DALLAS SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2025 AT LOVE AND WAR ON APRIL 12.

 Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025 will feature young Rising Stars, DSA members and the DSA HOF Rising Star Band performing songs by our 2025 inductees at Love and War in Texas on Saturday, April 12. Doors open at 6pm, show begins at 7pm,

Each year Dallas Songwriters Assoc. holds our annual "Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame" in which we recognize, honor and induct those iconic singer, songwriters, musicians and industry persons who have roots in North Texas.

As part of our Rising Star Youth Program, we invite young "Rising Stars from local schools of music to join our DSA members backed up by the RISING STAR BAND on the big stage to perform one of our inductees songs (as listed below). The event will be held Saturday April 12, 2025 at LOVE & WAR PLANO, TEXAS.

The call went out to local schools of music last fall for young performers 18 years of age or under with talent and stage presence.

Hopefuls submitted a link with recent MP4 to HOF program director BobbyMontgomery. They also submitted the song that they wanted to perform from the list below. Performers were determined by the end of January 2025.

What a great opportunity to see a showcase of the young talent we have in North Texas! Also, DSA members will perform and present the performers. 

 

We are so lucky to have the very talented Patty Allen Driver from the Kids Who Rock as our Music Director this year.  The Rising Stars are working with her to prepare to perform with the band.

 

Again this year, Barbara McMillen will MC the program with help from presenter Alexis Tapp, Bobby Montgomery and Patty Allen Driver. 

 

Inductees for 2025 are:

 

  Earnest Tubb:  Walkin’ the Floor Over You; I Got Texas In My Soul; There’s a Little Bit of Everything In Texas; Tomorrow Nevers Comes; You Nearly Lose Your Mind, Waltz Across Texas

Ernest Tubb, nicknamed "The Texas Troubadour," was a pioneering American country music singer and songwriter, best known for his hit "Walking the Floor Over You" and his role in shaping the honky-tonk sound. Another well-known Tubb hit was "Waltz Across Texas" (1965) (written by his nephew Quanah Talmadge Tubb, known professionally as Billy Talmadge), which became one of his most requested songs and is often used in dance halls throughout Texas during waltz lessons. 
   Born in Crisp, Texas, in 1914, Tubb's early life was spent on farms and he was inspired by Jimmie Rodgers, learning to sing, yodel, and play guitar. 
He began his career in the 1930s, working on radio stations and in nightclubs, eventually landing a recording contract with RCA Victor in 1936 after being befriended by Rodgers' widow, Carrie.
      Tubb signed with Decca Records in 1940 and gained recognition for his honky-tonk style and hits like "Walking the Floor Over You" and "Soldier's Last Letter". 
    He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1943 and became a prominent figure in the country music scene, hosting the Midnight Jamboree radio and stage show and opening the Ernest Tubb Record Store in Nashville in 1947 which recently closed in May of 2022 after 75 years.
   Tubb was known for his duets, recording with acts like the Andrews Sisters, Red Foley, and Loretta Lynn.
     Beginning in the fall of 1965, he hosted a half-hour TV program, The Ernest Tubb Show, which aired in first-run syndication for three years.[15] That same year, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 1970, Tubb was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was known as having one of the best bands in country music history. He continued touring and recording until his death in 1984 at the age of 70.
     Tubb's contributions to country music are significant, and his legacy continues to be celebrated through his music and his influence on the genre.

Michael Nesmith:  Mary Mary; Different Drum; Silver Moon; Tapioca Tundra; Some of Shelly’s Blues

Michael Nesmith, was an American musician, songwriter, actor, producer, and author, best known as a member of the Monkees, but also for his solo work and as a pioneer in music videos and film production.
    Born Robert Michael Nesmith in Houston, Texas, in 1942, he later moved to Dallas with his mother. Nesmith attended Thomas Jefferson High School  in Dallas, where he participated in choral and drama activities, but before graduating he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1960 where he served 2 years.
     His mother, Bette, invented Liquid Paper, the correction fluid which was sold in 1979 for 47.5 million.
     He pursued a career in music, initially under the name "Michael Blessing".
In 1966, he became a member of the Monkees and co-starred in their TV series through 1968.
     He wrote songs for the Monkees, including "Mary, Mary", "The Girl I Knew Somewhere", "Tapioca Tundra", "Circle Sky", and "Listen to the Band".  Also his song "Different Drum" became a hit for the Stone Poneys featuring Linda Ronstadt.
      After leaving the Monkees, he formed The First National Band, which would begin his successful solo career as the "Father of Country-Rock". 
      He released several albums, including "The Wichita Train Whistle Sings" (1968), "Magnetic South" (1970), and "Loose Salute" (1970).
      In 1974, he founded the multimedia company Pacific Arts, expanding from music to video and then film. He produced the cult films "Repo Man" in 1984 and "Tapeheads"  in 1988. Nesmith won a Grammy Award for Elephant Parts, a music video he created, in 1981, which was the first Grammy Award for a music video. He also created the TV show PopClips, a forerunner of what would become MTV.
    In 2017, Nesmith published a memoir, "Infinite Tuesday: An Autobiographical Riff".  We lost him to heart failure on December 10, 2021, at the age of 78.
 

Michael Martin Murphy:  Wildfire; What’s Forever For; A Long Line of Love; A Face In the Crowd; From the Word Go

Michael Martin Murphey is an American singer-songwriter best known for his Western music, country, and pop, and for his role as a prominent musical voice for the Western horseman, rancher, and cowboy. 
    Murphey was born in 1945 in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas where he grew up. He developed a love for cowboy songs and stories from a young age, influenced by his family's ranching background and his uncle's old 78 rpm records. 
    He began performing as an amateur and later as a camp counselor, eventually taking his first "professional" music job at a Texas ranch.
  After graduating from Adamson High School, Murphey studied Greek at the University of North Texas.  As a member of the Folk Music Club, he befriended Steve Fromholtz, Ray Willie Hubbard, Shiva’s Headband fiddler Spenser Pershin and Armadillo World Headquarters co-founder Eddie Wilson. Murphey then moved to California, where he studied creative writing and literature at UCLA.  He signed a publishing contract with the Sparrow Music company, and soon he made a name for himself in the LA folk music scene. By 1964, he formed a musical group with an old Texas friend, Michael Nesmith, John London, and John Raines, under the name the Trinity River Boys.
    Murphey's first big break came through his friend Nesmith, when Nesmith asked Murphey to write them a song for the next Monkees album, and with Owen Castleman, Murphey composed "What Am I Doing Hangin' Round" (under the pseudonyms Travis Lewis and Boomer Clarke). The album sold over five million copies.
     In 1975, Murphey released his seminal album, Blue Sky-Night Thunder,    generated two hit singles:  Carolina in the Pines” and his Platinum signature song, Wildfire”, a sentimental song about the ghosts of a woman and her horse.  As a boy, he first heard from his grandfather the story of a ghost horse rescuing people in the desert. Years later, Murphey had a dream about this ghost horse and wrote the words and music the same day with songwriter Larry Cansler. The song reached No. 2 in Cash Box and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, giving Murphey a new level of commercial success and exposure. The song eventually surpassed two million in US sales and was awarded platinum by theRIAA 2001. The song's harmonies were supplied by Jeff Hanna and Jimmy Ibbotson from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the piano introduction and ending coda played by jazz pianist Jac Murphy. The introduction is based on a piece by the Russian classical composer Alexander Scriabin.
      Murphey shifted his focus to country music in the 1980s, achieving success with his 1982 number one country hit, What’s Forever For, which was rocorded by DSA HOF inductees England Dan and John Ford Coley three years earlier.
      He later became a key figure in the Western music revival, releasing albums like Cowboy Songs and Cowboy Christmas.  Murphey founded WestFest, a yearly cultural festival, as a way to preserve memories and images of the Old West.
     His accolades include the Charlie Russell Award for Western Heritage, multiple Wrangler awards, induction into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 59th Annual Western Heritage Awards.  Today, Murphey is recognized as a prominent musical voice for the Western horseman, rancher, and cowboy, and is a passionate advocate for the American West.

