AZ 

Painted Sky Cafe by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC

Screen Door,Timothy  Williams & Sarah Geis, Saint Simons Island, Ga

Skin Time by Rio King & Malinda Cannon, Plano, TX

Slow Road by Don Wall, Nashville, TN

That’s OK by Rick Valente, Katy, TX

The Wolf by Bob Stump, Poughquag, NY


Christian/Inspirational

All Right With Me by Lady Dang,Vista, Ca

Don't Forget You're a Child of God by John Ludwig, Tinley Park, Ill

Drift Away by Jim Aitken, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK

Graffiti My Heart by Louis Cate, Alexandria,VA

High Hopes by Gray Gurkin, Richmond,VA

Holding On by Kevin Toqe, Hope Toqe and Andrew Sanders, Bluffton, SC

How Can You Love Me Now? by Steve Ledford, Garland,Tx

It's a Beautiful Day by Tanisha Menefee, Anytown, USA

Just Look at Me by Rebecca Dopart, Oregon,WI

The Great I Am by Rachel Hughes and Rachel Sarai, Danbury,WI

The High Pasture (In The Shadow Of The Rockies) by Mark Patterson, Plano,Tx

What Does It Profit a Man? By Angie La Duke, San Bernardino, Ca


Country

All I'm Hearing Is Goodbye by Andrew and Elizabeth Wolf, Washington, DC

Bayou Sef by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Beat It Out Of Baton Rouge by Mark Patterson, Plano,Tx

Chelsea by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Close Enough by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

Colorado by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Country USA by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

Dallas by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Folsom by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Gratitude, Love, and Forgiveness by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

Heaven or Hell? by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

I Like It Right Here by Tim Koerber, Sylmar, Ca

I'm Sorry by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Only The Warriors by Mark Patterson, Plano,Tx

River Of Memories by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Save A Little For Me by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Spider and the Fly by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

That’s OK by Rick Valente, Katy,TX

Vagabond Wind by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC

Wedding Party by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx


Instrumental

Beautiful by Thierry Coupey, Sainte Anne des Plaines, Quebec CAN

Countdown To Sirius by Thierry Coupey, Sainte Anne des Plaines, Quebec CAN

Dystopian Calls by Thierry Coupey, Sainte Anne des Plaines, Quebec CAN

Float Away by Jake Stevens and Alexander Templin, Dallas,TX

Magic Dave (In Memory of a Friend) by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC

Mes Séries B by Thierry Coupey, Sainte Anne des Plaines, Quebec CAN

Redemption (The Last Waltz) by Thierry Coupey, Sainte Anne des Plaines, Quebec CAN

September by Seth Ginsburg, PLANO,TX

Soothing Times (2017-2022) by Thierry Coupey, Sainte Anne des Plaines, Quebec CAN

Straight Up by Todd Bordonaro, Bronx, New York


Love Songs/Easy Listening

Between The Raindrops by Randall,Mark, El Cajon, Ca

Bluebirds & Butterflies by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Come Rain Come Shine by Martin,Robley, West Leederville, Western Australia

Dallas by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Don't Go Making Promises by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Frostbite Heart by Randall Mark, El Cajon, Ca

I Just Want You to Know by Tanisha Menefee, Any town, USA

In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Live Where The Love Is by Louis Cate, Alexandria,VA

Looks Like Home (ft. Jennifer Hornbuckle) by Kathryn Gordon Robins, Nacogdoches,Tx

Mr Moon by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

My Forever Friend ft. Nekane by David Hardwick, Stuttgart, Germany

One Night Stand by Jim Aitken, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK

We Didn't Have Time Enough by John Walradt, Phoenix, Az

When The World Begins Again by Robert Graham, Spearwood,Western Australia


Novelty/Childrens

All Ways Together Always by Kelli Caldwell, Portland, Or

Christmas Tonight  by Ava Della Pietra, East Setauket, NY

Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

I Hate Jazz by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

If I Was a Dog by Len Seligman, Eugene, OR

In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

On Christmas Day by Debra Gussin, Jon Mullane and Dale Effren, Los Angeles, CA

Peas Porridge by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Peckin' at the Poo by Randy Sauer, Hays, Ks

Sleigh Full of Love by Kent Strong, Chandler, AZ

SNACKS AND NAPS by Susan,Odella, Virginia,Mn

Sunny Sunday (feat. Liliia Kysil) by John Walradt, Phoenix, Az


Pop/Rock/Alt/R&B

Ballad of Wally Funk by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Celebrity  by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

Don't Go Making Promises by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Folsom by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Global Warming by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Graveyard Blues  by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

He Ain't Got Diddly  by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

I Got An App For That by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

I'll Never Set You Free by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

I've Been Thinking by Ava Della Pietra, East Setauket, NY

In Dreamland,Charles by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Last Stop For Sanity by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

More Blues Than I Can Use by Mark Patterson, Plano,Tx

My Boyfriend by Ava Della Pietra, East Setauket, NY

Ode To Ali,Marvin,Conan,,New York,New York

Open Road (saber tooth llama) by Louis Cate, Alexandria,VA

Spider and the Fly by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Statue by Toxie Turner, Plano,Tx

The Riddle by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

Truck Stop by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Zipcode by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx


Singer/Songwriter 

Ballad of Wally Funk by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

Between Heaven and the Ground by Mike Ryan, Clifton,VA

Christmas Tonight by Ava Della Pietra, East Setauket, NY

Drifting by Shannon Anderson, League City,Tx

I'll Be Damned by Eddie Bowers, Dallas,Tx

Let Me Breathe by Julia Alexander, Allen,Tx

My Paradise by Trinity Reed, Plano, Tx

Skin Time by Rio King and Malinda Cannon, Plano,TX

Tadpole, Louisiana by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

That Dress by Allan Corby, Hoboken, N J

The Moments Lost by Wayne Gathright, Austin,Tx

The Tunnel by Charles Carter, Dallas,Tx

What Love Needs by Denise Rosier, Colorado Springs, CO

Some Goodbyes by Mike Ryan, Clifton,VA


Winner of the drawing - Jim Aitken from Kilmarnock,  Ayrshire, UK with his song entry #137, “I See Her Dancing” in the Love Song/Inspirational category.


Most Nominated Songs - Charles Carter with 32 nominations.


Winners Announced: Friday, January 14, during our Awards program. Semifinalist are invited to perform. The Awards Program will be via Zoom streamed live to our facebook page.  Interested performers please inquire DSA SONG CONTEST.



 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/
 


DSA's Song Contest Submission Partner:


Each entry is entered into the drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.
Drawing held Nov 3!

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Sept 30th
Drawing For $50 Amazon gift certificate: Nov 3, 2022
Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 3, 2022
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Jan 14, 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

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

DSA SONG CONTEST 2022 OPEN 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 3!

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Sept 30th
Drawing For $50 Amazon gift certificate: Nov 3, 2022
Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 3, 2022
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Jan 14, 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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