TIME FOR TAXI TO DIG A LITTLE DEEPER

[Len911]

"Think about it.

I am one of South Africa’s most successful songwriters and I sign off from TAXI for the final time full of doubts and scepticism. I am sorry.
Nevertheless, I wish you..."
" I'm surprised that my post was misconstrued..."

" I'm not some poor little songwriter hacking away at my craft..."

[Ellwood]

Michael is a good businessman, he could be a better businessman if he didn't have that big heart of his! I made my first million by the time I was 34 years old and a few more after that, I did it with passion, but I did not have to deal with people and their emotions, I did not try to feel what they feel, I would never have thought to answer a internet post that attempted to degrade my business. I can tell you that the person doing the degradation would have been crushed like a fly on the wall. Michael is a special person in a nasty, sometimes heartless business, he constantly tries to put heart in a business that is devoid of heart. As a enterprise matures, the owner never takes his eye off the ball, he stays current and never let's his guard down, if he does, he and the enterprise will fail, if he does not support his people with passion and skill they will fail with him. Business is a balancing act that never fails to slap the unbalanced. Celebrate the fact that Michael has that big heart, it is a rare thing to find a executive with compassion and heart, I know, I am not one of them, we both know how to make money, Michael does it with class, some of us do it with brute force, Michael found the balance.

[ShadowaterMusic]

So, to summarize, thread starter didn't put time and effort into his Taxi membership because he's a super rich, famous, and busy songwriter who doesn't need it. Even though he didn't really try with Taxi, he's figured out that they're only in it for the money, and therefore suggests Taxi start charging members even MORE money by adding another subscription tier. Did I follow all that, right?

[sedge]

think its my fault I shook this up a little bit here and Don fell into defending himself to what I had said mostly, he has said in reply that he didnt know that Taxi do in fact make a note and recommend music that didn't fit a listing , his whole first post is fiction incorrect.

I bit here because it read to me like an all out
1) fabrication of what Taxi are
2) Like it's members are just dumbwits going along with something in the dark

sorry Don and all, I should know better

[mfowler]

Don, have you read your post carefully? It implies very directly that Taxi is "in it for the money" and not providing a valuable service -- which couldn't be farther from the truth.

I've been a Taxi member for five years and can attest to the generosity of spirit, open-hearted-ness and integrity of everyone I've met and interacted with, from Michael to industry insiders and fellow composers. I've witnessed firsthand, both personally and in fellow Taxi members, growing success in the music industry, thanks to Taxi's commitment to educating its members about the realities of honing one's craft as a composer/ musician in alignment with what the music industry is looking for.

Thus, reading a post like yours that attempts to paint Taxi as unethical or corrupt (whether accidental or intentional) makes me think you really haven't experienced this amazing community of people. Thanks to Taxi, I make my living as a full-time composer, as do many of my fellow Taxi co-horts and friends -- and I have forged life-long, authentic friendships and professional support systems with a diverse array of talented composers around the world.

Perhaps your experience was different than ours, but I feel deeply grateful for this amazing community that, in my experience, operates from a place of utmost integrity, compassion and concern for the well-being of its members.

In summary, Taxi is the real deal, and serves it's members well.

Sincerely,
Suz

Well put, Suz!
Marlin

[crs7string]

As I have read this thread I have been trying to imagine one of America's top songwriters, say someone like Burt Bachrach or Diane Warren writing a post like this on the TAXI forum.

Chuck

[Casey H]

So, to summarize, thread starter didn't put time and effort into his Taxi membership because he's a super rich, famous, and busy songwriter who doesn't need it. Even though he didn't really try with Taxi, he's figured out that they're only in it for the money, and therefore suggests Taxi start charging members even MORE money by adding another subscription tier. Did I follow all that, right?

Yup, I think you covered it!

[Ellwood]

As I have read this thread I have been trying to imagine one of America's top songwriters, say someone like Burt Bachrach or Diane Warren writing a post like this on the TAXI forum.

Chuck

Perhaps a case of Big fish little bowl,little fish big bowl? In fact I have the distinction of being the best song writer in my little village!

[ottlukk]

Elwood: In any case, Garfield the cat (the music industry) is looking over your bowl, and will decide if you are edible or not. Suz got it right. Ott

[ocean]

I feel like chiming in and saying something as well.

I've been a Taxi member for not even six months. I've not had a forward, but those feedbacks are of such immense value to me you wouldn't believe it. I've learned more about my song writing and this business in those months than the rest of my years combined. And I know those critiques are from professional people and people who care. It's obvious with those in depth reviews of your music that they truly want to help. Sure, sometimes I scratch my head and think: "what exactly did he/she mean by that?" But then I can turn to the fantastic and equally helpful people in the forums to have it all deciphered. This is such an incredible community of creative souls that only want to lift eachother up. And that is how it should be. I haven't made a dime with my music ever, but I still feel like a success when being a part of this. Oh, I love you guys...
I mean it though. I wish everyone the very best in their lives and creative endevours.