Edie Brickell:  Love Like We Do; Good Times; Mama Help Me; A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall; Tomorrow Comes 

Edie Brickell was born in the area of Dallas called Oak Cliff in 1966. She was raised by her older sister, and attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, She also studied at Southern Methodist University until she joined a band and decided to focus on songwriting.
       In 1985, Brickell was invited to sing one night with friends from her high school in a local folk rock group, New Bohemians, and she then joined the band as lead singer. After the band was signed to a recording contract, the label changed the group’s name to Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Their 1988 debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, became a critical and commercial success, including the Top Ten single “What I Am”. With two albums and those tours under their belt, Brickell became known as a singer who could create lyrics on the spot. Of this talent she said, “It’s nothing special...strange thoughts are always running through my head.”. Of her solo career, Brickell had a role as a folk singer in the ‘89 film Born on the Fourth of July, and her version of Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” is featured on the film’s soundtrack.. She also sang a cover version of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” in the 1990 film Flashback. I admire that Edie is still working in music, forming a new band in 2023. As many know, Edie Brickell married much older man, the singer-songwriter Paul Simon in ‘92. She tells the story that she was performing “What I Am” on Saturday Night Live on November 5, 1988, when she noticed Paul Simon standing in front of the cameraman. “Even though I’d performed the song hundreds of times in clubs, he made me forget how the song went when I looked at him. We can show our
three kids the tape now and say, “Look, that’s when we first laid eyes on each other”.

Demi Lovato:  Confident; Really Don’t Care; Stone Cold; Give Your Heart a Break; Skyscraper

Demi Lovato was born in ’92 in New Mexico to musician Patrick Martin Lovato and
former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Dianna Lee Hart. Lovato began playing piano at seven and guitar at 10, was brought up in Dallas where she took her first acting classes, was home schooled when not attending Grapevine High School, and scored her first acting role on Barney & Friends which was shot in Dallas . She continued in acting, having parts on two different Disney shows and then landing starring roles in the movies Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2, and while filming Camp Rock, Lovato recorded songs for the film’s soundtrack. As she grew into adulthood, she was cast in the groundbreaking series Glee, Will and Grace, X Factor, and Child Star (which she co- directed). Even though her early focus was acting, Lovato has sold over 24 million records in the United States and has also received numerous accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, fourteen Teen Choice Awards, five People’s Choice Awards, two Latin American Music Awards, and a Guinness World Record; she was also included on the Time Magazine 100 Sexiest Women Annual List in 2017. She co- founded a record label, Safehouse Records, with singer Nick Jonas in 2015. As for her personal life, she is an activist for various social causes, has been open about her various emotional struggles, wrote the self-help memoir Staying Strong: 365 Days a Year and released the documentaries, and Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil. 

 

Kacey Musgraves:  High Horse; Merry Go ‘Round; My House; Space Cowboy; Butterflies

Kacey Musgraves (born 6 weeks pre-mature in 1988 in Golden, Texas) is an American singer, songwriter who started writing at age 8, plays mandolin, guitar, and harmonica, and toured Texas as a duo called Two Bits before being invited to perform at President George W. Bush’s “Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball”. She appeared on the fifth season of Nashville Star, where she may have only finished seventh but afterward signed a deal with Mercury Nashville and released her first hit single “Merry Go Round”, leading to her winning her first Grammy for Best Country Album 2013. She’s continued her success with follow up albums, and her fourth one, “Cowgirl”, won all four of its nominated Grammy categories, including Album of the Year and Best Country Album.
Kacey did the work to get where she is. She’s won multiple national yodeling contests and sang the National Anthem at the Winter Olympics, won Eight Grammys, seven Country Music Assoc Awards, and four Academy of Country Music Awards. Kacey is an amazing songwriter who writes about the world she sees and how she sees it, even if it’s sometimes considered a bit controversial. She’s been on just about every TV talk show there is and has toured with Katy Perry, Willie Nelson, Allison Krause, and has recorded duets with many well-known artists, some of those songs receiving their own Grammys.

 

Danny Eaton: Legendary Concert Promoter

Veteran concert promoter Danny Eaton started his career producing concerts in Dallas and Austin, Texas, going back to the 1970s for artists including ZZ Top (which he also managed for eight years), Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge, ELO, Black Sabbath and more.
   After his foray into management with ZZ Top, Eaton started his own production company, Eaton Page Productions, where he promoted shows with Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, The Kings and more. In the 1980s, he found 462 Productions in Dallas.
     In 1995, Eaton was named Pollstar’s Independent Promoter of the Year with 462 Concerts, Eaton later produced concerts with Eagles, Paul McCartney, The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, and more. Eaton joined AEG Live in 2004, where he was primarily responsible for rebuilding the once bankrupt Nokia Live Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas. Eaton joined Live Nation in 2010, becoming the company’s SVP in Dallas.
   Most recently,  Eaton has joined Outback Presents as Senior Vice President with plans to help the company grow its already prolific business and help expand the Outback brand. 

 

