9 members (Fdemetrio, VNORTH2, Perry Neal Crawford, couchgrouch, Sunset Poet, Guy E. Trepanier, bennash, Bill Draper, David Gill),
3,725
guests, and
277
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.
By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574
JPF Mentor
|
JPF Mentor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574 |
I may be wrong, but I don't believe Jason Blume, John Braheny, or Pete and Pat Luboff are screeners. They're all educators, all have worked with students who have gone on to get cuts, and all have written hit songs.
Yes, it's like playing the lottery but you have to buy a ticket. The ticket is a very well written song that touches people. It may not touch everybody, may not touch me, but if it doesn't touch the publisher/producer/artist/label exec, it won't get cut unless it's written by an established artist.
As written before, I'm currently remixing and improving several instrumental pieces. Even though I've worked as a screener for a publisher with major hits, I've sought out critiques on these pieces. When I have a few more ready, I'll be joining Taxi.
You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash It's only music. -niteshift Mike Dunbar Music
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401 |
I have personally spoken to John Braheny to ask him about the Taxi screening process, how many songs are submitted for listings (400 - 800), how long his shift would be (4 hours), and how many songs he might listen to during that shift (20 - 25), and how many of those songs might make the grade (0 - 1). Mind you, that was 2 or 3 years ago now, perhaps he's getting too busy to do it anymore. Pete & Pat Luboff gave a class at the Rally about the screening process. At Road Rally 2007 I met more than one screener at the Mentor Lunch.
In any case, having what you think is your best song professionally critiqued by John, Jason or Pete & Pat (just go to their websites) will give you a good idea of how it would fair in the Taxi screening process and, in addition, give you a good idea about how well you perceive your own work in terms of commercial viability.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 183
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 183 |
Well in Blume's case.... he's been working on it since 1980 at least... getting educated, being rejected, etc. He has top-10 cuts in multiple genres. He's super commercial; some would say to a nausseating degree.
Every month be studies the top-10 songs in each chart and breaks them down by similarities. His goal is to extract the trends in writing a "Hit Song." That's different than trying to write a subjectively "good" song. So his workshops and feedback are aimed at people who want to write "Hit Songs."
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67 |
And then, it ought to be reiterated that in today's music market, unless you already have a foot in the door and support and friends on the inside, "good" is not good enough. We have to be BETTER than anyone in Nashville or L.A. to have any hopes of getting a song cut.
that's where TAXI comes in. With all the tools and feedback and custom critiques available to their members, a "good" song can become great with some hard work and a willingness to listen and learn. Yes, the bar is set sky-high, but I know for a fact it can be reached.
Speaking only for myself, my TAXI membership has b een the best, smartest investment in my own career I've ever made. And again, for me, it has paid off in spades (as I've just last week signed my first deal).
Ted
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67 |
And then, it ought to be reiterated that in today's music market, unless you already have a foot in the door and support and friends on the inside, "good" is not good enough. We have to be BETTER than anyone in Nashville or L.A. to have any hopes of getting a song cut.
that's where TAXI comes in. With all the tools and feedback and custom critiques available to their members, a "good" song can become great with some hard work and a willingness to listen and learn. Yes, the bar is set sky-high, but I know for a fact it can be reached.
Speaking only for myself, my TAXI membership has been the best, smartest investment in my own career I've ever made. And again, for me, it has paid off in spades (as I've just last week signed my first deal).
Ted
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
Everett,
You're viewing it wrong. These educators are like mechanics. Each song as a set of mechanics that can make it work or not work. If you're a great mechanic, you can make any car work, whether, in the end, it's a Yugo or a Porsche is up to the writer. But the mechanics can be fixed by people who know how things work and how to get it in gear.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401 |
Well in Blume's case.... he's been working on it since 1980 at least... getting educated, being rejected, etc. He has top-10 cuts in multiple genres. He's super commercial; some would say to a nausseating degree.
Every month be studies the top-10 songs in each chart and breaks them down by similarities. His goal is to extract the trends in writing a "Hit Song." That's different than trying to write a subjectively "good" song. So his workshops and feedback are aimed at people who want to write "Hit Songs."
