DSA INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST 2025 OPENED JUNE 1

 DSA INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST 2025 OPENED JUNE 1


DSA INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST 2025
More than $5,000 in cash & prizes in 9 categories


Dallas, TX - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Opened June 1 – Deadline September 30th


It’s time to enter your best songs in the annual Dallas Songwriters International Song Contest, which offers more than $5,000 in cash and prizes for the best songs in 9 categories, plus grand prize winners. Categories include Christian/Inspirational, Country, Americana/Folk/Bluegrass, Pop/Rock/RnB/Alternative, Love Songs/Easy Listening, Children’s/Novelty, Singer/Songwriter, Instrumental, and 18 and Under Young Songwriters.  Judges are industry pros.  Entries are $25 per song  
Enter here:  https://dallassongwriters.org/dsa-annual-song-contest
and $15 for Young Songwriters. Enter here: https://dallassongwriters.org/young-songwriters-contest/

The DSA International Song Contest is truly a global affair.  Past contests have included entries and winners from Iceland, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, and all over the United States.  Entries can be submitted through the https://dallassongwriters.org website or through our Song Contest Submission Partner, https://broadjam.com.  A complete breakdown of the rules, and details about past winners can be found at https://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com/

The International Song Contest helps to fulfill the DSA mission to promote the craft of songwriting, provide realistic, educational opportunities to better navigate the music industry, and to provide exclusive performance opportunities, both LIVE and VIRTUAL.  It provides a benchmark for popular song writing competency.  The new “DSA Global” initiative is also a way to connect the international music community to the Texas music scene.  

The Grand Prize Judge, Roy Elkins, wrote, “It seems that every year the songwriters are ‘upping’ their game and the entries are getting better and better.” Elkins ranks the top songs based on specific criteria, including Lyric, Melody, Hook, Structure, Truth, and Originality.    

The 2024 Grand Prize Winning song, “Song For Tim” was written by Andrew Wolf who won a Casio Privia PX-S1000 Keyboard. 
More about last years winners can be found here: https://dsapress.blogspot.com/2025/03/andrew-wolf-wins-grand-prize-and-runner.html

Semifinalists were invited to play live at the DSA Song Contest Awards Program, which was held virtually on January 19, 2025 and streamed to Facebook.

Live performances and camaraderie with fellow songwriters make up the soul of DSA, and since the Coronavirus, DSA is using https://zoom.us to facilitate our virtual events, which are creating new opportunities for membership and participation from anywhere in the world.     

DSA is a 501 C3 nonprofit organization.  Please join DSA as we celebrate 38 years of motivating and uplifting songwriters through education.  https://dallassongwriters.org/join-dsa/


For media, interviews, contact: Barbara McMillen

ANDREW WOLF WINS GRAND PRIZE AND RUNNER UP OF THE DALLAS SONGWRITER SONG CONTEST 2024 LOUIE CATE IS SECOND RUNNER UP - EMMA JAMES OUR YOUNG SONGWRTER WINNER

 ANDREW WOLF WINS GRAND PRIZE AND RUNNER UP OF THE DALLAS SONGWRITER SONG CONTEST 2024
 

LOUIE CATE IS SECOND RUNNER UP  - EMMA JAMES OUR YOUNG SONGWRITER WINNER

 
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
    1.    Song For Tim – To a Life Well-Lived  by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
    2.    Second Chances by Andrew Wolf, Mack Reynolds, Washington, DC
    3.    Skip Tracer by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
  HM Second Time Around by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO

 Andrew Wolf is the winner of the 1st Grand Prize for “Song for Tim-To A Life Well Lived” and also the 2nd Grand Prize with Mack Reynolds for “Second Chances” in the 2024 Dallas Songwriting Association Song Contest. He was winner in the Instrumental and Love Songs categories and a semifinalist in the Americana, Country, Instrumental and Love Songs categories.
Raised in a small town near York, Pennsylvania, Andrew Wolf has enjoyed the craft of songwriting for over 45 years.  He has written a lot of songs on his own as well as with several talented songwriters, one being Mack Reynolds - his co-writer for “Second Chances”.  Over the years, Andrew has been the winner or co-winner of a host of national songwriting awards. He was a double category winner in the 2023 DSA Song Contest with the song, Vagabond Wind, in Americana and Country.  
Andrew and his wife, Beth, left York, Pa. in the early 1980’s and lived in Nashville for 4½ enjoyable years.  They now reside in Washington, DC where they have lived for the past 40 years.
Here is an interview with Andrew by DSA.
DSA: How and when did you become a songwriter?

ANDREW: I began writing songs in the late 70s with a friend of mine, Eric Bach.  We had a guitar duo that performed in bars and other venues in Pennsylvania.  We wrote several songs together, one of which was a winner in the 1978 American Song Festival.  Soon after that, I met my future wife, Beth, who was a lyricist and we started collaborating on songs where I wrote the music and she wrote the lyrics.

DSA: Are there any songwriters that influenced your writing? Do you do any co-writing?

ANDREW: Lennon-McCartney, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Willis Alan Ramsey, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Rodney Crowell, Don Henley & Glenn Frey, Chris Stapleton, John Hiatt and Neil Young.
   I co-write with several other songwriters.  In fact, I co-wrote "Second Chances" with Mack Reynolds, the song which won the 2nd Grand Prize in the 2024 DSA International Songwriting Contest.

ANDREW:What is your writing process, i.e. do you start with a melody or something else? Do you write lyrics?

ANDREW: When I co-write with someone who writes lyrics, I create the music from the lyrics. When I’m writing on my own, I usually come up with a melody or chord progression first and then write the lyrics to fit that melody.

DSA: How did your DSA song contest winner “Song for Tim” come about and why do you think it is such a good song?

