TAXI Nashville/Country Panel June 8th, 2009

[Casey H]

May 20, 2009, 1:57pm, hummingbird wrote:I'd consider going, even if I don't currently write country music, I've attempted to do so in the past, and I know I'd learn a heck of a lot from an event like this. Hope other TAXI members get on board!Me too! Giving it some serious consideration. I don't think only country writers benefit from something like this. Observing how A&R people listen and react teaches a lot. And one comment on one song, even out of your genre, can be meaningful. And now with so many of you guys going, it's even MORE tempting. My other 2 cents are that it's not just about having your song critiqued by a pro and possibly being embarrassed. Just meeting people can be a plus for the future. Let's say someone listens to your song and thinks it's impressive but not quite there yet. That person might remember you down the road.... Just striking up a quick conversation with the right person can be important.So.... I'm REALLY thinking about this!! Gotta see what bargains are out there on the travel sites... Casey

[squids]

I'll be comin. I don't write country but am always glad to meet the writers. I'll have some music available if they're looking for something unusual that isn't country but otherwise, I'll come ta meet the LA mogul and ta hang with blue, ted, chits, vix if she can make it.....heck, whoeva can make it. If this works, it could happen next year and the year afta and how many of us have said ad nauseum that we can't afford LA?? This is our chance ta make this work out so we won't hafta go so far. If it can get up and runnin, we'll end up havin mo prep time than this time so mo folks can get there.That's my deal. I won't miss a chance ta hang with my big sis, chits and go see how trasbin's doin now. I promised him I'd check up on him again and besides, I wanna see what Ted's done with the place and give blue a squeeze. And of course, Mr. Laskow, our meetin is far, far, ova due.

[heinsite]

Hello Michael--I would love to attend this. I have several songs that I've submitted to Taxi that have been "spoken" pretty highly of, and/or been forwarded (a total of 2).One question (well, maybe 2...)1) In YOUR opinion, am I at least a B+ c/w songwriter, based on the latest critiques that I have had? I only ask for honesty, like always.2) My biggest complaint on the Rally was submitting songs in those boxes, and waiting for a chance to at least be listened to and even "BOOED"--by the panelists. The chances I naively found were very slim, and I missed several of the classes awaiting just ONE being listened to.So realistically, and honestly, and you may answer here or anywhere else, do YOU think based on my past songs, that I'm worth listening to? It's a pretty simple question. Trust me, I THINK I AM, heck some of the folks here may think so too, but the reason I am not a current member is the lack of screeners agreeing with ME that I have Country writing chops. Simple question. Honest answer please. ....AND TRUST ME, I KNOW REALITY, AND THERE ARE NO PROMISES, but if Taxi doesn't think I have the writing chops with my demo'd productions that Cam and Perry and Claire and others do, well, I REALLY NEED TO HEAR IT--yes or no. I think it's a fair question, and since I have nothing to hide--ever--I'm not afraid of an answer right here...or anywhere else!Thank you,Warren Hein, not a current member, but maybe a 5 year past member? And God knows a many time submitter....Ps: And just for you, I wrote in as proper a punctuation form as I could! LOL....

[jchitty]

May 20, 2009, 4:51pm, hurowitz wrote:May 20, 2009, 1:57pm, hummingbird wrote:I'd consider going, even if I don't currently write country music, I've attempted to do so in the past, and I know I'd learn a heck of a lot from an event like this. Hope other TAXI members get on board!Me too! Giving it some serious consideration. I don't think only country writers benefit from something like this. Observing how A&R people listen and react teaches a lot. And one comment on one song, even out of your genre, can be meaningful. And now with so many of you guys going, it's even MORE tempting. My other 2 cents are that it's not just about having your song critiqued by a pro and possibly being embarrassed. Just meeting people can be a plus for the future. Let's say someone listens to your song and thinks it's impressive but not quite there yet. That person might remember you down the road.... Just striking up a quick conversation with the right person can be important.So.... I'm REALLY thinking about this!! It cuts into my Road Rally fund a little-- gotta see what bargains are out there... CaseyI agree here, Case....this has a nice networking aspect to it. It will be great if you can come....I know you've written at least one country song, so that's enough. For me, this is a dream come true....not because I think anything will come of it songwriting wise (I know I have a ways to go) but you have to keep in mind, I'm a woman from Birmingham, Alabama. This is not a musical town.....when I'm old and gray (even if I never become a professional songwriter) I'm always gonna remember that I got to possibly meet some of the best people in the music biz in Nashville....just how many people can claim something cool like that?I don't get teary eyed ever, but Laskow's invite to us all has made my day....it means so much to me because I don't know how much time I got left in this world, although I'm getting better and better every day.So if something happens to me, ML's invite has gone a long way.....like he's granting me a dying wish or something, although I plan to be on the planet for quite some time. And most importantly, I'll finally get to meet all of you guys in the flesh. This is a wonderful gift he's given us....I hope we all appreciate it.

