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, December 10, 2014

DSA 2014 SONG CONTEST WINNERS


2014 DSA SONG CONTEST WINNERS

AMERICANA
1. No Hiding Place by Lucia Comnes and Gawain Mathews, San Francisco, CA   
2. Over Space and Time by Nitanee Paris, Malibu, CA , Roy Bemelmans, Wijnansrade, Netherlands
3. Hold Me by Dickey Johnson, Dallas, Tx   

CHRISTIAN/ INSPIRATIONAL
1. The Journey by Rob Cariddi, Fort Mill, SC 
2. The Plans I Have for You by DeDe, Houston, TX
3. What You Made of Me by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
HM Known & Loved by Blue Light Bandit, Framingham, MA 
HM Believe by Life Is Hard, Houston, TX

COUNTRY
1. My Shine by T Ediwin Doss, Silver Springs, MD 
2.  Made In The USA by Roger Kaye, Glen Falls, NY 
3. Where The Corn Used To Grow by Benjamin Neuman, Nashville, TN 


INSTRUMENTAL
1. Surreal McCoy by Charlie Hill, Tulsa, OK 
2. Change the World by DeDe, Houston, TX 
3. Malibu by Maxim Senin, Lakewood, CA 
3.  Morning by Christian Taylor, Seattle, WA

LOVE SONGS/ EASY LISTENING
1. Love Is Everything by Al Hovden, John Roles, Vancouver, BC
2. Something Just Clicks by James Bennett, Tulsa, OK 
3. Do You Miss the Heat by Debra Gussin, Los Angeles, CA, Stacy Hogan, Nashville, TN 

NOVELTY / CHILDREN

1. Jingle Jangle Christmas by Rob Cariddi, Fort Mill, SC 
2.  Snowflake by Katie Hardyman, Taree, NSW, Australia 
3. Squishy Flip Flops by Randy Sauer, Hayes, KS
3. The Christmas Song That No One Knows by Renee Safier and Andy Hill, James Vermilya, Rodondo Beach, CA 

POP/ROCK
1. Forget You Girl by  Debra Gussin,  Los Angeles, CA, Kyle Vincent, Amherst, MA 
2. Learn to Breathe by Nitanee Paris, Malibu, CA
3. I've Already Won by  Debra Gussin,  Los Angeles, CA, Stacy Hogan, Nashville, TN 

SINGER SONGWRITER
1. Open Up by Denise Rosier, Lake Forest, CA  
2. Say That You Love Me by Gracie Lott, De Soto, TX
3. Small Town Living Life by Stephen Blackwell, Wills Point, Tx 

GRAND PRIZE
1. No Hiding Place by Lucia Comnes and Gawain Mathews, San Francisco, CA  
2. Say That You Love by Gracie Lott, De Soto, TX
3. Something Just Clicks by James Bennett, Tulsa, OK

See the Press Release on the Grand Prize Winners: http://dsapress.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html 

Here the winning songs on Soundcloud. https://soundcloud.com/dallas_song_contest/sets/dsa-2014-song-contest-winners

GRAND PRIZE JUDGES COMMENTS
Here are my Top 3.  I intend on writing in more detail about these and others, but I thought you might like to know some of my thoughts for your shindig tomorrow.  Lots of strong songs this year.  Unlike most years, many songs could have won this. Once I get settled in my new home, I will write a more detailed review.  Thanks for letting me be part of this great contest.

Roy

1.) No Hiding Place – While the song has about a 5 note range, I gave it high marks for melody.  The melody is so easy to remember, I found myself humming this over and over again and really wanting to learn the lyric. Sometimes great melodies are really simple, that is the case here. The lyric is captivating, thought provoking and if we were only hearing the melody and lyric, one can visualize exactly who would be singing it, what kind of band would be playing and even the clothes they would be wearing. It creates a vision beyond the content of the lyric.  Another thing that caught my attention was that this song is dead center of the Americana genre with many lyrical & visual overtones. One listener might feel “religious,” one might hear “relationship”, one might simply see "a bird" and another might experience something completely different. Songwriting contests come down to the opinion of the judge, but there is no denying that this song nails the genre, with or without the music. With that said, it really isn’t my cup of tea, but the fans of this genre will eat it up.