ANDREW: I wanted to write a piano instrumental for my good friend, Tim Smith, who passed away in November 2023. That song seemed to be one of those gifts.  It doesn’t happen very often but the whole instrumental and melody came to me very quickly.  And I was very gratified that Tim’s wife and family liked it so much when I played it at Tim’s Memorial Service.  I was also very honored that it won the 1st Grand Prize in the 2024 DSA International Songwriting Contest.

DSA: What advice do you always give to people who want to be songwriters or improve their songwriting?

ANDREW: For those who aspire to be songwriters, but haven’t taken the plunge yet, just go ahead and jump in. Believe me, I know it’s easy for me to say. It took me years to work up the nerve to start writing and then have other people listen and critique my songs. But if I had to do it over again, I wish I would have had the courage to start writing songs a lot earlier in my life.  Whether a vocation or avocation, it’s a gift you can enjoy your whole life if you want to.

Here are the comments of his songs by the grand prize judge, Roy Elkins:
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Song For Tim
Link to audio: https://www.broadjam.com/songs/andrewwolf/song-for-tim-to-a-life-well-lived

This piece begins with a simple and sweet piano melody, immediately drawing the
listener into a nostalgic and emotional world. The transitions into the hook are
seamless, creating a reflective tone that stirs thoughts of bygone days. The melody is
so captivating that at one point, I found myself completely mesmerized, stopping
everything else to simply listen. There may not be another melody in this competition
that fits its genre as perfectly as this one.
While the instrumental lacks lyrics, it conveys an undeniable sense of truth and feeling.
However, it does feel slightly rigid at times, as if the player is following sheet music
rather than letting the music breathe. If it were my song, I would experiment with letting
the tempo and phrasing drift more naturally, adding a touch of spontaneity. Incorporating
jazz chords could also introduce a fresh dimension and bring new textures to the
composition.
That said, this piece moved me deeply. Instrumentals, particularly solo piano pieces,
often face challenges in song contests without the support of lyrics, but this one stands
out by invoking a profound sense of emotion and truth. It’s a genuine and beautifully
crafted work—a true standout in its category.

FIRST RUNNER UP: Second Chances
Audio & lyric link:  https://www.broadjam.com/songs/andrewwolf/second-chances-mack-reynolds-andrew-wolf

This song is a beautifully crafted narrative that evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and explores the bittersweet twists of life. It captures universal emotions, weaving them into a story that feels both personal and relatable. The opening line, “That girl you loved in 10th grade…red hair…French braids,” immediately transports listeners to a time of youthful infatuations and fleeting first loves. It’s a vivid image that nearly everyone can
connect with, making the song instantly engaging.
The lyric, “You never get over that self-inflicted wound,” is a poignant reflection on the mistakes and regrets we carry through life, resonating with listeners on a deeply emotional level. The hook, “Life is not a one-act play,” is masterfully written, a poetic and memorable line that anchors the song’s theme of redemption and second chances. It’s the kind of phrase that sticks with you long after the music fades, capturing the essence of hope and resilience.
Although the production is polished and professional, I do not consider it when evaluating a song. With that said, it provides the perfect backdrop for the evocative lyrics. The melody supports the emotional weight of the song, and the phrasing flows naturally, allowing the story to unfold with clarity and grace. The balance between the lyrics and the music is exceptional, ensuring that neither element overpowers the other. This is a well-crafted and timeless piece, the kind of song that speaks to listeners across generations. It’s a universal tale of longing, regret, and the possibilities that come with second chances. It's relatability and emotional depth make it one of the strongest contenders, and I found myself returning to it repeatedly, debating whether it might be the best in the competition. A brilliant effort, showcasing outstanding songwriting and production.

LOUIE CATE IS SECOND RUNNER UP
Second Grand Prize runner up, Louie Cate, won with his song, Skip Tracer.
He was a semifinalist in the Christian, Love Songs and Novelty categories and a winner in the Christian, Novelty and Lyric categories.  
In 2023, he was a semifinalist in categories of  Americana, Christian, Pop/Rock, Novelty, Love Songs and a winner in Pop/Rock, Novelty, Love Songs  His grand prize winning song. Slay Me with Your Eyes” won first place in the Novelty category.
In 2018 Louie Cate was grand prize runner up and won 1st place in the love song category with the song, “All The Lovin’ I Need”.  Also in 2018, he won grand prize in the John Lennon Contest world category with “Break Your Fall” and in 2017 he won 1st in the adult contemporary in Mid-Atlantic Song Contest with “Moon Safari”. For years, Louie Cate has entered and placed in our song contest as category winner and grand prize runner up. He is an excellent songwriter who has won about 100 first places in song contests including grand prize in Billboard, Mid-Atlantic, Chris Austin, and Southern Songwriters Guild. His influences are Motown, Stones, Beatles, Doors and Dylan right out of the box. Some of his demo singers have gone on to have great careers, including, Joe Diffie, Garth Brooks, Trisha Lathan (now it's Yearwood) Martina McBride, Billy Dean, Rob Crosby, Sylvia, Clay Davidson, and Ty Herndon. He thinks a lot of the best singers that he used never got deals never got record deals. You can find his songs on https://www.broadjam.com/louiecate

Here is the comments of our Grand Prize Judge Roy Elkins.

