Three best things I learned at the Rally

[Casey H]

Hi all A lot of my goals and (hopefully) focus for 2008 grew out of the '07 rally. I am currently collaborating with one regular forum contributor (to be named later) on a few projects, some instrumental and some with vocals. Also, our friend arkjack lives only about 40 minutes from my house. Before Xmas, we got together, jammed for a while, and started writing a song together. It was a blast! Thanks, Jack... Others collabs will be coming... And then, there are a few of my own originals that need finishing... So, the motivation caries on.So, for '08 I hope to crank out new music, renew with TAXI, and pitch... The other thing I want to do is spend more time on the forum giving song feedback to others. Anytime we say even ONE thing that helps ONE person, we've made a difference. And, reviewing other's songs does help your own writing. Lastly, a long time ago on another forum, a friend of mine was upset about reading too much negativity at that time. She then wrote a song called "Positivity".So, here's to "positivity" in '08... Casey

[rickmusic133]

Hi there,,,I would like to ask you all, what did you bring home from the rally that you would not have known unless you went?I would really like to know ,I didn't get to go to it and have not been to one yet. Kinda tough to go from out here in Iowa that time of year. But am going to save money to go next year. But I really would like to know what you do get out of it.Rick

[hummingbird]

Quote:Hi there,,,I would like to ask you all, what did you bring home from the rally that you would not have known unless you went?I would really like to know ,I didn't get to go to it and have not been to one yet. Kinda tough to go from out here in Iowa that time of year. But am going to save money to go next year. But I really would like to know what you do get out of it.RickI've learned from each Rally I've been at, and not just from the classes & speeches, but from the people I've met. I strongly believe my competence at music making has improved markedly because I went to the last 3 Rallys. After each one, I came home with a clearer vision of where I was at the point, and what I needed to have & to know to make it to the next level. The feedback of Taxi screeners, my participation in this forum, and my investment in attending the Rally continue to be the foundation for my growth as a songwriter & producer.Hummin'bird

[guest4254]

Kara G said something to the effect of....don't beat yourself up because of the things you didn't get done today, but pat yourself on the back for what you did manage to accomplish....I've been feeling better about myself because of that statement....

[dominick]

Hi, my name is Dominick. Though I am not new to taxi I am new to the forums. From what I have been reading the rally's seem awsome. I am actually going to the Kauai music festival at the end of the month. I was wondering if anyone has gone before.I am also looking into going to the next rally...

[christophersclaybo]

I'll get to the point right from the start: THIS I learned from the past seven Road Rallies I attended. 1.) I didn't know beans about my craft! That was the first thing I leaned at the Rally. 2.) I learned, if I ever wanted to make it in this business, I would have to change my attitude and develop a thick skin because rejection comes with the job description. 3.) I experienced firsthand, at my fifth Road Rally, that persistence REALLY DOES pay off in the end! I joined Taxi in 2000, April, I think, or maybe it was May. Either way I didn't make it to the 2000 Road Rally. (Which, I think, was a good thing, because, back then, I had a bad attitude and alot of growing up to do.) My first Road Rally was in 2001... Fortunately, my attitude had improved dramatically... I was overwhelmed from day 1 of my first Road Rally! I put my name in the open mic night and WAS THE SECOND PERSON THEY CALLED up to sing. When I finished I got loud applause. I asked Doug Minnick (then the Vice-President of Taxi), "Was it just me, or was the applause louder than usual?" "No, it was loud," Doug answered. "You did really well. Be proud of yourself" I remember seeing Michael Laskow for the first time. I remember the camaraderie. I learned all about "prosody", verse and chorus contrast, and important stuff like that. I have to laugh when I remember doing tings like going up to professional SONGWRITER Steve Seskin and asking him if I could write a song with him. I figured he'd say no, but I had to ask... Hey, you never know until you try... My biggest worry back then was whether I'd be able to sings my songs, or whether I would be forced to pitch them to other artists. (Back then my vocals kinda sucked, but I have since taken voice lessons under three vocal coaches.) I remember asking a fellow-attendee if she thought my vocals were good enough and she told me, "You are the only one who can sings your songs like they should be sung. You can do it." All that immense vocal, lyrical, and musical talent at my first Rally. I was a lone moron surrounded by geniuses. On two or three occasions I retreated to my room on the seventh floor so I could cry. I so badly wanted to reach out and just talk to somebody, but... I DID make a few real contacts my first Rally who are still friends with me TO THIS DAY. One even lets me use her frequent flyer miles so I don't have to pay to get to the Rally, and my many thanks go out to her, although I have not seen her since 2002. For the longest time my biggest problem was, that unless I could somehow put music to my songs, I'd NEVER make it... EVER!!! The 2002 Road Rally, much to my immense THRILL, would roll on for three days and nights and not just two, as all the previous Road Rallies had! The 2002 Rally was even better than my first Rally! Those wonderful jam sessions that lasted all night long! Lunch and dinners where A & R weasels went from table to table. Schmoozing at the bar... I still felt like a lone moron surrounded by musical, lyrical, and vocal geniuses and, yes, I would go up to my room to cry. By far, the happiest Road Rally I have ever experienced was in 2003... The 2003 Road Rally was the first Rally where I felt I began to fit in. No longer did I feel like a lone moron. People began to congregate with me AND IT FELT WONDERFUL!!! I had at least two people comment I was a genius and I wondered, did they really mean it? A musician / singer (who had gotten a record deal with 2K Sounds back in 2001, after dazzling Laura Becker with his song "Stars") mentioned to me, "You have alot of s--- to say that needs to be heard, but there's one thing that scares me. I met you two years ago, ad today, you're still where you were two years ago." Yes, you guessed it, I STILL couldn't find anyone willing to take the time to put any music to my all a Capella songs... In 2005 a really TOP guy in the industry suddenly took notice of me. He told me, "This is what, your fourth, your fifth Road Rally? I admire your dedication... I'm going to give you an eight-track recorder so you can put a beat to one of your songs. I'll then ask (a multi-platinum producer) if he'll produce one song for you. He's produced for Janet Jackson, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Coolio, the Temptations, and many others so he's really good. He's extremely busy and I can't promise anything, but I think I can talk him into it." The 2006 Road Rally was the most successful Rally I've ever attended, in spite of the fact we had it at a hotel that treated us as if we were imposing. (Funny, at the Rally I enjoyed the least I made the most progress... EVER!) I was told by that same TOP guy in the industry, "I was able to talk him into doing it for you. I didn't even have to bend his arm. He asked me if I felt you were worth the time and I answered yes." I gave his daughter my CD with my "rough draft" song and got the beat from the multi platinum producer Christmas Day." I called the TOP guy to thank him. He told me, "I heard your song to that beat and I like it, but when you finish it there's still only 1 / 10'th of a percent that you'll get signed by a major label, so I'd strongly recommend that you pitch your new song to the film and television industry, and who knows, one day you might get a record deal." In 2007, a member who's already got her own Cd's (whom I met in 2006 and was DAZZLED by her performance of her song "Older Women / Younger Men"). She heard my new song and the beat provided to me by the multi-platinum producer. "I want to sing back-up vocals on this song," she told me. She has helped me TREMENDOUSLY in the past year, helping me hone my vocals and offering suggestions for what is now OUR song. THIS year, if you hear the song "Reach Out and Grab It" at the open mic night, sung by by myself (Wild Man Chris) and Unique Monique, just know that you wouldn't be hearing it if it wasn't for Taxi. Thank GOD for Taxi! THANK YOU, TAXI! Thank you, Michael Laskow! I shudder to think that, were it not for Taxi, I'd STILL be where I was back in 2000...

