Road Rally 2020 is Coming to You!
While we’re all disappointed that we can't be together at a physical Rally this year, we're feeling confident that the Virtual Road Rally we've put together is going to be really, really good!
This year's Rally will be three full days of live panels and interviews on the topics you love, beginning Friday, November 6th, and continuing through Saturday, November 7th, and Sunday, November 8th.
You'll be able to join us LIVE on YouTube for all the panels! We'll have LIVE CHAT ROOMS open during each of the panels so you can ask questions and meet other members for potential collaborations!
We've also added some Road Rally "Prequels" in the days leading up to the beginning of the Rally. They're similar to the breakout classes we have at the physical Road Rally. TAXI members and the general public can view those on YouTube. You can see the Prequel schedule right under the main panels, or click here to go directly to them!
Main Panels Schedule of Events
This is an updated, revised schedule as of November 1, 2020.Please disregard any older versions of the Main Panel and Prequel schedules!
Day One - Friday, November 6th
Welcome to the Rally with Michael Laskow Keynote Interview: The War of Art with Best-Selling Author, Steven PressfieldThousands of TAXI members have read Pressfield’s books: The War of Art, Do the Work, and Turning Pro. If you’ve ever thought, “I just can’t get started,” “Will I ever get better?” or “How do I motivate myself to work harder and smarter?” you don’t want to miss a single word from this iconic, best-selling author. He worked 21 jobs in 11 states over 27 years before his first novel (The Legend of Bagger Vance) got published. Now he’s a best-selling author whose profound insights will challenge you, inspire you, and help you move past the fear, insecurity, and distractions that are holding you back. If I Can Do This Anybody Can, with TAXI Member, Matthew Vander Boegh
Successful TAXI member Matthew Vander Boegh joined TAXI to become a hit Country songwriter. Then he discovered that creating music for TV was the faster, easier route to success. Now, he’s had more than 10,000 placements on 425 TV shows, and his music is heard somewhere in the world virtually every hour of every day! Not bad for a guy who didn’t know the first thing about ProTools and worked in a backyard tool shed “studio.” If his story doesn’t make you feel like you can do it too, check your pulse! 14 Ways to Make Money with Your Music Online [Bandzoogle, sponsor session]
The reality that musicians are facing is that it could be a while before live performances, tours, and festivals are back in full swing. So it’s crucial that you lay the groundwork to monetize your music online. The good news is that once we come out on the other side of the pandemic, all the effort you put in now to supplement your income will continue to pay off over time. Join Bandzoogle’s Dave Cool for this workshop to learn some of the ways that you can start making money from your music online. How to Create Instrumental Cues with Steve Barden
If you don’t know the difference between an Instrumental and an Instrumental Cue, then you need to watch this. If you don’t know what a Developmental Arc or a Stinger Ending is, then you really need to watch this presentation. Successful composer Steve Barden will play, then deconstruct two types of Instrumental Cues during this live presentation. You’ll learn more from Steve in an hour then you would in two semesters of college! Instrumental Music Pitch and Feedback Panel with Chuck Henry, Elyse Schiller, and Trevor Lewallen
Instrumentals and Cues (from TAXI members only) will be chosen randomly and played for Music Licensing executives who will give feedback and potentially pick some for inclusion in their catalogs. Music played during this panel will be chosen randomly from a playlist generated from a panel-specific TAXI Listing that ran prior to the Rally. Submissions not played during the panel will be screened on a yes/no basis after the Rally, and Forwards will be sent to all the panelists. The deadline for submissions to the Listing for this panel was October 29th. No new submissions can be added at this time, sorry! Vienna Symphonic Library's Big Bang Orchestra and How to Use It with Martin Tichy [sponsor session]
Want to create large orchestrations in no time? How about beefing up your existing tracks by adding some massive tutti layers? For the first time ever, Vienna Symphonic Library has created a “tutti” orchestra by recording their entire Synchron Stage Orchestra playing together, all at once, with multiple microphones. Capturing the sheer power of a huge, world-class orchestra with the signature acoustics of Synchron’s Stage A makes it simple to add massive tutti layers by pressing a few notes and letting the mammoth sound work its magic. Using the Synchron Player’s full-blown mixer, you can adjust the level of the various mic signals or change the sound and ambience of the entire ensemble in the room.