I'm not really sure what your point is. It's obviously not that easy to write a hit song even if you dissect the current hits, because if it was that easy, we'd all be doing it. People seem to have the attitude that, in order write hit songs, an artist/writer gives up real creativity or authenticity. I used to think that too. People also seem to have the attitude that a writer of hit songs has somehow "sold out". The truth is that a writer of hit songs has studied a skill and written countless bad and good songs on the road to writing great songs. The Ralph Murphy's & Jason Blume's & Diane Warren's & David Foster's of the world have indeed paid their dues by working harder, working longer, being willing to listen, by having the right attitude, by growing a network, and by seeking inspiration and creativity in their daily lives. You may or may not appreciate their music, but certainly you can appreciate their creative drive.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
I think Ethan is hinting at the fact that a great deal of successful musicians, songwriters and performers who make the grade on their own as a result of their own creative efforts and large fanbase...well, their work often bears little resemblance to the more orthodox songwriting sensibilities of a Jason Blume or even a Diane Warren. Many would utterly fail in "song school" but they have something very good nonetheless.
I also find that what Jason Blume does is financially successful, extremely difficult to achieve and worthy of great praise---he has a lot of talent...but his songs (sorry) bore me, and they DO appear derivative...
But he's certainly a success.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67 |
Then, please dear God, give me the ability to be smart enough, and to open myself up to learning enough to write something just a derivative. What he does is an art unto itself, and we should ALL be that fortunate to know our craft so well.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
Well, honestly, thank God we're not. If everyone could write that well, it would no longer be special.
It's just that...how do I put this...well, it seems it should be okay to voice personal musical preferences other than what the market is looking for, while still being willing and able to do the hard work of cranking out the product being sought by the buyers. We can write for ourselves, and then we can also write specifically for the market...but sometimes when I read all the TAXI literature, and the often reiterated joint opinions of some of the core members, I feel like such sentiments are almost verboten, and...eeeww....sorry, but it takes on a certain cultish air. As if there are some subjects you simply do not diss...
But I really DO mean to take TAXI seriously. I really, really do. I intend to be open, and to make every effort to drop the ego and old habits, and truly Learn. And I may or may not "break in" to the business. Perhaps, if I work hard enough and humble myself enough, and Truly Listen, I will write and produce well enough to cut a deal or two someday.
But I will probably never be well-behaved...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,044 Likes: 16
Top 40 Poster
|
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,044 Likes: 16 |
Anyone that is a songwriter, or even not a songwriter, can take any song and find something that they would change, or they would say differently, it's their opinion. That does not necessarily make it a bad song, the buying public makes a song a hit, even if that song is considered not a good song. Acky breaky heart comes to mind. Turned down by just about all the singers, producers, etc. as being a bad song. It may not be a great song but it sure was a hit. One man saw the potential in it and made it a hit, because it struck a chord with the public.
Someone once said "If I knew what was going to be a hit, that is all I would write, why waste time writing misses", but no one knows, all the elements might be there for a hit, except the public's acceptance of that song.
I've written songs that I am sure that can be a hit if recorded by the right person and I've spent extra demoing it, I've also written songs that I liked but not enough to spend that extra on a demo, I've pitched both songs to the same artist and the artist picked the lesser song over the better song, why, it meant something to the artist. I've recorded CDs of ten or twelve of my songs, the songs that I believed would be the choice of the listeners were often overlooked for the also ran songs. So I've come to the conclusion, that I can't get inside the public's heads and know what they are going to like. If a song is structured correctly and has a nice melody, toss it out there and see what sticks.The big problem with that is, if you have to get past a screener, it will be turned down. I've heard song on the radio that are written perfectly from a structure point of view, but they said nothing and were boring, I've heard songs that may not have passed the perfect structure microscope, but they were entertaining and made a point.
Critics have to criticize, after all, that's their job.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574
JPF Mentor
|
JPF Mentor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574 |
It seems the answer is: Taxi, or getting critiques, or pitching anywhere where there may be a screener, is not for everybody.
You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash It's only music. -niteshift Mike Dunbar Music
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 183
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 183 |
Hey Vikki!
My point? Someone was asking what qualified people like Jason Blume to give feedback/education to aspiring songwriters. It looks like you honed in on my one sentence disclaimer that some folks might not like his songs. :-)
So I shared what I know about Blume; I personally have a great deal of respect for what he does and he is very articulate. What he really does great is showing his own thought process; people who listen closely can learn how to think for themselves.
Btw, Lyle seems to have read something into my words that I didn't think I expressed. But I do agree a bit. Every songwriter has a greater chance for success if they are up to the challenge of also being an artist; if no one else is going to cut/sell your songs, why shouldn't you?
