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Doug, Michael, and TAXI Crew,
Every year, I leave the Road Rally asking myself, "How will they ever top that?" And every year, you amaze me by doing just that. This year's Road Rally was, by far, the very best I've attended. And I've been to almost all of 'em!
The Driver's Ed courses added a whole new dynamic to the Road Rally. Just by having several seminars going on at once, a person tends to do more networking by simply moving from one room to another!
The one-on-one mentoring is also a good thing. You've done this for two years now, and for two years, it's been very advantageous for me to take part in that!
My guest, simply came along to check out this event that I rant about every year. Being a FOH Engineer, he was just looking to make a few contacts (which he did, by the way). By the time we were on our way home, Bob is tossing out song ideas left and right! The icing on the cake was when we were waiting for our connecting flight in Pittsburgh. He looked at me and said, "I'll never hear a song the same way again."
All in all, a job well done. I learned even more about the art. I met more people and made some more promising contacts. TAXI not only helps me craft better songs, but it hones my people and business skills, as well. And that's worth a lot more than the price of admission.
Take care guys, and thanks again.
Zupe
Altoona, PA
ASCAP Vice President (and hit songwriter) Ralph Murphy happily dispenses some insider advice to these happy ladies.
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Aware Records Vice President of A&R, Steve Smith (left) accepting a well-deserved compliment (after his panel) from an adoring member.
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Dear Michael,
Thanks for organizing this wonderful event. This was the first Road Rally I attended. I had no idea what to expect and even thought it might not be right for me, but it was truly fantastic. I met so many cool people-all the members I met were friendly and open and pleasant to be around. I've made many new friends and some great business contacts.
Your staff are to be commended on their hard work and willingness to make everything run smoothly. Everything was done very professionally, and again, the overall vibe was very friendly. I think that's a reflection of the management (yes, that's a direct compliment. Cue tympani roll and cymbal crash), the administration, and their desire to manifest a vision.
Next, I found all of the workshops, panels, and discussions to be very valuable and worthwhile. There was a lighthearted vibe in the presentations. In exploring topics relating to craft, business, professionalism-the tone was never too stuffy, presenters were very pleasant, and there was plenty of humor. The atmosphere was still relaxed when it could have felt very competitive, or authoritatively stern.
All of the workshops that I attended were excellent. I felt so charged up being around creative and enthusiastic people. Professionally and socially, I've gained so much from this experience. You and your staff are to be commended on a job well done.
Michael, thanks so much for a wonderful event. Ahhl bee bahhck!
Greg Teplik
Cleveland, OH
TAXI A&R staffer, Keith Robertson (right) hands out some great advice to a couple of members at the One-to-One mentor sessions.
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Capitol A&R executvie Loren Israel says, "Am I right?" while Aware V.P., Steve Smith (right) appears to be giving him reassurance.
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With more than 200 of his songs cut in the last three years, BMI Writer of the Year Jeffrey Steele still found the time to rock the house at the Rally afterparty.
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Hey Doug,
Just a quick note to say thanks for another great Road Rally. Somehow, every year you make it distinctly better than the year before. Continuous improvement is clearly a priority for you and the team at TAXI.
I particularly appreciated the breakout day, and the one-on-one mentoring sessions. I gladly and repeatedly pay $500-600 for something similar in Nashville, and I am so impressed that you continue to offer this for free, gratis, no charge. The way I figure it, I get the return on my membership investment three times over, just from the Rally.
Thanks again, and see you next year!
Bill Edwards
Ann Arbor, MI
These members are giving their undivided attention to TAXI A&R person Barbara Cohen at the Mentor Luncheon.
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We don't just call the company TAXI, we really own this one! Members enjoy it every year at the Rally.
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Read more about TAXI's Road Rally here!
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"I am enclosing a check for my third year of membership in TAXI. You've got a great thing going, and it's fun being a member."
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— Thomas Hipps,
TAXI Member
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"I get a lot of music from many different sources, but I find the quality of the music I get from TAXI is always high caliber."
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— Tom Vickers,
Senior Director of A&R,
Mercury Records
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"I signed a publishing deal this month for my song "Downward." Last year I signed two publishing deals with another publisher."
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— Mike Newman,
TAXI Member |
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"I've been to tons of music seminars put on by reputable companies. None of them have ever come close to the Road Rally."
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— Stuart Ridgway,
TAXI Member
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"The critiques of my submissions have been most helpful. I have learned so much during these past six months that I find it hard to believe."
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— Gary Bonura,
TAXI Member
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"I've gotten one solid offer from a record company/publisher . . . and two other songs of mine are on the desks of A&R executives at major labels. Quite simply, TAXI works!"
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— Paul Schwartz,
TAXI Member |
"I am in awe of the sheer volume of amazing ideas to help musicians that you not only come up with, but make into real opportunities."
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— Mara,
TAXI Member |
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"My advice to anyone planning to go to the Road Rally for the first time is: Go! It's addictive, it's the best opportunity you'll ever get, and it's fun, friendly and free!"
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— Mike Fitzsimons,
TAXI Member
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"In this competitive field you need all the help you can get and with TAXI, you've got a friend in the music business."
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— Richard Scotti,
TAXI Member
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"I hope someday I'm in a position to promote TAXI and let everyone know that there are kind, honest people in the music business and they're working at TAXI. Even my mother trusts you!"
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— James Day,
TAXI Member
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