Frankly - I'm insulted...

[onoffon]

I just received an email from TAXI about initiative...In a nutshell, it infers that if you don't renew your TAXI membership, you somehow lack initiative...It incenses me to no end when companies say you aren't serious about your music unless you pay the fees to expose your music through their services.If you think I lack initiative or aren't serious about our music, take a look at our SSP thread over on the SSP forum and see what kind of initiative I have.I may not be monetarily successful - but it sure hasn't come from a lack of my tenacity...Sorry for the rant - I still think TAXI is a good thing - and if I can swing it, I will probably renew even though it has never helped provide any positive licensing deals for us...I hate feeling like someone is talking down to me...

[Casey H]

A few years ago I had a long phone conversation with the CEO of a respected music website company. I liked a particular phrase he used. He said "I don't like to 'tug on the heartstrings' of musicians and songwriters." He was referring to the type of advertising by tonos, TAXI and others. Thus his site does not offer any music placement opportunities. The email you are referring to reminds me of my conversation with that CEO.Aside:There have been so many sites cropping up the past few years, all saying they have great connections and leads. Most are not worth the money. If you joined all of them you would need a 2nd and 3rd job...I am not a current TAXI member. I didn't renew because my catalog was too small and I am not a prolific enough songwriter... I was also able to put tons of time into marketing on my own. Like everyone, I had many love/hate feelings while a member. I often got pissed at their reviews and non-forwards, etc.The one thing I can say about TAXI is they are honest. Remember how Tonos screwed all their members by vaporizing and not giving refunds? TAXI does give refunds to folks who are not satisfied.I may have rambled and digressed a bit... This really was all about the "tug on the heartstrings" phrase... Caseywww.broadjam.com/hurowitzwww.caseysongs.comwww.myspace.com/charles_p_hurowitz

[matto]

Wow...musicians are so damn sensitive!! If you know that you're working your ass off to succeed, why would you be insulted by an advertising form letter that's obviously not aimed at you?

[johnnydean1]

I don't think the email was directed at you.I think it was one of those periodically generated thing's just in case you forget who and what Taxi is.I think you and your band are a group of supremely talented musicians that have worked for your art and I hope you get the recognition you deserve.In three or four years time "Taxi" will be something that you call when you have handed the barman your keys.Big companies spend a lot of money on customer service.I wonder how much Taxi spends........0$

[matto]

Quote:Yeah Matt - you are in a position where this has been successful enough for you that you automatically renew and would never receive one of these. Von, I get the same renewal notices everybody else gets...pep talks, bets with ML's wife etc etc, seen them all, trust me .Quote:If you were in a position where you have to figure should I rejoin TAXI or pay rent and keep a roof over my family's head - maybe you would see it differently. Von, but you know I've been in that position many times...maybe I should be insulted now because you seem to suggest that my modest success was somehow handed to me, that I didn't have to suffer and fight for it?...but I'm not going to, because I know that's not how you meant it...(I hope...) By the same token you should know that the Taxi renewal email is a form letter, is advertising, and not meant to question the commitment and initiative of you, one Von Babasin. Or shouldn't you?

[matto]

Quote:Big companies spend a lot of money on customer service.I wonder how much Taxi spends........0$ ...Form letters are used by just about any company, regardless of size and quality of customer service...

[onoffon]

Thanks Johnny Dean - I know it was a form letter - it's nonetheless frustrating to read.I've been fighting to get upstream to reach the spawning grounds for so long, I can't remember what it's like to simply swim.Still I continue to throw myself against the rocks time and time again....

[53mph]

Von...ONOFF.Subscribing to a service like Taxi is no small financial feat for any of us. I've had my ups and downs too. At my height I was offered several management deals and was signed to two lables. Now I'm holding down a steady job whilst trying to still make it in music. Shit happens.I'm not rich and I'm currently selling some of my prized music gear to get the subscription money for Taxi and Broadjam together. I know I'm worth more than the position I'm in but I'm not going to vent my spleen at the world because the world hasn't given me what I think it should.Remember, it's a standard letter catering to the middle ground of subscribers....not neccessarily you. I think you just has a bad day and happened to read the advertising in the wrong moment. Zowie...ditto. Some people may find that starter kit useful.

[onoffon]

53 - I think we all gotta 'vent our spleens to the world' just to keep from going insane.

[onoffon]

"I'm as mad as hell, .... and I'm not going to take this anymore!!"