TAXI.com

I've updated my blog with a few posts about this years Road Rally. I'll warn you now that they are rather lengthy but if you're interested in reading them, here are the links:Part 1 - http://blog.bigbluebarry.com/2009/11/ba ... 1.htmlPart 2 - http://blog.bigbluebarry.com/2009/11/ba ... 2.htmlPart 3 - http://blog.bigbluebarry.com/2009/11/ba ... 3.htmlPart 4 - http://blog.bigbluebarry.com/2009/11/ba ... t-4.htmlIn case you don't want to read all of them, some of my highlights would include:Meeting Martin, Jeff Greenleaf, Devin, his pal Mark, Jeanna Murphy, Steve Barden, Sam from Australia (aka Samwise Gamgee), Josh and Ted from Australia, Cisco Kidd, Jeffrey and Theresa and many, many moreSeeing old friends such as Dave Walton, Mark Smith, Trent Oliphant, Dave Penn, Raags, Matto, Bob Mete, CK Barlow, Christi G., one of my best buddies and his wife, Logan and Karen Pepper, Dave Trotter, Fett and Sherrill Blackman and many more Receiving the Inspiration Award. I'm still surprised about that. Just blown away.Eating at Pancho's by the beach with the Pepper's and their friend MarySharing a pizza with Christi G. in the middle of a Jewish wedding in the hotel lobbyAll of the late night conversations with everyoneMaking new relationships and deepening the old onesAs you can see, there isn't a whole lot of stuff on the list about what I "learned" while I was there. That's not because I didn't learn anything. Quite the contrary, both Cisko and Martin gave me some valuable info and advice while I was there and I also got some great info and advice from the mentor lunches, one to one session, and a couple of the classes. But here's something that I started learning last year, that I tried to do more of this year... Yes, it's important that you have great music... but it's just as important that you know what to do with it. And that's where the networking comes in. You have to get yourself out there and do it in such a way that people will actually want to work with you. This year, I ended up skipping a few of the classes and spent some time hanging in the lobby cultivating friendships. I remember last year when everything was over, I couldn't wait to get back home and start putting all the stuff I learned into practice. This year, there was a little bit of that feeling as well, but there was more of a feeling of not wanting to leave. I have a suspicion that each year as I go to the Rally, and these friendships continue to grow deeper and deeper, it's going to be that much more difficult to leave each year.Speaking of difficult... I'm still on "Rally Time" and I have to go back to the day job tomorrow, which is actually now today... so I should probably wrap this up.I said this in another thread but I'll say it again here. If you haven't been to the Rally and you're serious about your career in music, whether it's in Film & TV or as an artist, do whatever you have to do now and start saving up for next year's Rally. I can promise you that you won't regret it.Love you all!!!- Big Blue

Now we're talkin'.These blow-by-blow accounts of your experience really help. Thanks for putting in the effort to let us "attend" the rally through you.Jonathan

I can relate to the "Rally Time" issue. I tried going to bed around 10:30 last nite, but was wide awake till about 3AM....

Good post, Barry!I hear you about "Rally Time". I was stuck in N.Y. time, waking up at 4AM and being dead at 9. Next year, I think I'll go out a few days early to explore the area and prepare myself for some late nighters.Bob

Hey Barry, It was great seeing and hanging with you at the Rally this year! Seeing you recieve the Inspiration Award was awesome! I can't speak for others on the boards but you've inspired me. You were the very first person I met at last years Rally and I consider myself lucky for that, cause you're a good friend and about the nicest guy on the planet!-Mark

I am back home with all of the information that is going to take my music to the next level! Thank God for Taxi and Michael and the folks here that are members I am really y glad that I am apart of you guys and you guys are apart of me. Thanks so much!

Barry has got to be one of the sweetest, most humble guy you'll ever meet. His "inspiration" award was so well deserved. And that's an understatement!It was great to finally meet you, Barry. I look forward to next year!Steve

I am definite happy I attended the Rally. I really got a gauge on where I was songwriting wise. One trend I discovered at my first rally is that everyone was kind and open to talking and sharing what they had learned. Getting to sit and hang with Dave Trotter in the lounge and talking to Ralph Murphy in front of the hotel early in the morning was incredible.

Wow, I'm gonna read these when I get back. Love to see what everyone else got out of their time there. It was great talkin to you and THANKS again for the Coke!!!Tricia

No wonder you got the award Barry!...See how kind you are, sharing everything in here. It was SO well deserved that you got the award and I was happy to meet you at the Rally.Like you I am still on Rally time, which is nice in one way (the energy and memories lasting) but tough when you are supposed to be 9 hours earlier and have to go to work soon. I know I will probably follow your example next year and spend more time on networking, which I feel I missed a lot of, but being my first Rally I really needed ALL the sessions, and I was blown away with, both how much I already knew AND also how much I DIDN'T know. OH MY!See you all AND talk to ya next year! I agree the Rally is A MUST if you are serious about your music.BIG HUGS'n smiles from da crazy Dane. PS. I STILL can't get my picture on here! How DO you all do that?