How I Measure My Success as an Artist

[dlf]

Hello all!I don't use the forum that much. I really should. there are a lot of great people on here giving out great information. I hope to be one of them! I'm writing today because I've recently hit a vein of gold! With plenty of forwards and other successes, I've been blessed! I wanted to share with you all an email I tried to get to Michael at the beginning of the year. I don't know if he got it or not, but I thought it was important enough for you guys to see it and think about it. Basically, I think TAXI ROCKS! Whether it be through a forward or elsewhere, I owe a lot of debt and gratitude to Michael and his crew. I'll let you read what I wrote:Dear Michael, Where to begin! First I want to thank you for starting an awesome company. I was looking at Taxi back in the ‘90’s, and never joined. I joined in 2004 and have been going strong ever since. My first thought would be to regret the years I missed, but I’m one to believe that everything happens for a reason, and in it’s time. So, I’m just happy to be a part of the Taxi family now! I am writing you today for a couple reasons. First, I agree with you that not enough members tell of their successes through Taxi. The stories I have heard have been inspiring; in addition meeting and connecting with people through the Rally reinforces my inspiration. I think if more members told their stories, then more people will be challenged to get their music out there. For example. I met Dave Walton during my first Rally. We’ve been friends ever since. I’ve always admired his perseverance and success through Taxi. Then BOOM, he’s writing for Harpo Productions and at last Rally, was a panelist! To me, he is an idol, because his success is what I want for myself, and his life, musically, is what I want: to be an independent music maker for film/TV/people, and be making a living from it. Dave is also a great guy, and very helpful. He doesn’t hesitate to answer any question I throw at him, or take the time to listen to something I’ve created and critique it. So Dave is one of those stories that keep me going. And without Taxi, I probably would have never met him! But there’s another part of success stories that I think you’re missing out on, and that may be why you don’t get as many stories as you’d like. To explain what I mean, I’m going to (briefly) tell you my story. Since joining Taxi 4 years ago, I believe that my music abilities have grown exponentially. Not only in creating of the music, but in how I market my music, how I market myself as a musician, and how I see myself in this industry. I have probably learned more, and retained more information in these 4 years than I have in the 19 years that I have considered myself a true musician. In those 4 years, I have listened to the suggestions of the screeners, told some of them to go to hell (yelling at my returned submissions), and soaked up as much information I could handle to make my music better. Please bear with me. I’m long winded, but I have a point! This past year alone I’ve gotten over 10 songs forwarded through Taxi, BUT nothing has come of them yet. However, I have won the VH-1 Song of the Year contest for the month August last year, honorable mention the year before, had a CD playing in a club in Belgium two years ago, having my currently released CD reviewed in a German eMagazine, and most recently won a contest where one of my tracks will be put on a compilation CD for an upcoming graphic novel. All of these things I think are amazing! They weren’t through Taxi, but I honestly believe if I did not have the guidance of Taxi, these things would not have happened. And I think there are a lot of stories like mine out there that you should be asking for! I have friends that I’ve met through Taxi who are discouraged because they get forwards and nothing comes of them, or don’t get forwards, but get something else going by applying themselves elsewhere. I believe that they wouldn’t have tried other avenues if not for the education from Taxi. I think that many members think that when they get forwarded, it’s Taxi that decides if it gets used. I don’t think people quite understand that you are the broker, but it’s up to the company the music is forwarded to, to make the final decision. My point, Michael, is that I have had PUH-LENTY of success that hasn’t been through Taxi, and I’m loving every bit of it. BUT it would be with regret and remorse if I didn’t thank you and your company for that success as well. Without Taxi in my musical life, I would most likely still be sitting in my studio, with tons of material not knowing where to begin. Yes, the internet is a far better tool now than in the early 90’s when I began, but you and Taxi have organized the music industry in such a way that ANYONE can get heard. Thank you for that! And I feel that you should capitalize on those stories as well as the ones that get jobs through Taxi. I may be one of few that want to admit it, but with a rocking company, and a kick ass convention at the end of every year, how could you NOT give kudos to Taxi? I have so much fun at the Rally, and LEARN and NETWORK!! I was depressed last year when I couldn’t make it. But I turned that energy into a CD release, so all was good. But would I have been ready to release a CD without the information I learned through Taxi? Nah! I would have been still looking for someone to offer me a deal..Yeah, good luck! So, THANK YOU MICHAEL AND THANK YOU TAXI!!!! Darrin FrisonAkaDLF p.s. and now for a couple shameless plugs! Check out my official website at www.tbpmusicstudio.com. That has all the latest information about what I’m doing musically. www.myspace.com/dlftbp, and of course www.taxi.com/DLF! Check out the album at www.cdbaby.com/cd/darrbear, and NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH iTunes!!!! Just go to the iTunes store and put DLF in the search. Official link will be sent out shortly!So, long story short (TOO LATE!) I measure my success not only by what I'm doing now, or how many forwards I get, but through the knowledge and networking and support that Taxi provides for me...for all of us. If you get forwarded THAT'S GREAT! Keep going! Don't stop there. Use the stuff Taxi gave you to push forward!Since writing this email to Michael, I've had another song placed in an upcoming tv show, as well as a few forwards, and I too am now a part of the Harpo Production composer team, and I get to work with my friend, mentor, guru Dave Walton! You may have seen my mug in one or two of the Taxi newsletters as well!It may take a while folks, but it is oh so worth the wait! And again, THANK YOU MICHAEL AND TAXI for creating a wonderful avenue for us to play on! ~DLF

