Dear all,

I attended my first rally some years back and found it extremely useful. Listening to Lamont Dozier was an amazing experience, worth the trip entirely on its own!

This year I have no new music to share with music supervisors & executives. I don't have new business cards...
I've been stuck in bed most of the year after breaking both hips in a stupid accident. Getting back to normal hasn't been really easy.
All of my planned music projects - the recording of my new solo piano CD and other instrumentals - went down the tube...

Before the accident I had planned on learning music tech so I could start creating arranged music. But I couldn't even reach my little studio since I couldn't walk! LOL

I got to the point where I thought it was completely useless to fly across the world (I live in Rome, Italy) without actually having new material I could put in someone's hand (like you see in all the pictures). Add to that that my genre is fairly limited (solo piano music in new age/contemporary classical/soundtrack styles)... But...

Then I realized that the Rally isn't really only about getting that CD in a famous producer's hand, or getting noticed by some executive in the hopes that one's music career takes off!

Learning & cultivating the right spirit is so quintessential to succeeding in music that it struck me - the Rally is exactly where learning happens. Not just learning, though: take a look at the ballroom classes & I noticed that this is practical learning, relevant to what is needed today. The rally is also the place to cultivate the right spirit: seeing others succeed is inspiring and will remind all that it can be done.

So - I've given myself permission to succeed despite any s...tuff that happens:
I'll be at the Rally with my bare essentials: a smile & desire to learn.
I hope to meet many of you there!

(Please don't take this as a self-pity email - I don't mean it to be!)

Ciao!

Christian Calcatelli
http://www.calcatelli.com

Great post, Christian! Looking forward to meeting you!

You are so right. The rally is not about you suddenly getting discovered by some music exec and riding off into the sunset of music fame and fortune. It's about learning. The journey is a long one, usually with no one day miracles. Those who approach it like that are the successful ones.

Wear a dot on your badge (a stationery store stick-on dot works fine) and others from the forum will recognize you as someone from the forum... Instant friends!

Warmest,
Casey

Nice, Christian; I loved reading that! See you this weekend!

Christian,
This is my first rally so I don't really know what to expect except to go with the mindset to learn and meet new people. I think your attitude is amazing, and I know you are going with the right mindset. Because of that, I believe you will have an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing your life with us. We all go through hard times and the important thing is that we just "keep on keepin' on" as one of my friends says. I am so glad you're going to the rally despite your challenges and I look forward to meeting you:)


Best,
Jenna Ehrle

So cool, Christian!! Have a safe trip - we'll see ya there! and you are soo right - it's all about the spirit - and building the relationships - not to mention, having a great time with like minded people who share your passion for music!!! It's all good

See ya soon - as Casey mentioned, wear your dot!!
Cher

Hey guys!

Good to hear from all of you & thanks for all your comments (have been stuck in plane for 14pus hours!

Look forward to meeting you all!

Christian

Dear Casey, Brent, Jenna and Cher,

The Rally was amazing! I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you guys in person!

Are you still at the Westin (or around)? If so, would be nice to catch up quickly tomorrow morning in the lobby for a quick Hi & Bye!
I'll be in the lobby between 8.30 and 8.45. If you cant make it, no worries! WIll catch you online soon!

Christian
http://www.calcatelli.com

On first examination, the Rally is mostly three things; learning, bonding and sharing. It might seem a little boring from that description, but I can't think of a better way to enrich my life and everyone else's. The Rally is also some other things, and all of 'em are good.

Christian,
Wasn't the Road Rally amazing? I think I had a total of 10 hours of sleep from Friday to Sunday. I have never had such a great time meeting new people and learning new things. I'm sorry we couldn't meet but maybe next year!

I listened to several of your tracks and I really like your music! It's beautiful:)

Talk to you soon!
Jenna

Well said Mojo I agree 100%! Was sitting right behind you at the Trotter class on being professional. Your hat is your trademark! LOL!
Have a great day!

Christian


http://www.calcatelli.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS certifies Christian's 60 hour piano concert to be the world's only...?
Visit http://www.calcatelli.com/the-calx-project to find out, hear the music and see the pictures!