TAXI member Martin Tichy will greet us from Synchron’s Stage A, and then share a video that shows how incredibly powerful the Big Bang Orchestra truly is! Will viewers get a FREE download of this awesome new offering from VSL? You’ll have to watch to find out! How Music Supervisors Choose and Use Music for Independent Films with Bernie Stern
It’s really hard to get your music in big, Hollywood blockbusters. Not impossible, but really, really hard. Independent filmmakers want quality music in their projects, but they usually can’t afford major label hits. Indie music is the perfect match for Indie films, and we’ve got the perfect guy to tell you what you need to know. Bernie Stern is an Independent film producer who has also worked as a music supervisor. He knows the drill from all angles, and he’ll give you insider tips you probably won’t find anywhere else! TV & Film Song Pitch and Feedback Panel with Bob Mair, Matt DeLuca, and Pedro Costa
Songs (from TAXI members only) will be chosen randomly and played for Music Licensing executives who will give feedback and potentially pick some for inclusion in their catalogs. Music played during this panel will be chosen randomly from a playlist generated from a panel-specific TAXI Listing that ran prior to the Rally. Submissions not played during the panel will be screened on a yes/no basis after the Rally, and Forwards will be sent to all the panelists. The deadline for submissions to the Listing for this panel was October 27th. No new submissions can be added at this time, sorry! The MusicPro Cafe Showcase at the TAXI Road Rally
Each night after the panels have wrapped up, our friends at Music Pro Insurance will host a live showcase featuring six TAXI members! Final selection of performers was made by Music Pro from a curated list of TAXI members that responded to a Listing that appeared prior to the Road Rally.
Day Two - Saturday, November 7th
Instrumental Music Pitch and Feedback Panel with Music Supervisors Jonathan Weiss and Joe BrandtInstrumentals and Instrumental Cues (from TAXI members only) will be chosen randomly and played for Music Supervisors who will give feedback and potentially ask for some to be sent directly to them after the Rally. Music played during this panel will be chosen randomly from a playlist generated from a panel-specific TAXI Listing that ran prior to the Rally. Submissions not played during the panel will be screened on a yes/no basis after the Rally, and Forwards will be sent to the panelists. The deadline for submissions to the Listing for this panel was October 28th. No new submissions can be added at this time, sorry! Using Rises, Drops, Braams, and Found Sounds in Trailers, Instrumentals, and Cues with Randon Purcell
If you’ve ever wondered how Hollywood composers get those really cool sounds in their Trailers, Instrumentals, and Cues, Randon Purcell is going to show you how it’s done! Not only is Randon a successful TAXI member, he’s also a software developer who has partnered with fellow composers/sound designers Andrew Skipper, Kyle Kniceley, and Simon Haglund. They’ve developed the most comprehensive, easy-to-use software-driven instruments developed specifically for crafting those incredible “blockbuster” sounds you love but can’t find in your libraries. Collectively, music by Randon, Andrew, Skipper, and Simon has been in hundreds of trailers, promos, and other media placements. Want to sound like the top composers? Don’t miss this presentation! How to Successfully Record, Release, and Promote Your Next Album – in 90 days. [Disc Makers sponsor session]
Anyone can release an album, but the truth is that doing so successfully is rare among independent artists. In this presentation Tony van Veen will do a detailed walkthrough (yes, with a calendar) on all the steps required for a successful album release, including recording, manufacturing, digital distribution, and – most importantly – the key promotional activities required to successfully launch and sell your album… even during a pandemic! TV & Film Song Pitch and Feedback Panel, with Music Supervisors Mason Cooper and Jacob Nathan
Songs (from TAXI members only) will be chosen randomly and played for Music Supervisors who will give feedback and potentially pick some for upcoming projects. Music played during this panel will be chosen randomly from a playlist generated from a panel-specific TAXI Listing that ran prior to the Rally. Submissions not played during the panel will be screened on a yes/no basis after the Rally, and Forwards will be sent to all the panelists. The deadline for submissions to the Listing for this panel was October 26th. No new submissions can be added at this time, sorry! What Genre Is Your Song with Robin Frederick
Best-selling author and songwriting coach, Robin Frederick is going to help you solve a problem that so many songwriters share — figuring out what genre your song is! Do you know the difference between Singer/Songwriter and Indie Pop? How about Indie Folk and Americana. Robin will teach you how to unearth the clues that define genres, so the next time a publisher asks you, “What kind of music do you do?” you can give them the right answer. And who knows; your music might get more “forwards” from TAXI when you start pitching it to the right opportunities. Want to see why Robin always speaks to Standing-Room-Only crowds in the Road Rally ballroom? Watch this and you’ll know! BREAK Demystifying Online Royalties in Publishing With Michael Eames and Bobby Borg
Bobby Borg and Michael Eames, co-authors of the upcoming book Intro To Music Publishing For Musicians will break down the basics of online licenses and payments and provide a very practical solution for understanding this often confusing area of the music publishing business. You couldn’t ask for two more plainspoken experts to explain this complicated subject in easy-to-understand terms. When this is done, you’ll know how to find new income streams you probably didn’t even know existed! Breaking into Songwriting Camps with Hookman
It’s hard to break into the “songwriting camps” where hit songwriters create much of the music you hear on the charts today. Hard, yet not impossible! Sony/ATV, Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Marlin “Hookman” Bonds moved to Los Angeles from St. Louis, got off the proverbial “bus,” and succeeded where so many others have failed. He’s going to tell you how he did it and how he’s had his songs cut by artists like Jason Derulo, Kalin & Myles, Hot Chelle Rae, Swizz Beatz, Justice Crew, Jay Sean, Pitbull, and more. The MusicPro Cafe Showcase at the TAXI Road Rally
Each night after the panels have wrapped up, our friends at Music Pro Insurance will host a live showcase featuring six TAXI members! Final selection of performers was made by Music Pro from a curated list of TAXI members that responded to a Listing that appeared prior to the Road Rally.