2.) Say That You Love Me – Very strong lyric, melody and hook.  Clearly written from the heart by a very good writer. The melody and lyric are so strongly connected, it feels as if the singer is “begging” throughout the song.  Obviously, relationship songs are a dime a dozen and it’s hard to create something unique that no one has done before.  This is unique and I believe it’s one of those songs that would make a life playlist of a 15 year old girl. She will probably remember this song when she is 50, as it is very memorable and speaks loudly to a specific audience.

3.) Something Just Clicks – Another unique and different relationship song.  Simple melody with a strong lyric.  The hook is unforgettable and the melody of the backing vocals actually becomes one of the memorable parts of the song. The production doesn’t help the song as I believe it has so much more potential. But it is a song that I will remember for a long time and believe that it has opportunity in the rock, pop and r & b markets.  Although this singer is very good, it could be interpreted in many different ways.  In my eyes, that’s what makes it good.


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

2014 DSA SONG CONTEST SEMIFINALISTS

AMERICANA
Hold Me by Dickey Johnson, Dallas, Tx
Irons & Chains by Rob McHale, Troutman, NC
No Hiding Place by Lucia Comnes and Gawain Mathews, San Francisco, CA
Over Space & Time by Nitanee Paris, Malibu, CA
Surrounded Again by Ron McHale, Troutman, NC
The Night the Love Ran Out by Nelson Wright, Seattle, WA
Under a Tree by Eric Bettencourt, Austin, TX

CHRISTIAN/ INSPIRATIONAL

Isaiah's Song by Katie Riley, Royce City, TX
I Love Myself by Da Professor, Parkland FL
Known & Loved by Blue Light Bandit, Framingham, MA
Mary's Lullaby by Martha Myre, Dallas, Tx
No Room by Martha Myre, Dallas, Tx
Believe by Life Is Hard, Houston, TX
Ave Maira de la Plaine by Thierry Coupey, Montreal, QB
What You Made of Me by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
The Journey by Rob Cariddi, Fort Mill, SC
The Plans I have for You by DeDe, Houston, TX
Angel Like You by Nitanee Paris Lawson, Malibu, CA
Where Peaceful Rivers Flow by Dickey Johnson, Dallas, Tx

COUNTRY

American Soldier by Life Is Hard, Houston, TX
Hide N Watch by Rio King, Plano, TX
Honky Tonk Shrink by Rio King, Plano, TX
Hot And Spicy Night by Brian McNulty, Grand Rapids, MI
Just Me Missing You by Shane Martin, Zac Wrixon,Jon Ritter,John Ritter, Maple Plain, MN
Made In The USA by Roger Kaye, Glen Falls, NY                              
My Shine by T Ediwin Doss, Silver Springs, MD               
Professional Help by T Edwin Doss, Silver Springs, MD
Where The Corn Used To Grow by Benjamin Neuman, Nashville, TN    
Here For The Beer by Jeff Moxcey, Michael Max McGee, Waterville, ME
Do The World A Favor by Renee Safier, Andy Hill, Redondo Beach, CA


INSTRUMENTAL
Change the World by DeDe, Houston, TX
Haklaut by Tomer George Cohen,Shoham, Israel
Malibu by Maxim Senin, Lakewood, CA
Marketplace Morning by Christian Taylor, Seattle, WA
Surreal McCoy by Charlie Hill, Tulsa, OK

LOVE SONGS/ EASY LISTENING

Love Is Everything by Al Hovden, Vancouver, BC
Whisper In the Wind by Tristen Beauregard, Dublin, OH
Sleep by Chase Kroesche, Los Angeles, CA
Apricots by Chase Kroesche, Los Angeles, CA
One More Night by Dickey Johnson, Dallas, TX
To Touch You Once Again by Dickey Johnson, Dallas, TX
Something Just Clicks by James Bennett, Tulsa, OK
 Do You Miss the Heat by Debra Gussin, Los Angeles, CA, Stacy Hogan, Nashville, TN

