How the Road Rally Changed My Life (Long)
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:00 pm
I was trying to rack my brain about what happened to me at the Road Rally that made me feel as energized and ambitious about the music biz as I was over 20 years ago when I was performing and successfully pursuing a career in music.
Almost 20 years ago I started doing mostly studio work; I started experimenting with my music, the production, et al and I guess I got a little lost in the fun of it—not really taking it too seriously. I tried a couple avenues to sell my music, like using a book with a list of publishers, etc. and even submitted some tapes. Although I followed what the book said these publishers required in order to get a response one way or another, those tapes went off into a black hole somewhere—permanently.
I tried a couple other things here and there to make money with my music; did a few performances for family but mostly just did whatever I wanted in the studio and I guess you might say, wandered around aimlessly. I knew about Taxi 20 years ago but didn’t think I was ready, and didn’t join until last month.
On the business and music side, I was just going about with no direction, and only a little ambition toward a music career was left. I even stopped trying to do good mixes, and mastering was a joke because I didn’t think I had any hits—I didn’t think it was worth taking the time to “finish” a song that wasn’t a hit.
Then, my dear wife insisted that when we bought a house we chose one that had room to build out a studio for me. Of course this was not cheap and I felt a positive sense of obligation to take my music seriously again. After a 6 month setback by some unprofessional contractors, I had a project studio of my own for the first time since I had my first 4-track almost 30 years prior! I was in heaven! I recorded a song that I liked the demo of, and mixed and mastered it the best I knew how. When my wife heard the tune, she said to me, “The cost of the studio was worth it”. My heart swelled and although my goals for getting some material ready for Taxi were now 6 months behind, I decided I would still hit the milestone of joining Taxi—ready or not.
I joined Taxi one week prior to the Road Rally and after being in the main sessions, break-out classes and mentor meeting, that spark ignited once again in me that I hadn’t felt for over 20 years! In risking sounding corny, I’ll say that Michael also inspired me. His sincerity for us songwriters not only let me know I had joined a good organization, but that I had joined the right one.
What was the same as 20 years ago, you ask? I once again felt like I had a chance. My odds were again really good if I delivered on my end. I listened to the speakers and read (and am reading) their books and in my heart of hearts told myself, I can do this!
I’m now working more intently than I have in decades. I spend hours a day in my studio and am working on two songs at once which I have never done. I’m posting my daily status on my Twitter account to keep myself accountable. @razor7music
A chance. That was what I got from the Road Rally. That’s all I needed!!
Almost 20 years ago I started doing mostly studio work; I started experimenting with my music, the production, et al and I guess I got a little lost in the fun of it—not really taking it too seriously. I tried a couple avenues to sell my music, like using a book with a list of publishers, etc. and even submitted some tapes. Although I followed what the book said these publishers required in order to get a response one way or another, those tapes went off into a black hole somewhere—permanently.
I tried a couple other things here and there to make money with my music; did a few performances for family but mostly just did whatever I wanted in the studio and I guess you might say, wandered around aimlessly. I knew about Taxi 20 years ago but didn’t think I was ready, and didn’t join until last month.
On the business and music side, I was just going about with no direction, and only a little ambition toward a music career was left. I even stopped trying to do good mixes, and mastering was a joke because I didn’t think I had any hits—I didn’t think it was worth taking the time to “finish” a song that wasn’t a hit.
Then, my dear wife insisted that when we bought a house we chose one that had room to build out a studio for me. Of course this was not cheap and I felt a positive sense of obligation to take my music seriously again. After a 6 month setback by some unprofessional contractors, I had a project studio of my own for the first time since I had my first 4-track almost 30 years prior! I was in heaven! I recorded a song that I liked the demo of, and mixed and mastered it the best I knew how. When my wife heard the tune, she said to me, “The cost of the studio was worth it”. My heart swelled and although my goals for getting some material ready for Taxi were now 6 months behind, I decided I would still hit the milestone of joining Taxi—ready or not.
I joined Taxi one week prior to the Road Rally and after being in the main sessions, break-out classes and mentor meeting, that spark ignited once again in me that I hadn’t felt for over 20 years! In risking sounding corny, I’ll say that Michael also inspired me. His sincerity for us songwriters not only let me know I had joined a good organization, but that I had joined the right one.
What was the same as 20 years ago, you ask? I once again felt like I had a chance. My odds were again really good if I delivered on my end. I listened to the speakers and read (and am reading) their books and in my heart of hearts told myself, I can do this!
I’m now working more intently than I have in decades. I spend hours a day in my studio and am working on two songs at once which I have never done. I’m posting my daily status on my Twitter account to keep myself accountable. @razor7music
A chance. That was what I got from the Road Rally. That’s all I needed!!
