TAXI Nashville/Country Panel June 8th, 2009

[jchitty]

May 20, 2009, 3:40pm, perrysmith wrote:Quote:I know it's scary to go to Nashville....personally, I'm terrified. I am a shy person and there are gonna be some really cool music biz people at this panel, and I'll admit it might be a little overwhelming for a shy person like me, but I'm going anyway. So you gotta go too, PLEASE?...And you have to give Michael credit......how many people would go out of their way like this to help their customers?Don't make me have to call out Steve Gilbert after ya. Well, Chits, I will say that "scared" or "shy" are a couple of things I have never been accused of I think some of the judges I have practiced in front of would attest to that. So, believe it or don't, it is not about that at all. I have played my songs face to face with significant industry players and paid for the opportunity to do so (Durango anyone?). I wished one of my songs would have been selected to be played at the Rally, which is why I submitted them. Not only do I not fear having songs played for big time players with me in the room -- I long for it!So, yes, it is great that Michael is doing this and not charging anyone for it (as far as I know). He has made this pretty personal with me, though, and made it pretty clear in his post above that he is trying to prove a point. However, it is a point with which I never disagreed, so proving it seems a bit futile to me.I am going to go. But I am under no illusions about what the point of this meeting is. And I also believe that the panelists are under no illusions about what the point of this meeting is and I think the point will be made again and again. My songs will be part of making the point. And so will yours. See you there.-PerryYAY, Perry! Glad you can make it. Squiddy's coming too....I just talked to her on the phone, and I'm bringing my hubby too. Even if there's no seating at him for the meeting, he'll still drive us up there.As far as my songs, I know they are lacking, and I don't mind them being critiqued.....I too know what the panel might say if my song is picked for a listen. I pretty much know my strengths and weaknesses. When I first started posting here, I got upset over my lack of fowards, but after so many years, I know why my songs aren't getting fowarded....they are good, but they are missing that 'something extra' that will put them over the high bar. In my heart, I know I have something very deep inside that I've never quite been able to dig out as far as my songwriting goes....maybe this panel will help me bring it to surface one day.If this panel of writers HEARS anything in my stuff and says, 'hey, you got potential, keep trying,' that is all I need.....that is something that will put me in the right direction....it will be a learning experience for me. I've already learned a lot from the screeners which is one reason I'm sort of leary of being picked to be listened to....I can hear the flaws, and there is a part of me that would go 'ouch, I don't know if I want someone like Rivers Rutherford hearing my stuff right now.' But if nothing else, my stuff has improved over the years, and that's because of TAXI....hopefully, my later stuff would be the stuff people would hear, and once again, I'm not even asking for that. If my stuff is not picked to be listened to, no prob at all. Anyway, once again, glad you're coming.

[perrysmith]

Really nicely stated, Chits. It will be good to meet you and I pray your health gives you a really awesome day that day!-P

[jchitty]

May 20, 2009, 3:56pm, perrysmith wrote:Really nicely stated, Chits. It will be good to meet you and I pray your health gives you a really awesome day that day!-PThanks, Perry.

[jay10music]

Perry,This is the exact email I sent to the guys. This is te only thing they know now, or will know about this panel.MLSubject: Can you do a Nashville based panel with Laskow/TAXI?Hello gents,I'd like to invite you to join me for a panel on June 8th (probably at the Lowe's Vandy). My members need a Nashville reality check and you guys are as close to reality as I can get We could start it at 4:30 and be done by 6:30 (time changed- ML) to get you home in time for dinner... unless I could talk you into steaks at ******* after!If you could each bring two demos on CD that show our members where the bar is set, that would be great. A guitar/vocal demo that shows how it's all about the song would be good too. We'll listen to those, I'll ask you some questions like I do at the Road Rally, and we'll listen to some demos from members so they can get an idea of how they'd stack up in town. We're starting to get a lot of B+ to A minus stuff, and those are the guys/gals who need this the most.As you might expect, we take a LOT of shots for what we DON'T send to Nashville, and I can't think of a better way to demonstrate reality than doing some show and tell. I think having an A&R guy/producer, a publisher, a hit writer/publisher, a top plugger, and Mr. "Murphy's Law" would give these hungry folks a dose of reality and plenty of inspiration.Craig, I know you've never done one of these with me, but the other guys will tell you that I run a first class joint and you'll truly enjoy yourself. My panels are never painful and typically pretty fun I am not charging an entry fee for this, and doing it just for the sake of giving back and educating. So if you would each send me the name of your favorite charity, I will bring a check for $200 to go to each of your charities in your name.Thank you ALL! If you want to do it, but this night/time doesn't work, please suggest another.Warm regards and thanks to you all,Michael

[crystallions]

Michael,May my husband and I come even though I don't write country songs? I believe there is still much we could learn from this as we both work in music / media. (My husband Nathan is not a TAXI member - only I am.) We would both be happy to come early and help you set up as needed. Nathan is an audio engineer and offered to help with tech during the show if you need it. We could also help tear down afterward. Just let us know when and where to report for duty. ~ Lydia

[jchitty]

May 20, 2009, 4:11pm, crystallions wrote:Michael,May my husband and I come even though I don't write country songs? I believe there is still much we could learn from this as we both work in music / media. (My husband Nathan is not a TAXI member - only I am.) We would both be happy to come early and help you set up as needed. Nathan is an audio engineer and offered to help with tech during the show if you need it. We could also help tear down afterward. Just let us know when and where to report for duty. ~ LydiaYou get my vote for you and the hubster to come, Lydia. It will be fun to see Barry again too, and Ted.

[jay10music]

Lydia, YES, please join us! Probably won't need much help, but thanks for offering. I'm going to rent a PA from Martina's hubby (probably not the one they use on the road , and it'll just be talking heads, so not all that much to deal with. But I might have your hubby ride gain on the talking heads as they are typically a little sloppy on their mic technique. I'm an engineer too. Can your hubby be MY date? Don't get me talking about microphones.... I get all teary eyed just thinking about them!See you there,Michael

[cameron]

Just bought my ticket from Arizona. My experience with these panels is that they have all the songs they need, and unless you have a song the pizza delivery guy could spot as a hit, you're out of luck. So now I'm going to go home and try to write one of those! Thanks for posting the e-mail you sent to the guys, Michael. I admire your transparency.I can't wait to meet all of you!Cam

[perrysmith]

Quote:My members need a Nashville reality check and you guys are as close to reality as I can get I think it should be called "TAXI's Nashville Reality Check" and you should do one every so often. In the post that started this mess, I said that I think "it is the dreamer in me that wants to start submitting to TAXI again before I am ready." Seems pretty realistic to me, no? I still don't know where you got the idea that I need a reality check on this stuff. People complain all the time that they did not get forwarded--I NEVER HAVE. People complain all the time about their critiques--I NEVER HAVE. I suppose I'll never understand how I became the focus of this whole "reality check" thing, but perception is reality, especially when the perception is voiced by Mr. Laskow. So, carry on.-P

[cameron]

Actually, I think I'm the one who complained about Perry not getting forwarded. My own stuff needs work!Cam