[jchitty]

May 20, 2009, 4:56pm, squids wrote:I'll be comin. I don't write country but am always glad to meet the writers. I'll have some music available if they're looking for something unusual that isn't country but otherwise, I'll come ta meet the LA mogul and ta hang with blue, ted, chits, vix if she can make it.....heck, whoeva can make it. If this works, it could happen next year and the year afta and how many of us have said ad nauseum that we can't afford LA?? This is our chance ta make this work out so we won't hafta go so far. If it can get up and runnin, we'll end up havin mo prep time than this time so mo folks can get there.That's my deal. I won't miss a chance ta hang with my big sis, chits and go see how trasbin's doin now. I promised him I'd check up on him again and besides, I wanna see what Ted's done with the place and give blue a squeeze. And of course, Mr. Laskow, our meetin is far, far, ova due. We're gonna have fun!

[adrienne]

Hi Everyone I haven't been around much lately because life has gotten in the way. But I've been popping in when I can and I just saw this. What a great opportunity! Although I'm probably not there quite yet, I know I'm getting close and this would no doubt be a great experience. I've gotten some country forwards and one of my country songs got a PUSH forward (lol - just realized the irony in that wording ). I wish I could go to this but I don't think it's going to happen because of the cost. This trip would cost me about half of the full trip to LA for the Rally! I really can't afford both and I'm definitely not giving up the Rally this year after such a great time last year. So I'll keep looking for great deals (and maybe buying a lotto ticket ) but it's likely I won't make it. I'll be sad to miss this and miss the chance to meet all my country TAXI friends. But as much as it kills me, I just don't think I can swing the expense right now. Have a great time everyone!Adrienne

[squids]

Yeah, I was kinda afraid that might be a problem. If it was halfway through the year, it probably wouldn't hit so hard financially but this close to the Rally.....well, shoot.I was hopin you'd come. Been wantin ta meetcha jes once anyway.

[jchitty]

May 20, 2009, 5:12pm, adrienne wrote:Hi Everyone I haven't been around much lately because life has gotten in the way. But I've been popping in when I can and I just saw this. What a great opportunity! Although I'm probably not there quite yet, I know I'm getting close and this would no doubt be a great experience. I've gotten some country forwards and one of my country songs got a PUSH forward (lol - just realized that irony in that wording ). I wish I could go to this but I don't think it's going to happen because of the cost. This trip would cost me about half of the full trip to LA for the Rally! I really can't afford both and I'm definitely not giving up the Rally this year after such a great time last year. So I'll keep looking for great deals (and maybe buying a lotto ticket ) but it's likely I won't make it. I'll be sad to miss this and miss the chance to meet all my country TAXI friends. But as much as it kills me, I just don't think I can swing the expense right now. Have a great time everyone!Adrienne I would LOVE for you to come, Adrienne....it would be great to meet you. Maybe we could pass a hat around for ya? You really belong there....your music has gotten lots of high bar country fowards, (that's something no one knows about you, I think you've gotten like 11 fowards or something, I could be wrong) but yet, you never post about it....you should be played in front of that panel. I'd also love to meet Claire too, but I know she has other obligations.

[adrienne]

I know! I was hoping to meet you too Squids! But who knows...maybe my lotto ticket will be the winner

[adrienne]

Aww thanks Chits. I wish I could meet you too! We could finish that song we've been writing in person! Thanks for the kind comments on my music. I don't know how many forwards I've gotten...I think around 25 or so but not every single one has been for a country listing. But I'm shy like you...I don't like to talk about myself. I just hope people listen and like what they hear I sometimes think I'm not pushy enough to be in this business - lol!