Who attended this year + best moment

[Casey H]

But... the topper was sitting in the large ballroom during one of the panels with daughter Katie sitting next to me. She was paging through one of the magazines that was in the goodie bag and came across my Taxi ad (full page, full color). I didn't know it was in there. She looked at me, looked at that again... the look on her face... "wow... that's my dad" was priceless!

That's gotta be awesome! She's very proud of her Dad... and she should be!

And, here's something I learned at the rally... Dave looks very cool in a leather sport jacket.

Casey

[sarahrm]

Ok after sleeping on it... Definately Ronan and Fett's classes because my recordings suck!! And now they won't Super stoked to start working on that today! And meeting Robin Frederick! Her and Jai Josefs have helped my songwriting leaps and bounds!! I'll be posting before and afters of my recordings to get everyone's feedback! Hope everyone has a productive day
Sarah

ps Dave that is so cool about your daughter! My daughter was excited to see the picture I took with Robin because she watches her on Ustream. It's nice to feel cool when they usually think we're lame huh BTW I went back to lame status this morning when I dropped her off at school.

[MatthewMoss]

OK, now that I am home after missing my flight and staying up for 30 hours, sleeping for 14 hours, I think I am ready to gather a few thoughts about the Rally.

First thanks to everyone on the forums for being responsive and so friendly any time I post. Getting to meet a few of you in person was awesome - Mazz, 7string, Matto, sarahrm, Keith, Joe and a bunch more that will come to me after my brain comes back to life fully.

I initially decided to come to the rally the day I joined about 8 months ago. My decision was only reinforced after hearing every diehard forum member speak so adamantly about it.

NETWORKING!
The absolute best thing that happened durring the rally: making relationships with other guys/gals in the same boat, sharing music, critiquing each other's music in hotel rooms, and pushing each other to network, network and then network. I feel even though I obtained so much knowledge from the classes, this trip was very network heavy. Meeting peeps from the forums, making new friends and talking to industry pros in person made for a rich rich experience.

OPPORTUNITIES!
My mentore was with Matt Malley of Counting Crows. I decided well he is a bass player, founded a band that I love, and is involved in indian instrumental music, couldn't be a better match for what I am interested in. Bass player, rock/alt and instrumentals. The session went better than I could even imagine! He started out listening to one of my solo bass compositions and said it was amazing, he also listened to one of my rock tunes. We talked and I may be helping him with some stuff in the future, (perhaps on the road) I left a minute early, because there was nothing left to discuss, it went so well!!!!!

Talking with Ron Harris - don't want to jinx this, but if he remembers what we talked about, my brain may just explode and you'll hear about it on the success stories. I have my fingers crossed.

WHAT I LEARNED
I have been a performance guy for the past 12 years just about since I started playing, and love engineering. I recently decided to put a really big push
on writing whether it be rock stuff or instrumental theatrical, I made a bunch of flash drives, CDs, this and that, and the other. And sure I have gotten a lot
better at it, but it's like I forgot that my other skills had much of a place lately; as I am not performing out as heavily as before. (sorry for long introduction)

Anyways the point I am trying to make is: I made some really cool connections based on what I am best at, writing, playing, and recording BASS guitar parts.
Some really helpful quotes, the best I can remember them: "Take your strengths and use that, deligate your weakness to someone else" (instead of getting bogged down)
– Joe Aukafor

The Rob Chiarelli and Ron Harris classes kicked butt, Both classes with Robin Fredrick, and likewise with Ralph Murphy!

One more lol, It was an honor for Ralph Murphy to come up to me after I performed the first night (thursday) and tell me I did a great job. I just found out who he was about 30 mins prior, so at least I didn't look like an idiot!
and of course drinking my face off starting 6pm every night. It was 10 bucks for a jack and coke.

I will continue to write more than ever, but was thrilled to be able to use this time to meet contacts based on things other than just the writing aspect of the music industry!

Thanks to everyone! Especially the TAXI staff for running around with their heads cut off! I have about 20 more page I could write, and congratulations if you made it this far listening to me lol!

See Ya!

[MatthewMoss]

Matt,

Great meeting you! Sorry I didn't get to hear you play! Maybe next year.

My favorite part was all the hugs I gave and received with friends old and new.

Cheers!

Mazz

That's why I hugged you twice before I left!

[suzdoyle]

MY FAV RALLY EXPERIENCES:
Loved meeting new friends and connecting with old ones . . . other favorite experiences: jams, ukes, late hour lounge music-making and hanging out . . . Chuck's class, the Taxi member panel and the video game panel were ASTOUNDING! . . . the Native American drummers . . . the accordion/ brasilian guitarists & singers/ Mazz & Al's accordion "duo" / Chuck's flying fingers on the ukulele & guitar / . . . the Ad panel . . . Neil & Elizabeth's skillful running of the open mic . . . Apocalypse cow! . . . Dave Trotter's secret life as a standup comic . . . the plethora of open-hearted hugs, laughter, and sleep-deprived hanging out . . . and so many more fond memories that still bring a smile to my heart.

Also, a big THANK YOU to Michael Laskow and all those behind the scenes who make the Taxi Rally run so smoothly. Next year, we're all bringing you guys snacks! You worked so hard!

BIG HUGS of APPRECIATION!,
Suz