NOVELTY / CHILDREN
The Christmas Song That No One Knows by Renee Safier and Andy Hill, James Vermilya, Rodondo Beach, CA
Fishin' Buddy by T Edwin Doss, Silver Spring, MD
Snowflake by Katie Hardyman, Taree, NSW, Australia
Squishy Flip Flops by Randy Sauer, Hayes, KS
Soda Pop Bob by Randy Sauer, Hays, KS
Jingle Jangle Christmas by Rob Cariddi, Fort Mill, SC
Big Juicy Steak by D Schnur, Anywhere, USA

POP/ROCK
Alive by Victoria Celestine, San Antonio, TX
Breaking Up by Stephanie K, Detroit, MI
Detour by Debra Gussin, Los Angeles, CA, Kyle Vincent, Amherst, MA
Exception to the Rule by Debra Gussin, Ryan Martinez, Mike Westbrook, Los Angeles, CA
Fall Back by Chloe Jean, Mill Valley, CA
Fallen Angel by Thierry Coupey, Montreal, QB
Forget You Girl by  Debra Gussin,  Los Angeles, CA, Kyle Vincent, Amherst, MA  
Go M.I.A. by Jonathan Bluth, Westlake Village, CA
In My Dreams by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
I've Already Won by  Debra Gussin,  Los Angeles, CA, Stacy Hogan, Nashville, TN
Learn to Breathe by Nitanee Paris, Malibu, CA     
Life's A Roller Coaster by Thierry Coupey, Montreal, QB
Lost It by Mark Evans and Ellis Thompson, Plano, TX
Meteor by Nick Deutsch and Joey Auch, NY, NY
Miss Opportunity by Mark Evans, Plano, TX
Prince by Stephanie K, Detroit, MI
Rumor by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
Run by Amanda Loving, Katy, TX
Stormy Weather by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
Story of a Broken Heart by Stephanie K, Detroit, MI
Tender by Chase Krossche, Los Angeles, CA
Theresa Smile by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
Up Is Down by Mike Hyden, Ralston, NE
What Could Be Better by Chloe Jean, Mill Valley, CA
Worked Up by Tony DeSimone, Yardley, PA

SINGER SONGWRITER
Open Up by Denise Rosier, Lake Forest, CA
I’ll Be Coming Home by T. Edwin Doss w Radio Flyer, Silver Springs, MD
Slow Work in Progress by T. Edwin Doss w Radio Flyer, Silver Springs, MD
Sleight of Hand by Tobias the Owl, Seattle, WA
No Day Like Today by Emma Walsh, TX
The Songwriter by Alan Babbit, San Francisco, CA
Homework by Victoria Celestine, San Antonio, TX
Hide N Watch by Rio King, Plano, TX
Honky Tonk Shrink by Rio King, Plano, TX
Turtle Bait by Rio King, Plano, TX
Small Town Living Life by Stephen Blackwell, Wills Point, TX
Say That You Love Me by Gracie Lott, De Soto, TX

Semifinalist are invited to perform at the Christmas Party and Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 at 7PM at the Sons Of Hermann Hall, Dallas, Tx.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

DSA 2014 Song Contest Now Open - Deadline Sept 16th



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 $25
Deadline: Tuesday, Sept 16th, 2014
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 can submit on Sonicbids
and receive a 30 Day Free Trial through your submission

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
2013 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 16th.
 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 July 9!

Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Sept 16, 2014
Drawing For Free Ipod: Oct 14, 2014
Semi-Finalists Announced: Nov 11, 2014
Finalists and Grand Prize Winners Announced: Dec 9, 2014

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.

and a Casio PX-350 Privia Piano

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)

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

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

2014 Song Contest Coming Soon

Stay tuned! Watch for announcement in the newsletter.

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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