Music Library Contract

[andreh]

I completely agree that Greg's tone in his letter was way out of line and unprofessional...I was actually laughing at the audacity of it, especially this part: "You do not determine if there might be a fee so change that as well. There can be no fee." Greg, I'm pretty sure the fee was for you to RECEIVE, not to pay. I disagree, however, that Greg's behavior is making Taxi look bad...Taxi doesn't claim to be a personality screener. If they were, at least 1/3 of us on the board would already be banished! As for the affect Greg's behavior might have on the rest of us...seems to me he's just making us look good by comparison. André

[johnnydean1]

Andreh wrote Quote:I disagree, however, that Greg's behavior is making Taxi look bad...Taxi doesn't claim to be a personality screener. If they were, at least 1/3 of us on the board would already be banished!Of course it makes Taxi look bad!Unless ML contacts the company and apologizes for this asses (eeee aaaaaawww) behavior we all suffer.Mr Gongching always has been an ignoramus but because he doesn't post as much as he used to it's less obvious now than it was!

[Casey H]

Quote: I disagree, however, that Greg's behavior is making Taxi look bad...Taxi doesn't claim to be a personality screener. If they were, at least 1/3 of us on the board would already be banished! As for the affect Greg's behavior might have on the rest of us...seems to me he's just making us look good by comparison. AndréAndre,Think about it...OK, let's say TAXI worked hard to bring in a new client, convincing them that they could get good music from TAXI's membership. The client gets this attitude from a TAXI member whose music was selected and then says, "If this is what I get from working with TAXI, forget it. Never again." It absolutely can make TAXI look bad, mainly if it is a new relationship.

[mazz]

It seems to me there are at least 2 things going on here:1. Ignorance as to how the business works.2. Fear that "they" are out to steal our precious music.One of the reasons to be involved with TAXI is that they have a pretty stringent vetting process for potential clients. Any client that can pass the TAXI bar is probably legit and wants to be in this long term, so they really would be shooting themselves in the foot if they start making bad deals with TAXI members.An eye opener for me when I attended my first Road Rally was that the music business is inhabited by, guess what, people just like us!! They are trying to make a living from and love the same thing we do: music. They need us as much as we need them. As much time as we put in on our craft (writing/composing) they have put in on theirs (developing relationships/selling). With nothing to sell, they can't stay in business, that's where we come in. Treating these people like they are bottom feeding scum or "the enemy" will not advance one's career.It's pretty intimidating to receive the first contract and see all that language but it's our responsibility to be ready when that day comes. It's easy to remain a victim and not do the research but it's hard to do what it takes to understand the basics of the business. But it's necessary work, as necessary as learning what a compressor does or how to tweak a lyric, or whatever.Hopefully this whole thing will be a reminder to look beyond our own little universe and learn the basics of the business (and maybe some people skills at the same time!).Mazz

[sgs4u]

Well, I can't hold this against MrGongchime. As much as inappropriate language and behavior is to be avoided, all these cats listing with Taxi have lived with the mistakes they themselves have made. And I have to be honest with you, my quirky personality, is sometimes exactly why some people like working with me. We're all human. Lighten up, you Taxi Police bastards. I'm not recommending that anyone start a campaign to get all nasty with potential users of your music! Anyone who chooses to communicate with an adversarial language, will not likely get as many placements. But not all relationships are about meeting someone's exact music needs. Everything we do, is part of our reputation. It can enhance or destroy your odds of placements. you know I love you all

[mazz]

Steve,I'm not asking anyone to stifle their natural selves but there's common courtesy things that one "should" follow, particularly if it's their first deal. Most of these things I'm thinking of are learned in Grammar school. So go get your blanket and take a nap! Mazz

[crs7string]

The language in this contract seems familiar to me. If it's the library I think it is, the owner told me they are looking for composers thru TAXI not just tracks. In other words they are looking to build relationships.If one has a choice of working with someone co-operative and nice to deal with vs. someone who is difficult to deal with, who is going to end up with the long term relationship???When Mazz mentioned grammar school I immediately thought of:"You attract more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar" (or however that old line goes)If I were the library I'd be a little "sour" on this relationship already and be "flying" away from a deal.Chuck

[Casey H]

Quote: Lighten up, you Taxi Police bastards. HA! Is that coming from you, Steve? LOL!! Steve, you are right that we've all made mistakes and, at times, learned hard lessons. I'm no different than you or anybody else- messed up some early things. It's just the magnitude of this person's attitude was way beyond one of those "learning" mistakes. It was pretty high on the Richter scale. The music business is no different than anything else we step into in life. Nastiness and arrogance, bridge-burning, and destroying professional relationships are bad for business... And the behavior doesn't do anyone a whole lotta good with friends and loved ones (potential or current) either. OK, I turn in my badge now... 'Nuff said... Casey

[andreh]

Quote:Of course it makes Taxi look bad! Unless ML contacts the company and apologizes for this asses (eeee aaaaaawww) behavior we all suffer.Quote:Andre,Think about it...OK, let's say TAXI worked hard to bring in a new client, convincing them that they could get good music from TAXI's membership. The client gets this attitude from a TAXI member whose music was selected and then says, "If this is what I get from working with TAXI, forget it. Never again." It absolutely can make TAXI look bad, mainly if it is a new relationship. Putting myself in the listing party's shoes, I don't think I would respond in the way you guys are describing. Holding the unprofessional and/or disrespectful behavior of one individual against a company whose service is providing excellent music seems a bit narrow minded in itself. If I were looking for excellent composers I would continue to seek them thru Taxi, despite this example, if TAXI is consistently sending quality new writers my way.There are a couple other reasons I don't think this is as big a deal to TAXI as it may seem. For one, TAXI themselves don't seem to express concern over our dealings with potential clients as it pertains to TAXI (beyond the request that we not post company names on their forum). [This may also be because TAXI doesn't want to scare away potential members who have bad people skills.]In addition, with 6% of 28,000 members' music being forwarded to various listing parties, TAXI would have zero clients left by now if they were as sensitive to individuals' behavior as is described in this thread.I am NOT advocating Greg's approach in his email...he's certainly not doing any favors for himself, and it's not gonna make the listing party jump for joy either. But I'm not losing any sleep fretting over Taxi folding due to this, or any other member's correspondence, not meeting the level of professionalism that it "should."If I'm wrong about this, I'd be happy to have a TAXI rep chime in and correct me. That would also mean adding some lines in their literature if they hope to make a meaningful number of people aware of their views; we forum dwellers seem to be a pretty small (but important ) percentage of their membership base.André

[johnnydean1]

Andreh wrote Quote:I am NOT advocating Greg's approach in his email...he's certainly not doing any favors for himself, and it's not gonna make the listing party jump for joy either. But I'm not losing any sleep fretting over Taxi folding due to this, or any other member's correspondence, not meeting the level of professionalism that it "should."I don't think I said Taxi is in any danger of folding due to this.Gungchum clearly thinks his work is a lot more valuable than it is.If I was on the receiving end of Hongchings email I would have no more to do with Taxi quite simply because there are plenty of alternative sources.