TAXI.com

Two years ago I attended my first road rally. I wasn't even a member at the time, someone offered me a guest pass. I look back at how much I accomplished these past two years and I have to say I owe a lot of it to the road rally. People often ask if it's worth it from the perspective of signing deals on the spot, getting noticed, etc. It's hard to explain why most of the time that's not at all what it's about. It's about the learning, the unique energy level all around you, being surrounded by thousands who share the dreams you share, the renewed motivation, and the lifetime peer relationships that are priceless.As I've been get ready for my 3rd one, I've been counting the number of new songs or instrumentals I cranked out the past 2 years. Not a lot by many standards--- maybe 6 or so. BUT before that I wasn't writing anything at all anymore. The rally and and many of you out there put me back in the game. I re-joined taxi and some of these get forwards and I'm hoping for the "call" one day. I also signed new deals with existing contacts I had-- taxi gets a lot of credit for this too.Meeting many of you out there has been amazing. Some of you are my best friends and we are always there for each other for support in this crazy musical thing as well as in other aspects of life.I know that financially many people can't swing it this year due to the economy. I completely understand. If I lost my job, thought it was in jeopardy, or had other difficult financial circumstances, I can't say I would attend this year either. We feed our families first. So I'm not trying to encourage anyone that way... But I did want to put a few words in about how much the rally did for me and how it's not necessarily an immediate, direct cause & effect thing. If you are on the fence because you are asking, "Will I sign a deal there?" or "Will an A&R person listen to MY song?" these thoughts might be helpful.Best, Casey

Oct 25, 2009, 6:53am, hurowitz wrote:...People often ask if it's worth it from the perspective of signing deals on the spot, getting noticed, etc. It's hard to explain why most of the time that's not at all what it's about. It's about the learning, the unique energy level all around you, being surrounded by thousands who share the dreams you share, the renewed motivation, and the lifetime peer relationships that are priceless.... I totally agree with you Casey! I think one could be pretty let down if getting noticed or getting a deal was the primary reason for going. It is quite the experience and you summed it up very well.Thanks for sharing!Marlin

I'll tell you. I just signed up and I am going to the rally for one reason. I want someone who has succeded in songwriting to tell me if I have any talent at all. I have been writing songs forever and I want to know why. Anyway I hope I run into at the rally.

Hey Casey, inspiring thread!Oct 25, 2009, 7:15pm, robertjennis wrote:I'll tell you. I just signed up and I am going to the rally for one reason. I want someone who has succeded in songwriting to tell me if I have any talent at all. I have been writing songs forever and I want to know why. Anyway I hope I run into at the rally.Hey Robert, my guess is you have got talent only you know why you write!!If it helps, I'm going to the (my first) Taxi Rally with an open mind to find out what I can learn about (what I call) 'songcraft': That's developing the abilities to take my initial idea and developing it to the standards of those that make a difference in the world with it.My other priority is to meet as many talented people as I can My lowest priority, although still a priority, is to get my music heard and handed out.Look forward to meeting you all!

Oct 25, 2009, 7:15pm, robertjennis wrote:I'll tell you. I just signed up and I am going to the rally for one reason. I want someone who has succeeded in songwriting to tell me if I have any talent at all. I have been writing songs forever and I want to know why. Anyway I hope I run into at the rally.I think you can find out where you are as far as songwriting talent with taxi submissions and peer-to-peer reviews here. Some very successful people post here all the time. It's not black and white-- talent or no talent. We all are at different levels in our musical career. Taxi critiques are one of the best ways to judge where you are. The rally is great and you absolutely should attend but for many other reasons, all talked about on these boards. Make sure you get on registration line early so you have more choices for choosing a mentor for your mentor meeting. You can read mentor bios before you come. That's your chance to play some songs on a CD for a pro.Looking forward to meeting you! Casey

Oct 25, 2009, 7:15pm, robertjennis wrote:I'll tell you. I just signed up and I am going to the rally for one reason. I want someone who has succeeded in songwriting to tell me if I have any talent at all. I have been writing songs forever and I want to know why. Anyway I hope I run into at the rally.That was my reason the first time as well.... but ultimately, I found that listening to the music that was forwarded and really trying to target the listings was the most help of all for me. Taxi has really helped me focus and be more disciplined. I also found that setting short term goals that work toward long term goals was helpful. Too easy to get overwhelmed and disappointed if I strive too high, too soon. But that is just me!!! Hope to meet you folks at the Rally!! (Casey, looking at your picture.. I sorta look like you!! )Marlin

Oct 30, 2009, 10:23am, mfowler wrote:Oct 25, 2009, 7:15pm, robertjennis wrote:I'll tell you. I just signed up and I am going to the rally for one reason. I want someone who has succeeded in songwriting to tell me if I have any talent at all. I have been writing songs forever and I want to know why. Anyway I hope I run into at the rally.That was my reason the first time as well.... but ultimately, I found that listening to the music that was forwarded and really trying to target the listings was the most help of all for me. Taxi has really helped me focus and be more disciplined. I also found that setting short term goals that work toward long term goals was helpful. Too easy to get overwhelmed and disappointed if I strive too high, too soon. But that is just me!!! Hope to meet you folks at the Rally!! (Casey, looking at your picture.. I sorta look like you!! )MarlinI agree, Marlin. Just wanted to add that, besides the mentor appt, TAXI has organized two nights of "Drive by Mentoring" in two rooms... which means more opportunity to get feedback.In addition, mfowler, I recommend you use this forum as a resource after the rally... to get and give feedback on your work. Many of us here are growing towards being more successful with our music.... and this forum is a great place to get support and assistance in achieving your goals.

I think the keyword for me as to what I get out of is "Synergy". A year is a long time and so much happens to a guy like me who is not in the music business full-time. Family, job, etc... My musical creativity goes through ups and downs. This year its been mostly neglected. So much family drama raising a teen that I lost my way. It happens. My TAXI renewal came due in June. Even thought I don't think I've submitted to one listing this year with my personal distractions, I didn't hesitate to renew it, mainly due to the Rally and this forum. I am a casual contributor to this forum at best relative to most but for my musical/creative support it is my lifeline. I have met some of the coolest people through this forum and it was solidified by meeting them in person at the Rally!It's next week and I'm counting the minutes!!

I appreciate all the advice and responses to my post. I recently received my first critique. I got all sixes. Which means I might not have it, but he didn't dismiss the song which was incouraging. His main contention was that the song didn't fit the genre asked for from the Publisher. I have to admit he was right, but I wanted to get some feedback on one of my songs. Look forward to meeting you all.

If you got all sixes, use them as a guide - make a plan to work on each area, spring for a couple more reviews on different songs, and see what is consistent. That will give you a great direction to start in, and you'll raise the scores with a little more work. Its a process!