Cheers!! Ethan
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
Btw, Lyle seems to have read something into my words that I didn't think I expressed.
Oops. I've been known to do that... Sorry!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401 |
It's true, there are many roads to success, and I think we all know that a lot of elbow is required no matter which map you use to get there.
H
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 691
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 691 |
Agreed Taxi, has it's merits and good points...and good luck to everyone who participates...a few will get a break!..BUT at the end of the day,if you have to go thru your Songwriting life,repeatedly asking for second opinions on your material..it is gonna be one helluva long lonely road to travel...Terry
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
Nobody said work was easy or always fun. What job isn't a hell of a long road to travel? Is your day job sometimes frustrating and difficult with you having to answer to someone else about the work you do? Of course. So why do people think commercial music careers are different? They are HARD WORK with a lot of BUTT KISSING and HEAD BUTTING going on constantly. Every job where money and management is involved is a pain in the ass. (Frankly, there probably isn't a "real" job out there without it's struggles and difficulties and gut checks). Making music is fun until you want it to be commerce. Then it's work. Please folks.. learn the obvious here.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 691
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 691 |
Correct, making music is fun until you get into the jungle..it is a million miles removed from making it up on a pc(nothing wrong with that of course, just drawing a comparison)and spending 18/20 out of the 24 hours in a studio..suppose i have been lucky in the respect i answer to no-one in the music making process..but of course getting it into the mainstream..ahh! different ball game..to be honest, in a lot of ways ,the writing and recording is the easy part...you do then become dependent on other people's help to get your product out there into the High Street...and those type of contacts do not happen overnight..and for them to show the slightest interest..you must have something that get's their lights flashing..then you have to be musically street-wise that the deal you negotiate is the best possible deal in your own interests..so in short, whether it be Taxi,or word of mouth,or some 3rd party,or your own volition, that gets you in the door so to speak..that is when you realise that the Songwriting part is the easy part....The business side of the music business is fraught with dangers if you do not play your cards right,you must stand your ground...or otherwise you will just be a songwriting commodity to these people..may i add... a disposable commodity...you are only as good to a publisher, as the shelf life on your product..and the business is getting harder by the day. ......Terry Moore...
Last edited by Terry Moore; 12/15/07 03:33 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
Actually.. the songwriting part is only the easy part if you aren't working in the commercial music industry. If you are working there, then it affects your songwriting and that process a great deal. Same with the recording process.
Professionals are forced to take commerce into mind through the entire process. Sure, someone who is an amateur can create their work in a vacuum and sometimes still find success or opportunity. But it's rare to do it that way.
It's like the softball league player. Doing it for fun means you have a life away from your summer league games. Playing Pro baseball means you live and breath it 24/7 365. It affects everything you do at all moments of your life. Music is the same thing. Play in a garage band, write songs on your own and do what you want. But step into the Professional arena and expect it to be a full time concern where other people's opinions often mean more than your own if you want their money.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 691
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 691 |
Agree with a lot you say..but the "Easy" part i refer to is you call the shots in the writing and recording dept...and i pick up on your point that you keep one eye on the commerce and business side all the way thru the process..AGREE 100%...but Brian..when you start locking horns with these musical big-wig punters, then that makes the writing and recording process look easy ..it is a battle of wits all the way thru...one day i hope to be in the position of passing my work onto a consultant or P.R...to do the wheeling and dealing on my behalf..but to get to that stage you have to have "walked the walk..and talked the talked" sort of thing..so it is a learning process all the way thru with a lot of "ducking& diving " involved...but one can dream...mybe one day i can just be left to do the writing&recording...Cheers..Terry..
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77 |
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫
wishes and creative blisses...
Jill Sansores (a.k.a. Just Plain Jill)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77 |
sorry Priscilla but I don't think this topic applies to you..
good luck and keep going..
i appreciate your input however and respect your feedback
JPJill
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫
wishes and creative blisses...
Jill Sansores (a.k.a. Just Plain Jill)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77 |
"some would say to a nausseating degree." can one help they have done "X" amount of work and control the outcome of their labor? sometimes. in THIS industry, no way in hell. i understand your recognition of THAT fact and it IS nothing personal towards you but I just need to let you know that music is an art, the way you look at it is the way u perceive it. we don't CARE about HOW someone did it until they die in most cases. Mozart; perfect example. Who cared about him and apprecited him until after he died.. well.. more than a few people, no doubt, but do we need to have a puke before Jason has passed on.. NO. he has no control of what his creative has impacted on people. i honor your opinion and thank u for being open and honest. JP Jill Well in Blume's case.... he's been working on it since 1980 at least... getting educated, being rejected, etc. He has top-10 cuts in multiple genres. He's super commercial; some would say to a nausseating degree.