Rising Stars Band
1.      Patty Driver (Band Director) and President of Kids Who Rock, Corp. has been A Realtor by day and rocker by night for over 20 years. Patty leads and organizes our summer camp program, Theater club & extracurricular activities for the 10th year for KWR. Patty and her husband, Thomas Driver, have played in a band together since 2009 First in a Joan Jett tribute and then original music with their band MADWAK. After growing up in church singing with her brother and grandmother playing piano Patty doesn’t remember a day when she wasn’t on stage in front of people. Her passion is Music, Kids Who Rock and real estate.
2.      John Clark (Lead Guitar) Originally from Tucson Arizona, he is a graduate of the University of Utah music program with a double major in composition and jazz performance. John received the President’s Award and was placed on the Dean’s list for the music department and was a member of the University Jazz Guitar Ensemble. John is an application engineer Harman International (currently the largest audio company in the world) and is involved daily with audio system design and integration and support for BSS Audio and IDX systems. At Harman, John is involved in audio design and works on many high-profile audio systems including NFL arenas, Las Vegas casinos, international airports and large theme parks. In his spare time, he composes music in his home studio, works on computers, and of course plays guitar.
3.      Thomas Gillis Jr (Drummer) Tom is a Grammy award winning audio engineer for stage and studio, guitar tech/luthier, musician, audio repairman, and so much more. Tom has been a part of Kids Who Rock since 2020, teaching bass, (although my primary instrument is drums/percussion), Tom started playing drums when he was 14, guitar at 17, and got his first bass at 20 years old. At that time Tom took music lessons during his time at Loyola University New Orleans to learn piano and to further his knowledge of guitar and music theory, as well as audio engineering. Since then, Tom has been acquiring and putting those skills into work helping songwriters make the most of their creations by recording, augmenting, and helping perform their music as they envision it. Every year Tom takes two weeks to record bands performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival helping spread the word about the good music there. Tom said, “I am, and continue to be, inspired by songwriters and musicians that I have met throughout my life”. 
4.      Thomas Driver (Bass guitar) on “Confident & Butterflies”.  Thomas has been the bassist for original music in local bands for many years, included, but not limited to A Jury of Robots and the band MADWAK who he shares songwriting with his wife, Patty Wak. Thomas is the VP of Kids Who Rock, Corp. and is a strong supporter. He raised 3 daughters and has a grand baby on the way.
5.      Larry Freeman (Bass guitar) on “My House” – Larry has been a Kids Who Rock volunteer since 2019 and  Assistant for the KWR Theater Club. Larry’s daughter, Donna, was a KWR student, is a current volunteer and was the first recipient of the annual Kids Who Rock graduate scholarship! Larry is a bass player, guitar player and vocalist in local bands since the 1980s, and his solo project is called the Freeman Band.  Larry currently playing in the Bridgepoint Church Praise Band in Lavon Texas and he loves helping out with the Kids Who Rock organization any chance he get! Because KIDS ROCK!
6.      Michelle Johnson (Rhythm guitar) “Give me a moment and I’ll tell you a story with music and song”.  Michelle was born not a musical family and taught herself how to play guitar as a child. It started with 3 chords and an Eagles song book. Michelle has taken the music biz to the highest point of a rock-n-roll band to playing acoustic shows and country songs. Being a singer/songwriter/guitar player has been one of the best blessings because for Michelle to have met so many beautiful people in my life including the Chicks Who Rock.  
Michelle has recorded and published 2 full length original albums with a successful tribute band honoring Black Sabbath called “Blonde Sabbath”.  She’s a hairdresser/make-up/photographer chick and also teaches guitar lessons. Michele says she has enjoyed the time with these Kids Who Rock as a Summer camp volunteer guitar/vocal coach.
7.      Sara Pray (Rhythm Guitar) Sara grew up loving music, but it was a tongue cancer diagnosis and recovery in 2010 that was the catalyst for Sara to make a change and start a band like she'd always dreamed.     She formed the classic rock band, Good Therapy, in 2015 and the band performed in the DFW area until they disbanded in 2021.  These days Sara stays busy with her band Vinyl Reality as well as solo music and standup comedy performances. She teaches Guitar with Chicks Who Rock summer camp and is a Round Table Leader.
8.      Alana Carol – (Vocal Coach/Backing Vocals) Alana is an executive Round Table Leader, & Compassionate Chick (Who Rocks!), she attended Bishop Lynch High School & Salem College Alumna. Alana was a choral performer for many years, traveling to Greece to sing the Verdi Requiem at the Apollo Theater, was directed by the infamous Eric Whitacre, moved to tears performing spirituals by Moses Hogan at ACDA & now a Sound Recordist for NOLA's Jazz fest with a Grammy award winning team.  She often breaks into song in her everyday life, being referred to as the human jukebox. :) Alana believes Kids Who Rock is the place to be, encouraging music to connect us beyond the beat.
9.      Andrew Penland (Bassist) Andrew is a Dallas, TX based bassist that got his start in the Deep Ellum music scene with multiple bands since the mid 2000’s. He is the bassist for national touring metalcore band Light the Fire since 2010. With Light the Fire, he has been a signed recording artist that has toured the United States 13 times, written and recorded on multiple albums that charted on the Billboard Music Top 200, and has amassed over 5 million streams on Spotify alone. Andrew loves what “Kids Who Rock” is about and is honored to be involved because of Eden Taylor. Performed/Recorded with: Light the Fire, System Overload, Black Tie Vendetta, Poor Bastards, Jonathan Jeter & The Revelators
10.   Patrick Penland (Drums for “What I Am) Pat is a retired defense contractor who has been singing and playing drums and percussion since age 8. He grew up in Fort Worth playing in rock bands with his brother and his best friend. He also played congas and percussion in a disco band in college in the 1970s, and has played and sung in numerous classic rock and cover bands over the past 25 years. Aside from music, Pat spends time building wheelchair ramps, delivering Meals on Wheels, and figuring taxes under the AARP Tax Aide volunteer program. Pat is married to his college sweetheart Marcie and is the father of Kids Who Rock bass player Andrew. He is here supporting Eden Taylor.
11.   Kevin Dell Greer (Harmonica for “My House”) Kevin has been a musician for 48 years. Got it from his father, who was a famous 50's Rocker. Kevin’s influences are Ronnie James Dio and Nat King Cole. He owns his own studio, RavenSong Productions. Kevin makes music videos for other musicians and is working on an album with various musicians. Kevin has been playing harmonica since he was 13 and was trained by an old blues harmonica player. He has blown harp with Joe Jonas and Curly Barefoot Miller. Kevin joined Kids Who Rock in 2020 for the Virtual Summer Camp.
12. Emmeline Miles (Keyboard)– Dr. Emmeline Miles is a pint-sized singer-songwriter from Dallas, TX with a soulful voice and an infectious smile. Called a “piano-focused Joni Mitchell” by DFW’s beloved Ghost of Blind Lemon blog and “a must-see Texas artist” by the Dallas Morning News, Emmeline’s jazzy take on folk-pop delivers detailed, heartfelt stories about love, loss, hope, perseverance, and triumph in the face of adversity. She has been a finalist for the Al Johnson Performing Songwriter Contest at the Wildflower Festival and RAW Artists' Dallas Musician of the Year. When she’s not playing music, Emmeline is a proud teacher of phenomenally unique and talented musicians, wife to an amazing—and musical!—husband, and mom to a rescue lab mix, Chloe. She is blessed to be surrounded by people and dogs who inspire her to be better in every way.

 

PERFORMERS

DSA

 

Wayne Willingham Wayne stepped away from the music industry to work in a tech job. After a 20 year self-imposed exile and four albums, Wayne is reestablished as a performer and recording artist having recently completed his 5th album and toured the east coast and south in support. The voice clearer, the guitar work impeccable, the songs more insightful. Pandemic be damned, the show goes on. Wayne is back performing original songs and covers and has a program for seniors. Wayne won DSA’s Vern Dailey Song of the Year Award in 2022 for his song, “Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.” See the DSA Songwriter Spotlight on Wayne with performance and interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyqsbP1HvHc For more info: https://www.waynewillingham.com

 

Rio King
Born in Wichita Falls and spending his teen years in Dallas, Rio went to Lubbock’s Texas Tech to go to college, raise a family and, as it turned out, start a band, “The Techniques”, Playing rock and roll throughout West Texas and New Mexico, they scored a regional hit single, “Dream Theme”, recorded by the famous Norman Petty at his Clovis, NM studio. Switching to Texas music, Rio later became a Songwriter Finalist for two years at Rod Kennedy’s Kerrville Folk Festival. The past several years he’s continued his songwriting, garnering awards from DSA, including Songwriter of the Year in 2015 and enjoyed performing solo and sitting in with local bands in the Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin areas.  https://www.facebook.com/riokingtexas. https://www.rioking.com/

 

 