Day Three - Sunday, November 8th
Writing Competitive Country Songs with Marty DodsonMarty is a singer-songwriter/producer who’s had songs recorded by Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Plain White T's, Saving Jane, Lonestar, Billy Currington, and Craig Morgan. He’s had # 1 hits and lots of awesome cuts. If you dream of grabbing the often-elusive brass ring of getting a cut with a big Country artist, your songs need to be better than good to be competitive. Marty almost gave up the dream, but then came to his senses, paid his dues, and it paid off. He’s going to show you how to write competitive Country songs in this powerfully inspiring session. Organizing Your Tracks, Songs, Alt Mixes, and Stems with Keith LuBrant
Keith is a TV composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who became so successful that he could no longer keep track of what was pitched or signed by whom! Keeping track of alt mixes, stems, and cut-downs wasn’t going much better. Being the organized, proactive guy he is, Keith solved the problem by creating Composer Catalog — a comprehensive, easy-to-use program that became an instant hit with his fellow TAXI members. If you’re still using spreadsheets (or a notebook) and losing track of what went where, you really don’t want to miss this presentation! Don’t Make Rookie Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Career with Beth Wernick, Angela Mukul, and Bob Mair
You can be a super talented songwriter, artist, or composer but damage your reputation and career by making mistakes that professionals don’t make. We’ve assembled a great panel of experts who will tell you how to make sure you get all the “little things” right so your music is what you’re known for, not your lack of professionalism. You’ll learn some great tips from two music licensing executives and TAXI’s Head Screener. iZotope's RX 8 and Ozone 9: A Music Production Powerhouse with Product Specialist - Carlo Libertini [sponsor session]
Trusted by the top audio pros around the world, RX 8 continues to lead advances in audio signal processing and machine learning that were once unimaginable.
In this session you will learn how RX 8 gives you more control over your audio. We will show how Spectral Recovery can restore discarded frequencies in audio from compressed live-streams or video calls, and how to use the all-new Wow & Flutter module to fix pitch drift in music recordings. Break out Guitar De-noise to tighten up your guitar recordings, an even more powerful Music Rebalance for stem separation and mix tweaking, and the revamped Loudness Control module. Unleash the overhauled Batch Processor on audio of any kind for simultaneous multi-file editing, reformatting, and exporting. Then you'll see how Ozone 9 delivers professional tonal balance to your audio with the most complete mastering toolkit on the market with an even more intelligent master assistant, new processing for low end balance, and instrument source separation. Ozone 9 is the future of mastering. How Music Makes It into TV and Film: The Process from A to Z with Music Supervisor Mason Cooper
If you want to know how music supervisors decide what type of music they need for a scene, how they choose that music, and why they choose it, you’re going to learn that and much more from the amazing Mr. Cooper! You’ll learn about the entire sync process from this articulate, seasoned pro that’s been extremely popular at several recent Road Rallies. If you were networking at the hotel bar and missed the interview we did with Mason two years ago, now’s your chance to see why people raved about it! Reality Check: Are You Ready for the Major Leagues? Q&A with Rob Chiarelli and Ron Harris
How often do you get to hang out with a multi-Grammy-winning mixer/producer and an A&R veteran and ask them anything you want? Get straight answers from these accessible, multi, multi-platinum industry pros that truly love helping musicians become successful! Have your questions ready before the panel begins, and make sure you’re in the YouTube chat room as soon as the session starts. You want the truth? You’re going to get that and a whole lot of actionable advice you can take to the bank from Rob and Ron. How Big Ad Agencies Choose Music with Paul Greco
We’re going to pick the brain of the Executive Director of Music & Audio at global advertising giant, Wunderman/Thompson, New York. Paul has directed music and sound production, audio strategy, music supervision, and license negotiations for clients such as Macys, Puma, Rolex, Google, Smirnoff, ExxonMobil, Jaguar, Schwab, Pepsi, GE, FedEx, HBO, US Navy, US Army, Lincoln, Chevron, Dr. Pepper/7up, NFL, NHL, Campbell’s Soup Co., Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, AT&T, and many more. We hate to brag, but this guy knows just about everything there is to know about music in advertising, and we’re bringing him to your house! The Happy Ending Pitch and Feedback Panel with Rob Chiarelli, Michael Lloyd, and Pedro Costa
