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, 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

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

For more avout the winners see our press pages:


2023 Grand Prize Winners

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

 

Grand Prize Winner Thierry Coupey shows off his Casio PX-S1000 Privia Piano


1st and 2nd Grand Prize Runner Up Mike P Ryan



Young Songwriter Contest Winner Joli Hope

 ----------------

DSA Young Songwriters Contest - for youth 18 and under.   Winner Announced Jan 16


http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com      Cash Prizes +

DSA is proud to announce that this years Grand Prize Casio Privia Keyboard is the PX-S1000. This new electronic keyboard sounds and feels like a real piano and it is lighter weight than other keyboards with the same features. This “world’s slimmest digital piano” weighs in at just 24.7 pounds. The back panel includes a USB port, an audio (stereo mini-jack) port,  and two 1/4 inch outputs, (stereo and mono). The Privia PX-S1000 contains 18 different "bread and butter" sounds, including numerous acoustic pianos, Rhodes and Wurlitzer-type electric pianos, vibes, string patches, organs, harpsichord, and acoustic bass. You can also layer and split these sounds.




Every working pianist in a metropolitan area where space and portability are paramount should try Casio's Privia PX-S1000 for themselves. From its realistic piano sound and touch, to its extreme portability and modern connectivity it’s truly a marvel.

Read full review at Keyboard Magazine.


THANKS TO OUR SONG CONTEST SPONSORS



1st, 2nd and 3rd place 

wins recording time at 
Jo-Musik
Grand Prize winners receive:
($199.95 Value) 
Includes Artist Website, 1 Yr. Hosting


Category winners get cash prizes and a DSA membership.

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


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 at 32 songs in the semifinalists.


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



 

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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