SECOND RUNNER UP: Skip Tracer                                                       
Audio file: https://dallassongwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/gravity_forms/18-4ed13ddcd997e1ff0c869bf39c7e1e7d/2024/07/Skip-Tracer_short-perfect-intro-gold.mp3

At first glance, the unusual title “Skip Tracer” might leave listeners like me scratching
their heads. What exactly is a skip tracer? For those unfamiliar, it refers to someone
who tracks down individuals who have gone off the grid, often in a professional or
investigative context. The metaphor of using a skip tracer to “track down a heart” is
clever and unconventional, immediately sparking curiosity. It’s the kind of title that
demands attention, and while it may initially seem nonsensical, the song quickly proves
its worth with repeated listens.
The opening melodic hook sets the tone beautifully, drawing the listener in, and the
melody builds skillfully toward the hook. By the time you reach the line, “Skip tracer to
track down my heart,” you’re completely immersed, humming along, and appreciating
just how infectious the song is. The phrasing in the first two lines feels slightly uneven,
and it’s unclear if this was an intentional stylistic choice or a minor hiccup in delivery.
However, this imperfection adds to the charm, making the track feel raw and genuine.
This song excels in its ability to grow on the listener. While at first, the heavy metaphor
might seem like “too much,” the combination of the lyrics, melody, and hooks wins you
over with each subsequent play. It’s one of those tracks that embeds itself in your mind,
with its creativity and catchy refrain lingering long after the music stops.
“Skip Tracer” stands out as a skillfully crafted and highly original song. It defies initial
expectations and rewards the listener with its depth, cleverness, and infectious energy.
A solid entry that climbed higher on my list with every listen. Brilliant work that surprises
and delights in equal measure!
Production comments:
The gritty vocal performance lends an air of authenticity to the track, perfectly
complementing the narrative. The Theremin-like synth line to this old synth guy is a
delightful surprise, adding a playful, retro touch that elevates the production. It’s a subtle
but impactful detail, bringing a smile to the listener’s face and reinforcing the song’s
unique personality. The instrumentation overall is well-balanced, supporting the vocals
without overshadowing them, and the production feels polished yet unpretentious.
Kudos to everyone on this team.

The song Second Time Around by Michael Abbass garnered an honorable mention.
Audio file:  https://www.broadjam.com/songs/MikeAbbass/second-time-around

Here is Roy’s comments on the song:

Second Time Around
This song opens with a serene and peaceful introduction, immediately drawing the
listener into its gentle and inviting atmosphere. The melody is beautifully constructed,
and the phrasing of the lyrics flows effortlessly, creating a sense of intimacy and

emotional resonance. At 55 seconds and again at 1:47, the transition into the pre-
chorus is particularly striking—sweet, memorable, and expertly timed to maintain the
song’s momentum. These moments feel like emotional peaks, adding layers of depth to
the overall structure.
The highlight of the song is undoubtedly the hook, where the lyric “Second Time
Around” is married perfectly to the melody. It’s the kind of chorus that feels natural yet
impactful, with just the right amount of repetition to make it stick without overdoing it.
The balance between the melody and lyric is impeccable, showcasing masterful
songwriting that feels both heartfelt and polished.
The layout of the song is thoughtfully executed, guiding the listener seamlessly through
its various sections. It’s a stellar example of great songwriting with potential for creative
exploration in future renditions. I found myself eager to know more about the artist
behind this work and to hear what else they have created. Truly an outstanding
piece—congratulations to the creator!
One production suggestion: an acoustic 12-string guitar finger-picking intro could give
the opening an even more delicate, textured feel, setting the tone beautifully.
Additionally, re-imagining this track with a more upbeat tempo, incorporating banjos or a
bluegrass-inspired arrangement, could offer an intriguing variation. Such an approach
could highlight the song’s versatility, making it appealing to an even wider audience.
That said, the current version already shines brightly as is.


First Place Category Winners

AMERICANA/BLUEGRASS
Dodged a Bullet by John Sizemore, Dallas, TX
 

CHRISTIAN/INSPIRATIONAL
The High Pasture by Mark Patterson, Plano, Tx
 

COUNTRY
Love of a Good Man by Cara Anderton, Barnhart, PA
 

INSTRUMENTAL
Wings of Freedom by Simon Niclas Hahn, Balingen, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany
 

LOVE SONGS & EASY LISTENING
1111  by Melany Azpiolea, Garland, TX
 

NOVELTY/CHILDREN
 I Can't Rhyme by Lanny Sherwin, James Sherwin, Santa Barbara, CA
 

POP/ROCK/ALT/R&B
Love Is Real by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
 

SINGER/SONGWRITER
Love of a Good Man by Cara Anderton, Barnhart, PA

For a complete list of the winners and prizes see the Song Contest website: http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

The Most Nominated Songs Award went to: Wayne Gathright, Dallas, Texas

EMMA JAMES OUR YOUNG SONGWRITER WINNER

Emma James is our 2024 Young Songwriter winner with her song, Growing Pains.  Her song “Broken” came in second place. In 2022, Emma was first runner up in DSA’s Young Songwriters Contest and she won first place in 2023.

Emma is a Texas born and raised singer-songwriter from Corpus Christi, Tx who has been singing since she was a toddler and she frequently put a melody to even the most mundane tasks like her elementary math homework. By nine years old, she was putting lyrics to melody and entertaining her family. Now, at only 16 years old, she has penned more than 200 original songs. As a multi instrumentalist playing piano, guitar and ukulele, she has established herself as a well rounded musician.

Often she can be found at local Farmer's Markets, Festivals, Art Galleries and has opened for Deana Carter, Jack Ingram, Roger Creager, Lee Greenwood and several others. However, her favorite place to sing is at her church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.
Emma plans to attend Belmont University and study music business and she has her sights set as a singer-songwriter in Nashville. Emma just completed recording for her debut album which will be released in the spring of 2025. You can find out more information on her website https://emmajamesmusic.com/

Chloe Tao was our 3rd place winner with her song, Imperfect.

YOUNG SONGWRITER WINNERS
   1. Growing Pains by Emma James, Corpus Christi, TX
    2.    Broken by Emma James, Corpus Christi, TX
    3.    Imperfect by Chloe Tao, Dallas, Tx

For more about the Young Songwriters Contest and how to enter, visit the website: https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com/


Thanks to our sponsors: Casio Privia Piano, Broadjam.com, Joe Milton and JoMusik, Colorado Capo, jeriAlice and River Sounds, Bar-B Music Marketing Consultants,  Dallas International Guitar Show, Amigo Guitar Shows.
 

