Frankly - I'm insulted...

[ernstinen]

Y'know, Von, I've been following this discussion, and can see the different viewpoints.HOWEVER, I have to agree with you on this. That type of marketing IS insulting and in poor taste. It comes across as a parent scolding a child. I think Taxi should ditch this angle and return to the high road that they normally take.Ern

[onoffon]

Hooray for Ern!!!!!!Thanks - that's what I meant when I said I hate feeling like I'm being talked down to...Whether or not it's a 'form' letter - the whole 'wife thinks I'm crazy' was cute - questioning our drive and initiative is an entirely different animal...

[bitwhys]

Quote:"I'm as mad as hell, .... and I'm not going to take this anymore!!" sure you will. you just won't take it sitting down is all.thanks for the timely memories

[og]

Frankly, it's been a long time since I expended the energy to be insulted by advertising. I doubt if anyone in marketing can screw in a lightbulb--much less create a song.

[jay10music]

First, let me say that I get hundreds of emails per year from people who tell me that they've "just given up." My email is meant to light a little fire under people who may truly be talented, but have "just given up."The single biggest reason TAXI is a success is because I DIDN'T give up. I didn't give up when we had eviction notices slapped on the door of our one bedroom apartment every month for two years. I didn't give up when all we had to eat for a year and half was rice, beans, cold cereal, and eggs with hot dogs cut up in them to simulate "meat". I didn't give up when my checks all bounced or my credit was ruined. I didn't give up when I worked 16-18 hours a day for YEARS on end. And most of all, I didn't give up when eveybody who knew me told me I was out of my mind and that TAXI was a bad idea.That's why I can send out emails that talk about initiative. I understand what it means, and I know first-hand the rewards it can bring. I've had THREE non-working vacations in 14 years. Normal people would have taken at least 14.I want every musican I know to see what it feels like to succeed. I want them to earn their living doing what they love, because I know how good that feels, and I understand the sacrafice it takes to achieve something great.As far as how much money I make from the Road Rally.... geeeeez, did you forget that it's FREE!!!!???? How do I make money on FREE? And so what if I did, and why is it any concern of yours? Do you question how much Hanes makes when you buy a T-shirt? Do you question how much your haircutter makes when you get a hair cut? Do you question how much accountant makes when you have him do your taxes?Did you know that if the Road Rally is a bust, I have to write the hotel a check for $93,000 for a default?Did you know that I have to personally make up the shortfall between what the sponsors pay and the Rally costs? How do you get off making comments like the following?:"I was at the road rally - I saw how many members were there - I can count and multiply - they make a sh*tload of money - and that was just the members that could make it there. I would venture to say TAXI could easily afford to fund the creation of my jazz museum, but that's not what they're here for."It is FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!Did you know that I pay our screeners nearly a MILLION dollars per year? Do you know what it cost to pay my full time staff of ten people per year? Would you please accept the resposibility of paying our monthly rent of nearly $12,000/month? How would you like to cover the screener and full time staff payroll when we have a bad month? I've had to do that, and trust me, it's scary as hell.Insurance, legal bills, accounting bills, advertising bills, T-1 lines, 30 some computers, electricity, and lots of other costs you can barely imagine.I'm reluctant to go public with this next bit information, but your comment about me not financing your West Coast Jazz Museum really pissed me off!I didn't tell anyobdy that I committed $30,000 to Berklee to fund a scholarship. I didn't tell anybody that I'm donating $10,000 for a scholarship to the Music Business School at the Universtivy of Miami's school of music. Since day one, even when my family was living on rice and beans, we have donated money, and lots of it to causes concerning musicians.I really don't appreciate you making comments like "TAXI could easily afford to fund the creation of my jazz museum, but that's not what they're here for." How do you know what I can afford to fund, and what gives you the right to even make a comment like that?I funded TAXI with blood, sweat and tears, and I still work very hard trying to build a company that changes lives of musicians. People like Matto are my poster children because they got off their asses, worked hard, and have used TAXI for what it was intended for -- to earn a living doing what you love, making music. We've literally seen thousands of people earn money because of hookups they made through TAXI. I think thousands MORE could if they hunkered down and gave it every ounce of their energy, and THAT's mostly what I was trying to do with that letter you got.Would I like them to renew their memberships? Sure! Would you like people to come see you play at the club or buy your CD? Yes! So, why is it so easy to HATE companies? Why is it EVIL for them to make money and earn a living? You sound envious, "Oh look, TAXI makes money, and they're not giving any of it to me or my museum."Frankly, I'm tired of people grousing about how unfair the world is to them. It's not an entitlement world, it's a work hard and you can succeed world. So get off your high horse and quit telling people how much money I make from our FREE convention and how I'm not giving any money to you.If you used that same enrgy and time in positive ways to further your career, maybe you wouldn't feel so deprived or underserved.Michael LaskowP.S. And to the guy who was insulted by the "How to write a song" info we send out in the starter kit.... geeeez buddy, get over it! Not everybody who is a TAXI member is so lofty or supremely talented that they couldn't use a little solid advice on songwriting from an expert. Couldn;t you also look at that and say to yourself, "Oh that's cool that they took the time to make 11,000 copies of that and spend $19,000 a year to mail that extra weight to their members. I'll bet some people really benefit from that!"I guess I'm just a glass half full kind of guy.ML

[onoffon]

Excuse me, Michael...Didn't mean to piss you off...My quote, for the record, was, "I would venture to say TAXI could easily afford to fund the creation of my jazz museum, but that's not what they're here for.""I would venture to say" - as in 'I imagine' - 'I think that might be true'. Whether or not you could or would was simply a supposition on my part... I'm very happy you donate to musician's organizations...I'm in a really bad place right now - rice and beans sounds pretty good. Hate me if you will, I'm a glass half full kinda guy too - I've been looking up from down for so long now, I don't know what to do...Regardless, I continue to fight the good fight, until it kills me...

[ernstinen]

Michael,I'm sorry Von's thread makes you so angry. You must feel better by venting. Good for you.But I believe your anger is really against all the amateurs that get so pissed off at the music business. Von and Matto are not amateurs, and neither am I.I'm sure you hear over and over from songwriters that have no clue about the music business, and they spray their venom against Taxi for their lack of success. I know you don't take that personally, but it must get on your nerves.In the early days in Woodland Hills (I've been there many times), I was so impressed at the staff and the screeners. --- Think about all you have accomplished! Taxi has helped me so much in placing my masters that sat on the shelf for so long. But more importanly, Taxi helped me to discover myself and what I was MEANT to do as a composer and artist. I don't send in much material anymore because of that, but it is always an option for me. And I'm not shirking my marketing responsibilites; they've just evolved into different areas.Respectfully,L. John Ernst

[onoffon]

One more thing...I am truly sorry if I offended you, Michael. But, I have to tell you this. I haven't had one person tell me the jazz museum is a crazy idea. Everyone who I talk to about it thinks it's a great idea - it's something that is very deserving. The level of quality and integrity of the musicians involved is of the highest caliber. They tell me I'm doing the right thing and that they hold great respect for me and that it will happen with all my hard work. That's why articles are actually written about it.My father was not a rich man. I grew up in Pacoima. The legacy he left me when he died was all musical. I have the spirits of many fine musicians counting on me to carry this legacy forward. I do not have the means to do it myself. I'm not crying about it. I'm pissed - but I'm not crying. It frustrates me to no end that I can't simply do it.I mean no disrespect to you and your fine company. You are one of the good guys for the independent musician.Peace,Von

[Casey H]

I think we should get back to talking about dating issues. It was more productive. Just a joke to lighten things up a bit Casey