KG's Road Rally Highlights

[kg]

I wanted to post sooner, but needed to get over a bit of jet lag and make sure I was making sense before rambling on. This was my first rally and I was expecting it to be great, but when I tell you that it was life-changing, I'm not exaggerating even one bit. I came to the rally seriously driven with a lot of TAXI learning under my belt already, but the affirmation of all I've absorbed to date and industry confirmation that I'm doing what needs to be done and doing it well, has sent me into overdrive. It's boosted my confidence to a whole new level. (Any artist/writer/musician knows consistent confidence can be a struggle for some of us creative types). The two major highlights for me were getting to meet Michael Laskow for the first time and getting to meet my fellow "dots." When I tell you that I feel like I've known him [Michael] for years and can clearly see how thrilled he is with his TAXI "kids" it's amazing. (Michael, if you get to read this, thanks again for everything. Your work and the effort of the TAXI team mean the world to me.) To my beloved, DOTS, I can't even begin to tell each one of you how thrilled and blessed I am to have been able to meet each one of you in person. It felt just like family and I'm proud to say I know you. Can't wait to do it again next year.I had so many fantastic experiences while I was there, I know I'm going to miss some, but I'll call out a few here. Waiting in line hours ahead of registration time with members I had just met, sharing stories and music and just getting to know the many faces and stories of my fellow musicians. Seeing and meeting the other DOTS for the first time and having it feel like I was saying hi to an old friend. Meeting industry people sales people who really cared what you do, wanted to hear more about it, and share their expertise even if they knew you weren't a buyer. Sitting in the lobby learning one of Casey's songs and being too thick to keep the words straight LOL. The mentor luncheons were amazing even when the subject matter didn't apply directly to me. Being able to share my perspective on why the forums are an important part of being a TAXI member during one of the panels and how important it is to be a willing learner. (on the soapbox again )Some advice to the new members. If you haven't already, start saving now for next year's rally. It really is that important. Even for those of you who already know the business side, the people you meet, both industry and member, are a huge part of the experience. The contacts I made are a serious part of taking my career to the next level. The right people will end up in your path if you attend with the right intentions. Also, you should attend with a few clear achievable goals in mind and "Dude, I'm gonna get signed" is not one of them. Focus on finding out what your next step is to getting to your final goal. For example, mine were 1. Create a relationship with a new publishing/licensing contact and cultivate a deal from that 2. Look for an opportunity to co-write with the right person well above my level 3. Assess how close I am to my goal/what my missing links are. Without sharing details I'm not able to at this point, let's just say I've met/created the opportunity contained within each goal and should be able to follow-up with a mission accomplished soon.Now if I could just find the cure-all for the pain associated with returning to the day-job today Oh and one more thing, talk about highlights, look who we road to the airport with who just happens to be a TAXI member http://www.jimmytorres.com/ Talk about a reality check, people, if this rock star is a TAXI member, who are you not to be!

[Casey H]

Hi KellyJust to add... Now I can say that Kelly Greene (who WILL be signed soon) covered one of my songs!! How cool is that!!Oh, and I hope it's OK for me to say that she is even prettier in person than in her photos. Casey

[twilsbach]

Great perspective Kelly. Also, random side-note the taxi link in your sig doesn't work. You have to leave out the "music".I learned a ton this weekend, one small thing is that I need to stop lurking on these boards and post a littel more.

[kg]

Quote:Hi KellyJust to add... Now I can say that Kelly Greene (who WILL be signed soon) covered one of my songs!! How cool is that!!Oh, and I hope it's OK for me to say that she is even prettier in person than in her photos. Casey Thank you

[kg]

Quote:Great perspective Kelly. Also, random side-note the taxi link in your sig doesn't work. You have to leave out the "music".I learned a ton this weekend, one small thing is that I need to stop lurking on these boards and post a littel more. Thanks for reading and pointing out the link. Definitely post more

[mazz]

Kelly,I was great meeting you and Jon! You have what it takes to go all the way, your post shows your clear focus and your clearly defined goals! Awesome!I've learned to see my day gig as a blessing that has helped me further my career in some ways (such as funding my gear, uh, habit). It's a challenge to keep that perspective during the daily grind but just reminding myself of it seems to keep me less psychically bound to it (I'm from California so I can say psychically! )I'm looking forward to being able to say "I had a drink with her and her husband one time at the Road Rally, now she's on the panel!"Great stuff!!Mazz

[stick]

KG... pleasure meeting you... I was going to thunk you on the head, but thought better of it. Don't forget us little people when you're a superstar.

[kg]

Thanks, Mazz. You know, I feel a heck of a lot better knowing that my time frame for getting to the next level is shorter than I thought it was. It makes the job that much more tolerable. It also makes it easier to let some of this corporate junk roll off my back and I think you're probably just about the only one allowed to say psychically LOL.Hey Stick - you too...Mrs. Stick as well Ahh...the head thunker...now that's a highlight

[tedsingingfox]

Hey, Kelly (and you, too, John). A blast to spend time with you. As if you weren't already a team to be reckoned with, now you have KNOWLEDGE about how to get where you want to go?I'm just going to stand back and watch it all happen (and water-ski on the waves you leave behind ).Ted

[kg]

Quote:Hey, Kelly (and you, too, John). A blast to spend time with you. As if you weren't already a team to be reckoned with, now you have KNOWLEDGE about how to get where you want to go?I know! Now I'm like dangerous or something Quote:I'm just going to stand back and watch it all happen (and water-ski on the waves you leave behind ).I hear you're going to be making some waves yourself in the instrumental realm. Nothing like getting the stamp of approval from Matt