Reporting Live from LA

[brindabella]

I wish I was there too! TribleB and Mazz, Way to go you guys! You both deserve this award SO much!

[ernstinen]

Nov 7, 2009, 8:18am, bombaycharlie1 wrote:I want to say that this is my first Rally, and it it absolutely the most amazing experience.Charlie Ernst.Charlie! I've got to meet you. We have the same last name, and it's kinda rare!Yesterday was great seeing and meeting all you guys. And Michael L. told me I HAD to go to the Apogee unveiling of the new "ONE" digital interface, and it was mind-blowing, especially for $249! www.apogeedigital.com/oneThe open-mike was very cool, too. Lots of fun songs and great talent.The Rally is a bit like the NAMM show --- Full of information, but overwhelming. I'm a little bit tired after Friday, but I'll try and make it this evening --- Gotta meet Squids and see if her accent is like how she writes on this forum! BTW, I'm a bit envious of those staying at the hotel. It took me 2 HOURS to drive from my home to the Rally, and it's only about 25 miles! As a veteran L.A. driver, I shouldn't have been surprised --- Ern

[bombaycharlie1]

Hey Ern I was at the Apogee and the open mike last night. I gotta get me one of those Apogees! I have a 830 flight tomorrow morning so I guess we'll have to meet some other time.I had a blast and wish I could stay the extra day, but I gotta get back to my other life.Let's stay in touch through the forum, or PMCharlie " write songs "

[mojobone]

Ack! Had an announcement to make, but a bunch of web stuff ain't workin' at the moment; time for plan B.

[cameron]

Way to go Mazz and Barry! You do the dots proud!Cam

[deantaylor]

Nov 7, 2009, 1:45pm, tedsingingfox wrote:Nov 7, 2009, 2:17am, deantaylor wrote:Sounds like a blast. Wish I were there. Casey, Vikki, Ted .. what songs did you perform at the open mic?I hope they don't mind my answering for them... Casey played a very funny tune called "Do You Ever Google me?". Vikki, appropriately enough, played a lovely song called "Hummingbird". Thursday night I played "One Step Removed" and last night I did "When I Get Back to Nashville". Adrienne did a song she wrote for her brother's wedding called "I Make This Vow". SO much fun.Ted, thanks for the song update. I remember hearing WHEN I GET BACK TO NASHVILLE and DO YOU EVER GOOGLE ME here on the forum!Congrats to Barry and Mazz! Very cool!Have a laugh and a beer for me.

[Casey H]

Hi!I just got back to my room... Almost 3AM PST... Matto, Chuck, & Marty are still downstairs with a few bottles of wine! There was a lot of jamming around the hotel-- the air was electric with music. A highlight for me (but not for those listening!!) was Vikki, Suz, Richard Frey and I doing songs with Suz's ukulele. A lot of folks songs, some Simon and Garfunkel and... I may be the first person in history to ever do "Five To One" by The Doors on a uke. (Next year, Led Zep!!)...I have to leave in a few hours-- a shuttle around 6:45 AM to the airport.... No point in going to bed!!It was tons of fun as always.... Casey

[ideascapes]

Really fun piano round-robin last night with some very talented dots: Rich F, Bombay Charlie, Mazz (+ melodica), Al Di (+ accordion), Suz D (+ukelele), yours truly...Patrick Baker and bride Hollie, Erich/teleblaster + bride Diana were there for mutual support and random acts of percussion. A few others (non-dots, I think) showed up and played too. This was a real blast with tons of great music and laughs--thanks everybody for a great memory!Vince

[Casey H]

G'mornI'm at the a/p for my 8:30 AM flight home... so far so good as to on-time status.... At least there IS a plane at the gate-- always a good sign... It was great meeting so many new people this year! If you were there and I didn't meet you, disappointed--- hopefully next year. A note of thanks to Michael for the rally. I can' t say enough about how much I appreciate this event-- I know it's a stressful and exhausting task for you and your staff. Besides the purely professional side of the rally-- the mentoring, classes, networking with industry folks, etc... there is the other part- that is the building of relationships with our taxi peers. You once said of us forum-folk, how we sometimes are changing lives when we help each other. Well, in the same way, the lifetime friendships and bonds the members build because of the rally are priceless. THAT changes lives...Ooops... boarding.... More when I get home! Thanks again ML! CaseyPS I'm typing on 1.5 hours sleep... Hopefully I made sense!

[teleblaster]

The impromptu piano bar jam was the most fun I've had in a long time. TAXI folks are talented and fun. I want to spend more time with them whenever I can.BTW: rumors of me moon walking to Suz's rendtion of 'Billy Jean' are highly exaggerated..Cheers,Erich