WINNERS OF THE 2024 DALLAS SONGWRITERS INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST AND YOUNG SONGWRITER

 

 Dallas Songwriters Celebrate Songwriting at Annual Awards Show

DSA celebrated winners from the Annual International Song Contest and the Young Songwriters Contest in January 2025.

 

Dallas, TX, February 24, 2025 --(Blogger.com)--The Dallas Songwriters Association presented their 34th Annual Song Contest Awards highlighting 2024 songwriting contestants via Zoom with a live stream to Facebook featuring live performances by semifinalists, contest winners, and multiple presenters. 

“Their were so many talented entries,” said Americana Judge Jenni Mansfield Peel, "that it made my job very difficult ." “The songs just keep getting better each year."

Winners of the DSA 34th Annual International Song Contest were announced in eight categories, plus the Grand Prize winners. http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com.

Judges were industry professionals who judged songs based on six elements of a song:  hook, melody, lyric, structure, originality, and truth.  DSA offered over $5,000 in prizes.  Each category winner won a free membership to DSA.  First Place winners received $100 and 2nd place winners received $50. 

Once again, DSA partnered with Broadjam, who provided fantastic prizes to some of our winners, including a 1-year Broadjam Primo MoB Membership ($199.95 Value). Other prizes awarded were: one song critique from Barbara McMillen, Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College, and recording time at JoMusik Studio.  

WINNERS

AMERICANA
1.  Dodged a Bullet by John Sizemore, Dallas, TX
2. The Growing Years by Matt Stemme, Clayton, NC
3. Devil Rail by John Zipperer, Leslie Barker, Canoga Park, CA
HM. My Own Way by Kendall Yancey, The Colony, TX *
            HM. You Don't Know What You Don't Know by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX

CHRISTIAN
1. The High Pasture by Mark Patterson, Plano, Tx
2. Blood of My Son by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
3. First trip to Church  by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA
HM. Goodbye by Wayne Gathright, Austin, Tx
HM. Common Thread by Wayne Gahright, Austin, Tx  

COUNTRY
    1.    Love of a Good Man by Cara Anderton, Barnhart, PA
    2.    Wedding Party by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    3.    Stand Tall by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ

INSTRUMENTAL
1. Wings of freedom by Simon Niclas Hahn, Balingen, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany
2. “Song for Tim – To a Life Well-Lived”  by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
3. Alone To Wonder by Kenney Noguera, Conconully, WA

LOVE SONGS/ EASY LISTENING
    1.    1111  by Melany Azpiolea, Garland, TX *
    2.    Fool Against Nature  by Kenny Noguera, Conconully, WA
    3.    Second Chances by Andrew Wolf, Mack Reynolds, Washington, DC
     HM Second Time Around  by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO

NOVELTY/ CHILDRENS
    
    1.    I Can't Rhyme by Lanny Sherwin, James Sherwin, Santa Barbara, CA
   2. The Door to Your Dreams by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
   3. Skip Tracer by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA

POP/ROCK
1. Love Is real by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
2. Celebrity by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
3.Breathless by Kenny Noguera, Conconully, WA
3. Jagged Memories by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX

SINGER SONGWRITER
1. Love of a Good Man by Cara Anderton, Barnhart, PA
2. I Knew Her When She Wasn’t All That by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
3. Fun In Heaven by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO
HM. Fabulous Flying Machines by Karyn Oliver, Fort Worth, TX

YOUNG SONGWRITER
   1. Growing Pains by Emma James, Corpus Christi, TX
    2.    Broken by Emma James, Corpus Christi, TX
    3.    Imperfect by Chloe Tao, Dallas, Tx


GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
    1.    Song For Tim – To a Life Well-Lived  by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
    2.    Second Chances by Andrew Wolf, Mack Reynolds, Washington, DC
    3.    Skip Tracer by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
  HM Second Time Around by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO

DSA 2024 SONG CONTEST SEMIFINALISTS ANNOUNCED at Monthly Meeting in November

 AMERICANA

    1.    And They Danced to Embraceable You by Mark Courtney, Las Cruces, NM
    2.    Devil Rail by John Zipperer, Leslie Barker, Canoga Park, CA
    3.    Dodged a Bullet by John Sizemore, Dallas, TX
    4.    Fishin' on the Guff by Don Wall, Nashville, TN
    5.    Funeral In Wichita by Eric Ramsey, Scottsdale, AZ
    6.    My Own Way by Kendall Yancey, The Colony, TX
    7.    Second Chances by Andrew Wolf, Mack Reynolds, Washington, DC
    8.    The Growing Years by Matt Stemme, Clayton, NC
    9.    To Stone by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO
    10.    You Don't Know What You Don't Know by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX

CHRISTIAN

    1.    Blood of My Son by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
    2.    Common Thread by Wayne Gathright, Austin, Tx
    3.    First trip to Church by Louie Cate, Alexandria, VA
    4.    Goodbye by Wayne Gathright, Austin, Tx
    5.    In You Alone by David Broussard, Canton, TX
    6.    Is that You Jesus? By Debra Gussin, Rik Howard, Los Angeles, CA
    7.    Pray by Denise Rosier, Colorado Springs, CO
    8.    Save Me by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    9.    The High Pasture by Mark Patterson, Plano, Tx
    10.    This Little Baby by David Broussard, Canton, TX


COUNTRY

    1.    All I’m Hearing Is Goodbye by Andrew Wolf, Elizabeth Wolf, Washington, DC
    2.    At The Heart of Love by Kevin Reardon, Riverside, CT
    3.    ATV by Randy Sauer, Hays, KS
    4.    Come On My Side by Kenny Noguera, Conconully, WA
    5.    He Never Shrugged by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
    6.     I Wanna Ride Horses by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
    7.    Love of a Good Man by Cara Anderton, Barnhart, PA
    8.    Memories Find Their Way Home by Wayne Garhright, Austin, TX
    9.    Only The Warriors by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
    10.    Shades of Blue by Will Townsley, Arlington, TX
    11.    She's Gonna Leave a Scar by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
    12.    Something That'll Last by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
    13.    Stand Tall by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
    14.    Twilight Legends by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
    15.    Wedding Party by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    16.    When You Were Loving Me by Andrew Wolf, Elizabeth Wolf, Washington, DC


