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The 2007 Taxi Road Rally was a valuable experience for me. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people. At the same time I met some A&R's that were jerks. I understand it could get overwhelming that 1000's of people attempt to put material in your hands on a daily basis and some may be garbage but isn't this your job? I asked this one A&R for a business card and she told me that "I dont carry them to these types of events" but she didn't realize that I watched her give a girl her business card just moments before I approached her. For a split second I had thoughts of verbally abusing this lady but I am a professional I wouldn't lower my standards. I rather for you to tell me that I do not want to be bothered by you that you tell me a lie. Personally I think this is very unprofessional it probably wont bother this individual maybe she will never think of us again but maybe you passed on great talent. It is people like you that make people like me not want to continue to attend these events.

hi reggie,welcome on the forums.personally, I wouldn't take this story so personal. you don't know what that a&r was talking about or maybe already has a relationship to the girl she gave the business card to. put yourself in their shoes - would you give your card to everybody? I might not, especially if I didn't hear some of their material first. believe it or not, but there are unbelievable crazy people around who spam such contacts with pointless emails etc.so I'd rather just move on.cheers & all the best,martin

Quote:The 2007 Taxi Road Rally was a valuable experience for me. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people. At the same time I met some A&R's that were jerks. I understand it could get overwhelming that 1000's of people attempt to put material in your hands on a daily basis and some may be garbage but isn't this your job? I asked this one A&R for a business card and she told me that "I dont carry them to these types of events" but she didn't realize that I watched her give a girl her business card just moments before I approached her. For a split second I had thoughts of verbally abusing this lady but I am a professional I wouldn't lower my standards. I rather for you to tell me that I do not want to be bothered by you that you tell me a lie. Personally I think this is very unprofessional it probably wont bother this individual maybe she will never think of us again but maybe you passed on great talent. It is people like you that make people like me not want to continue to attend these events.Here's the way it works... if they like your material, they'll call you. If they haven't called you after listening to your material, what are going to say over the phone to convince them of your "great talent"? Re-read your post. It is SO negative and angry. If I were the person you're referring to and I'm reading your post about having thoughts of verbally abusing them in a public setting, etc, I'd be damn glad I didn't give out my personal contact info.I had one music library guy give me his personal contact info this year. He was my mentor last year, I've sent some material to his library to kind of test the waters this year, I was re-introduced to him this year by someone who I met at the 2004 Rally, now a very good friend and fellow composer. This was a slow, evolving process. The music business is about building relationships. Walk into a bar, pick out the cutest girl and simply walk up and ask "Can I have your phone number?". You don't have to watch all episodes of "The Pickup Artist" to instinctively know what the outcome would be. My advice would be to keep the "relationship building" concept in mind as this is a LONG-TERM process. Be patient, be a a nice guy. People like working with nice people. Dave

gitarrero.... Im not taking it personal but I think its a way to handle situations and to tell a lie about it isnt one. Yes I understand there are crazy people in this world but I can only speak for myself Im not one of them. If I could put myself in her shoes I would be happy to accept this material or give somebody a way to contact me. It wouldnt be my personal home info but you wouldnt know what you may find.

Dave Walton thanks for your advice but maybe you need to read it one more time CARFULLY because i didnt write anything negtaive or angry...lol!! in a few sentences I explained the situation, how I resonded, and my personal feelings. I see that you edited your first respone but sorry to be blunt with you I wont. I agree with you 100% its about building relationships but it got to start somewhere.

Quote:I see that you edited your first responseThe editor is my friend when I make stupid posts (you'll see that most of my posts are edited). I've got a lot of work to do in more areas than music.

I think Martin hit it on the head that this woman may have had a pre-existing relationship with the person she gave the card to. She didn't want to give out her contact info to everyone and get overwhelmed with emails, calls, and unsolicited submissions. Was the lie the right way to handle it? Very possibly not... She could have said "I don't accept unsolicited contacts" or something to that effect, but she needed a way out. Not making excuses for her, but think about how many times a day she might be asked for her card when at a place full of 2000+ wannabees. Put yourself in her shoes.I am assuming that she had not heard any material from you at this point?Casey

How you look, how you speak, how many CD's somebody just got inundated with, all matter. You can't know what caused that person to not want yours in that moment. I smoke cigarettes. My kids have never seen me smoke. I lie about that. We all have to lie sometimes Reggie. If you use this event to carry a grudge, it may well even be that your psyche wasn't ready for the event. One famous forum member, told me that in 11 years of Rally's, he's only ever gotten one call back from an industry exec he gave a CD to. The odds are staggering. You're post was angry, and you have every right to feel a little slighted, but to come on here and complain about it, isn't gonna get you much empathy. You can get over it, and get back to work. The Hornsby tune comes to mind, "That's Just the Way It Is," some people never change...

Quote:The 2007 Taxi Road Rally was a valuable experience for me. I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people. At the same time I met some A&R's that were jerks. I understand it could get overwhelming that 1000's of people attempt to put material in your hands on a daily basis and some may be garbage but isn't this your job? I asked this one A&R for a business card and she told me that "I dont carry them to these types of events" but she didn't realize that I watched her give a girl her business card just moments before I approached her. For a split second I had thoughts of verbally abusing this lady but I am a professional I wouldn't lower my standards. I rather for you to tell me that I do not want to be bothered by you that you tell me a lie. Personally I think this is very unprofessional it probably wont bother this individual maybe she will never think of us again but maybe you passed on great talent. It is people like you that make people like me not want to continue to attend these events.Repeat after me:"I cry out to the universe, "Why Me?" The universe cries back, "Why Not?" I think you should look upon what happened to you at the Rally as a learning experience rather than a negative happening. Yeah, you say you're professional, but maybe you need just a little more seasoning?

I think that some are missing the point that im trying to make. Im not looking for empathy I just think its part of their job and some of them need to do it. You may agree with me or not but that is how I see it If you think that im complaining in my post or im mad because somebody wouldnt give me the time i will pray for you. Trust me I know how it feels to be mad and this situation brings me nowhere close to that. I feel that its a subject that should be discussed. steve i stay working... ive written two songs since ive made it home. hurowitz is the only reply so far that understands where im coming from