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

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

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Dallas Songwriters 2021 Song Contest Winners

 AMERICANA/BLUEGRASS

1. California by John Mason, Dallas, Tx

2. Bayou Sef by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

3. Gone Gone Gone by Michael RJ Roth, Eric Ramsey, Rio Rancho, NM


CHRISTIAN/INSPIRATIONAL

1. Best Work On Wood by T. Edwin Doss, Silver Spring, MD

2. My Amazing Grace by Debra M Gussin, Los Angeles, CA

3. One Rich Man by T. Edwin Doss, Robert Gann, Silver Spring, MD


COUNTRY

1. Whittle by T. Edwin Doss, Silver Spring, MD

2. Cowboy Bootie by Diane Kelley, McEwen, TN

3. I’m Sorry by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

HM Kiss Me In The Kitchen by David Hardwick, Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany


INSTRUMENTAL

1. Farewell My Angel by Andre Kerek, Miami, FL

2. Come Sundown Piano Concerto by Andre Kerek, Miami, FL

3. Re-Discovery by Noreen Inglesi, Cranston, RI


LOVE SONGS & EASY LISTENING

1. Baby You're Gone by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX

2. Crazy by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX

3. That Man You Imagine by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX

HM Over the Moon Over You by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA


NOVELTY/CHILDREN

1. My Wish List by Debra Gussin, Los Angeles, CA

2. My Dad, My Dog, and Me by Karel Daniels, Miami, FL

3. Slay Me With Your Eyes by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA


POP/ROCK/ALT/R&B

1. Except You by Thomas Marshall, Toronto, Ont, CAN

2. She Takes Me by Anthony Recchia, Bellmore, NY

3. Tidal Wave by Colton Tapp, Gordon Pagoda, St Paul, TX

HM Miss The Heat by Debra Gussin, Stacy Hogan, Los Angeles, CA


SINGER/SONGWRITER

1. Zip Code by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

2. Hey Now by Warren Hein, San Jose, CA

3. Daddy Had a Bad Day by Bob Divoli, Lincoln, MA


GRAND PRIZE WINNERS

1. Slay Me With Your Eyes by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA

2. Gone Gone Gone by Michael RJ Roth, Eric Ramsey, Rio Rancho, NM

3. Come Sundown Piano Concerto by Andre Kerek, Miami, FL

HM. Except You by Thomas Marshall, Toronto, Ont, CAN

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Dallas Songwriters 2021 Song Contest Semifinalists -

 DSA SONG CONTEST 2021 - SEMIFINALISTS (11/8/2021)


AMERICANA/BLUEGRASS

57 Chevy by Robert J Conaway, Windsor, MA

Bayou Sef by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Beautiful Mess by Bob Divoli, Lincoln, MA

California by John Mason, Dallas, Tx

Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Farewell to Maggie Valley by Dan Weber, Richardson, TX

Gone Gone Gone by Michael RJ Roth, Eric Ramsey, Rio Rancho, NM

Hayride by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Heaven or Hell by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

It’s a Long, Long Road by Thomas Burns, Madison, WI

King of the interstate by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Miss Peggy Lee Sings the Blues by Bob Divoli, Lincoln, MA

Secondhand by Eric Ramsey, Scottsdale, AZ

Sonic or Dairy Queen by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

The Tunnel by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Weight of a Dream by Michael RJ Roth, Harry Wolf, Rio Rancho, NM

When I Look Into Your Eyes by Melinda Starnes, Augusta, GA

You Make Me Wanna Dance by Dan Weber, Lynn McCracken, Richardson, TX


CHRISTIAN/INSPIRATIONAL

Best Work On Wood by T. Edwin DossSilver SpringMD

Dear Jesus by Shelly LeeJackson, MI

He Wants You Back by Rich KollenbergLincolnCA

Half My Hearts In Heaven by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA

Home by Kenny Favero, McKinney, TX

My Amazing Grace by Debra M GussinLos AngelesCA

One Rich Man by T. Edwin Doss, Robert Gann, Silver SpringMD

The Promise by Jim Aitken, KilmarnockScotland

Dear Jesus by Shelly LeeJackson, MI


COUNTRY

A Hard Refrain by Bobby Caputo, Lake Oswego, OR

Bayou Sef by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Blue Coller Man by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Colorado by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Comin’ Home To You by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Cowboy Bootie Call by Diane Kelley, McEwen, TN

Dallas Tonight by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Date With An Angel by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

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

Dream Land by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

I’m Sorry by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

In Dream Land by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Kiss Me In The Kitchen by David Hardwick, Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Whittle by T. Edwin DossSilver SpringMD


INSTRUMENTAL

Alone Again by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Come Sundown by Andre Kerek, Miami, FL

Farewell My Angel by Andre Kerek, Miami, FL

Last Bus To Hell by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Night On Zombie Mountain by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Pads by Lance French, Rowlett, Tx

Re-Discovery by Noreen Inglesi, Cranston, RI

The Devils Willing by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

The Soldiers Widow by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Where Is She Now by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx



LOVE SONGS & EASY LISTENING

Baby You're Gone by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX

Bluebirds and Butterflies by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Crazy by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX

Dallas by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Farewell My Angel by Andre Kerek, Miami, FL

Lover's Rendezvous by T. Edwin DossSilver SpringMD

Over the Moon Over You by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA

Save a Little For You by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Still in Love With You by T. Edwin DossSilver SpringMD

That Man You Imagine by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX



NOVELTY/CHILDREN

Bluebirds and Butterflies by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

I Got an App for That by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

I Hate Jazz by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX

In Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

King of the Interstate by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

My Dad, My Dog, and Me by Karel Daniels, Miami, FL

My Wish List by Debra Gussin, Dale Effren, Los Angeles, CA

Peas Porridge by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Slay Me With Your Eyes by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA

The Smilers by Kelli Caldwell, Portland, OR



POP/ROCK/ALT/R&B

Comin Home To You by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Dallas by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Dreamland by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Except You by Thomas Marshall, Toronto, Ont/CAN

I Knew Her When She Wasn’t All That by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX

Miss The Heat by Debra Gussin, Stacy Hogan, Los Angeles, CA

She Takes Me by Anthony Recchia, Bellmore, NY

Start Again by Phil Ipsan, New York, NY

Summer Days by Halim & Jamil Muhammad, DeSoto, TX

Tidal Wave by Colton Tapp, Gordon Pagoda, St Paul, TX

We Pray Love Never Ends by Stonewall Towery, Clayton, CA

Wicked Web by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX

Zip Code by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx



SINGER/SONGWRITER

Daddy Had a Bad Day by Bob Divoli, Lincoln, MA

Dallas by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx

Hey Now by Warren Hein, San Jose, CA

Magic of Music by Randall Mark, El Cajon, CA

Shahre Adamha by Amir Hossei Nouri, Tehran, Iran

The Speed of Life by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX

These Are the Days by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX

Tidal Wave by Colton Tapp, Gordon Pagoda, St Paul, TX

Transistor Radio by Bob Divoli, Lincoln, MA

White Dream by Amir Hossei Nouri, Tehran, Iran

Zip Code by Charles Carter, Dallas, Tx


Winners announced at Awards Program on January 15, 2022. Program will be via Zoom streamed to Dallas Songwriters Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/dallassongwriters 
Semifinalists invited to perform via Zoom. Contact Harry Hewlett.

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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