Every month be studies the top-10 songs in each chart and breaks them down by similarities. His goal is to extract the trends in writing a "Hit Song." That's different than trying to write a subjectively "good" song. So his workshops and feedback are aimed at people who want to write "Hit Songs."
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫
wishes and creative blisses...
Jill Sansores (a.k.a. Just Plain Jill)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77 |
i agree...
we've seen many years of this stuff.
anyone else agree?
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫
wishes and creative blisses...
Jill Sansores (a.k.a. Just Plain Jill)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77 |
hiya Humming,
Taxi specifically post what they are looking for and EXACTLY what they need.
just because we have a techno song that we think is fab doesn't mean it will fit into the jazz category they are looking for.
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫
wishes and creative blisses...
Jill Sansores (a.k.a. Just Plain Jill)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
Hey Jill,
I am not sure what you're responding to on many of these. We can't see the original post to know what you're agreeing with for example.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401 |
Best thing to do is Google Jason, John & the Luboffs, their credientials are on their sites.
Whether you submit music through Taxi or SongU or Sonicbids or any other means, someone is going to screen your music & decides whether it will get to the next level (to be screened again) or go in the slush file. That's just how it is.
"We all know that the final judge that makes a song a hit or miss is the listening public."
Is that really true? If the labels didn't come out and market the singles & albums, if they didn't reward the radio stations for playing it... who knows....
IMHO pitching songs to (big) artists has got to be one of the most difficult ways to try to make it as a songwriter. Both Diane Warren & Jason Blume took about 12 years to make it into the big leagues. That's a lot of mac & cheese.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 77 |
Hey Jill,
I am not sure what you're responding to on many of these. We can't see the original post to know what you're agreeing with for example.
Brian aha! so this is how you need to respond with the quote button. i am not too much of a poster but when i did the quote and responded to Ethan's post, i sort of caught on. i can understand how my posts look confusing now... eek! sorry everyone!! (note to self: the preview button is there for a reason Jill, USE IT.) =)
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥ ♫
wishes and creative blisses...
Jill Sansores (a.k.a. Just Plain Jill)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,044 Likes: 16
Top 40 Poster
|
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,044 Likes: 16 |
There have been songs that got lots of airplay(pushed by major money) but were a flop at the cash register, while some songs that never went over well with radio, yet sold well. Money can and does cram music into peoples ears but they can't cram it down their throats.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 120 |
This has been primarily a TAXI discussion. But, there can not be enough said for making those contacts yourself. It sounds as if the original question has you out of the market for a few years. I would suggest that you find some song camps and start networking. If you think you know it all, it is a door that is open by someone who cares about song writers and can offer valuabel information-use it for that if you don't need to learn the music discipline. Trends change and you may need to update your music before you let someone "who matters" hear it. Check that out before you do anything! I would suggest that you ask individuals on your local level to use your songs. If they rise up the ranks, guess what? You get to go with them! Taxi is an avenue that I do use. But, there can't be enough said for putting your vacation time at a place where the industry is happening! Just some thoughts!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
This has been primarily a TAXI discussion. But, there can not be enough said for making those contacts yourself. It sounds as if the original question has you out of the market for a few years. I would suggest that you find some song camps and start networking. If you think you know it all, it is a door that is open by someone who cares about song writers and can offer valuabel information-use it for that if you don't need to learn the music discipline. Trends change and you may need to update your music before you let someone "who matters" hear it. Check that out before you do anything! I would suggest that you ask individuals on your local level to use your songs. If they rise up the ranks, guess what? You get to go with them! Taxi is an avenue that I do use. But, there can't be enough said for putting your vacation time at a place where the industry is happening! Just some thoughts! Thanks, Monica! That's great advice. -Lyle
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
Casual Observer
|
Casual Observer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17 |
Lyle
I agree this is the internet at it's shining best. Interestingly (though) I spent many days searching, browsing, sifting and not understanding until I came across this site and TAXI.
The funny part is, I did not find these sites from searching the internet, they were referenced in a book called Songwirting for Dummies (thats me).
