New library deal connection made via the hot tub @ the road rally!
Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:37 am
So before you say anything, the hot tub meeting is not as rock star as it sounds, nor do the drivers ed classes happen in warm water. Although some of them have been known to be pretty hot! lol
I just signed an album of custom cues to a publisher that is launching a new library that I have been working on for the past month or so. It is the most I have ever been paid up front to create music in my life, and there is back end too! All because I happened to be sitting in the Westin hot tub by the pool at the right time a couple of rallies ago. At the time there was no library even mentioned so it was just a group of us hanging out. I got a chance to meet his family as well and thought they were great people. So fast forward to 2018 and I got an e-mail in my inbox from him asking if I would be interested in writing some music. He had been listening to some of my music and picked out 3 cues that we ended up using as reference tracks for the style he wanted for the library. Right in my wheelhouse! So thankful for connections like these.
My point here is that connections can happen in so many ways, but like most things in life, they happen by just showing up. The road rally has spawned so many great relationships and deals over the years for so many members that I honestly can't believe that it isn't busier than it already is. I mean seriously it's free with membership. What more can you ask for? Yes it costs money but so does a college or university education and Taxi to me was the education I was looking for, in the music business.
So if you are a new member, and in the spirit of giving back as many members have done for me, then here are some helpful tips that can help you find your way if you are lost or frustrated.
1. Go to the rally. Like I said, free with membership and the people you will meet will change your life. Some of my deals have come from Taxi forwards but most have coming from showing up and networking at the rally. "I am not good at networking" you say? Neither was I. You just have to do it. Hang out in the bar/lounge area and schmooze. Have your 15 second elevator pitch down. Go to all the classes you can. Get a mentor or several. Do the work. Show up. I traveled to my first rally from Ontario Canada by myself and knew a few people from the forum but nobody in person. Two people who were on the shuttle from the airport with me ended up being one of my publishers and collaborators. You just never know.
2. Spend time on the forum. Yeah I know I haven't been on here in ages but in the beginning I was on here all the time. Post your music in peer to peer and be open to feedback. Check out the success stories and forwards sections, listen to the music. What is working and getting placed? If you have a question it has likely already been answered and discussed in the threads so go to the search bar and type it in. I know it is like starting over again, but this time you will have an opportunity for a real career, if you do the work. Taking your dated music and trying to force it into the listings is not going to work (although returns are a great education too). Writing to the listings for what the listing is asking for is. Learn how to record yourself at broadcast quality if you don't know how already.
3. Watch Taxi tv Mondays at 4pm PST. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZpYu ... Gd0T6xcbUg
Here are some resources that have really helped me in the past few years.
Are you a songwriter?
Robin Frederick https://www.amazon.com/Robin-Frederick/e/B002BOC46Q
Ralph Murphy http://murphyslawsofsongwriting.com/
Pat Pattison https://www.coursera.org/learn/songwriting-lyrics
Are you a composer?
Dean Krippaehne https://www.amazon.com/Dean-Krippaehne/e/B00NISAWCM
Steve Barden https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Producti ... 1574243543
Need inspiration? No you don't. You just need to get to work.
Steven Pressfield https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=dp_byline_s ... s=books-ca
Up until now I have gotten placements on the following networks ... NBC, MTV, Discovery, Bravo, HGTV, Teletoon, BTN and more ...
I just received my first placement in a Canadian feature film and got into some of the top Taxi libraries I have wanted to get into for the past several years. They say it's a 5 year plan. Well I am in my fifth year and just got the highest royalty statement yet. I am in the game. Now it is up to me to keep making the music and supplying it to my publishers for more placements, while taking care of me at the same time. I just joined the gym for the first time in years and I am going to add that now to my daily routine.
I have to say I would have none of this if it weren't for joining Taxi. I am forever grateful to Michael and the taxi staff for all the hard work and giving us hope in this difficult business. Thank you so much!
