TAXI.com

I wrote the music for When She Believed in Me that Kara critiqued last night but someone in the chat room tried to say it was them and made some crude comments. Just wanted to make sure that TAXI was aware. Thanks for a great show and the feedback from Kara!!!

Ray Herman

Hey Ray,

Don't sweat it man. I watched the live stream yesterday and I think your song was awesome.
I liked the whole vibe and you have a really nice voice.
I think there needs to be some restrictions or whatever as to who gets to join in the chat. I think everyone should atleast be a Taxi Forum member so they know what to expect and how to act. Some people were saying some really mean stuff, just because they didnt get their song picked or were hoping to get discovered or whatever.
I didnt get my song picked but I wasnt bummed at all. The songs they played were cool to listen to, and I like listening to new music.

j03

Congrats on getting played! I haven't watched yet (I work on Monday afternoons and often get interrupted or simply can't tune in) but looking forward to it and hearing your tune.

The fact that so many folks were making nasty comments actually doesn't surprise me, but it does a lot to reinforce what I've experienced by attending networking events for the music business (The Taxi Rally and most recently ASCAP Expo): The folks at the top are usually nice and humble and generous. At least the ones I've met and heard on panels. I think that what gets them there besides working harder than everyone else (and some other factors as well, of course), is realizing what a blessing it is to be able to do music and creative work. I think that contributes to an attitude of humility that comes across and actually creates an attractive force that enhances ones success and life in general.

So stay positive, don't let the haters get you down, because they will always exist. Hang out with the serious folks on the success journey, like the folks that make the commitment to get to the Road Rally in November. That's who you want to be with.

Cheers!

Mazz

PS: Sorry for the "soap boxing"!

Ray, that chat moves so fast, and I only glance occasionally if I am not listening intensely to what is being played or said. I can't listen and watch that at the same time,lol! The times I have watched it, it just seems like everyone is fighting for attention or the spotlight. Occasionally there is some good feedback, most is just folks promoting themselves or their website or something very off subject, it's a good thing they don't test afterwards,lol, I don't think some people even watch the program.
Fwiw Ray, I thought the vocal was good, but a little laid back for the song, I think it needed a little more energetic voice so superman didn't sound so pooped out.

j03 wrote:Hey Ray,

Don't sweat it man. I watched the live stream yesterday and I think your song was awesome.
I liked the whole vibe and you have a really nice voice.
I think there needs to be some restrictions or whatever as to who gets to join in the chat. I think everyone should atleast be a Taxi Forum member so they know what to expect and how to act. Some people were saying some really mean stuff, just because they didnt get their song picked or were hoping to get discovered or whatever.
I didnt get my song picked but I wasnt bummed at all. The songs they played were cool to listen to, and I like listening to new music.

j03

Thanks for the compliment. I saw someone else claim it and couldn't believe it....and then say that stuff. It's almost like some people try to sabotage others. As if bringing someone else down will allow themselves to get ahead. Oh well, I told TAXI so they are aware.

Ray

mazz wrote:Congrats on getting played! I haven't watched yet (I work on Monday afternoons and often get interrupted or simply can't tune in) but looking forward to it and hearing your tune.

The fact that so many folks were making nasty comments actually doesn't surprise me, but it does a lot to reinforce what I've experienced by attending networking events for the music business (The Taxi Rally and most recently ASCAP Expo): The folks at the top are usually nice and humble and generous. At least the ones I've met and heard on panels. I think that what gets them there besides working harder than everyone else (and some other factors as well, of course), is realizing what a blessing it is to be able to do music and creative work. I think that contributes to an attitude of humility that comes across and actually creates an attractive force that enhances ones success and life in general.

So stay positive, don't let the haters get you down, because they will always exist. Hang out with the serious folks on the success journey, like the folks that make the commitment to get to the Road Rally in November. That's who you want to be with.

Cheers!

Mazz

PS: Sorry for the "soap boxing"!

Thanks, Mazz. I was shocked that my song ended up getting played. I REALLY wanted Kara to comment on the music, since I only wrote the music, but am definitely not complaining! Just knowing that your work is reaching the ears of people of that caliber is awesome and allows one to create greater and greater expectations...if that makes any sense.

Len911 wrote:Ray, that chat moves so fast, and I only glance occasionally if I am not listening intensely to what is being played or said. I can't listen and watch that at the same time,lol! The times I have watched it, it just seems like everyone is fighting for attention or the spotlight. Occasionally there is some good feedback, most is just folks promoting themselves or their website or something very off subject, it's a good thing they don't test afterwards,lol, I don't think some people even watch the program.
Fwiw Ray, I thought the vocal was good, but a little laid back for the song, I think it needed a little more energetic voice so superman didn't sound so pooped out.

Thanks for the input. I had it demo'd at a studio and it turned out a bit different from my version with just piano and voice. I know what you mean about the chat. I normally don't pay attn to it since I try to soak up all the information.

mazz wrote:
The fact that so many folks were making nasty comments actually doesn't surprise me, but it does a lot to reinforce what I've experienced by attending networking events for the music business (The Taxi Rally and most recently ASCAP Expo): The folks at the top are usually nice and humble and generous. At least the ones I've met and heard on panels. I think that what gets them there besides working harder than everyone else (and some other factors as well, of course), is realizing what a blessing it is to be able to do music and creative work. I think that contributes to an attitude of humility that comes across and actually creates an attractive force that enhances ones success and life in general.

So stay positive, don't let the haters get you down, because they will always exist. Hang out with the serious folks on the success journey, like the folks that make the commitment to get to the Road Rally in November. That's who you want to be with.

Cheers!

Mazz

Well said, Mazz! I completely agree - thanks for that. It was great meeting you at the Expo, btw. Can't wait to see ya at the Rally!

Cher

mazz wrote: The folks at the top are usually nice and humble and generous. At least the ones I've met and heard on panels. I think that what gets them there besides working harder than everyone else (and some other factors as well, of course), is realizing what a blessing it is to be able to do music and creative work. I think that contributes to an attitude of humility that comes across and actually creates an attractive force that enhances ones success and life in general.

The heart of the matter. Our business is about collaboration; who would want to work with anybody who isn't nice, humble, generous? Who could attract supporters, without being all of the above? No musician in the history of ever, ever made it on his/her own; you can be an iconoclast, eccentric, unique; that's all helpful in setting you apart from so many others that aspire, but it's also important to honor your commitments and not be a dick.

My new favorite words to live by:

"it's also important to honor your commitments and not be a dick."
-- The Reverend MoJo Bone

LOVE IT!! I might have to put that on the front page of 2.0

Michael