About 10 years ago I was a member of TAXI. It was convenient for me to actually drop off submissions at their office in Southern California. They were always nice and respectable to me when I visited. I attended several Road Rallies in LA, partially thanks to JP Folks. I got good feedback on my songs from which I thought was accurate. I got several things forwarded also but nothing ever became of any of them. I was always told who the recipient of the forward was but not given any contact info for them. I had some email dialect going with Michael Laskow (creator of TAXI) about the contact info and was told they had problems with members harassing some of the recipients so they had to stop giving the contact info. I sent an email suggesting TAXI institute a way to determine the mental stability and maturity of members as a way to screen who can be given the contact info and can handle the privileged info professionally and properly. I never heard back which was no surprise of course since something like that is not easy to implement and has all kinds of legal ramifications. I chose not to renew my membership with TAXI because of my feelings about the importance of being able to build a relationship with potential buyers of my skills. it's true you have a chance to hobnob with some music biz 'movers and shakers' at the Road Rallies but be ready to stand in line to try and impress them with your nice smile and good karma and know they have their guard up for all these people willing to do who-knows-what to get a few minutes of their time. Frankly I believe I have a better chance these days of meeting a mover and shaker playing golf which I have fallen in love with in this decade and I have met employees from Warner Bros. and Universal doing so. But that's bound to happen living in So. Cal. and playing as much as I do.

As in selling anything you have a much better chance at doing so if you can build a relationship somehow and get the buyer to like you and care about you. When it comes to music, where you can make a whole lot of money, that is even more important. Bottom line is people that have the capability to open doors that allow someone to make money will do so first for people they know, like, love and/or care about. That's human nature and that's how we all work. Nevertheless a good song and incredible talent speak for themselves and can open doors for you and has for some unknown people. If you get in that door and show yourself to be unlikeable though the door might get closed. I am a talented person, nice guy and a good songwriter living in So. Cal. now for 23 years transplanted from the midwest USA. Those attributes have allowed me to mingle with some major stars through the years and I can even show you pictures of myself with a lot of them. All of the stars I have spent time around were very cool, down to earth people that were cordial and treated me with respect during my moments with. These are primarily R&B and jazz folks many whose names you would definitely recognize. That was inspiring to me because frankly I feel the same way about myself and I've learned you can become a star and still be cool and down to earth. It's some of the people between you and the stars that are jerks.

So having said all that you are now wondering am I making money in music from my talent and/or songwriting. The answer is no, not yet anyway. I can tell you that part of the reason I'm not is because when I was in the company of some of those people I did not simply find a way to be assertive in a cool way and ask for an opportunity to spend time with them and let them hear my capabilities. I have also had other people that know stars try to open doors for me because they like me and are impressed with my skills. Nothing yet has become of any of that either. Nevertheless it's not over until the proverbial fat lady sings and I continue to stay somewhat active musically. And fortunately I am able to survive in So. Cal. using my day job skills as a electrical engineer. Actually I work in the technical side of the entertainment industry for a company whose name you would also recognize so you could say I work in the industry.

I don't regret joining TAXI but, as someone said, the competition is fierce and I bet Michael Laskow has a nice house and life somewhere is LA thanks to TAXI. Fortunately now thanks to the internet there are many avenues to get exposure which is great especially if you live in the middle of Arkansas somewhere. Heck; at the rate I am going I might end up being your next door neighbor one day since I can't really afford to retire in Cali and not sure I want to anyway in this expensive and in-debt state always in danger of a major earthquake occuring. So my advise is check out all the avenues, expose yourself as much as possible, keep developing yours skills and business knowledge, and keep your head on straight. And don't forget to say thank you when someone gives you their time, a listen, feedback, etc. That seems to be a forgotten phrase by a lot of people these days as well as other good ol' manners. Sorry this turned out so long but maybe it will help someone. I hope so anyway.[php][/php]

Last edited by NateofCA; 05/07/09 11:39 AM.