Go for it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579 Likes: 13 |
We were referenced in that book? Who wrote it?
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574
JPF Mentor
|
JPF Mentor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,574 |
Paul Winchell? Edgar Bergen? Willie Tyler?
You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash It's only music. -niteshift Mike Dunbar Music
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,384
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,384 |
Everett: "There have been songs that got lots of airplay(pushed by major money) but were a flop at the cash register, while some songs that never went over well with radio, yet sold well. Money can and does cram music into peoples ears but they can't cram it down their throats".
I recall those low profile acts publically that had sales and were played on the radio constantly. Album oriented FM hits that they achieved through concerts and continual airplay to this day yet never reached the top 40. And no big money was thrown into it. I recall especially some Canadien and Midwestern acts like that. It is odd how some acts sell so well without the airplay though. I guess the word of mouth wins out in the end.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
Casual Observer
|
Casual Observer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17 |
Brian
Jim Peterik (song writer), Dave Austin (CEO Transcension Music Group), Mary Ellen Bickford (President DoveSong International).
Page 291 with a heading of "Taking advantage of other peoples sites", references: TAXI TONOS SongScope SongCatalogue and Just Plain Folks.
The only two sites that were obvious as to their purpose to me were TAXI and jpfolks. This may just be my newness but without the context of the steps involved it was hard to know what to do first.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
Hey, welcome to the forum, Steve!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17
Casual Observer
|
Casual Observer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17 |
Thanks Mark
and nice guitar :-)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,242
Top 200 Poster
|
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,242 |
Hey Mark!
Just found this thread. Don't know if your still interested in TAXI but I'll put in 2cents worth. If you have the money available TAXI is a good place to go. I've met many of the people who run TAXI and until recently have been a member for many years (just didn't have the money recently and didn't have the songs to pitch) I've had some successes with Taxi (1 publishing and 1 independent movie that has played internationally) Your chances of getting a song cut in Nashville are slim. ( I had one close but got bumped) and I've had many forwards over the years. Most of the deals made through TAXI now are through their Dispatch service which list TV and Movie pitches(and costs extra).They also have listings for Americana, Folk, Blues and all sorts of Pop, Rap, Hip Hop you name it. TAXI has very pro people who screen for them and are well connected in LA and they go to Nashville on a regular basis. TV music is a much lower bar than Nashville Country and even with the limited equipment you have you might have some success there. You should have at least 10 good songs ready to go that you could upload - 20-50 might be better. I still have my songs on Broadjam - they charge me $50 per year and they also have pitch opportunities available. I don't like their peer review as well as the TAXI program, but thats another way to go. You can view TAXI listing online and also the ones for Broadjam you just can't submit without being a member. In the end talent will out and I believe you have the talent to have some success in the music industry - but it is a business. I believe you have the talent in your singing and playing to make music you can sell, but you do need to make some connections. A lot of information is on this web site and there are NSAI, and SGA, who are online and have classes available. Having lived in LA for over 20 yrs. I know its a tremendous advantage to be in a music center like LA, New York, or Nashville. TAXI makes their living off of you - and they want you to be successful - that's what validates their business - so they will try to sell your songs but on the other side they have to present a certain quality of song to the buyer in order to keep their foot in the door. So they will try to help you develop your songs into what they see as a salable product.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
Thanks Pete!
Yes, at this point I am very familiar with TAXI, I scan the listings regularly just for the sake of awareness, and plan to join eventually. Before I do that, I am working on updating my equipment and knowledge of home recording before I make the jump. If I can't produce broadcast quality music on my own, there is no point whatsoever in paying to play. I want to be able to see a listing for, say, TV/Film, kick it out on my own and submit. My current set-up doesn't allow for that kind of quality. But someday!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 775
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 775 |
I just joined Taxi on New Year's Eve. I, too, had been watching the listings and getting oriented as to what was needed. I sent four songs in my first batch of submissions. Three were at the highest quality of production I could muster with my home equipment. One was just guitar and vocal into a single mic and somewhat roughly performed, nevertheless spirited. I sent it in without further production because I felt the song was good enough to stand on its own and met the criteria of the request. We'll see when I get my feedback!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
Let us know, Steve! Thanks, -Lyle
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,242
Top 200 Poster
|
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,242 |
Mark, - don't over estimate what equipment it takes to be successful. You have the most valuable piece - your voice. Second your ear for music, your creativity, and lyrical and compositional skills. Michael Laskow says this many times - these tv/and film listings can be accomplished with fairly simple equipment - many are not much more than guitar vocal. I'm encouraging you to jump in if you can afford it(and I understand you have a family)not because I think Taxi is so great, but because I think you are. I also think if you wait too long and want everything to be perfect, that someday may become an if only.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1
Top 40 Poster
|
OP
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,589 Likes: 1 |
Thanks, Pete, what a great thing to hear. Truth is, if selling my music were to become an "if only", I would not be sorely disappointed. If you met my wife and daughters, you would know that I am already an extremely wealthy man.