INSTRUMENTAL

    1.    Alone To Wonder by Kenney Noguera, Conconully, WA
    2.    Blackest Night by Conrad Melton Swartz, Vancouver, WA
    3.    Ma Bonnie Lass by Kenney Noguera, Conconully, WA
    4.    Midnight Mush by Veli-Matti Murtovaara, Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland
    5.    “Song for Tim – To a Life Well-Lived” by Andrew Wolf, Washington, DC
    6.    Wings of freedom by Simon Niclas Hahn, Balingen, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany

LOVE SONGS/ EASY LISTENING

    1.    1111 by Melany Azpiolea, Garland, TX
    2.    Broken Home Lullaby by Jesse Daily, Glendale, WI
    3.    Each and Every Moment by Kevin Reardon, Riverside, CT
    4.    Fool Against Nature by Kenny Noguera, Conconully, WA
    5.    Head Over Heels by Stephan Jackson, Steve Jackson, Irving, TX
    6.    I Guess We're Even Now by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
    7.    Mara by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
    8.    Mr. Moon by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    9.    Nothing Short of Paradise by Kenny Noguera, Conconully, WA
    10.    Second Time Around by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO
    11.    Second Chances by Andrew Wolf, Mack Reynolds, Washington, DC
    12.    Shadows In the Garden by Jesse Daily, Glendale, WI
    13.    That Man You Imagine by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX

NOVELTY

    1.    Bass Ackwards Tonight by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    2.    I Can't Rhyme  by Lanny Sherwin, James Sherwin, Santa Barbara, CA
    3.    JESUS, WHEN YOU RETURN, BRING ELVIS by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
    4.    My Darling Daffodil by Kelli Caldwell, Portland, OR
    5.    Popcorn by Randy Sauer, Hays, Kansas
    6.    Riley and His Marching Band by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    7.    Skip Tracer by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
    8.    Sleigh Full Of Love by Kent Strong, Chandler, AZ
    9.    The Door To Your Dreams by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX

POP/ROCK

    1.    Breathless by Kenny Noguera, Conconully, WA
    2.    Celebrity by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    3.    DikDok by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
    4.    Dream Again by Ginine Smith, Tracy Lee Smith, Plano, TX
    5.    Girltime by Robert Juch, Oro Valley, AZ
    6.    I’ll Never Be a Falling Star by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
    7.    Inconvenient #3 by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
    8.    Jagged Memories by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
    9.    Just Chillin’ by Louis Cate, Alexandria, VA
    10.    Last Stop for Sanity by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    11.    Love is Real by Wayne Gathright, Austin, TX
    12.    Music Box by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
    13.    Nothing Good by Mark Patterson, Plano, TX
    14.     Prey by Carly Tate, Sherman, TX
    15.     Somebody Special by Kent Strong, Chandler, AZ
    16.     The Past is not through with Me by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX

SINGER SONGWRITER

1 Between the Rainbows by Randall Mark, El Cajon, CA
2 Defuniak Springs by John Zipperer, Julie Zipperer, Canoga Park, CA
3 Every Moment, Every Memory by Steve Jackson, Irving, TX
4 Fabulous Flying Machines by Karyn Oliver, Fort Worth, TX
5 Fun in Heaven by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO
6 He Never Shrugged by Charles Carter, Terrell, TX
7 I Knew Her When by Wayne Garthright, Austin, TX
8. I'll Never be a Falling Star by Steve Ledford, Garland, TX
9 Inside My Dreams by Wayne Garthright, Austin, TX
10 Life Had Other Plans by Kate Sorrells, Mars Hill, NC
11 Love of a Good Man by Cara Anderton, Barnhart, PA
12 Petrified by Wayne Garthright, Austin, TX
13 Remember Me by Wayne Garthright, Austin, TX
14 Second Time Around by Michael Abbass, Denver, CO
15 She's Like a Melody by TommyPatterson, Comanche, TX
16 Shine On by Kate Sorrells, Mars Hill, NC
17 Someone, Somebody by Kent Strong, Chandler, AZ
18 Today and Tomorrow by Wayne Garthright, Austin, TX
19 When to Say When by Brock Riney, Grand Prairie, TX
20 Without Knowing the Night by Harri Wolf,Michael RJ Roth, Katherine Brack, Novato, CA

33rd Annual DSA International Song Contest Winners Announced in January at Awards Program

 Dallas Songwriters Celebrate Songwriting at Annual Awards Show

DSA celebrated winners from the Annual International Song Contest and the Young Songwriters Contest in January 2024.

 

Dallas, TX, February 24, 2024 --(Blogger.com)--The Dallas Songwriters Association presented their 33rd Annual Song Contest Awards highlighting 2023 songwriting contestants via Zoom with a live stream to Facebook featuring live performances by semifinalists, contest winners, and multiple presenters. 

“Their were so many talented entries,” said Americana Judge Jenni Mansfield Peel, "that it made my job very difficult ." “The songs just keep getting better each year."

Winners of the DSA 33rd Annual International Song Contest were announced in eight categories, plus the Grand Prize winners. http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com.

Judges were industry professionals who judged songs based on six elements of a song:  hook, melody, lyric, structure, originality, and truth.  DSA offered over $5,000 in prizes.  Each category winner won a free membership to DSA.  First Place winners received $100 and 2nd place winners received $50. 

Once again, DSA partnered with Broadjam, who provided fantastic prizes to some of our winners, including a 1-year Broadjam Primo MoB Membership ($199.95 Value). Other prizes awarded were: one song critique from Barbara McMillen, Associate Professor of Songwriting at Collin College, recording time at JoMusik Studio, and two tickets to Between the Waves Music Conference.     

