Brian

I accept your contention that on a song by song basis Taxi screens at a small net loss,but I have given this significant thought.As a business Taxi makes money by enlisting people to submit music for a 300 dollar a year fee,the more people who join Taxi, the more money they make.That is what I was refering to.It stands to reason that those people who join will submit for review,and most of the music they submit for review will be unusable.Therefore,the more
unusable music Taxi reviews,the more money they make.I think my logic is sound.

I suppose in the context you describe it the 5 dollars could be almost a disincentive to submit anything but the best material,as Taxi would make the most money of all if you paid the 300 fee and never submitted anything.

As far as the willingness of publishers and record companies to continue to listen to music submitted by Taxi goes,you are clearly correct.But that is what the screening process is for,as long as Taxi ultimately submits only the quality material it's customers require, then I expect those customers will continue to listen.

As you correctly point out,it is my contention that not taking a cut is undesirable from an artists stanpoint.A person with with a vested interest in an artist,like a publisher,record company,or even lawyers and managers is making a personal commitment to your sucess.Not just passing a CD along to somebody that's agreed to listen to it, and walking away without further contact.I understand that these are functions Taxi does not perform,nor do they claim to.I'm just pointing it out,that is my opinion.

I think these are valid critisisms of the Taxi business model from an artists perspective.I'm not slamming them or saying they are disreputable.As I have repeatedly said,I think Taxi is a great idea and Michale Laskow is probably one very smart fellow.He's found a way to get paid to listen to all of the music that the industry doesn't want to hear while simultaneously giving an potential avenue into the industry for the occasional appropriate artist.

And that is the topic of the thread,yes? Taxi pro and con,is it worth it,yes or no.Not it's the greatest thing since sliced bread on the one hand,or IT SUCKS on the other.