My Favorite Things at Road Rally 2010

[wickedsmaht]

It seems the recurring theme of this year's rally was "generosity," and my personal theme was "gratitude" -- I finally got to meet and personally thank so many of those whose generosity with their time and knowledge has made such a difference to my music in the year since I first joined Taxi. From Michael Laskow and Robin Frederick to forum superstars Mazz, Casey, Dave Walton, BigBlueBarry and a very long list of forum regulars who make me think, laugh, and whose music inspires me to up my own game. Whether we only had time for a handshake and a hello or we got to really hang out, I'm grateful to all of you!

[ullali]

Geeez dear Michael!...Dear TAXI staff and fellow ‘Road Rallies’....
I simply don’t know where to start and if I have the right words to express how blessed I feel to have attended this, my 2nd, and totally AWESOME Road Rally!

I travel for 24 hours (times two) to be there, and it’s worth every minute and every dime! Even the jetlag (and Rally-lag) that I know I will be having for the next month at least!

My first (2009 Rally) was a blast and an eye opener for me, for sure! But this year was EVEN BETTER! This time I knew what I could expect, and on top of that I got even more, also as I realized how many wonderful and talented friends in music that I already had at the Rally, and even more friends was added this year, friendships that I know will last.

I am so overwhelmed by the whole Rally Spirit, the content / learning, the people, the whole amazing set-up and logistics (I know and appreciate how much hard work it takes, to make everything work and look easy!), - and I can’t express how grateful I am to be a part of this fantastic community and event! BLESS YOU ALL for making the Rally what it is! A complete mind- and heart blower! THANK YOU!!! ....I love IT ALL and everyone contributing!

...And oh yeah, btw....winning that AWESOME Platinum Nashville Recording demo....RIGHT after I had decided to do something NEW, (inspired by a Jason Blume session), that completly blew my mind! Just like last year....I take it as a good sign from above, to continue my musical journey and improve what I do.

Love and happy smiles from Denmark....and see you next year!

[maryshaw]

I second Jonathan's theme of "gratitude". Michael, it was an honor to finally meet you. This was my first Rally and I intend to come back for many years to come. I took 45 pages of notes at sessions and spent most of the plane ride home reflecting on the whole experience and all the wonderful people I met. Robin Frederick's Film and TV session gave me great focus and direction, as did Robert Wear's incisive mentoring. And of course, there was the opportunity to learn directly from some of the true living legends in music. Amazing! But as fantastic as all that was, perhaps the very best part was being with thousands of like-minded people for the first time in my life. I've been playing music since I was 3, and since I'm a solo singer-songwriter I've rarely had the chance to hang out with others on the same or a similar path. Waiting in line was a joy because there was a great story at every turn and new friendships as a result. Plus there are so many terrific TAXI Forum members to learn from - Mazz, Jeff Greenleaf, Matto, Vikki Flawith, and many others who were so kind to share their insights and humor in the Dot Lounge. I'm still walking on air and ready to take my music to the next level. Thanks for everything!

[dotted8]

Meeting up with friends from last year's rally and making new friends was great! as was the camaraderie of the all the like-minded souls attending.

One of the Taxi member panelists (and if you read this, I apologize for not identifying you by name... I'm getting old) made a suggestion which I put into use. Talking about focusing on a different aspect at each year's rally (ie: creativity focused one year, business focused the next, production the next, etc) to optimize the learning over a few years. I used that formula this year to focus on the production aspect which I think helped me quite a bit, whereas last year, I was eating from the Rally buffet, a little of everything. Having an area focus really helped me, though I didn't completely block everything else out...

To get back to the point of this thread; Rob Chiarelli & Ron Harris' classes were great! As was Ronan Chris Murphey's arrangement class. Robin's film & tv classes were compelling and listening to those Lamont Dozier classic songs was like a trip down memory lane that made me smile...

Thank you Michael and the whole Taxi staff and volunteers for a GREAT 2010 Road Rally!