[hummingbird]

I heartedly concur with everything you wrote in your letter. I have said, time and time again, that my success 'outside' of Taxi is a direct result of my *membership* in Taxi and all I have learned about being a professional songwriter/composer/producer as a result. In addition, I absolutely am positive that my attendance at the Road Rally's helped me clearly identify where I could go and also gave me the clarity to see what I needed to do to get there. And, I know, 100%, that my membership in this forum and the relationships I have created through this medium, have contributed hugely to my success. Last year Michael applauded my determination in a Taxi newsletter. My determination comes from vision. Having a road map. Being willing to do the work to move forward because I can see that if I put in the effort I will grow. Taxi is one of the vehicles I use to keep myself on the road to becoming more than I ever dreamed I could.

[anne]

I too agree with both of your statements. I just had a huge success - Last night, I played my first gig out after not having played in public in 20 years. It was a nothing-special gig in a little dive bar where I live, but I can't even tell you what I went through to get to the "place" where I could do it. If I didn't belong to Taxi, I never would have gotten the confidence to play in front of people again. So, even though there has been no deals for me yet, Taxi connections, knowledge, networking, sharing and the rally have all got me making music again where nothing else really was able to do it alone. Just the fact that I can now say that I am working on what I've always wanted to do is success to me.

[eduardium]

Thanks for posting that.. Reading about everyone's achievements is inspirational.. - ed.

[aimusic]

Dudes and Dudettes.....Taxi has taught me more (in 7months) than I ever learned at a music college for two years.... Simple...STRAIGHT!!!!!Everyone here rocks, some of us jazz and the rest reggae

[daniel481]

Great article and I completely agree. I'm in the same situation where I've scored a handful of deals outside of TAXI since I've been a member, and have yet to get any as a direct result of it, but I doubt I would have had any if it weren't for being a part of this. I've learned tons through the people here on the forum, the Rally, etc, and it's been a great motivator. So yep, just wanted to chime in and say great letter man!Dan

[dlf]

Again, I have to thank Taxi for molding me into a composer who can get jobs! Since writing this post, I've signed with two licensing companies. Slow and steady wins the race!Keep up the good job everyone! I'm getting pumped for the Rally already!~D

[linziellen]

Thank you for sharing Darrin, I love reading stories like yours and very big congratulations to you, for everything. I'm not even a member of Taxi, I just stalk the boards! But in the six months I've been here I have met some wonderful people so full of help, advice and encouragement. Best of luck with future Taxi and non Taxi deals.All hail Taxi Linzi

[orest]

It's great to read inspiration letters like these!