My First Rally...Thank you!!

[adrienne]

Hi EveryoneWell I am back from my first rally and have got a bit of sleep so at least this post will be coherent I have to say that the rally was nothing like I expected and more than I could have hoped for. I did enjoy the classes and panels but surprisingly for me the best part of the rally was the part I most feared...meeting people. As I was sitting in LA, talking with all these amazing and talented people, I realized that had I not posted on the forums before going, the rally would have been a very different experience for me. I probably would have talked to a few attendees here and there, but I wouldn't have met and connected with so many great people. Posting on the forums was the best thing I could have done! Anyone who read my first post knows that I am shy and uncomfortable in these situations. Attending the rally was a huge step for me for this reason alone, not to mention the million other reasons! Everyone I met was so warm and welcoming. I felt like they genuinely wanted to get to know me and my music, which I of course felt in return. It's hard to find genuine and sincere people in this world and the music business is not always the first place you think of when looking...but it was a real pleasure to be around such good people. And the TAXI family are good people all around. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. It was also the first time I had been a part of a community of my peers. I don't know a lot of people in music, personally or professionally. It's hard to describe the feeling of being in a place where everyone is affiliated with music somehow. In addition, I received a lot of positive feedback on my music. I could tell the feedback was honest and that people really meant it. While I've had some success with my music which has helped me know that I'm on the right track, receiving in person feedback from those in music made a powerful impact on me. It really validated that I'm doing something right and I came home feeling like I know I'm going to achieve the success that I'm seeking. I hope that doesn't sound conceited, it's just that this experience really invigorated me. I think it was just what I needed when I didn't even know I was needing something!I want to thank everyone for being so amazing. You are all truly wonderful people. I know I have made some long lasting friendships and I look forward to watching them grow. I want to especially thank Vikki because were it not for her kindness and reaching out to welcome me into the dot family, I really would not have had the experience I had. I am so grateful for that! Her award is well deserved and I'm so happy I was there to see it happen!My only regret is that I did not get to talk to Michael more. I know that despite being comfortable talking to so many of you, I still felt shy to approach him. But I wanted to thank him publicly here, for putting on the rally, for creating TAXI, for being passionate about music, and for being so determined to help us make our dreams come true. I went into the rally not knowing much about him or TAXI beyond the basics of it doing online A&R. I came out of the rally seeing both Michael and TAXI as something totally different. And I wanted to post this here for all the naysayers. Michael is this incredible human being. He lives and breathes TAXI. I did not realize how much background he had in the music business and he applies it all to TAXI and ensuring it continually evolves and grows to be the best it can be. He genuinely wants us to succeed and is willing to help us get there, no matter what it takes. He loves music. He loves dreamers. And he loves us. He has a huge heart and you can see his passion in everything he does. TAXI is a vehicle of dreams. It fuels us and takes us where we want to go. We just have to be a willing passenger....willing to take the journey, to learn from all the roadblocks and detours so we can reach our destination. I'm glad I came on board. But I also know that after attending the rally, my view on this journey will be very different. And I can't wait to see where it takes me Thank you all! Miss you already!!!Adrienne(aka the one with the cowboy hat)

[trentoliphant]

It was so great to meet you and ride with you to the airport. I know that you will be successful if you keep moving forward.Trent

[adrienne]

Thanks Trent. It was great to meet you too. I'm glad we got a chance to chat more on the way to LAX. I hope your good luck continues and that you have lots of success!

[allends]

Nov 11, 2008, 11:25am, adrienne wrote:Thanks Trent. It was great to meet you too. I'm glad we got a chance to chat more on the way to LAX. I hope your good luck continues and that you have lots of success!Hey Adrienne and Trent,I had the pleasure of sharing meals with both of you! Two more reasons why I enjoyed the Rally so much! Cheers,Allen

[trentoliphant]

AdrienneWere you wearing glasses or am I totally up in the night? I love your avatar picture, but it's totally confusing me. AllenIt was great meeting you and dining with you on Thursday.

[adrienne]

Great to meet you too Allen.Yes I was wearing glasses Trent. It helps when I can see the people I'm talking to

[trentoliphant]

I thought so - I really liked the look that it gave you - a kind of urban sophistication that is quite different from your avatar picture which is more the girl next door - just perfect for country.

[adrienne]

Thanks Trent. I wasn't going for a different look, it's just who I am. Urban sophistication or girl next door are two things I've never been called before...and I kinda like them both - lol!

[tedsingingfox]

You were a doll.SO glad to hear your opinion of your first Rally.And the enormous heart you carry around inside you is so obvious in meeting you. You'll get where you want to go. You could never speak of TAXI (and the other members you met) in such a way if it weren't honestly IN your heart.wooHOO!Now, GO. Write some more great music, and start planning for next year.

[adrienne]

Ted, thank your for saying that. I'm so touched by your words. You were a sweetheart and I can see why you won the community spirit award. It was great meeting you and look forward to seeing you again next year.