This is the final panel of the Road Rally weekend, and we always have a lot of fun as we listen to Songs and Instrumentals (from TAXI members only) that will be chosen randomly and played for this esteemed panel of experts. They’ll give feedback and potentially pick some music for upcoming projects. Music played during this panel will be chosen randomly from a playlist generated from two panel-specific TAXI Listings that ran prior to the Rally. Submissions not played during the panel will be screened on a yes/no basis after the Rally, and Forwards will be sent to all the panelists. The deadlines for submissions to the Listings for this panel were October 30th and 31st. No new submissions can be added at this time, sorry! The MusicPro Cafe Showcase at the TAXI Road Rally
Each night after the panels have wrapped up, our friends at Music Pro Insurance will host a live showcase featuring six TAXI members! Final selection of performers was made by Music Pro from a curated list of TAXI members that responded to a Listing that appeared prior to the Road Rally.
Road Rally 2020 “Prequel” Class Schedule
These are virtual versions of the Drivers Ed breakout classes we would normally do at a "physical" Road Rally. While the “regular panels” are for current TAXI members only, we’re making these classes that will take place in the days leading up to the members-only part of the Road Rally available to the public!
These classes are with some of the most popular teachers we’ve had at the “physical” Road Rally. Consider them a “warm up” to the main panels that will take place on November 6th, 7th, and 8th.
Enjoy!
Monday, November 2nd
Prequel # 1
10 Music Marketing Ideas for Indie Musicians with Tony van VeenTony is a marketing whiz who loves to share tips with indie musicians. If your music marketing efforts haven’t panned out and you’re left scratching your head, you’re bound to pick up some great pointers from this champion of indie artists everywhere!
Prequel # 2
Production Master Class with Karl RichardsonKarl has worked with acts like the Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Andy Gibb, Dr. John, Frankie Valli, Samantha Sang, Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, Diana Ross, Firefall, Mama’s Pride, Ohio Players, and has acted as Broadway Sound Designer for Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, more. Richardson was one of Michael Laskow’s favorite mentors in the early days of his career. This interview will cover a wide range of topics including Karl’s production philosophy, favorite gear, a few studio stories, and the difference between producing “back in the day” and how music is produced today. There will be some viewer Q&A as well, so get your questions ready!
Prequel # 3
Rejecting Rejection with Steven MemelRejection... You don’t like it. I don’t like it. But none of us get through life without experiencing it. Probably lots of it. In addition to the pain rejection causes, it can seriously mess with your head. It can fundamentally cause you to doubt yourself. Wonder whether or not you “have what it takes” and if you should just throw in the towel?
However, if you plan on succeeding in your career, you’re going to need tactics, tools, and strategies that enable you to reject your rejections and keep moving forward. In this deep dive workshop, that’s exactly what you’ll get from celebrity voice and performance coach, Steven Memel. He’s going to arm you with the same time tested, proven secrets he’s taught to A-list Hollywood celebrities, Grammy winners, top-tier composers, and more, which have enabled them to endure and ultimately triumph over the obstacles you’re bound to encounter on your path to great achievement. You won’t want to miss this.
Tuesday, November 3rd
Prequel # 4
Mastering for Indie Musicians with Ronan Chris MurphyThis title pretty much says it all! Ronan is a top tier expert on mastering; and in this session, he will cover what Indie musicians need to know about the craft of mastering. Get your notebook ready for this deep dive!
Prequel # 5
Song Feedback with Legendary Record Producer, Michael LloydMichael Lloyd’s feedback sessions in the theater at the “physical” Road Rally have long been a fan favorite. Lloyd is incredibly honest, while being tremendously supportive of Indie musicians. His feedback is pointed and helpful in taking your songwriting, production, and sound to the next level. How often do you get feedback from somebody who has 100 gold and platinum records to their credit? Songs for this session have already been collected through a TAXI Listing. No more submissions at this time, sorry!