RISING STARS

1.     Lillian (Lily) Jemison is a 14-year old freshman at Sachse High School with a passion for music and community service. She is a member of the school's A Cappella choir and sings in the varsity pop A Capella group, Spur of the Moment. A talented multi-instrumentalist, she plays guitar, piano, and bass guitar in addition to her vocal skills. Beyond school and music, she has been actively involved with Kids Who Rock Camps for the last two years and looks forward to helping younger kids explore their passion for music too.
2.     Taylor Alyne is a 17-year-old singer, songwriter, performer, and musician. She currently attends Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. With a voice that belies her age, this young artist has been performing continually for 5+ years, entertaining families for as much as 120 hours a month!  
With a passion for sultry soul, country, pop, Taylor Alyne brings her  A-game with remixes of popular covers as well as sprinkling in her brand of songwriting and originals.
Taylor has earned over 100 appearances for the national anthem, Enchant, KidZania, Crayola Experience, Pro Sporting Events, Cartoon Network, political rallies, charity events and festivals, veteran events, private young teen parties, opening for the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks. She has done volunteer performances with national and local organizations such as Big Brother Big Sister, Dallas Fashion Stars for a Cause (suicide prevention), CASA, Kids who Rock, Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Music Meets Medicine.
3.     Eden Taylor - 11 years old - has been a part of KWR for a year and a half. She played drums in her band and helped write a song together in just 5 days. Eden has also performed in Seasonal Performances and Theater Club Programs produced by Kids Who Rock. Eden Said, “I want to be a singer in a band one day. I also enjoy playing guitar, piano, and drums. I guess you could call me a one-man band.”
4.     Ellah Blake, is 14 years old. According to Ellah. “I have been with Chicks Who Rock Camp for about 2 years writing songs and performing. Even though I have some stage fright I become more confident with each performance.” Not only does Ellah sing, but She also does figure skating and horseback riding.  Ellah and Claire Causey, who is singing back up with the Kids Who Rock band, grew up on the same street and have performed at several events together.
5.    Lavada Barnes  is a 17-year-old junior at Flower Mound HS who is involved in Speech and the Debate Team. Vada has studied voice and songwriting at Chicks Who Rock camp for years and was a Hall of Fame Rising Star in 2022, 2023, 2024 before this year. Lavada  loves hanging out with her friends and family and playing music any chance she gets.  Her mother, Regan Rodriguez, is a piano teacher and her sister is Junia Rodriguez who is singing back-up in the Kids Who Rock Band.
6.   Tayah Bell, 15,  is a freshman at Clark HS in Plano & very active in theater & choir! Tayah is originally from the SF Bay Area and started performing at age 6. Tayah has been attending and volunteering at Kids Who Rock Camps for the last 3 years and loves working with the younger kids and seeing their love of music grow.
7.  Bella Raper is a senior at The Hockaday School. She has been in productions of The Addams Family and A Year with Frog and Toad, and she most recently starred as Cinderella in the school’s production of Into the Woods. Bella has also been honored three times with the Judge’s Choice Award at the DMTA Jazz Pop Festival. In her free time, Bella loves to sing and scrapbook. She also enjoys fashion and photography. She is grateful for the support of her parents, Lisa and Brad, and her voice teacher, Emmeline Miles.  
8. Becca Hayes is a teen singer-songwriter from Dallas, TX. She began studying piano ten years ago and layered on vocals and guitar. Becca covers a variety of music genres, including pop, folk, and country. Her influences include Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter. Becca has begun writing and recording her own songs, and she hopes to release original music soon.
9. Kenzie Hutcheson
Kenzie is 15 and attends Warren Middle School in Forney where she is  a sophomore cheerleader.. She has played roles in theater productions including, Willy Wonka, It’s A Wonderful Life , Annie and Hankerin’ Hillbillies,  She is active in  volleyball and she performs on TikTok singing duets with her sister, Hailey. She was a DSA Hall of Fame Rising Star in 2024.

 

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES FOR 2025

 Induction ceremony is set for the 3rd weekend in April. Young performers are invited to perform the songs.

Edie Brickell:  Love Like We Do; Good Times; Mama Help Me; A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall; Tomorrow Comes

Michael Nesmith:  Mary Mary; Different Drum; Silver Moon; Tapioca Tundra; Some of Shelly’s Blues

 Earnest Tubb:  Walkin’ the Floor Over You; I Got Texas In My Soul; There’s a Little Bit of Everything In Texas; Tomorrow Nevers Comes; You Nearly Lose Your Mind

Michael Martin Murphy:  Wildfire; What’s Forever For; A Long Line of Love; A Face In the Crowd; From the Word Go

Kacey Musgraves:  High Horse; Merry Go ‘Round; My House; Space Cowboy; Butterflies

Demi Lovato:  Confident; Really Don’t Care; Stone Cold; Give Your Heart a Break; Skyscraper

Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame 2024 at Love and War

 Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame 2024 will feature young Rising Stars, DSA members and BYO band performing songs by our 2024 inductees at Love and War in Texas on Saturday, April 20. Doors open at 6pm, show begins at 7pm,

Each year Dallas Songwriters Assoc. holds our annual "Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame" in which we recognize, honor and induct those iconic singer, songwriters, musicians and industry persons who have roots in North Texas.

As part of our Rising Star Youth Program, we invite young "Rising Stars from local schools of music to join our DSA members backed up by the BYO BAND on the big stage to perform one of our inductees songs (as listed below). The event will be held Saturday April 20, 2024 at LOVE & WAR PLANO, TEXAS.

The call went out to local schools of music last fall for young performers 18 years of age or under with talent and stage presence.

Hopefuls submitted a link with recent MP4 to HOF program director BobbyMontgomery. They also submitted the song that they wanted to perform from the list below. Performers were determined by the end of January 2024.

What a great opportunity to see a showcase the young talent we have in North Texas! Also, DSA members will present the performers. 

 

We are so lucky to have the very talented Sue Schiltz from the BYO Band as our Music Director again this year.  The Rising Stars are working with her to prepare to perform with the band.

 

Again this year, Barbara McMillen will MC the program with help from presenters Michael Brandenberger, Harry Hewlett, Keith Dodson, Troy Inslee, Alexis Tapp, and Bobby Montgomery. 

 

Here is the link to the YouTube video:

DSA HALL OF FAME - 2024 Hall of Fame will be on April 20th at Love and War- 

2024 Inductees: Michael Aday (Meat Loaf), Tom Douglas, Nora Jones, Erykca Badu, Billy Joe Shaver, Buck Owens, Miranda Lambert, KNON, Jack Calmes, Chuck Rainey

https://dallassongwritershalloffame.blogspot.com/

https://youtu.be/8_ZzKed5VSE?si=9OHiIFnxmXcqq9GJ

 

Here are inductees and their most popular songs. 