[che]

Hey Wild Man Chris,Awesome to hear that you are coming along with getting music to your writings!!!!. We spoke last year and I gave you a card. One of my friends came with us to the 2004 Rally and you and him hit it off pretty well. He hasn't been back, but asks me about you every year. He said you have some good lyrics. Can't wait to hear what you've got. You actually rapped Reach and Grab It in the hall for me last year, and I videoed it. Maybe I need to find that tape!!!! We're are planning on being there this year. Still working on the money , since at least 4 of us will be there, maybe more!!! Hope to see you there. TriciaCarriage House EntertainmentWe have learned a ton at the Rally's:2004 -2007, but truthfully do not maximize our time there like we should. There are usually at least 4 of us, so it's easier to stay together. We aren't forced to mingle as much as we should. Gonna work on that this year We actually made an awesome connect with a head Fox Sports guy....never followed up. Could kick ourselves in the rear.We are just terrible at letting our business (self-employed) and daily life totally control our time. We have to squeeze in music, and that sucks!!!! We have so many incomplete songs that it's sickining. The problem isn't really knowing what to do.....it's just doing it. We use the Rally as a callibration tool, and it's not a bad reason to get to Cali. I guess if we are ever gonna do music instead of our business (fingers crossed) we are gonna HAVE to be more disciplined. Advice: set goals or what you want to do or accomplish. They don't have to be huge. It's easy to just go with the flow and get sucked down stream.

[kyleellen]

The three things I learned last year are: it doesn't kill me to say "hello I'm..." that some of my best friends are people I met in past years at the Rally and see there every year to network, or exchange thoughts about music, and that the rally is best when you take from it the good and don't get twisted by the things that don't pan out as you thought they would. This will be my sixth Road Rally and every year is just another fantastic experience that helps my musical journey and career. No matter my success in the future with music I wouldn't miss a Road Rally! All my best to you fellow musical people. See you there, Kyleellen

[jetsetter1964]

In addition since receiving the information of Taxi both by post and email that I am in the process of becoming a member very shortly and will attend the next Road Rally in 2009. I have spend a lot of time reading the whole information properly and looking forward by getting full benefits as a member.

[rk000]

After almost 4 years as a Taxi member, I was pretty happy with the education and opportunities Taxi (along with the great people on the forum!) provides. I have been one of the fortunate ones to get a deal through a forward. However, for all the useful feedback from the Taxi screeners, I get a little frustrated with the inability to have a back and forth conversation about what is good and what needs improvement. After attending my first Rally this past weekend, I was able to talk one-on-one with several mentors and Driver's Ed session leaders. I have never lived in a major music center, so it is hard to understate how truly invaluable it is to get those questions answered on the spot by people with long careers in many areas of the music business. So, after seeing both sides now, I can say Taxi is, number one, a great tool in your overall strategy to make a living doing what you love and, number two, your membership is woefully incomplete without actually taking advantage of the Rally experience. I am already thinking ahead about scheduling and money so I don't miss another Rally. Top 3 Things I Learned:1) If you're an introvert like me, even if it means living in a cave in the desert for the rest of the year, be an extrovert for this one very important weekend. Like Derek Sivers said, all it takes is, "Hi, what do you do?"2) The 'demos' you pitch have to sound like they could be on the radio as is, right now. If you aren't ready to invest in that level of quality, keep re-writing until the song is there. 3) Quality is often in the fundamentals, not in fancy production or gear. Spend the time to make your songs great by focusing on the basics, and only move to production once the foundation is in place. Likewise, I wish I had heard Ronan Murphy's talk on home recording before I spent a nice chunk of change on stuff that it turns out won't really help me out.All in all, thanks for a wonderful experience!