Preparing for the Rally

[dynamicalan]

Hello,

we recently received a letter from President Laskow about getting ready for the Rally. The content of this letter focused on not preparing for the rally. I think I heard something about having the right stuff on your web site and also CDs to pass out. I am a composer so I know if a CD will be useful of all my film songs. Will there be any music executives there to pass one out to.

A big question is what questions to ask during the mentor sessions. I don't know about any other participation besides the jam sessions and open mics. I am planning to bring business cards to pass out. I think I will use a very simple design.

I don't really know about preparing for the rally sense this is my first one. I think it would be helpful if some more experienced members could share there past experiences on the rally. What did you wish you had done differently at your first rally, is the question, the answer may benefit the newer rally Participates.

In any event I am looking forward to meeting everyone there.

[Casey H]

A year or two ago I posted a checklist of things to pack for the rally. Can't find it now but I'll keep looking and be back with it. Other members also postsed similar lists and suggestions...

Be back... Stay tuned...

[hummingbird]

here's a post I made last year, maybe it will answer some of your questions:

http://forums.taxi.com/topic10373.html

[Casey H]

Thanks Vikki... Her post at that link is highly recommended reading.

This was a packing list & notes I posted last year. I found it on the old forum:

Casey's List + Random Notes
CDs... Mainly in envelopes or slim cases (for light weight) but a 1-2 in full size jewel cases for "special" situations.

Don't forget that every CD and lyric sheet should have your full contact info. Include that both on CD labels and CD cases/envelopes. They CAN get separated.

Lyric sheets... For classes where lyrics are discussed/reviewed.

Lead sheets- chords and lyrics... Only needed if you decide to do an open mic thing with friends.

Business cards

Dots... To stick on your badge and in case other forumites need

Cell phone numbers of rally friends and contacts

Printed rally materials (Take on the plane ride too!)

Pens... seems like a simple thing

Notebook or notepad.

Rubberbands... In some classes you hand in or drop in a drop box a CD with a lyric sheet folded up and attached with a rubberband.

Blank CDs... Just in case you need to dup another. I'll have my laptop like many and there are computers at the business center. This is a bit overboard but I pack a few just in case.

Blank CD labels... You never know, you might have to improvise. (Also overboard)

Extra pre-printed CD labels in case you make extra CD dups.

A few extra CD envelopes, cases, inserts, etc

CD marking pen... Just in case you need to quickly make and "scribble" label a CD for a class or something.

Guitar, capo, and tuner (for me, anyway)

No need to way overdo it on the CD thing for industry contacts by making too many CDs. The A&R people you might meet get innudated with people handing them CD's and often throw them out when they leave rather than carry them. It's more effective to exchange contact info and follow up 1-2 weeks later.

You will probably use CDs for drop boxes for listening panels. You can get these CDs back after the panel but it's pretty crowded, there are hundreds of CDs, so don't count on it. In smaller classes where the participants pass CDs up to the instructor, you almost always can get your CD back easily.

If you drop a CD in a drop box that has more than one track, make sure you firmly attach a post-it or something making it clear which track you want played. Or you could write it on a CD envelope. But if nothing indicated, they will play track 1.

Regarding drop boxes for listening panels... Many hundreds of CDs get dropped for each one and only 10-20 can be played in a session. Don't go home disappointed if your track wasn't played. Odds are small... Use the experience to learn from what panelists say about the ones they do play.

Act like a professional. One of the worst things is when a hundred members swarm all over a panelist at the end of a panel session. It's easy to be a jerk. The best contacts are made in natural situations like sitting next to someone in the bar, a hotel lounging area, etc. Strike up natural conversation, not "me, me, me"... Let the other person ask you about you if they wish.

Reservation confirmations-- airline and hotel. Do you have to check in with the airline 24 hours prior?

And HAVE FUN!!!

Casey

PS Drop me a PM if I can be of any help, answer questions, etc.

[dynamicalan]

Thanks Casey Thanks Vikki. Vikki sorry I missed that post when I looked through the Rally thread. Sorry for the redundancy. I think these posts are very helpful. I know we all learn a lot from our first Rally.

Sincerely,

Alan

[h3l3n5]

Thanks for all this useful info for us virgin Road Rally-errs!

[hummingbird]

I don't mind being redundant if it's helpful to others

[dynamicalan]

I don't mind being redundant if it's helpful to others

Vikki,

I meant I was redundant. I didn't mean you were. I noticed I had seen it and I didn't want to put anyone to any trouble sense they said it already. Thanks for your post. It's a real neat page and I plan to study it in detail.



Thanks,

Alan

[mazz]

Something that I remind myself every year and I typically fail miserably at ( ) but at least try to accomplish: Listen more, talk less.

That's a hard one for me!

But it's true as Casey says: Don't make it about me, me, me. Something that really rings true for me in this business is that it's not about "what can you do for me" but rather, "what can I do for you". This is a service business, basically, and we all, artists, composers, etc., are providing our music as a vehicle for all of us to hopefully garner more success and money. How can we do that more effectively so the folks that do the marketing of our music can do their job more effectively? If we are listening to their answers to that question instead of hyping how great our music is (blah, blah, blah, blah), I think we will learn more and create better relationships with these folks. People like us more when we are genuinely interested in them. They need great music, of course, but they have access to more music than they could ever digest in a lifetime, so there needs to be something more than just music attached, and like anyone, they would prefer to work with folks that they get along with and are easy to work with. If a musician is easy to work with AND has great music, there is a great chance of success for everyone involved!

Bring an open mind and a closed mouth!! (reminder to myself!)

Cheers!

Mazz

[dynamicalan]

Hi Mazz,

I am glad you posted that. I think it's easier for me to remain silent and just listen but part of this requires us to ask questions such as the mentor session. I suppose once the mentor Bios sheet come out, I may be able to research the mentors, and that may give me an idea of what to ask.

I heard it said by a previous attender that they didn't have the right stuff on there web site. I don't have a web site but if I can throw some songs together for Film I may bring a CD.

I suppose from reading these posts we may start relationships with music executives. It's important to make a good impression. The more we know about how they think the better our impression will be.

I am going to carefully consider the classes as we can't attend all of them.

Sincerely,

Alan