 

Tom Douglas - Presented by Brando

The House That Built Me - performed by Kenzie Hutcheson

Little Rock - performed by Wayne Willingham

Southern Voice

Grown Men Don’t Cry

Meanwhile Back at Mama’s

I Got a Car

 

Thomas Stevenson Douglas is an American country music songwriter that has written Top 10 Billboard Country hits for John Michael Montgomery, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Collin Raye, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney and others.
Tom graduated from Oglethorpe University in 1975, and from Georgia State University in 1977 with an MBA. He worked in Atlanta for a time selling advertising but decided to quit his job to pursue his calling in songwriting. At the age of 27, Douglas opened a small publishing company with two of his friends and moved to Nashville to pursue music for four years.  During his time in Nashville, he met his wife, Katie, with whom he decided to move to Dallas to work in commercial real estate, including at the Hank Dickerson Company where the current DSA president, Michael Brandenberger, met Tom and worked with him on occasion. Tom was a member of the Dallas Songwriters Association during the 90's.
Tom lived in Dallas for 13 years where he would raise 3 children, but in 1993, after revisiting songwriting as a hobby, Douglas attended a songwriters’ seminar in Austin and he played his song “Little Rock” for producer/publisher Paul Worley, who decided to take some of Tom's songs back to Nashville with him. One of his first cuts, "Little Rock," recorded by Collin Raye, made it to the country top ten in 1994, peaking at #2.   "Little Rock" was nominated for Song of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1994,[ and received a "Million-Air" award from Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) for receiving one million spins on country radio.  Douglas then signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing in June 1994, and returned to Nashville, Tennessee in 1997.
Douglas topped the charts again in 1998 with his second number-one hit, “The Gift”, as recorded by and co-written with Jim Brickman.  In 2001, Douglas started co-writing for Tim McGraw, and wrote the Number One singles "Grown Men Don't Cry" and "Southern Voice," as well as the Top Five songs "My Little Girl" (which also became the end title for the Fox film, “Flicka” in 2006) and "Let It Go."  He co-wrote on McGraw's 2015 album Damn Country Music As well. He also co-wrote Martina McBride's "Love's the Only House," as well as Antebellum’s Number One "I Run to You." In 2009 Tom received the rare Triple Play Award, in which he had three number one hits in a year. These included Lady Antebellum's “I Run To You”, followed by Tim McGraw's “Southern Voice” and Miranda Lambert's “The House That Built Me”. 

Billy Joe Shaver - Presented by Harry

Georgia On a Fast Train - performed by Bella Raper

Wacko From Waco

Old Chunk of Coal -performed by Rio King

Live Forever

Honky Tonk Heroes

Black Rose

 

Billy Joe was born in1939 in Corsicana, Tx and raised in a nightclub by his single mother. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade to pick cotton, and at seventeen he entered the Navy. Upon release he returned to Texas, and while working in a lumber mill to earn a living for his new wife and son, he lost two fingers in a mill accident. Despite that, he learned how to play the guitar.

When he set out hitchhiking to Los Angeles, he couldn’t get a ride west, so he crossed to the other side of the rode and went east, eventually winding up in Nashville. When he was able to get a job as a songwriter for $50 a week, he caught the attention of Waylon Jennings, who filled his next album (Honky Tonk Heroes) with Billy Joe’s songs.

His most notable songs are: Honky Tonk Heroes, Live Forever, Tramp on Your Street, and Old Chunk of Coal. He’s had songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson, David Allen Coe, Waylon Jennings, The Highwaymen, Willie Nelson, Patty Douglas, and Joe Ely. Old Chunk of Coal,” was recorded by John Anderson’s and reached number 4 on Billboard’s “Hot Country Singles.” In 2019 received the Poet’s Award from the Academy of Country Music.

His son, Eddy, who was a guitar virtuoso died in 2000 at the age of 38. Billy Joe had a heart attack the following year but survived to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and he was inducted in into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2007 he shot a man outside a bar in Lorena, but was acquitted in 2010 with support of Willie Nelson and Robert Duvall. In 1999 he was in the movie The Apostle opposite the actor Robert Duvall. Billy Joe died October 28, 2020 in Waco, Tx. 

Nora Jones - Presented by Barbe
Chasing Pirates
Thinking About You
What Am I To You
Sunrise
Don’t Know Why - performed by Taylor Aline
Come Away With Me - performed by Dylan George

Norah Jones was born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar on March 30, 1979, in Manhattan, New York City, to American concert producer Sue Jones and Indian Bengali musician Ravi Shankar. After her parents separated in 1986, Jones lived with her mother, growing up in Grapevine, Texas where she was listening to her mothers records of Bill Evans and Billie Holiday, As a child, Jones began singing in church and also took piano and voice lessons. She attended Grapevine Middle School and Grapevine High School before transferring to Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. Her music took its first form early on in the local Methodist Church where she regularly sang solos. While in high school, she sang in the school choir, participated in band, and played the alto saxophone. She attended Interlochen Center for the Arts during the summers. While at high school, she won the Down Beat Student Music Awards for Best Jazz Vocalist (twice, in 1996 and 1997) and Best Original Composition (1996). At the age of 16, with both parents' consent, she officially changed her name to Norah Jones.
Jones attended the University of North Texas (UNT), where she majored in jazz piano and sang with the UNT Jazz Singers. During this time, she had a chance meeting with future collaborator Jesse Harris. In 1999, Jones left Texas for New York City. Less than a year later, she started a band with Harris, and her recordings with them were bestsellers.
In 2002, Jones launched her solo music career with the release of Come Away with Me, which was a fusion of jazz with country, blues, folk and pop. It was certified diamond, selling over 27 million copies. The record earned Jones five Grammy Awards, including the Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist, making her the first Indian-American person of South Asian descent to win that many Grammy awards.[6] Her subsequent studio albums—Feels Like Home (2004), Not Too Late (2007), and The Fall (2009)—all gained platinum status, selling over a million copies each. They were also generally well received by critics.[8] Jones's fifth studio album, Little Broken Hearts, was released on April 27, 2012; her sixth, Day Breaks, was released on October 7, 2016. Her seventh studio album, Pick Me Up Off the Floor, was released on June 12, 2020. Jones made her feature film debut as an actress in My Blueberry Nights, which was released in 2007.
She has won several awards for her music and, as of 2023, had sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Billboard named her the top jazz artist of the 2000s decade. She has won nine Grammy Awards and was ranked 60th on Billboard magazine's artists of the 2000s decade chart.
Jones is currently on a world tour with her band in support of her new album release, Visions. 

 

 

Buck Owens - Presented by Keith

Crying Time

I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail - performed by Claire Causey and Junia Rodriguez

