At the risk of sounding horribly immodest, we had a pretty strong feeling as we prepared for this year’s Rally, that it would be the best we’ve ever presented. And guess what? We were so right, thankfully!
We worked harder than ever on creating the best content in the Road Rally’s twenty-eight-year history. We trimmed some of the legacy classes that we felt had repeated for too many years, so we could put more effort into giving our attendees a smaller number of the very best classes we’ve ever fielded. We also created the best panels we’ve ever done, brought an incredible group of panelists to sit on them, and we pored over (literally) thousands of details—big and small—to make sure this Rally was as close to perfection as was humanly possible.
The following email from one of our most well-known and successful members (Matt Vander Boegh) who tells that story more objectively than we can. Please read on…
“Michael and everyone else at TAXI HQ: You guys run an impeccable operation that is soooooo giving and generous to its members. I seriously can't recommend TAXI and the Road Rally enough. Like, for reals! I got asked to do about five different projects for music libraries while I was there—and I personally know of many other deals, collaborations, and projects that were hatched last weekend while people mingled and talked shop together.
Why would anyone want to miss out on those opportunities? But that's just the tip of the iceberg, because the REAL benefit of the Road Rally is all the knowledge and classes that are taught by experts. So many golden nuggets are dropped for composers and songwriters—it's like if diamonds were to grow on an apple tree, all people had to do was stand under the tree and wait for them to fall! But yet, so many people stay home and miss this once-a-year opportunity to skyrocket their own success. I just shake my head all the time...”
—Matt Vander Boegh
The bottom line: if you missed this year’s Rally, you missed more than you might be able to imagine.
Photography by James DiModica and Will Sanjuan
The Grand Ballroom was filled with TAXI members and their guests, who came from all over the world for the 28th TAXI Road Rally.
The Road Rally is famous for its incredible industry networking, and the hotel bar is ground zero for the entire weekend.
The Keynote Panel, Will AI-Generated Music Steal Your Job?, featured panelists (l to r) Paul Croteau, Tanvi Patel, Stephanie Reid, and Brenton Hund.
TAXI member Marco Ianello (r) networking with Music Supervisor Jonathan Weiss.
The Interpreting TAXI’s Listings and Industry Briefs panel featured (l to r) Tom Stillwagon, Andrew Jordan, Stephanie Reid, Bob Mete, and Greg Carrozza.
During one of the panels in the Ballroom, Michael asked members who have had TV or film placements through their TAXI memberships to stand up. Look at the percentage of members standing in just this one little section of the audience!
QR codes proved to be an effective way to share music while networking at the Eat & Greet Luncheons.
Music Row publisher Bobby Rymer undoubtedly giving some great feedback to a TAXI member during the One-to-One Mentor Sessions.
TAXI members Michelle Lindley and Matt Vander Boegh networking at the Pandora AMP after-party.
The Label and Publisher Listening Panel in the hotel’s private theater is always a hit, and this year was no exception!
Music attorney Ben McClain (standing) exchanging contact information with a TAXI member at the Eat & Greet Luncheon.
Music Supervisor Nick Haussling chatting with a group of TAXI members after his presentation.
(l to r) Ron Harris, Robina Ritchie-Barker, and Rob Chiarelli delivered incredibly valuable tips during their panel, Letting Go of Precious.
The audience loved learning How to Get into Sync’s Inner Circle, with panelists Jim Thacker, Patty Boss, Greg Carrozza, Matt Vander Boegh, and John Pearson.
We couldn’t find a shot in which we could see this young lady’s name on her badge, but she caused quite a stir with her great blues guitar playing. Nice going!
Music Supervisor Mason Cooper (l) giving expert feedback to TAXI member Pat Waara.
The band Hit Theory won the PRS Guitar Pop-Up Studio contest and went home with a prize package valued at more than $6,000!
Legendary producer Michael Lloyd took a moment to chat with a TAXI member at the end of the Road Rally.
The Instrumental Pitch and Feedback panelists (l to r) Steve Barden, Chuck Henry, Geoff Siegel, and Pedro Costa posed for a group shot with TAXI’s Michael Laskow after their panel. Where else can musicians get feedback from four music library CEOs at one time?
Notice how focused the other panelists are as Music Supervisor Mason Cooper gives direct feedback to an audience member after hearing their song during the Film & TV Song Pitch and Feedback Panel. The Road Rally is famous for members receiving direct feedback from music supervisors and licensing executives, including (l to r) Stephanie Reid, Mason Cooper, Dan Waldkirch, Jacob Nathan, and Jeff Freundlich.
The How to Produce Your Own Vocals class with Adreana Gonzalez and Ron Harris was a hit by any measure! Here’s a shot of producer Iman Jordan (Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Jazmine Sullivan) listening carefully to a vocal track while Adreana (left) and Nikki Flores (Jojo, Zayn, Nas) joined in.
Music Licensing Executive Dan Waldkirch (l) chatting with long-time TAXI member Bill Gordon.
Music Supervisor Mason Cooper goes one-on-one, giving feedback from the stage to a TAXI member seated in the audience.
Destiny Ramos looks like she’s having a great time as she belts out a song during one of the jam sessions held in the TAXI Jam Room.
This year’s TAXI Road Rally had the best group of sponsors in recent memory, and our members showed them a lot of love during the weekend. Why shouldn’t they? The sponsors literally paid for every member (and their guests) to attend.
We surprised long-time TAXI member Stan Morris with the TAXI Inspiration Award because he’s been to all 28 Road Rallies. Congratulations, Stan—well-deserved!
A TAXI member cutting a track from scratch in just an hour in the Pop-Up Studio.
One of our cherished sponsors, Hear Technologies, always has a crowd of members surrounding their booth. We’re surprised our photographer managed to get this shot!
This dog clearly knows how to dress for success!
Meet the incredible TAXI staff who take great care of our members year-round and do an extraordinary job during the Road Rally. Here, they’re receiving a standing ovation at the end of the weekend. They are (l to r): Angel Maradiaga, Ashmita Deo, Briagha Abrahamson, Craig Pilo, Eric Anderson, Liz Cohen, Matthew Hutchison, Tom Stillwagon, and Andrew Jordan.
And finally, here’s our mascot (yes, we own it), a 1968 Checker Marathon. It’s got over 500,000 miles on it and is still running strong.