TAXI’s Member Services team has been calling our members to make sure they know about our FREE music conference, the TAXI Road Rally, being held in Los Angeles, November 2nd – 5th.
Yesterday, I asked one of them how the calls were going and she told me this, “I’m surprised by how many people want to come, but they’re afraid their music isn’t ‘ready’ or ‘good enough,’ yet!”
You could have knocked me over with a feather! “Don’t they know that attending the Rally will help them become ‘ready’ much faster?” I asked.
“No! They think they need to have ‘signable’ music before they come. They keep hearing about how many people meet industry pros and sign deals, and they think that’s the main point of the Rally.”
My head was about to explode! “Have we forgotten to stress how much better people’s music gets because of what they learn at the Rally? And how the feedback they get helps them know what they need to work on? And how much they learn about the business side of things, so they’re treated like professionals when they are offered deals? And, and, and…”
I was so frustrated! Was this my fault for saying so much about the deals and placements that result from relationships made at the Rally that I totally forgot about people who feel like they (and/or their music) aren’t ready yet?
I started to dig through hundreds of emails from members, hoping to find some that would shine a light on how the Rally helps people make better music, make the right kind of music, and learn how to navigate the business aspects of the industry, which can be equally important!
Do these quotes show how the Road Rally is much more
than a place to land deals and placements?
“I almost didn't go to the Road Rally this year because I didn't feel ready and professional enough. I decided last minute to go anyways, and I'm so glad I did. I came home feeling much more professional and knowledgeable about the industry and my own direction as an artist!
Celia Rose
“There is such a wealth of knowledge from the panelists and the people in the industry at the Road Rally that I can't see how anyone could NOT go, because if you really want to BE in the Music Industry this Convention is the BEST investment of your time!!
Steve Archdeacon - Medford, NY
Jeff Freundlich (COO, Fervor Records) gives a Road Rally attendee some advice during one of the One-to-One Mentor sessions.
“The education you get through the TAXI Forums and the Road Rally is something I’ve really valued during my membership.”
Dane Holmes - Orem, Utah
“The TAXI Road Rally conventions also offer great ways to learn what's happening NOW in the business and connect with industry pros and collaborators.”
Skaie Knox - Manhattan Beach, California
“TAXI helped me become the production composer I am today. The education you get from other members, from TAXI TV... it's all about the people, the personal network, the TAXI Forums (forums.taxi.com), and of course the Rally. It was awesome to see everyone face-to-face after three years.”
Paul Croteau - Universal City, Texas
TAXI Member Clément Reverchon gets some expert feedback on his song from Angela Mukul during a One-to-One Mentor session.
“[The TAXI Road Rally] is also where I met James Kocian, who was one of the guest speakers. I approached him to see if he would coach me – and he said ‘yes!’ He has been on this journey with me. He has not only been instrumental in helping me with my success, but he has become a great friend. TAXI has been a game-changer for me. Not only has it been a venue to get my music heard, but has provided critiquing of my work to help me become a better composer/musician.”
Colette A. Fallon - Canby, Oregon
“My favorite thing about TAXI was the first Road Rally I attended in 2019. The people I met there were amazing and helped me get started in my sync journey. TAXI has been an incredible resource!!!!”
Becky Ketelsen - Boise, Idaho
“I've met and made some lifelong friends through the TAXI forums and the Road Rally. It's so encouraging to meet like-minded people who are on this journey with you. No matter where you are in the process – either just starting out, or with years of experience under your belt – TAXI can help you along your way!”
Kyle Sutton - Frederick, Maryland
The One-to-One Mentor Sessions are always super popular at the Road Rally. This was one of the rooms where they were held, and it’s always amazing how many deals end up getting signed as a result of those meetings!
“I watch a fair amount of TAXI TV, but for me, nothing comes close to the Road Rally experience. I love the amount and scope of information, meeting so many like-minded people and the mentor program.”
Carey Domb - Darling Lakes, Canada
“By far, [the educational] aspect of TAXI has been an exponential return of investment on the cost of membership. I have learned through the professional feedback (returns are especially valuable in this regard!), TAXI TV, the Road Rally ... literally everything I do within TAXI, and everything you all provide continues to build my music education in a way I really could not get elsewhere. This is an amazing group of people. Everyone is so supportive. I am staunchly an introvert, but in spite of this, when I attended my first Road Rally in 2018, I found myself surrounded by new friends every day and night at the Westin. TAXI is about so much more than just getting forwards (but of course those are awesome too).”
Robert Malka - Knoxville, Tennessee
A&R person/producer Ty Knox gives some advice to a TAXI member during one of the One-to-One Mentor Sessions.
“TAXI provides you with a number of ways to improve your craft: YouTube channel, Forums, books, and of course, the Road Rally. I can see now with some perspective that after the Rally I improved a lot. Not just the music, but the attitude as well.”
Miguel Angel Conde Canencia - Madrid, Spain
If you like TAXI and really want to reap the full benefit, then come to the Road Rally! You can move your music career ahead much faster, and take it much farther.
Don’t deprive yourself of this incredible, FREE smorgasbord of everything you need to succeed in the music industry because you’re feeling a little bit unsure. Take the leap of faith, and know that these quotes are real, and thousands of past Road Rally attendees would tell you the very same thing — putting it off, is just taking your desire to succeed with your music, and moving it one more year down the road.
And how many years have you already been doing that?