Love’s Gonna Live Here - performed by Sue Schiltz

Together Again

Under Your Spell Again

Texas Connections:
Alvis Edgar Owens Jr. was born August 12, 1929 on his family’s farm outside of Sherman, Texas – about 50 miles north of Dallas. The family had a mule they used on the farm named “Buck”. When young Alvis was 3 or 4 years old, he came into the house one day and announced that his name was also Buck. The name stuck, and Buck Owens is how we know and love him today. Later, the family moved to Garland, Texas where his father worked on a dairy farm. Buck went to first through third grade in Garland.
Surviving the dust bowl:
Life for the Owens family was hard. In addition to a severe economic depression gripping the country, the central plains of the United States were experiencing severe drought – causing the great “Dust Bowl”. One thing that kept them going was the family’s love of music. His mother played the piano and taught the children gospel music through the Baptist Church.
In 1935, the family moved to Mesa, Arizona. Buck continued his education, but he didn’t really care for formal schoolwork. He found that he could satisfy many school requirements by singing or acting in school plays, which he did as often as he could.
Buck quit school in the ninth grade to help out on his family’s farm and launch a career in music. He had learned to play guitar, mandolin, horns and drums. He obtained an electric steel guitar and his father converted an old radio into an amplifier for him. Though the family was skeptical of their son’s musical ambitions, they supported him nonetheless. He began playing in bars – passing the hat – and also playing on local radio.
Bakersfield:
In the late 1940s, Buck started working as a truck driver. Some of his trips took him to Bakersfield, California – a haven for dust bowl refugees with a budding music scene. He and his first wife moved there in 1951. Soon, he was traveling to Hollywood to work as a session player, recording with Tennessee Ernie Ford, Wanda Jackson, Tommy Duncan, etc. He released his first solo single – a rockabilly number called “Hot Dog” – under the pseudonym “Corky Jones” so that being associated with rock and roll would not tarnish his budding country music career. Eventually, he would release numerous country songs that became hits and established himself as one of the great founders of what became known as the “Bakersfield Sound”.
Success and Accolades:
Buck has released 39 studio albums, 9 live albums, and 97 singles. Twenty One of those singles (such as “Act Naturally”, “Love’s Gonna Live Here”, “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail”, and “The Streets of Bakersfield”) were number one country hits in the USA. Buck was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996. He was named as #12 in CMT’s Greatest Men in Country Music in 2003. In addition to being a member of the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, he is now a member of the Dallas Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. US Highway 82 in his birthplace of Sherman, Texas is named the “Buck Owens Freeway”.

 

Miranda Lambert - Presented by Troy

The House That Built Me

Gunpowder and Lead - performed by Vada Burns and Taylor Aline

Famous In a Small Town - performed by Chloee Ray

Baggage Claim

Crazy Ex Girlfriend

Keeper of the Flame

Born in Longview and raised in the piney woods of Lindale, Texas, it didn’t take long for Miranda Lambert to make her mark on the country music scene. By 16, she appeared in the Johnie High Country Music Revue in Arlington, Texas. Miranda resisted the pop version of country music and asked her father to teach her guitar so that she could write her own songs. Her next milestone was a third-place finish at the Nashville Star talent show.
In 2003, she signed with Epic records. In the summer of 2004, Miranda released her initial album, titled “Kerosene”. That album produced four Top 40 singles, including a Top 20 for the title track. After several successful albums, she performed at the 2010 CMA show after which, she accepted her “Female Artist of the Year” award. During the 2010’s decade, Miranda continued her country superstar status. She joined with Ashley Monroe and Angeleena Presley to form the all-girl band, “Pistol Annies”. They made several albums together, while Miranda continued to release solo works as well.
She has also enjoyed successful business ventures. She was the first female artist to open her own bar on lower Broadway in Nashville, has her own boots and clothing line, a brand of wine and the Pink Pistol Boutique in her hometown of Lindale. Miranda also founded MuttNation with her Mom, which helps with animal rescue and adoption. Please congratulate Miranda Lambert as a member of the Dallas Songwriters Hall of Fame! 

 

 

Erykah Badu - Presented by Barbe

Didn’t Cha Know, Window Seat, Appletree, Cleva

Back In The Day - performed by Taylor Aline - was a single release in 2003 from Badu's third album, Worldwide Underground.

On and On - performed by M’Lynn Musgrove - was the lead single from Badu's debut studio album, Baduizm (1997). It was written by her with JaBorn Jamal. A neo soul song, it features teachings of the Five-Percent Nation in its lyrics. A commercial success, it spent two weeks atop the US Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, while peaking at number 12 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Critically acclaimed, the song won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in 1998.
 

Eyikah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in 1971 in Dallas, Tx. After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Badu went on to study theater at Grambling State University. She left the university in 1993 to focus on music. She taught drama and dance to children at the South Dallas Cultural Center. Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" by music critics. Her career took off when she opened a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in Fort Worth, leading to record label executive signing her to Kedar Entertainment.
Her first album, Baduizm, was released in February 1997. The album was certified triple platinum by the (RIAA). Also released later the same year, her first live album was certified double platinum. Her second studio album, Mama's Gun, released in 2000 was certified platinum and Badu's third album, Worldwide Underground, released in 2003 was certified gold. Badu's fourth album, New Amerykah Part One, was released in 2008 and the 5th New Amerykah Part Two was released in 2010. Both were critically and commercially acclaimed. Two of her singles that reached the Billboard Hot 100 were "Bag Lady" peaking at #6 and "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)" peaking at #9.
Badu's voice has been compared to jazz singer Billie Holiday and she is recognizable for her eccentric style, which often included wearing very large and colorful headwraps. She was a core member of the Soulquarians. As an actress, she has played a number of supporting roles in movies including Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules and House of D. She also has appeared in the documentaries Before the Music Dies and The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975.
Throughout 2024, the Grammy Award-winning Dallas-based neo-soul musician and her hometown public transportation agency will team up for a collaboration in which DART will dedicate three of its buses and two of its light rail trains to Badu's honor. After being formally rolled out for use in February, these buses and rail cars will feature images of Badu, along with artwork designed by the fashion icon, as they move about and carry passengers throughout the city.

 

 

 

Michael Aday (Meat Loaf) - Presented by Alexis

I’ll do Anything for Love

Whatever Happened to Saturday Night

Paradise By the Dashboard Light

 Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad - performed by M'Lynn and Pam Musgrove

 Hot Patootie Bless My Soul - performed by Pam Musgrove

Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in 1947 in Dallas, Texas, where he grew up, often in the care of his grandmother, who made sure he regularly attended church services and bible studies. First attending Lubbock Christian College, he ended up at North Texas State University but left school in 1967 for Los Angeles where he started his first band, opening for Van Morrison and Them. He later described his early days in the music industry as being treated like a "circus clown”. After his first band split, he found work in musical theater with a new stage production called Hair which eventually led him to off Broadway work, ultimately earning him enough recognition to land a part in The Rocky Horror Picture Show stage production and then on to the screen version which developed a cult following, grossing more than $112 million over 30 years.
Meat Loaf built on this success with songwriter, Jim Steinman. The 1977 gold, then platinum landmark album, Bat Out of Hell, featured hits "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad." The album, which also included, “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” and “Bat Out of Hell”, has since gone on to sell more than 43 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time, and raising our local guy to multi-platinum star status. After a rift with his writer, Meat Load fell into a drug habit, and his second album proved to be a disappointment. Several albums later, Meat Loaf turned things around by renewing his partnership with Steinman. 1993’s Bat Out of Hell II, a highly anticipated release, was a monster hit, anchored by the popular single "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)” and went on to sell more than 15 million copies, spurring more tours and albums.
Along his musical journey, Meat Loaf had some success with his other bands that toured with greats like Richie Havens, the Who, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick, Todd Rundgren, and Rare Earth. Meat Loaf also recorded lead vocals on a Ted Nugent album, Free For All, was in a Broadway musical production called Rockabye Hamlet, and was understudy for John Belushi in National Lampoon where he met his duet-partner, Ellen Foley. He also appeared on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest in 1978, showed more of his acting talents with appearances in 65 films, including Wayne's World and Fight Club, and recorded several more Steinman albums.
Meat Loaf was an interesting guy with a long, illustrious career that spanned nearly six decades and moved millions of albums, and left us some colorful stories and songs. He and his second wife, Deborah Gillespie, split their time between Texas and Los Angeles, and she made a brief appearance in his 2007 documentary, “Meat Loaf: In Search of Paradise”. In 2022, surrounded by his wife, daughters, and close friends, Meatloaf, who suffered health issues, passed away.

