What am I doing wrong?

[nycoach]

Dave, I've never read a single post of yours that I didn't agree with, so I take your words to heart. I have placed songs of mine on major label releases through my other contacts, and I'm currently trying to work on some other deals outside of Taxi, and I'm always writing and producing projects. I wish I could make it to the rally, but I can't this time around. I feel like I do need to go to one though. I guess the Taxi thing, even after 8 months is still fairly new to me. I am VERY selective in what I submit. I think with my backround, I know when there's a chance, and when I'm pushing it. Like I said earlier, as of late, I get many more forwards than returns, some critiques even saying things like, "I can't imagine why they wouldn't LOVE this!", and then I hear nothing.... I know patience is key, and God knows, I've practiced a lot of it in my 12 years doing music professionally. I hear what folks like you and other forum members say, and I feel like I should stick with Taxi, AS WELL as keep working my other connections. Thanks again for the input, and have a great time at the rally!

[nycoach]

Mazz, That's the kind of stuff I was wondering as well. VERY helpful, and I truly thank you for taking the time!

[sgs4u]

The only thing you might be doing wrong, is thinking that you might be doing something wrong. Looks to me like you're doing everthing RIGHT.

[davewalton]

Quote:Like I said earlier, as of late, I get many more forwards than returns, some critiques even saying things like, "I can't imagine why they wouldn't LOVE this!", and then I hear nothing....At the risk of starting an ever-escalating series of "Oh yeah... that's nothing... listen to what happend to me!" stories, we're right in the middle of writing music for O**** You-Know-Who. The first tracks I submitted were two tracks that had been approved in the last music buy, they just didn't get on the list for the contract for whatever reason so I was told to hold them for the next buy. So of course now, I send them first since they already approved them. They rejected them... the only two out-and-out rejections since I started that gig.Even the people that actually love the music can then not like it or not need it only a few short months later. Everything changes... we just usually never know when it changes in our favor. We think it was that way all the time.

[zircon]

It can definitely be frustrating.. I'm coming up on a year as well, have about 25-30 forwards, 0 deals or contacts. But some people (like Martin/gitarrero) are quite lucky and have gotten multiple deals, even actual checks, within the first year.

[davewalton]

I'll thow out one factor that can lead to frustration when I'm not in the right frame of mind. This came to me as I was hiking through a very wet Missouri trail with my dog. Once a person starts to build up credits and those credits assist in opening doors for more deals, projects, and credits, it's sometimes hard to deal with the issue that with Taxi submissions, unless they're asking for a bio, the playing field is completely level and those dandy credits don't mean anything. It's like... "Don't they know that <INSERT LONG LIST OF CREDIT/ACCOMPLISHMENTS/WHO I AM/ETC>". I don't know about you but I've caught myself more than once thinking that I *should* be getting more deals because of this other stuff that they don't know about. The decision is only based on one thing... the little piece of music I sent in. Of course when I first joined Taxi I rejoiced in the fact that the playing field was level. I still do actually... kind of keeps me honest, musically speaking.

[jude3]

Quote: Actually, I did give up Taxi for a little while at one point. Then I got an email for a music library deal (from a listing that ran a year before that). So I decided maybe I should re-up for Taxi after all. Then a certain little listing ran, I submitted and got the Oprah deal. I can freak myself out thinking how I might have missed out on one of my biggest opportunities so far had I walked away from Taxi forever. I need to throw this out for the sake of coach and allI am not the feely touchy type that will codle your feelings. It's all business to me. So, I don't want to say things to make you feel better. I want to say things to make you think and see if you can hang. You will be tuffer in the long run for it Therefore in response to what mazz wrote I will say this:I have 3 gold records on my wall. I am on a record by 5 time grammy winniner James Ingram, I have written 3 songs with Stevie Nicks, I have worked on the Grammy show, with New Kids On The Block and so many more big time credits that you people would think I am sitting in a mansion!BUT NONE OF THAT PAID MUCH MONEY!So what if you with Opra? (I don't mean that sarcastically) It does not mean you made a dime. (although I am sure you made something maybe) Big time stars and their managers know people will work for free just to be around big stars, like I did!So I think coach has a lagitimit concern as all of us should have. None of us wants to give 5 years of our lives for no money. I don't see too many people here that have been in Taxi that are making alot of money. People making alot of money doing music or anything don't have time to post on message boards. So there is a lagitimit concern.THAT BEING SAID, No one has a crystal ball. Taxi is a lagitamit A&R firm. Having been in the top of the music world for 5 years, I don't know of any easier way to get music out there. If you are not making money after 5 years or so then at least you have your music. Keep going coach, but don't quit your day job!

[davewalton]

Quote:People making alot of money doing music or anything don't have time to post on message boards.What? It leaves plenty of time if you do it right... My assistant takes care of the "small stuff", my publicist takes care of scheduling tv and magazine interviews, my agent makes the deals, my publisher chases down all my royalties, my chef prepares my meals, my grounds keeper takes care of the lawn and garden, my maid and butler take care of the housekeeping chores and of course I have a good chauffer for when I decide to do a little wireless laptop forum posting as I travel to and from the country club, my private airfield or my private yacht (which is parked in the Mississippi river... a definite disadvantage of Midwest living. )Now if I could only find a competent manicurist I'd have a LOT more time for forum posting. I'm NEVER going to get these nails evened out...

[sgs4u]

Quote:I am not the feely touchy type that will codle your feelings. It's all business to me. So, I don't want to say things to make you feel better. I want to say things to make you think and see if you can hang. You will be tuffer in the long run for it Therefore in response to what mazz wrote I will say this:I have 3 gold records on my wall. I am on a record by 5 time grammy winniner James Ingram, I have written 3 songs with Stevie Nicks, I have worked on the Grammy show, with New Kids On The Block and so many more big time credits that you people would think I am sitting in a mansion!BUT NONE OF THAT PAID MUCH MONEY! Nice credits... Thanks for making us tuffer.

[johnnydean1]

Quote:Quote:I am not the feely touchy type that will codle your feelings. It's all business to me. So, I don't want to say things to make you feel better. I want to say things to make you think and see if you can hang. You will be tuffer in the long run for it Therefore in response to what mazz wrote I will say this:I have 3 gold records on my wall. I am on a record by 5 time grammy winniner James Ingram, I have written 3 songs with Stevie Nicks, I have worked on the Grammy show, with New Kids On The Block and so many more big time credits that you people would think I am sitting in a mansion!BUT NONE OF THAT PAID MUCH MONEY! Nice credits... Thanks for making us tuffer. I.ve always wanted to be (tuffer) but really I,m just a lil ole teddy(bare). Recently I have worked with Aloyssious Snodgrass IV and his 3rd cousin twice removed,Egbert Pendiddy Gaylord.