33rd Annual Song Contest Awards

             Grand Prize Winners

 

M'Lynn Musgrove of Los Angeles, California, the Grand Prize Winner of the 2023 Dallas Songwriters Association International Song Contest is enjoying her new Casio PX-S1000 Privia Piano, for her song "Fade Away." She also placed 3rd with her song "Safety Net."

M’Lynn began writing songs at age of 12 after growing up in a musical family.  Her career began at age 15 while attending Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts where she was inspired and moved by her talented peers.
In 2016 she was a semi-finalist in the B.W. Stevenson Memorial Singer/Songwriter Competition hosted by Poor David's Pub, where she was the youngest participant. Also the same year she was accepted into the LA Grammy Summer Program at USC.
In 2017 she traveled back to LA to record at 64Sound Studios and created her first EP, “Grounding” which gained traction in Dallas and throughout global radio stations. Her song “Just Take Time” was named #2 of 2018 by Mi-Soul Radio in London, while another song off the EP. “Gave All My Love Away” was trending in France. Her two latest singles “T.F.I.L.” and “Paralyzed” were recorded locally in the summer of 2018, and released early 2019.
M’Lynn has been accepted into the music/songwriting programs at Berklee School of Music in Boston, The New School in NYC, Loyola, in New Orleans, Belmont University in Nashville and The University of Miami- Frost School of Music in Florida. She was one of 12 chosen for the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music songwriter program.
Besides being the DSA 2023 Song Contest grand prize winner for her song, “Fade Away” which also won 1st place in the Love Song/Easy Listening category, She is also a Grand prize runner-up for her song “Safety Net” which placed in the Pop/Rock category. "Safety Net" also made the top 10 out of thousands of entries in the Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf 2023.

 

The 2nd place Grand Prize Winner of the 2023 Dallas Songwriters Association International Song Contest is Wayne Gathright for his song “Country USA.” He also won first place in the Country category for his song "Close Enough" and Honorable Mention in the Singer Songwriter category for his song, "Behind A Wall". He was also the winner of the Dallas Songwriters Vern Daily Songwriter of the Year for 2023.

He was chosen 2019 'Songwriter of the Year' in Austin TX after winning 2 separate song contests in 2019 . He has also been the 'Publisher's Pick' at the Texas Songwriter's Symposium for multiple songs. He has written and recorded over 150 songs.

 Will Townsley from Arlington, Texas won a Grand Prize Honorable Mention for his song,"Nothing To Do With You". A former writer for Curb Publishing and Al Jolson/Black and White Music, both out of Nashville, Will Townsley’s songs have been recorded by Jason Ashley, Colt Prather, and others.
Will has performed with artists that include Sammy Kershaw and Joe Nichols and opened for Jake Owen, Brett Young, Chris Jansen, Richie McDonald (Lodestar), Larry Stewart (Restless Heart), Tim Rushlow (Little Texas), Blues Traveler, and The Wilder Blue. He has performed for major organizations including the Dallas Cowboys and was invited to perform at songwriter showcases that include the world-famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee and the Wildflower Music Festival.
Will teaches currently teaches music industry courses at the University of Texas–Arlington.

             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

 

Category Winners

 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

 

DSA honored Emma James of Corpus Christi, Tx with the Young Songwriters Award. https://youngsongwriterscontest.blogspot.com

 

 YOUNG SONGWRITERS CONTEST
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

 

 

DSA celebrates and continues to honor the hard work of their members by presenting the Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year Award and the Best Song of the Year Award on Feb 17th.

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About DSA

Dallas Songwriters Association is a 501 C-3 non-profit educational organization dedicated to enhancing the overall personal growth and professionalism of our members. With a passion for music and songwriting, DSA offers various events to support their members’ growth through workshops, open mics, networking, showcases, song contests, and community service.  Support DSA by visiting https://dallassongwriters.org/.

Contact

Dallas Songwriters Association

https://dallassongwriters.org

Winners of the SONGBIRD Awards 2023 plus some DSA Community Awards.

 On Saturday February 17, DSA gathered on Zoom for the Best Songs of the Meeting Awards Program. Barbara McMillen hosted the show along with presenters Michael Brandenberger, Bobby Montgomery, Bill Martin, Seth Ginsberg and Keith Dodson and our director Harry Hewlett.

Thanks to our performers Steve Ledford, Bill Martin, Wayne Willingham, Michael RJ Roth, Harri Wolf, Seth Ginsberg, Don Wall, Troy Inslee, Alexis Tapp, Keith Dodson, and Wayne Gathright the show was full of 21 wonderful songs between the awards given. 

DSA President Michael Brandenberger informed us of the new this year trophies to be given out for song and songwriter of the year will be called the SONGBIRD AWARD. 

Our sponsor JeriAlice of River Sounds Recording Resort was our judge and she presented the SONGBIRD AWARDS. 

Community Awards were given to Guitars and Growlers by Bill Martin, and Guitars For Vets Dallas by Bobby Montgomery.

WINNER OF THE VERN DAILY SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Vern Daily Songwriter of the Year - Wayne Gathright

Wayne Gathright written and recorded over 150 songs and garnered awards from Austin Songwriters, becoming ‘Songwriter of the Year’ in 2019. Wayne also won 3rd place in the Dallas Songwriting Competition, and has several ‘Publisher Picks’ in the Texas Songwriter’s Symposiums. Wayne is from Austin but has been an active DSA Member for the past two years.

WINNER OF THE SONG OF THE YEAR AWARD

Song of the Year -  Rattlesnake Rita by Keith Dodson

  

Keith Dodson retired from Raytheon as an engineer about 14 months ago to devote his time to songwriting. Besides being a DSA member and Director he is also involved in Acoustic Fridays in Lewisville where once a month they write a song with a prompt. Also he attends the Carrollton Bluegrass group once a monthly.

