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Should I Join the Houston Songwriters Association?
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As past editor and board member of Houston Songwriters Association I often receive phone calls from folks who have started writing songs or are looking for a place to record their finished works. Each time I am reminded of how excited I felt after I finished My first song, and the ensuing bewilderment of what to do.
After I had made my first serious recording, the worst error I made was overlooking the importance of peer review, or the process which we in the group call "song critique". I never re-wrote. None of the songs I had written were ever placed with a publisher, label or artist, even after I found the names and addresses of the people who were supposed to be looking. Why? It was because the songs were not commercially viable. They were cute, well sung and well produced, but not anything an established artist would use on a recording for radio. Never mind that my first song
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was a prize-winner in several writing contests. That's OK. Some songs you write because you simply
must express an experience or feeling, but for radio you must observe certain rules that the listening
public has become conditioned towards. So as an un-published writer, you've taken a step in the
right direction- you've found us! When you attend your first meeting bring your latest song with you.
Preferably one you are still working on. Provide 25 copies of your lyric sheet, and recording of some kind.
We'll listen carefully put our suggestions on the page and give them back to you. After that you can decide
which changes are good for your tune and which ones miss the mark. When you get it recorded you can pitch
with confidence that you have done everything you can to make your song as successful as possible.
T.C. Smythe
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Houston Songwriters Association is financially supported through voluntary donations (nonrefundable) received from Membership Dues and public support. All donations are tax deductible. New Members pay an initial fee of $35 that is applied to the initial month of registration through December 31 of that calendar year only. Thereafter, Renewing Members pay an annual fee of $25 due in January of each calendar year covering January through December of that year. There are no prorated fees. Lifetime Members pay a onetime fee of $250 that covers all years HSA is in operation. HSA welcomes and greatly appreciates any donations beyond the standard Membership Fees. Members who pay dues also have added benefits such as: having their songs critiqued at the monthly meetings: entry into the monthly and yearly song contests: and voting privileges.
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Membership Rates |
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New
Renewals
Lifetime |
$35:00
$25:00
$250:00 |
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Payment Options |
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Snailmail :
Houston Songwriters Association
P. O. Box 1471
Sugar Land, TX 77487-1471
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PayPal
Click on the down arrow next to the "New Membership $35.00 USD" to select the membership type you want. Then click on the "Buy Now" button.
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Or simply visit one of our meetings and pay in person.
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