2012 update - 13 songs signed to major publishers and more!

[jrkocian]

Hi friends,
It's been awhile, but I'm still here!!
TAXI has been the singular catalyst for me in the past 2 years.
I am closing in on 2 years of membership and my experience has been overwhelming.
I will be at the RR this year, as I've recently been invited to speak at the 'successful members' panel.
This is all beyond humbling to me, and I feel indebted to Michael and his incredibly talented staff.

In a nutshell TAXI has motivated me and allowed me to take creative risks; to dabble in genres I didn't even know existed, and to develop relationships with high-level music professionals I otherwise would NEVER have had access to.

So far this year I've signed 13 songs with major publishers. I'm writing with people all over the USA, and have made regular trips to nashville a part of my routine. I've been co-writing with a guy who has had multiple (recent) #1's. It boggles my mind actually. I'm writing hip hop tracks for a well known rapper's next project, & I'm connected to a multi-platinum grammy winning producer who allows/asks me to regularly send him material to pitch to the biggest artists in music. That in and of itself is enough is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it's been ongoing for nearly a year. There's more, but this isn't about me. It's about:

T-A-X-I

Have I mentioned that I live in GREEN BAY, WI? I mean, sure, we have the Packers - but it isn't exactly a music hub for anything more than Journey tribute bar bands.

I really can't stress how invaluable TAXI is to people who are willing to put the CRAFT into the ART of songwriting and music production. The "forwards" section of the forum itself is worth the membership fee.
Why?

It's not to brag about forwards. What I did was I hit the forums after I got RETURNS and found members who received forwards for the same listings. Then I went and LISTENED. I analyzed the differences in our songs. Lyrics. Vocals. Arrangements. Instrumentations. Productions. I re-read the listings. And figured out what elements I missed.

And I adjusted accordingly.

Where else can you get that? (nowhere)

The success of members (at least this member) is a TEAM effort.

And I am honored to consider TAXI part of my team.

It is possible to succeed. To 'make it.' To realize our dreams.

Don't quit. Don't settle. Don't lose hope.

And stick with TAXI.

[pedrocosta]

Hi James,

Huge congrats to you in all the success
And thank you for sharing your experience with us.
I agree, if one "does the work" with all that TAXI provides the sky is the limit.
Also I like how you said: "Put the CRAFT into the ART". Often times people don't want to put the craft into it for fear of compromising their artistic integrity. But I now understand that it is possible to write for listings while still maintaining our uniqueness.
Thanks again for sharing and see you at the Rally

Best wishes!

[deankripp]

Great post James!!!

...and congrats on all of your success

looking forward seeing you on the Taxi RR panel

Oh, and as a Seattle guy - let me apologize for the botched call in the Packers/Seahawks game - yup, most of us up here do admit that it was a terrible call...




dean k

[jrkocian]

Pedro,
You nailed it. One of the common themes at last years Rally was asking oneself: Who is this music for? Most of us want to reach the masses with a message or mood that resonates in their cores.
So that means our focus is using our gifts to speak to reach people. To write commercially viable and desirable music. That's as true to who I am as anything. The Rally will inspire you in ways that words cannot express. It's just something we have to experience.

Dean,
Thanks for the reply!
Your blog is AWESOME. I love the way you communicate and articulate. You are clear, concise, and so helpful. You embody the TAXI spirit.
Continued success to you!

And on a much more sour note,
That play was a travesty. Golden Tate would be arrested for aggrevated battery if that happened on the street!!
However, it seems to have galvanized our our team - so it's not all bad.

[davewalton]

Wow! Those are awesome opportunities and that's a great (and so true) shoutout to Taxi. Congratulations!

[sethlit]

Great, great words, and big congrats to you!


Seth

[jrkocian]

Hey Dave & Seth,
Thanks! You guys are doing terrific!

Keep up the fantastic work!

[CrimsnSyrn]

James,

Thank you for sharing your great story with us! - And congratulations!

You're an inspiration to me, thank you for taking the time to put it all out there.

Looking forward to seeing you on the TAXI Success Panel at the Rally!

Juliet

[georginasaint]

Wonderful post James. It's true TAXI opens incredible doors that wouldn't be open to us in any other way.
But it is also a testament to your hard work - so bravo to you for that too.

Georgie

[jrkocian]

Juliet,
Thank you for your reply. I am humbled by your words and all that is transpiring. TAXI is full of people rooting for, not competing against one another. The music industry is big enough for ALL of us to succeed! These forums are a wealth of knowledge and inspiration from people ALL OVER THE WORLD! Everyone working together equals greater success for all!

Georgie,
Thanks for your thoughts and reply. It is a privilege to partner with people like you in this journey!