1st runner up I Hate Jazz by Wayne Gathright
                     Boxcar Lullaby by Steve Ledford
2nd runner up  There’s Always a Train by Steve Ledford
                        Bit By Bit by Wayne Gathright

2023 SEMIFINALISTS

Memorial Day by Eric Ramsey and Michael Roth
A Little More Time by Wayne Willingham
Rattlesnake Rita by Keith Dodson
Jonah Chapter 4 by Keith Dodson
There’s Always a Train by Steve Ledford
Boxcar Lullaby by Steve Ledford
I Hate Jazz by Wayne Gathright
Bit By Bit by Wayne Gathright
 Coming Home by Wayne  Gathright   
Country USA  by Wayne  Gathright    

32nd Annual Song Contest Awards Grand Prize Winners

On January 14, 2023, the DSA 2022 Song Contest Awards celebrated winners of the contest with a program that was live streamed to Facebook and now available on Youtube. The program features performances by contestants and announcements of the winners. Our grand prize winner is a French and Canadian national, Thierry Coupey. Second and third place runner up is Mike P Ryan.

Thierry Coupey of Quebec, Canada, the Grand Prize Winner of the 2022 Dallas Songwriters Association International Song Contest is enjoying his new Casio PX-S1000 Privia Piano, for his song "Redemption (The Last Waltz)."

Thierry also won all places in the category of Instrumental with Redemption, Soothing Times and Mes Series B. Born in France, he grew up studying classical and jazz. Work took him the Quebec, Canada where he has been living for more than 20 years. He joined the Broadjam community in 2012, as well as, SOCAN and began to pull together his creativity from the last 30 years. He posted his collective creative works in order to take advantage of the networking opportunities. If you visit his Broadjam site at https://www.broadjam.com/notabene you will notice that he has 149 songs posted. 

Thierry is an accomplished artist, a skill he has honed since childhood.

More on Thierry's art from his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thierry.coupey.notabene

I had an opportunity to ask Thierry a few questions.

DSA
1. How and when did you become a songwriter?

Thierry Coupey
Composing music has always been in my genes I think, as far as I can remember. It looks like I was born with a need to express myself in arts, drawing first, at age of 5, first sketches, female esquisses, but music writing took over around age of 10 or 12 I would say. I remember in my village in France, at age 15, with accademic courses, I got my parents enrolling the Choir 'Viens et Chante' and I was harmonizing a lot of songs for this 4 register choir. My sister Nathalie, at that time wrote also a few french lyrics songs as well on some of her melodies.It was only much later, that english song writing was tried in Canada, with my Broadjam membership since 2012

DSA
2. Are there any songwriters that influenced your writing? Do you do any co-writing?

Thierry Coupey
A lot... :-) And my old friends from France will smile :

Back in the beginning in French : Jean Jacques Goldman, Michel Berger, Charles Aznavour

In english : Elton John, Barclay James Harvest, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Roxy Music...Queen

More recently : Sarah Brightman, Hans Zimmer, Lady Antebellum

Since my english writing is not native, yes I do co writing in that sense. I bring the music and expect more expertise in the english lyric writing from peers.

Actually, when I write in englsih, I always try to get some input from co workers. I am discreetly asking fro their opinion at work (in the IT department of my employer, we have a lot of englophone / native bilingual people)

DSA
3. What is your writing process, i.e. do you start with a melody or something else? Do you write lyrics?

Thierry Coupey
Either way. Often I would say, I let my fingers free on the piano. And there comes a catchy melody or chord sequence. If it sounds a bit familiar, I try to alter a few things to make sure it is really an original. Recording this exercise on the spot as an draft audio is also essential, as it can take time to lay down my findings on paper.

When I am not on the keybord, say in the car, I may thing of a speech to a friend or family, for a special occasion, or to express how I feel. And a series of rhymes can come to my mind. People say I am a poet. But I am just trying to find the best word at the best place.

I really like writing because thoughts are so fluid and short life, that I better take my time to find the best way to express it. And laying things on paper, taking time to do so, really pays off. At least, for me.

I have also on hand a synonym dictionary, as well as rhymes dictionay, antonym...etc... in french and english. But honnestly,I sparsely use them. Excess will disrupt the sponaneity of thoughts and will certainly mask a big part of their authenticity.

DSA
4. How did your DSA song contest winner “Redemption” come about and why do you think it is such a good song?

Thierry Coupey
ceivedBeing recognized for hard work is the dream of all artists I think. Beyond money, prizes, etc... winning such a contest is the utlimate reward a music composer can dream of. Especially because it was against lyrics submissions, experienced songwriters, in all categories and genre.

Come on, how could one even imagine that would be possible ??

I was certain that my track Redemption was a good one. May be not by best shot I have ever produced. But now, with all the critiques received and the detailed analysis from Roy Elkins, I am certain it is a raw diamond that needs to be even more polished and used in a movie or a big scene soundtrack.

(See below for Roy’s critique of the song)

Inspiration on this music track emerged when a good friend of mine made me discover Charlotte Cardin's songs (who is getting international from Quebec I think). I also made french lyrics on Redemption, and got it sung by my old friend Ingrid (remote from France, with whom I collaborated a few times already) : a very emotional french song about Human Resilience : Guerrier Admirable

DSA
5. What advice do you always give to people who want to be songwriters or improve their songwriting?

Thierry Coupey
Write on paper. Not always on electronic devices as it slows down the natural flow of inspiration. Use pen and paper sheets. Listen to lyrics on radio, analyze, play with words, think outside of the box, say things differently.

Get an audio recorder on hand (just a push button) even in the car (or in the shower :-). Essence is to capture things as they flow.

Also dont hesitate to get feedback from friends, or even coworkers who dont necessarily know you intimately, so they will bring more objectivity to their insights.

