forward "certificates"

[hummingbird]

This post was made Sun Dec 2nd:Quote:How do y'all feel about those certificates you can print out when you get a "forward?" You know, the ones that look like diplomas ... congrats!! ...you've been forwarded to XYZ Major Label !! What am I supposed to do? Print them and frame them and hang them on my wall? Then all my friends can come over and say "hey, are you making any money at this songwriting thing?" And I can say, "nah, nobody ever called me. But the certificates are nice, don't cha think?" I wish TAXI wouldn't patronize us this way. I guess the certificates are their way of saying, "hey, you're pretty good, but don't expect a call from Mr. A&R Man."Michael responded with this post Sun Dec 2nd:Quote:Hi Jimi,One of the dots tipped me to the thread on the Forward Certificates, and I'd like to shoot out a response, so please post this.I created the certificates because for years, members were taping the "Hey, you got forwarded" postcards to the walls. When we started doing most of our business online, people began to tape up the forward emails. I thought it would be cool to give them something nicer. I figured SOME people might think they were corny, but for most people, getting a forward is an accomplishment.... obviously, or they wouldn't have taped the old post cards up. I also figured that if they didn't like them, they would open or print them.I understand yrreppy's frustration with not getting calls (except for that publisher he DID hear from), but we DID get his music on the desks, and for the vast majority of people, that's a pretty big deal. It's probably never happened for them before they joined TAXI.I checked yrreppy's profile and see that he's 48 years old. I'm guessing he's been at this for quite a while, and his frustration is palpable. I understand and TRULY feel for you yrreppy. But Elliott Park (from Clyde, TX, pop. 3,423) ended up with a number 1 hit ('I Loved Her First' by Heartland), and Jim Funk and Erik Hickenlooper ALSO ended up with a number 1 hit with 'Buy Me a Rose' by Kenny Rogers, and they were from a small town in Utah, and had NO previous ANYTHING going on in Nashville as well. We've only had a couple of members get cuts in Nashville, but we cover ALL genres, and don't concentrate just on Country. That considered, those two #1s for writers who were completely unknown and from small towns far from Nashville, is pretty remarkable.And just by coincidence, both #1s were on small Indie labels, so you might not want to discount that small publisher we hooked you up with so fast. Who was it by the way? I'll be happy to check them out further. We're pretty stringent in vetting the companies that run listings with us ... we DON'T take them from just anywhere.We've had 2 or 3 less than desirable companies get by us in the last 15 years, but only a couple. Not bad when you consider that we've run around 15,000 listings for somewhere around 7-800 different companies over those 15 years.As for your friends seeing the certificates and asking if you've made any money as a result... well, hell, don't they ever ask you how you've done with your songwriting generally? Is it really our certificates that make them ask?By the same token, you are surrounded by people on this forum who ARE making money BECAUSE of TAXI, but they are a humble bunch, and generally don't talk about their income publicly. Sadly, HUNDREDS of lurkers will read your post. So if your goal was to discredit TAXI born of your own frustration, then let me congratulate you, because you've probably achieved your goal. Dozens of people probably won't join or renew because they don't know how much these more humble folks have made, and they'll believe you because it's easier to believe that TAXI sucks than it is to do the hard work and display the patience necessary to achieve the success the people on this forum have had.If any of you 'humble' folk want to chime in here, I won't stop you ;-)If you've got an issue with us, and your intent was to find out why we send out the certificates, or tell us you don't like them, then why didn't you simply call us, rather than doing what you did publicly?SO, please call me personally at 1-800-458-2111 on Monday, December 3rd, and just tell the receptionist that you're TAXI member 'yrreppy' from the forum. I'll check out the company we sent your music to. I'll bet they've had cuts or something else substantial going for them, and that's why we ran the listing. If they ARE less than credible, I'll cop to it here, and quit running listings for them.I don't mean this to sound facetious, but have you been at this for a long time, been frustrated by the lack of stuff going on, and lashed out at us for the certificates as your first post as a result of your frustration with the industry as a whole?I hope that's not the case, but I also hope that you can understand that it appears that your frustration may be misplaced, and came off as a little ungentleman-like. Not a great way to join this remarkable community of incredibly helpful, generous, and successful members.You'll catch more flies with honey here, and for those who've come to learn that the hard way, they'd be among the first to tell you how TAXI and this community have contributed a great deal to their success.I hope to count you among them someday soon.Don't forget to call me!thanks,Michael LaskowCEO, TAXI1-800-458-2111I asked Michael this morning (Fri Dec 7th) if yrrepy had called him at Taxi's toll free line to discuss his concerns. The answer is no.You know, I'm first one to totally understand the frustrations of a talented & creative musician who feels that they aren't moving forward as fast as they would like. But I got a few things to say...#1 - you don't get anywhere without being professional, having integrity, and having the balls to discuss your issues with dignity & respect with the person(s) concerned. It's easy to throw dirt around behind the scenes / behind an on-line identity & create a fuss. It's a lot harder to sit down face to face and speak your truth. If you can't deal with your irritation with Taxi, then how will you deal with a music publisher or music library or record label in a professional & courteous manner? What are you going to say when they *do* call. "Well, finally, what's wrong with you people."#2 - Read Jason Blume's "Inside Songwriting" - it's an eye opening account of his 12 year struggle to become and be recognized as a professional hit songwriter. Watch the Film/TV youtube video's with Matt Hirt, who makes a good living writing & producing music for film/tv & exploits his Taxi membership to the nth degree. #3 - It takes as long as it takes. And it takes a lot of consistent work from you, to write, produce, submit & create relationships. I just got an email yesterday, regarding a Taxi forward. Guess when the listing was? 061114 - yep, that's November 14, 2006. I got the forward (my first ever forward -- no certificate, I'm afraid, I was still on Broadjam) in December 2006. And I was contacted December 6, 2007 - one year later. Matt has one example where it took 5 years to get a deal.#4- yrrepy, you are welcome here. We all complain a little, that's expected. But then we get up and going again. We won't hold your first post against you. There are friends here. Join in. Hummin'bird

[liamkelly]

VikkiGood post Funny how most of the posters who complain that their music isn't 'making money' through Taxi constantly blame Taxi for this and not their music.I find this very irritating I mean, if their music were so good they'd surely be making money somewhere, if not through Taxi Liam

[tedsingingfox]

Vikki-ocrates does it again.