Did anyone else feel this way?

[trentoliphant]

Thank you all so much for your kind words. The rally was such a wonderful experience for me, I was on such a high Friday (as many of you may remember) that it kind of freaked me just a bit to start to have some of those thoughts. Of course the fact that I was sleeping on the floor of a hotel room may have had something to do with not having the energy to be positive all the time. (My back and hips are still complaining)I was exhausted when I came home and then had to face the bank account and such (as we all did) and those negative thought just try to creep in.I had some truly amazing experiences this last weekend. I was able to go to dinner on Sunday night with one of the panelists and then our group went out to Manhattan Beach pier. It was so good to just see that these people are just like us. In fact we didn't even talk about the music industry at all - just made a friendship. I don't always write very well (I tend to be pretty terse in my writing style) and so don't know if I always express things in posts the way I want to but you guys are truly great and I am so glad I got to meet you and talk with you. Here's to growing in this experience together.Thanks againTrent

[Casey H]

Hi TrentGreat meeting you... The people who succeed are the ones with a combination of the most talent and the most persistence. A high level of BOTH are required and at different times and with different artists, one can be the more dominant one. A little luck plays a part but mainly I think we make our own luck.Person X right here in our dot group made their own luck this way:* Came to the rally, even though it was scary to them* Went to the A&R listening panels* Happen to sit not far from an exec who was on a previous panel* After that panel was over, struck up a conversation with the exec* Ended up impressing the exec enough to give them a CDI'll let person X tell their own story there if they want.Never give up. Casey

[adrienne]

Lol. Well Casey, it's not too obvious that you're talking about me. I wouldn't call it luck. Luck and me don't usually associate, unless it's the bad kind. I may have to change my opinion on that if I actually get a call from handing out my CDs at the rally! Trent knows the story though because he was sitting right there when I went up to that exec. And we chatted on the shuttle ride to the airport. I don't know if anything's that impressive. I think we all have a lot of fears/inhibitions. In pursuing my dream, I've had to face and overcome a lot of them, just like most people do in their own way. The risk is always worth the reward. It's just sometimes hard to remember that when you're looking over a cliff considering whether to take the leap! Whether you fly or fall, you always end up somewhere you wouldn't have otherwise gone

[robbylane]

Trent.... My going to that Rally was one of the single-most beneficial events I could have ever attended in my life! Instead of feeling exasperated, I felt inspired. From many speakers, I heard phrases such as "it IS possible" and you CAN do it". They, the speakers, HAD in fact done it, and with endeless thanks to Michael Laskow and his invaluable Taxi staff, those speakers were there for us to teach us and encourage us. You always have to consider that you never know for sure what the music industry is seeking next. They might be seeking YOU, but YOU don't know it yet until you make those strides to write, record, develop yourself, and put yourself out there. One of the most famous stories on the planet is one about The Beatles. When their Manager Brian Epstein took there demo to record labels as he tried to get them signed, virtually EVERY label turned him down. Imagine battling THAT scenario. Yet, he puffed up his chest, remained determined, finally DID get them signed, and of course the rest is history. None of us here in Taxi have been turned down by every label yet, to you still have your work cut out for you! So I say, continue the pursuit of that which makes you happy. Push your music into the spotlight. Fight the good fight. Guerss what? I plan to do the very same thing. Need more support, We Taxi members are there for ya, brutha!

[Casey H]

Nov 12, 2008, 9:27am, adrienne wrote:Lol. Well Casey, it's not too obvious that you're talking about me. I wouldn't call it luck. Luck and me don't usually associate, unless it's the bad kind. I may have to change my opinion on that if I actually get a call from handing out my CDs at the rally! Trent knows the story though because he was sitting right there when I went up to that exec. And we chatted on the shuttle ride to the airport. I don't know if anything's that impressive. I think we all have a lot of fears/inhibitions. In pursuing my dream, I've had to face and overcome a lot of them, just like most people do in their own way. The risk is always worth the reward. It's just sometimes hard to remember that when you're looking over a cliff considering whether to take the leap! Whether you fly or fall, you always end up somewhere you wouldn't have otherwise gone Give yourself more credit... Just attending the rally alone was part of creating a little bit of your own luck, even if nothing ever comes of it. I know how you feel about overcoming your fears and inhibitions. You saw how hard for me (and rewarding after the fact) it was when I did a song at the alternative open mic. That was a personal high point for me, knowing that I worked past the fear and survived. Casey

[trentoliphant]

Nov 12, 2008, 9:27am, adrienne wrote:Whether you fly or fall, you always end up somewhere you wouldn't have otherwise gone I love that line.I never would have associated Casey's story to you. You always seemed so outgoing and willing to talk to people. I didn't surprise me in the least that you gave your CD to him. It's only after the rally through your posts that I got any clue that it was a stretch for you. I saw a lot of different people that gave their CD to him and you were just very professional and personable. (I don't think I told you that on the shuttle) Of course the music will have to stand on its own, but if you continue with that way of holding yourself - I see big things for you.Trent

[deankripp]

Quote:One thing I found happening with me however was a little bit of a roller coaster. I went from feeling:"Yes, I can do this - I know it will take work but I can do it" (which I felt most of the time) to occasionally:"Who am I kidding? The bar is so high and all the great songs have already been written."I think I have that "roller coaster" feeling most every time I write and record. I just keep pushing through and stuff happens.I think I'm experiencing an additional "Roller Coaster" as well. I'm so thrilled to have met so many cool dots (and others) at the Rally and to have actually gotten to hang out with chat with a few... They - you all - were the highlight of my trip. I'm a bit saddened, however, because I know that many of us would become close friends if we lived near each other - and I've got to wait a whole year to see most of you again....Such is life. I guess the upside of the coaster is that I DO get to see you guys again next year - yay!dean

[hummingbird]

Persistence is not futile

[ragani]

Nov 11, 2008, 4:33pm, weapon wrote:...I ran into some negativity from some, but you have to just brush that off, you can never let anything get in the way of your goals. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't let negativity get you down, stay strong, because the stronger you are the more success will come your way.Yeah, listen to weapon. Trent-- great to meet you and hang out with you this year!!-- I find these up's and down's are just chatters of the mind-- and if one makes me feel lousy and the other makes me feel more creative and juiced, then why not stay with the better of the two? In fact, it's for that reason alone that I attend Jason Blume's packed workshops... yes, again, and again, and again... Because I always leave those workshops knowing that I can write a hit song. THAT alone is worth my plane ticket to the Rally.Practice staying in that great mindset. Spend time with people who support it. Read books that convince you that it's actually true. Do activities that allow you to see it emerging in yourself. You're worth it! [steps off podium]Raags

[ragani]

Nov 12, 2008, 9:27am, adrienne wrote:Whether you fly or fall, you always end up somewhere you wouldn't have otherwise gone Hey, I think Trent just pointed out an idea for a song here, Adrienne! Great to meet you this year! Nov 12, 2008, 11:31am, deankripp wrote:I think I'm experiencing an additional "Roller Coaster" as well. I'm so thrilled to have met so many cool dots (and others) at the Rally and to have actually gotten to hang out with chat with a few... They - you all - were the highlight of my trip. I'm a bit saddened, however, because I know that many of us would become close friends if we lived near each other - and I've got to wait a whole year to see most of you again....Ain't that the truth, Dean! Long distance relationships SUCK. No doubt, this Rally was an absolute thrill, and meeting all of you face-to-face was icing on my cake! Melted my butterstick! Raags