13 Forwards!

[bradhammonds]

For my song Sing (Let Go) and....Nothing has come of it!!!
I have started contacting supervisors directly and have recently been given the chance to work on a Ford campaign because of it (and it does not pay 25k etc...like some of taxi listings promise...and its a major car campaign)!
I have to think that Taxi is somewhat of a scam...I have spent a lot of money with them over the years and I believe the proof is in the pudding. I'm sure they forward songs on, and I'm sure they have some success stories; but I think for the most part they have a great business model getting hopes up! I'm not usually this bitter ...but 13 forwards and nothing? I hope, in the sake of transparency and integrity they keep this post up...I'm happy to be told differently!

-Brad

[88keys]

Not sure what you're saying about the $25k bit....it is not unusual for ad agencies to pay quite large sums....and potentially they pay again and again in 13 week cycles....if you ever get so lucky.

Also, not quite sure what you mean "you have a chance" to work on a Ford campaign ? Like a test spot or are you writing on spec for the agency ? You may be one of several composers that the agency is testing Brad. If you don't have a P.O. from the agency then you have squat.

About the "I have to think Taxi is somewhat of a scam" part....because your song has languished within the channels that Taxi has provided and has come to some fruition outside of Taxi ?
Firstly, 13 times you got forwarded with the song you've mentioned. That, in itself is pretty big because that first screening by Taxi is a huge weeding out of tracks that don't fit the criteria. Then, through the forward, your song made it to the desks of at least 13 decision making people and for whatever reason simply did not go further. I think that this could happen with any organization....an agent for example could have an "in" but nothing may come of it... this is pretty easy to imagine....even for someone as cynical as myself, I cans see it happening.

Ad agencies, music publishers, even music libraries, etc...are simply inundated with composers music/reels....to say that it's a tough slog for musicians would be grossly understating it. I think Taxi provides a valuable "in" and is most certainly legit whatever you may think of the rather tough process.

[mazz]

Well the fact that you can't get 25K on your own for a Ford commercial might say more about your negotiating skills than it does about Taxi.

13 forwards doesn't sound like a lot to me, it takes a lot of pitching to create some momentum in this business.

Cultivate patience, you're gonna need it!

[davewalton]

...but 13 forwards and nothing?

So now 13 people have a copy of just one song? That's not many. What if you got a job selling cars and handed out only 13 business cards telling those people that you have just one car for sale?

OK... I'm giving you a hard time but the point is that 13 of anything isn't that many. Well... kids maybe. If you had 13 kids that would be a lot.

I'm sure they forward songs on, and I'm sure they have some success stories

http://forums.taxi.com/taxi-success-stories-f7.html

This is 36 pages of success stories and those are just from the handful of people that have frequented this forum from time to time (about 1% of the Taxi membership). There's more than "some" success stories. It happens all the time.

You're assuming that because you haven't heard anything yet that you never will. DEFINITELY not true. My first Taxi deal took 1 year from the forward to the time I was contacted. The music industry is definitely a business of patience.

For sure you need to diversify so that you're getting forwards on more than one song. It takes a catalog of songs to really make any headway. Keep at it. If you're getting fowarded through some tough screeners then it's just a matter of time. Try not to go down the "I'm not having success fast enough so Taxi's a scam" road. That's so worn out and never comes off sounding professional.

We're you. We're not "the other guys" or "the man" or whatever. We're all on the same side here.

[cherbear]

Hey Brad!

You have to remember that the music business is a numbers game - the more songs you have written, the more forwards you get, the more relationships you build, the better chances of your success. That is great that you are building relationships within Taxi and outside of Taxi. Just more irons in the fire, and that's what it's all about!

But, I have to take issue with you about the "scam" comment...come on, Brad...really? Let me assure you, as a Taxi member who lives out here in L.A., and is out networking on a regular basis w/industry people, Taxi is NOT a scam in any way shape or form. I see Michael out networking and making things happen for Taxi members. I have been to the TAXI office, along with many other Taxi members, and have seen Michael and the Taxi staff in action. I don't think many people are aware of how much work goes into doing what Michael and the Taxi staff do for us. I don't know if I've ever seen a person so passionate about helping musicians succeed in the music business as Michael Laskow. I am in the process of signing contracts with two different publishers, because of Michael and Taxi. I've had a lot of forwards and a lot of returns, but one thing I know for sure is that Michael and Taxi are 100% legitimate - and I get a little frustrated when people are so quick to accuse someone who cares so much about and does so much for his members, of being anything less.

You are going to get frustrated in this biz, Brad - better get used to it Hang in there, and just keep writing and building relationships. But remember, too, if you come off sounding like sour grapes, and pointing fingers where they shouldn't be pointed, you're only hurting your chances of people wanting to work with you. The music industry is a pretty small world...

Best of luck,
Cher

[johncimino]

Brad,
I have to agree with CherBear and Mazz. The folks at TAXI work extremely hard to create positive opportunities for our music. I've personally had many, many rejections. I've also had forwards from which nothing happened. I've also hooked up with a few prominent libraries through TAXI. And if I quit TAXI tomorrow, I'm still benefiting from the connections I've made there.

Your story serves to illustrate just how tough and cut-throat the music biz is. Think of it this way: without the hookup from TAXI, you might never have had the conversation with the car company in the first place.

So be patient, and keep writing a ton of music. Hang in there!

John Cimino
http://www.taxi.com/johncimino

[ocean]

You got some serious quality music, Brad. Just be patient, it'll surely pay off. Thing is, you never know what people want and when. When you work with creative things you always have a vision of how the final product should be. It is hard to find a song/instrumental that exactly matches that vision. It takes time to either find something that works better, or compromise the initial idea to fit what you currently have on the table. Personally I'd have problems with compromising my vision of the whole for something that's just almost right, but not quite there. At least that's how I see things. And it helps me to relax and be patient. Hope it helps, and best wishes.

[bradhammonds]

I appreciate all the feedback!! I was not saying that this business is not in any way extremely hard. I have been in it for many years; professionally for 5. I have had many other forwards other than this one song; I was using this to illustrate that 13 forwards is a lot for one song in my opinion. I've had a ton more rejections .
I have been lucky enough to be able to play music full time carving out a career. If I am doing this full time and can't make any of the money I spend on this service work- which is a lot- than I want others who are doing this on the side to be aware of that. I'm sure Michael and co. work very hard; I just think something is amiss (maybe a scam was too harsh). The Ford campaign is not about my negotiating skills- it was what was offered. I also received all of the commercials so I could score to them. With taxi I never have seen a listing where they give you something to score, moreover tell you what the ad is for. I appreciate the loyalty to the company from members and hope that it is working out for you!

[88keys]

.... With taxi I never have seen a listing where they give you something to score....

Now, this is something we can talk about Brad !... as one of the big drawbacks, or, an area that could be a big improvement for Taxi.

Scoring to picture is a completely different animal to what we do currently with Taxi which is scoring to descriptive words. And, as we all know, talking about music is like dancing about architecture. I have to wonder how many of the ad-agency forwards lead to actual deals and ultimately how successful scoring to words really is ?

We could all sign a non-disclosure agreement....what would be the harm there ? I think this could be a huge plus for composers and listing parties alike, for those listings that really do need to be scored to picture.

[mazz]

That was tried once about 2 years ago, and some folks posted their creations on YouTube even though it was explicitly stated not to do that. It was hugely discouraging for those that played by the rules but taxi almost got in huge legal trouble over it.

Unfortunately not everyone is a professional in their business dealings and that one incident pretty much killed those opps.