 

 

MUSIC INDUSTRY INDUCTEES 

 

 

 

KNON - Dave Chaos accepting - Presented by Barbe

 

A radio station that has supported local music for over 40 years, KNON is a non-profit, listener-supported community radio station, deriving its main source of income from on-air pledge drives and from underwriting or sponsorships by local small businesses.
KNON went on air on July 30, 1983 with 10,000 watts of power. In March 1990, KNON raised it’s power to 55,000 watts. The signal covers a radius of approximately 60 miles from Cedar Hill extending from McKinney, to Hillsboro and Corsicana, and from Ft. Worth to Greenville.
KNON is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the most diverse programming in Texas. The volunteer disc jockeys play their own music or conduct talk shows during specifically targeted programs. Each music format has its own unique demographics.
KNON was chosen as the Best Radio Station in Dallas by both The Dallas Observer and D-Magazine – an unprecedented honor for the Station and all of its dedicated volunteers. Dallas Songwriters recognizes the station as a community treasure for playing local music. 

 

Accepting the award is KNON’s Station Manager, Dave Chaos, who has been at the station since 1987 and station manager for more than 20 years. He is the DJ of the Thursday Blend radio program every Thursday morning at 7am. Dave plays a little bit of all of the great music heard throughout the broadcast week featuring al genres and there’s always new music in the mix, no top 40, just the best of the bottom billion including local recording artists.
 

Jack Calmes - SHOWCO - Presented by Alexis
Jack Calmes grew up in Highland Park, attending school with early bandmates, Steve Miller and Boz Scaggs, with whom he played local venues and school events. After graduating from SMU, where he studied engineering, technology and business, he teamed up with
Dallasite, Angus Wynne, whom he had met in a record store in 1963. Together, they created the music concert-touring service, SHOWCO, promoting tours for Dylan, Ike & Tina Turner, Righteous Brothers, Janis Joplin, the Doors, and other greats.

In ‘67, Jack married Dallas actress, Morgan Fairchild, a union which only lasted six years, but brought a splash for a moment in the Dallas news. During that time, Jack continued to build Showco into the world’s largest concert sound and tech company, building its own boards. Showco later added lighting with an advanced, automated system controlled from a central panel, as well as being first to use lasers in a concert and also to mount those lasers upon towers, and these Showco innovations still prevail. Early alumni included greats: Elvis, the Kinks, Steppenwolf, Three Dog Night, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Bread, and the Carpenters.

In ‘68, Angus sold his interest in Showco, and he and Jack opened a Greenville Avenue club called Soul City where they featured performances by groups: Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Stevie Wonder, Fats Domino, Little Richard, and others, with Jack often joining them on stage. It was during this time, legendary bluesman, Freddy King, hired Jack as his manager. In ‘69, Jack and Angus organized the first Texas International Pop Festival in Dallas, providing Jack with opportunity to add Freddie to that star-studded line-up, along with Led Zeppelin, Chicago, Janis Joplin, B.B. King, Canned Heat, and Santana, and ultimately, Freddy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The festival was not a financial success, however, according to my husband, Choya, it was pretty epic, and I enjoyed being present for its 50th anniversary, seeing Chicago return to the stage and sounding as amazing as ever. Jack also managed other musical artists, produced a TV documentary for the Who and a concert film for the Rolling Stones, and around ’88-89, Jack toured the world with Led Zeppelin. On the tech front, Jack was awarded 2 US patents for his company, Syncrolite, which became the lighting-standard of measure for his development of the first digital multiplex (DMX) advanced lighting system, used at such events as the Olympics, the Superbowl, and for the Golden Gate Bridge.

In 1980, Calmes founded perhaps the last and best of an endangered breed, his 16-piece soul-blues-R&B group, Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks Showband and All-Star Revue, a powerhouse band plus a horn-section like those we enjoyed back in the 60’s and 70’s. Bragging rights include the groups collective 10 Grammys, but they also joked that, as a group, they had a cumulative weight gain of 1-metric ton gained since the 70’s. Seriously, though, the group produced 5 albums and provided as lively a show as their humorous name would indicate. I first saw them perform at the 8-O bar in the Quadrangle, and it was during this time that I signed a contract with Jack to produce my second EP at January Sound, not only helping to form my musical history with well-produced work, but also by influencing me with a significant stage-worthy, name-change to Alexis Alexander. Jack was a kind gentleman with a warm smile who loved to help others such as was shown by his sold-out, annual, Chickenhawk fund-raiser, benefitting children’s cancer, and held at House of Blues.

In ’89, Jack “Cadillac” Calmes married his true love, Susie Coniglio, and they lived in Dallas until his death at age 71. He was survived by Susie, a daughter, and 2 grandkids. I spoke with Susie recently, and she mentioned she still receives a royalty check for Jack’s instrumental, “Lost Train” for its use in TV and movies. Jack lived for music and not only gave birth to an industry, but brought people together from all over the country, and ultimately the world. 

LOCAL LIVING LEGEND

 

Chuck Rainey - Presented by Bobby Montgomery

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1940. Once referred to as America's hardest working Bass player having played on more than 1,000 albums. Originally trained as trumpet at Lane College in Jackson. After returning from military service and college he learned to play guitar in the early 60's and eventually bass guitar.

He moved to New York City in the 60's where he began a distinguished career as a studio sideman. He is without a doubt the most recorded bass player in recorded music history.

Chuck recorded and toured with many of the great artists during the 60's and 70's including: King Curtis, Etta James, Sam Cook, Jackie Wilson, Harry Bellefonte, The Supremes, Labella, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones, also participated in King Curtis All Stars as well as the second Beatle tour in the US.

He can also be heard playing on Musical Themes and the source songs of many motion pictures, TV series and Sitcoms. He has also been a composer, arranger, producer and author in his career. He has been awarded 17 Gold or Platinum records. Contributing greatly to the success  of Rhythm, Pop, Jazz Fusion and Rock.

 

2024 DSA Hall of Fame Backing Band is from the BYO Musicians Network non-profit.

BYO Musicians Network is a Texas nonprofit corporation and networking organization comprised of business professionals who are also talented musicians. BYO Musician’s Mission includes using members’ musical talents to support charitable causes. Their support of a 2023 fundraising event for Music Meets Medicine resulted in the charity raising over $30,000. Or, in the words of BYO President Len Musgrove, BYO is comprised of “musicians with a business problem!”

Sue Schildt – Bandleader, Guitar, Vocals
Sue was born in Fargo, North Dakota. While growing up in Minnesota, was active in numerous musical groups. After moving to Texas for college and graduate school at TCU and SMU, her attention turned to her financial services career and raising a family. She is glad to again focus on music, and excited to be working with DSA and BYO!

Pamela Musgrove - Vocals
Pam is a Tulsa native who has been straddling the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas for the past 36 years. She received her BFA in Vocal Performance from the University of Oklahoma and moved to Texas in 1986. For the last three decades, Pam has fronted several Dallas cover bands with her husband, Len. Pam’s bands 10 Degrees, The Blenders and The MalFUNKtions have played in Dallas’s West End and Deep Ellum, opened for Leon Russell at the Richardson Wildflower Festival and played at corporate parties in every high rise, hotel, and country club in Dallas. Versatility is Pam’s middle name. She has sung backup for the rock band Foreigner on their “I Want to Know What Love Is” tour and has performed “Dona Nobis Pacem” with a national choir at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Weddings, funerals and intimate gatherings, Pam does not disappoint. She is thrilled to be a part of the DSA and BYO Musicians!

