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Songwriters’ News - Volume VI, Issue 5   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist   Note: Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/ Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 – 8:30 This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics related to the craft, … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News May 2026

Songwriters’ News - Volume VI, Issue 4   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist   Note: Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/ Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, April 1, 6:30 – 8:30 This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics related to the craft, … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News April 2026

Songwriters’ News - Volume VI, Issue 3   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist   Note: Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/ Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway – Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 – 8:30 This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News March 2026

Songwriters’ News - Volume VI, Issue 2   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/ Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, February 4, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics related to the craft, … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News February 2026

Songwriters’ News - Volume VI, Issue 1   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/ Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, January 7, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics related to the craft, … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News January 2026

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 12     Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist   Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/  Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics related to … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News December 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 11   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist   Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/  Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News November 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 10   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist   Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/  Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer & Round Robin with Doug Millaway - Thursday, October 2, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News October 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 9   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/  Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show.  See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics related to the craft, … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News September 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 8   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link. Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access Also Note: All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show. See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all topics related to the craft, production and … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News August 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 7   Meeting Dates By Mike Rudquist Please Note: Going forward, all online Zoom events will use the same Zoom link.  Here is a member-only link to our "Member Event Access" page which has the Zoom link: https://mnsongwriters.org/activities/member-event-access/ Also Note:  All monthly MAS online meetings will be held within the same time frame of 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  (This does not include the Minnesota Homebrew Radio Show. (See the event listing below for times.) Monthly Mixer with Doug Millaway Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting allows for all types of topics to be explored and discussed as it relates to songwriting – the writing process, production, inspiration, the music business – all … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News July 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 6   President's Message By Paul Nye “Silence: Your Most Underrated Co-Writer” As songwriters, we spend a lifetime chasing the perfect lyric, the catchiest melody, the cleverest rhyme. We workshop our verses, trim syllables like bonsai branches, and agonize over whether to say “the” or “that.” But there’s one part of the craft we almost never talk about—because you can’t see it, hear it (exactly), or put a capo on it. Silence. I don’t mean writer’s block (see my previous column on this topic). I’m talking about intentional, powerful, musical silence—those empty spaces between lyrics, between notes, between breaths—that can give your song more power than any word you write. Trust me on this. Those of you who have listened to any of my … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News June 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 5   President's Message The High Cost of Free Music
 By Paul Nye, President – Minnesota Association of Songwriters I recently heard about a local musician who played a paid gig at a senior care center. At the end of the night, he handed his check back, saying it was his gift to the residents. Heartwarming, right? But the next week, the same venue asked another musician why he charged anything at all. “The last guy gave his money back.” That well-meaning gesture may have been generous, but it sent a message — not just to that venue, but to the community: music isn’t worth paying for. It’s a message I hear more and more.  Younger artists fall into this too, often offering to play for “exposure.” But let’s be honest — you know the joke - “you can … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News May 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 4   President's Message OVERCOMING WRITER’S BLOCK By Paul Nye, MAS President NOTE: As my first 'official” contribution to the MAS Newsletter as president (after last month’s introductory column), I am hoping to write about all things songwriting, hopefully in an open, creative manner. This month I want to address something that affects many songwriters. This is a very important issue because simply put, as songwriters - we write. But what happens when we can’t for one reason or another. So, let’s get at it.... A songwriter friend recently shared his struggle with writer’s block. As a former journalist, I could relate. Ironically, as a songwriter, I’ve never run out of things to write about. If you’ve heard my songs (or just read the … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News April 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 3   President's Message By Paul Nye On January 21st, I officially became President of the Minnesota Association of Songwriters (MAS). To be clear—it was not an elected position. Our executive board met, and Doug Millaway, who had served since 2022, stepped down due to other commitments… and possibly because his wife wanted a few more coffee dates. I can’t confirm, but I have my suspicions. Stepping into this role feels a bit like wearing shoes two sizes too big. It’s daunting, and my schedule is already stretched thin. But having served as VP since 2022, I knew someone had to step up—and history shows that’s usually the VP. So, here I am. (TMI: I didn’t tell my wife about this for over a month. I only spent one night on the couch. We’re good … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News March 2025

  Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 2   President's Message by Doug Millaway One of my biggest criticisms of many original songs has to do with the lack of melodic structure. Creating a compelling melody is key to writing a memorable song, so I thought I’d suggest some tips to help you develop melodies that connect with listeners: A melody should be easy to remember. It should hopefully focus on simple, catchy ideas that listeners can hum or sing. Simplicity can often make melodies more impactful, but I also hear a lot of folks who tend to follow the root note of the chords being played, and therefore lose the melodic connection. At the same time, be sure to have the melody complement the underlying chord structure. One way to practice this is simply to play one chord over … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News February 2025

  Songwriters’ News - Volume V, Issue 1   President's Message by Doug Millaway As we begin another new year, it's important to reflect upon your personal, and possibly professional, goals for the year. making resolutions is a time-honored activity that can either lead to impactful changes or another year of wishes and hopes. I decided to put together what I think are the 10 best "resolutions" you can make to improve your songwriting over the next 12 months. These are pretty good, but you can come up with your own as well.  We'd love to have you come to one of our future online sessions and tell us how your goals are taking shape.  The bottom line for me is to keep writing and putting forth genuine and authentic products. So here you go.  1. Write Every Day Set a daily … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News January 2025

Songwriters’ News - Volume IV, Issue 12 That's The Dream by Doug Millaway I heard a song the other day that left me speechless. It wasn’t just the melody or the lyrics—it was the way it all came together, effortlessly perfect, as if it had always existed, waiting to be discovered. I couldn’t help but think, I wish I had written that. It stirred something deep inside me, not just admiration but also a feeling of envy. Jealousy is a strange emotion—it’s humbling and frustrating, but in this case, it wasn’t bad. It wasn’t a desire to take anything away from the songwriter but rather a feeling that I needed to create something equally powerful myself. The beauty of someone else’s work can feel like a mirror, reflecting back your own aspirations and insecurities. It’s easy to … [Read more...] about Songwriters’ News December 2024