[bete]

Folks,
...Thank you all!
Michael

Michael, I understand why you say thank you because there were so many terrifically helpful people at the rally. At the same time, we all know we wouldn't have this collection of talented, caring professionals in one place for a long weekend without your dream coming true.
I had a great time beginning on Wed.
Getting to know everyone who helped stuff bags was a new bonus for me -- BTW thanks for the pizzas -- and before registration closed on Thurs. I had seen enough old friends and made enough new contacts to make making the trip worthwhile. As my enjoyment and knowledge grew, it kept getting better.
Thanks again for another terrific rally! Sorry I didn't get a chance to give you Reiki.
Bette

[bigbluebarry]

I just wanted to say "THANK YOU" to Michael and every one on the TAXI staff. This was my third Rally and it was definitely the best one I've been to yet.

I posted a thread with some of my thoughts on this year's event if anyone is interested in reading it - http://forums.taxi.com/topic24906.html - but some highlights for me were:

1) Meeting all of the new friends and re-connecting with the familiar ones
2) Talking to Sascha in the hallway after the video game panel
3) Having my one-to-one mentor ask me how I got my guitar tone
4) Getting what I would call a "mentor session" with Matto on Sunday night. Even though you told me not to say "thanks" I'm going to say it anyways, thank you Matt!
5) Hearing how much the quality of the music in the listening panels has improved over the past two years
6) Talking to Michael on Sunday night

There were definitely more highlights than I have time to type up. It was a definite battery-charging experience, one that I desperately needed! Can't wait till next year!

- Big Blue

[Casey H]

Thank you Michael for another great Road Rally! Much appreciation for everything you and your staff do!

What I learned at this rally was why I need to continue to focus mainly on film/TV. As you can see from this photo, the rock star life of being on the road, the hotels, the parties, the drinking, and women everywhere... well, it's just pure hell...



Casey

[shellsings]

This was my second Rally and It was awesome! I knew my way around the rally a bit better and was more confident in my songwriting and my strenghts and weaknesses, so I used the rally to find out how to strenghtehn my weaknesses.

I got great feedback of my music from Jason Blume, Jai Josefs and Ralph Murphy!

This kind of validation certainly helps me keep going...

Since I got back I think I have spent more time processing information than doing work my day job (shhhhh don't tell them I said that).

Gonna be spendin more time here in the forums from now on! Thanks TAXI!!!

[eeoo]

The biggest highlight for me was meeting so many fellow forum geeks! The generosity of spirit was evident the minute I arrived. I was also honored to be invited to the Studio 51 annual meeting, what a great group of people! Robin Fredrick's panel on songwriting for film/tv was excellent, the quality of music at the film/tv pitch panel was unbelievable. The bar is getting higher and higher...

Nice meeting everyone!

eo

[DaveZ]

Twas my first Rally and what a blast!

I was initially apprehensive (coming from an instrumental film/tv angle) when I got there that it would all be focused on being a rock/popstar but was pleasantly surprised the entire weekend. Met Jeff Lizerbram and Brandon Matias fairly quick in line waiting for registration, very cool peeps. Went to the open mics the first night and witnessed some mighty impressive performances. Got bad news from my wife regarding my German Shepard on Friday morning while in line waiting for my mentor.. he had a tumor on his spleen and was critical.. booy was that a shift in perspective.. my mentor was a no show for my time slot (which was good as I was in no condition to meet), I got some privacy and was on the phone with the vet and my wife and we decided to give surgery a go and see if he would be able to pull through. Was touch and go for awhile and very emotional but here he lays next to me as I'm typing and he's getting back to 100%, matter of fact he's passing gas just like he used to! I was able to meet with my mentor later and that was pretty pretty cool.. wish it was a longer amount of time but I was happy. The remainder of the weekend continued to blow my mind.. all the great info.. perspective changing.. I can't wait to try all the fresh approaches. Mazz and Matto were refreshingly approachable and very cool, I gleaned great info from both. The other thing that continued to surprise me is that EVERY conversation I had was valuable and I learned something I didn't know prior.. whether it was with one of the big timers or someone just standing next to me it was quite mind-blowing..

The only downside was not meeting as many forum members as I initially wanted too but I plan on being there next year! I blame that on missing the Networking class (had to goto Tone Merchants in N Hollywood and check out some Suhr Modern 24's) not being from LA I seriously underestimated the traffic.


Back home and back to work BUT I am inspired now.. and that is… at the end of the day what it's about.

Thanks all!

Dave Z