Just don't look at my bank account.
Your compliment made my day!
Thanks,
-Lyle
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,172
Top 200 Poster
|
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,172 |
Found this piece of info...this is in the country market
Elliott Park, for one, benefited from TAXI's help in securing his publishing deal with Nashville's Extreme Writers Group, where he co-wrote "I Loved Her First," a No. 1 hit for Heartland.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 775
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 775 |
Ok. I sent in four songs. The first three were not forwarded and I am still waiting to hear on the fourth one. The guitar/vocal tune I mentioned earlier was not due a critique as the listing was on a yes/no basis. The two critiques I have received so far have been helpful. I appreciate people who have a trained ear and no axe to grind or need to please me being the ones to do the critiquing.
I have learned so far that:
- Other people hear things I don't necessarily hear.
- Other people have different expectations or standards than I have.
- It is very necessary to pay close attention to the description in the listing. Contemporary Country with Traditional leanings does not mean straight Traditional Country. Oops!
I will submit more this week and see what happens.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,761
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,761 |
For what it's worth, I was a member of TAXI for a few years, and only stopped because my interests & energy went elsewhere...But while I was there, I rarely submitted to songs in the yes/no category because I was more interested in the critiques & feedback. After several submissions, I found a critiquer who I was impressed with, and worked with him(her?)on several songs. I would submit the songs for 'critique only', I think it was $10, and requested the critiquer by ID#....The attention & turn around time was very impressive, and it was helpful to have a person involved in several progressions of the songs. I wouldn't necessarily advise joining TAXI just for the critiques, but as long as someone is already a member, $10 a pop isn't a bad deal. Midnite Ok. I sent in four songs. The first three were not forwarded and I am still waiting to hear on the fourth one. The guitar/vocal tune I mentioned earlier was not due a critique as the listing was on a yes/no basis. The two critiques I have received so far have been helpful. I appreciate people who have a trained ear and no axe to grind or need to please me being the ones to do the critiquing.
I have learned so far that:
- Other people hear things I don't necessarily hear.
- Other people have different expectations or standards than I have.
- It is very necessary to pay close attention to the description in the listing. Contemporary Country with Traditional leanings does not mean straight Traditional Country. Oops!
I will submit more this week and see what happens.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,401 |
Custom critiques are now $20 and can be submitted on-line. I've found them to be extremely valuable.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 56
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 56 |
This JPF site is fantastic. FWIW - I found it through a book I picked up the library too, although I'm certain it wasn't "Songwriting for Dummies"...it was a different book but for the life of me I can't remember the title.
I have found this thread in particular to be very informative. Thanks to everyone for sharing. and it has pretty verified what I already believed.
The whole "internet music submittal" THING is kind of like moving from elementary to middle school to H.S. to college, etc. To really get a better view of who you are musically and what your chances are for success before wasting time, energy, and money....your best move is to start in "public school" (Garageband, etc) where it is free, you get thrown to the wolves, you get beat up at recess, and you start to get an idea what other kids like you or don't like you, and why.
You then move on to the private but affordable "secondary schools" like Broadjam, and are once again submitted to peer analysis, and you get a little better idea what "girls" (insert gender of choice) will kiss you with no questions asked; which ones let you know you don't have a snowball's chance in hell until you make the varsity football team; and which ones are definite maybes if you play your cards right.
Which brings you to graduate school, which to me is TAXI. If you can't get out of the like of Broadjam (or similar) or even GarageBand (or similar) with having been kissed a couple times....Taxi is probably not a good investment.
And then of course there's that whole "real world" thing after college and making money....
|
|
|
We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.
|
|
Forums117
Topics125,717
Posts1,160,950
Members21,470
|
Most Online37,523 Jan 25th, 2020
|
|
"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|