Prequel # 6
How I Built a Multi-Decade Career in Music with Barry De VorzonMost people know Barry as the creator of MasterWriter, the powerful suite of tools used by hit songwriters like Rob Thomas, Trent Reznor, David Foster, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Kenny Loggins, Jimmy Webb, Lamont Dozier, Kid Rock, and many, many more!
What many people don’t know is that De Vorzon started his career as a songwriter in the 1960s and has been a performing artist, record label owner, publisher, producer, arranger, film and TV composer, and a Grammy winner with a multi-decade string of charted hits with artists like Marty Robbins, The Cascades, Johnny Burnette, and even the Eagles! Yep, he co-wrote the Eagles hit, “In the City” with none other than Joe Walsh!
He’s also the composer of “Nadia’s Theme,” which has played daily on The Young and the Restless for decades, and he wrote the iconic “Theme from SWAT.” Cha-ching, baby!
Barry is truly a national treasure who’s a great storyteller! His stories and sage advice have inspired and helped musicians all over the world write better songs and build better careers. We’ve asked him to share some of those stories and to let us play a new video that does a great job of showing exactly how MasterWriter can help songwriters like no other product on the market. Don’t miss this hour of awesomeness!
Wednesday, November 4th
Prequel # 7
Don’t Get Screwed! How to Protect Yourself as an Independent Musician with Music Attorney Erin JacobsonErin Jacobson is a Road Rally favorite! In this class she’ll share some of the common things all musicians need to watch out for before you sign on the dotted line. Consider yourself warned: Don’t get so excited about being offered a contract that you hasten to sign the deal without truly understanding what each clause means! Don’t get screwed!
Prequel # 8
Taking Your Songs from Good to Great with Jason BlumeJason Blume is one of the most engaging speakers you’ll ever hear. When he tells you he’s going to help you take your songs from good to great, you can count on it! If you want to get inspired to make your songs competitive in today’s market, you really can’t afford to miss this Road Rally Prequel!
Prequel # 9
The Five Primary Mixing Tools with FettMost self-producing, independent musicians, songwriters and composers today are quite comfortable with recording. But for many, mixing can still be a daunting and sometimes overwhelming task. It’s very often the result of not having a solid mixing approach or process to work from. In this class, veteran Nashville producer/engineer Fett shares his mixing framework and techniques from his popular book, Fett’s Mixing Roadmap: A Step-by-step Guide to Mixing Music in the Studio, and his Mixing Mastery online course. He focuses particular attention on the bedrock of all mixes: The 5 Primary Mixing Tools.
If You’re a Current TAXI Member,
Grab Your Two Free Tickets Now!
Once you’re directed to your TAXI Artist page, click on the "Sign up for TAXI Road Rally 2020" on the right side of the page. You must be logged into your TAXI account to register.
If You'd Like to Renew Your
Membership and Get 2 Free Tickets...
If You'd Like to Join TAXI and
Get 2 Free Tickets...
Set Up Your YouTube Account Now
If you don't already have a (FREE) YouTube account set up, you can do that right now by clicking this link. We suggest using your real name as your "handle" on YouTube. That will make it easier for your fellow members and the panelists to know who you are.
You'll also need to be "seen"; in the CHAT ROOMS during the live panels to have a shot at winning prizes during the LIVE panel broadcasts. We'll update you as to what those awesome prizes will be prior to the Rally's kickoff.
By the way, the reason we're not going to simulcast the Rally on other platforms like Facebook or Zoom is that we want all of our attendees in one place for interaction, real-time questions, and of course, winning prizes!
Register Your Guest!
Each and every TAXI member gets to bring a guest to the "physical" Road Rally in Los Angeles. This year will be no different except you'll be able to watch from the comfort of your own home, no matter where you live!
To register your guest, click here.
To Watch the Live Panels...
To make sure that every member and guest who is registered for the Rally can access the panels, we will send emails each day during the Rally (well prior to the broadcast starting) with private links to each of that day's events.
We will also have a private web page with a full schedule that has links to each and every panel. TAXI members will also be able to click through to that page from your TAXI Member Profile page.
Watching Panels in Global Time Zones
Because TAXI's staff, headquarters, greatest percentage of members, and most of our panelists are based in the United States, our Rally Broadcast days will be during business hours in the aforementioned (U.S., Pacific) time zone.
We realize that may be less-than-convenient for members and guests who are in time zones all over the globe. We regret that we haven't figured out how to alter the space-time continuum yet, but we're working on it ;-)
We WILL be archiving every one of the panels on TAXI's YouTube channel. If it's impossible for you to join us live, then you can watch the archives at your convenience.
But sorry to say, ONLY people who watch the LIVE panels and are in the CHAT ROOMS will be eligible for the LIVE Prize Drawings.


