Remember every single Taxi member has been where you are (if you are a newbie) so don't give up and reach out if you have questions. Peer to peer or me here personally. I am happy to help if I can. All the best.
Robbie
I just signed an album of custom cues to a publisher that is launching a new library that I have been working on for the past month or so. It is the most I have ever been paid up front to create music in my life, and there is back end too! All because I happened to be sitting in the Westin hot tub by the pool at the right time a couple of rallies ago. At the time there was no library even mentioned so it was just a group of us hanging out. I got a chance to meet his family as well and thought they were great people. So fast forward to 2018 and I got an e-mail in my inbox from him asking if I would be interested in writing some music. He had been listening to some of my music and picked out 3 cues that we ended up using as reference tracks for the style he wanted for the library. Right in my wheelhouse! So thankful for connections like these.
My point here is that connections can happen in so many ways, but like most things in life, they happen by just showing up. The road rally has spawned so many great relationships and deals over the years for so many members that I honestly can't believe that it isn't busier than it already is. I mean seriously it's free with membership. What more can you ask for? Yes it costs money but so does a college or university education and Taxi to me was the education I was looking for, in the music business.
So if you are a new member, and in the spirit of giving back as many members have done for me, then here are some helpful tips that can help you find your way if you are lost or frustrated.
1. Go to the rally. Like I said, free with membership and the people you will meet will change your life. Some of my deals have come from Taxi forwards but most have coming from showing up and networking at the rally. "I am not good at networking" you say? Neither was I. You just have to do it. Hang out in the bar/lounge area and schmooze. Have your 15 second elevator pitch down. Go to all the classes you can. Get a mentor or several. Do the work. Show up. I traveled to my first rally from Ontario Canada by myself and knew a few people from the forum but nobody in person. Two people who were on the shuttle from the airport with me ended up being one of my publishers and collaborators. You just never know.
2. Spend time on the forum. Yeah I know I haven't been on here in ages but in the beginning I was on here all the time. Post your music in peer to peer and be open to feedback. Check out the success stories and forwards sections, listen to the music. What is working and getting placed? If you have a question it has likely already been answered and discussed in the threads so go to the search bar and type it in. I know it is like starting over again, but this time you will have an opportunity for a real career, if you do the work. Taking your dated music and trying to force it into the listings is not going to work (although returns are a great education too). Writing to the listings for what the listing is asking for is. Learn how to record yourself at broadcast quality if you don't know how already.
3. Watch Taxi tv Mondays at 4pm PST. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZpYu ... Gd0T6xcbUg
Here are some resources that have really helped me in the past few years.
Are you a songwriter?
Robin Frederick https://www.amazon.com/Robin-Frederick/e/B002BOC46Q
Ralph Murphy http://murphyslawsofsongwriting.com/
Pat Pattison https://www.coursera.org/learn/songwriting-lyrics
Are you a composer?
Dean Krippaehne https://www.amazon.com/Dean-Krippaehne/e/B00NISAWCM
Steve Barden https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Producti ... 1574243543
Need inspiration? No you don't. You just need to get to work.
Steven Pressfield https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=dp_byline_s ... s=books-ca
Up until now I have gotten placements on the following networks ... NBC, MTV, Discovery, Bravo, HGTV, Teletoon, BTN and more ...
I just received my first placement in a Canadian feature film and got into some of the top Taxi libraries I have wanted to get into for the past several years. They say it's a 5 year plan. Well I am in my fifth year and just got the highest royalty statement yet. I am in the game. Now it is up to me to keep making the music and supplying it to my publishers for more placements, while taking care of me at the same time. I just joined the gym for the first time in years and I am going to add that now to my daily routine.
I have to say I would have none of this if it weren't for joining Taxi. I am forever grateful to Michael and the taxi staff for all the hard work and giving us hope in this difficult business. Thank you so much!
Remember every single Taxi member has been where you are (if you are a newbie) so don't give up and reach out if you have questions. Peer to peer or me here personally. I am happy to help if I can. All the best.
Robbie