 Len Musgrove – BYO President, Keyboards
Originally from Tulsa, OK, Len studied law at the University of Oklahoma. Len moved to the DFW area many years ago where he practices law by day.

Paul Stancil - Guitar
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Paul has been playing and singing in bands since high school.  After 25 years as a practicing lawyer and then law professor, Paul and his family moved back home to Texas two years ago.  When he’s not busy representing clients as part of the Texas contingent of law firm Steptoe, LLP, Paul can generally be found writing songs or looking for folks to play and sing with. He’s excited to be working with DSA and loves being part of BYO.

Mike Huddleston, Saxophone
Mike is a graduate of Texas A & M and SMU’s Dedman School of Law. He currently practices law with Munsch Hardt in Dallas, focusing on commercial insurance, risk management, litigation management and appeals.

Joe Hevey, Drums
Joseph N. Hevey Jr (Joe) started playing drums at 8 years old on a makeshift set comprised of pots, pans and whatever else he could find to beat on. At age 10 he started his professional training with the lead percussionist of the RI philharmonic. Joe studied under George Geer until he turned 15, when he studied under George Barron, a well-known jazz session drummer. He then attended Berklee College of Music in 1969 and 1970, where he studied under internationally known jazz artist Alan Dawson. Joe played in a number of touring bands, then shifted his career to business, where he had success as a commercial real estate mortgage banker. Joe retained his musical interest throughout and he semiretired retired in 2021 and now lives, works and continues to play music in the Dallas area. 

 

Jeff Clark, Guitar
Originally from Erie, PA, Jeff studied Industrial Engineering and played ice hockey at the University of Pittsburgh.  He currently works as a vice president at Goldman Sachs in their Global Markets division.

Gregg Ballew - Bass
Originally from Gainesville, Texas, Gregg played in rock and dance bands before graduating from Baylor and UT Austin. After a career in the financial services industry, he joined UT Dallas as a Professor of Practice and leader of the Institute for Excellence in Corporate Governance. He re-discovered his musical interests through BYO Musicians and currently enjoys participating in a variety of music projects.

 

 Dallas Songwriters Members Performers

 

 

Wayne Willingham Wayne stepped away from the music industry to work in a tech job. After a 20 year self-imposed exile and four albums, Wayne is reestablished as a performer and recording artist having recently completed his 5th album and toured the east coast and south in support. The voice clearer, the guitar work impeccable, the songs more insightful. Pandemic be damned, the show goes on. Wayne is back performing original songs and covers and has a program for seniors. Wayne won DSA’s Vern Dailey Song of the Year Award in 2022 for his song, “Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.” See the DSA Songwriter Spotlight on Wayne with performance and interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyqsbP1HvHc For more info: https://www.waynewillingham.com

 

Rio King
Born in Wichita Falls and spending his teen years in Dallas, Rio went to Lubbock’s Texas Tech to go to college, raise a family and, as it turned out, start a band, “The Techniques”, Playing rock and roll throughout West Texas and New Mexico, they scored a regional hit single, “Dream Theme”, recorded by the famous Norman Petty at his Clovis, NM studio. Switching to Texas music, Rio later became a Songwriter Finalist for two years at Rod Kennedy’s Kerrville Folk Festival. The past several years he’s continued his songwriting, garnering awards from DSA, including Songwriter of the Year in 2015 and enjoyed performing solo and sitting in with local bands in the Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin areas.  https://www.facebook.com/riokingtexas. https://www.rioking.com/

 

 

M’Lynn Musgrove
studied at the prestegious Booker T. Washington High School for the visual and performing arts and her achievements include being the youngest semifinalist in the B.W. Stevenson Memorial Singer-Songwriter Competition at Poor David's Pub, participating in the L.A. Grammy Summer Program at USC. She has been accepted into multiple prestigious music programs, and won numerous awards, including the DSA 2023 Song Contest Grand Prize. Her music has gained traction globally, with songs trending in London and France. She has recently been working and learning the ropes about radio podcasting More info about her : https://mlynnmusic.com/home
See the DSA Songwriter Spotlight on Youtube with interview and performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkTko_VFNec.

 

 Dallas Songwriters 2024 Hall of Fame Rising Star Bios

Taylor Alyne
(pronounced “Ah-lean”)
Taylor is 16 years old and attends Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Taylor has been part of Kids Who Rock for several years, recording her first original song in 2019! Taylor has been performing on stage from a very early age and now performs in a group called “Duo Darlin’”. She was part of the Hall of Fame in 2021, 2023 and is excited to perform in 2024.

Tayah Bell
(rhymes with “Hey-ah”)
At 14 years old, Tayah has infectious energy as a dynamic hip-hop dancer, having competed on the international stage of World of Dance in Los Angeles! She has particularly enjoyed her time volunteering the last 2 summers at the renowned Chicks Who Rock Summer Camp. Tayah has trained with amazing directors and coaches both locally & in California. 

Lavada Barnes
Lavada, 16 years old, attends Flower Mound High School. She has studied voice and songwriting at Chicks Who Rock camp. She was a Hall of Fame Rising Star in 2022 and 2023. She is the sister of fellow Rising Star Junia Rodriguez and mother, Regan Rodriguez is a piano teacher.

Claire Causey
Claire is 12 years old and attends Edge Middle School in Nevada, TX. She has studied voice & songwriting at Kids Who Rock since 2021 and will be attending Chicks Who Rock camp for the fourth time this summer. Claire is now taking guitar lessons. She was also a Rising Star at the 2022 and 2023 Hall of Fame events

Dylan George
Dylan, age 17, is junior at The Hockaday in Dallas. She is active in musical theater, dance, acting and voice. She recently performed the Anne Boleyn role in her high school’s production of the musical “Six.”

Kenzie Hutcheson 

Kenzie is 14 and attends Warren Middle School in Forney where she is a freshman cheerleader.. She has played roles in theater productions including, Willy Wonka, It’s A Wonderful Life , Annie and Hankerin’ Hillbillies, She is active in volleyball and she performs on TikTok singing duets with her sister, Hailey.

Chloee Rae
Chloee is a 16-year-old sophomore at Blue Ridge High school. Originally from West Texas, she planted roots in DFW 6 years ago to further her music career. She met Taylor Alyne and joined the pop girls group The MicroChicks. Chloee first met Patty from Kids Who Rock when the Micro Chicks competed in Platinum’s Got Talent 5 years ago. Patty was a judge and once Chloee met her, she knew she wanted to be involved with the Kids Who Rock community.

Bella Raper
Bella is 17 and a junior at The Hockaday School. She is interested in music, photography, & design and volunteers through Girl Scouts. She loves to sing and considers her voice her instrument. She was born in New Orleans and her family believes some of that New Orleans soul was infused in her!

Junia Rodriguez
Junia is 10 years old and has studied voice and songwriting for four years at Kids Who Rock. Junia has writes her own songs and was a Hall of Fame Rising Star in 2022 and 2023. Junia is the sister of fellow Rising Star Vada Barnes.