I have followed the '50 songs You Should Write' Madison video broadcast by Roy Elkins, who gave me a great set of options to widen my inspiration. Like trying to compose in a different key, write on a specific subject, alter the tempo and time signature. Roy helped me a lot in this subject to improve. And I would recommend to follow his hints and tricks.

THINK AND EXPLORE: 50 Songs You Should Write with Roy Elkins | Making a living as a musician is difficult, but it can be done. Join local musician and Broadjam founder, Roy Elkins as he breaks down how to... | By DreamBank - Madison | Facebook

Thierry receiving the Privia keyboard

Judge Roy Elkins comments on the winning song, Redemption (The Last Waltz).

Easy, genius, humble, intellectual and respectful is how I would describe this piece. The song starts with a minimal drum beat in 6/8 time. At 12 seconds a simple melody begins on a B note on the 1 and easily plays to the 5th below on every note of the measure. Then the rhythm is repeated beginning on the D below playing a similar pattern. For the most part, the rhythm is repeated throughout the entire piece and one feels it building each time. But at 55 seconds it comes to a sliding mechanical stop, then repeats the rhythm pattern with another tasteful selection of notes. Some other effects are added in, eventually a violin with a counter melody. Then the arrangement picks up a little steam at 1:35 and the listener feel it’s ready to take off at any moment. Beautiful arpeggiated strings enter at 2:11. The listener continues to wait for it to explode as it grows a little more, then another mechanical stop, followed by sopranos that could have come directly from a Carl Orff rehearsal to this session. It never does detonate like I thought it might. It was disappointing, no wait a minute, it was genius. Clearly this writer has some training, coupled with natural talent as I feel they could have taken this to a whole different place, but the magic of this piece is “what they didn’t play.” Sometimes we writers want to cram as much in as possible, but this is a patient writer who knows how to captivate with simplicity. Brilliant work and I would love to hear more from him/her. Although this is not my favorite genre, it will be in my personal collection. Although the sound selection was brilliant, especially the sampled chorus, one could probably replace any of these sounds with any other sound and it would still work as the melody is so engaging. It’s a high quality melody and why this song is one the best in this competition. 

The 2nd and 3rd place Grand Prize Winner of the 2022 Dallas Songwriters Association International Song Contest is Mike P. Ryan for his songs Some Goodbyes (which place 3rd in the Singer Songwriter category) and Between Heaven and the Ground (which won an honorable mention in the Singer Songwriter category).”

Mike Ryan's Southwestern roots and keen eye for detail have made him a favorite among Texas music fans. He has been a finalist in The Kerrville Folk Festival “New Folk” competition and the Dallas-based Wildflower Singer/ Songwriter contest. He has performed twice at The Dripping Springs Songwriter Festival and is a semi-finalist in the past year’s Dallas Songwriter’s Association Song Contest. No stranger to success outside the Lone Star State, he has been a finalist in the Connecticut Folk Festival Songwriting Contest and a winner in American Songwriter Magazine’s lyrics contest. In 2017 he won first place in the Roots/Americana category of The Mid-Atlantic Song Contest. He is a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. You can find his website here: https://mikepryanmusic.com

Mike performed on the Awards show which is post on youtube HERE.

Judge Roy Elkins Comments:

2nd place Grand Prize Winner is Some Goodbyes 

A great hook. We all hear lots of songs about leaving, but this one is different. The singer is a son leaving home and talking about the advice his mother gave him as he was getting ready to go. She tells her son he’ll find love with this advice “You’ll swear that she’s your forever love, but the first one almost never is.” An excellent line. As he’s leaving, he sings, “We both laughed a little, when she said, I’m too tough to cry.” This song is filled with so many lines that could be hooks in other songs and is an example of a lyric that is perfectly coupled with the melody. If you read the lyric by itself, it is good. But with the melody it’s fantastic. My guess is this song was worked on and crafted as this is certainly done by a writer who has many songs under their belt. Congrats on this awesome piece of music. 

As I have said so many times before, it is difficult for an instrumental to win a songwriting competition. In the past, I think I have only picked one to win and very few have placed in the top 5. I listen to all of the songs about 10 – 15 times while evaluating. This year, one song stuck in my head through the whole process from the first listen to the end. I kept humming this tune over and over again.

3rd place Grand Prize Winner is Between Heaven and The Ground 

I enjoyed this a lot as the melody and “feel” of the song is amazing and Between Heaven Hell is a great hook. The melody is simple, pleasant to listen to and married well to the lyric. You can hear someone singing this around the campfire or sitting on a stool in a club. As I listen to this, I hear a potentially much larger song. I only say this from a commercial perspective, as I love the song exactly how it is. While I love story about flight, I think modifying the lyric to a vague reference of being high on love “Between Heaven and the Ground.” This could make a strong hook in a unique way to say the same thing writers have been saying for years, but with different words. If this was my song, I might experiment with a little “less about flight and more about love” approach and I don’t think you’d have to change many words around. It’s very good as is, my suggestion is for a broader commercial market and the ability for other genres to cover it I graded this very high. Hope this helps! Production note: Excellent, great recording of the vocal. 

More awards are planned for March 25th when DSA will honor Opening Bell, Tone Shop, 3 Amigos and Patty Allen Driver as outstanding community partners. 

DSA celebrates and continues to honor the hard work of their members by presenting the Vern Dailey Songwriter of the Year Award and the Best Song of the Year Award on March 25th.

DSA Facebook

DSA YouTube

 

 

About DSA

Dallas Songwriters Association is a 501 C-3 non-profit educational organization dedicated to enhancing the overall personal growth and professionalism of our members. With a passion for music and songwriting, DSA offers various events to support their members’ growth through workshops, open mics, networking, showcases, song contests, and community service.  Support DSA by visiting https://dallassongwriters.org/.

Contact

Dallas Songwriters Association

https://dallassongwriters.org