TAXI Member Success Stories

Mike Farley of Cleveland Ohio (TAXI Member since 1998) writes: “Just wanted to let you guys know I got a placement in the TV show ‘All My Children’ who found me through TAXI. My song ‘When Lights Go Down’ will air twice during the show this Thursday, June 19th. Thanks again for all your help, the hard work finally appears to be paying off!”

An east coast-based music library has just released a full CD of New Age Atmospheres by TAXI Member Paul Avgerinos of Redding, Connecticut for film and TV placement.

TAXI member Dan Caravetta of Levittown, Pennsylvania shows us the adventure of getting a publishing deal.

“I have developed a nice relationship with this publisher that started through a forward of some of my rock instrumentals in April of 2002. Since that time, I have signed 17 songs and I am working on more for them. I have started to see some checks coming in (and have upgraded my recording equipment with the money). I’m still waiting to see where my tunes have been placed. That’s a great thing to look forward to.”

Bobby Messano, from New Jersey by way of Nashville, recently signed a deal with independent label Fishhead Records (which also releases product from Scott Ellison, Wallace Coleman, and Sylvain Sylvain -formerly of the New York Dolls) to release his outstanding Blues album.

Swiss native (now living in Sherman Oaks, California) Matt Hirt has made seven deals through TAXI that involve some 70 of his original songs. His earnings to date are close to $12,000. With songs in Spin City, (ABC), Judging Amy (CBS) and Passions (NBC).

Matt also learned a lot about how this business works: “TAXI helps me with everything. They give me new ideas about what to write and then give me feedback on the writing. They also help me connect with publishers and music libraries. They help me make money. But it’s more than that. For someone like myself who is not good at self-promotion, and not good at schmoozing, TAXI is the difference between having success and not having success.”

Chuck Henry has signed a three-year, three-CD deal with Etherean Records—one of the leading world beat labels. They are looking at a spring 2003 international release. The name of the group is World Radio.

Tim Swisher recently received a contract offer for a one-song publishing deal through an established music publishing company. It was a direct result from a TAXI forward that was made over a year ago. Tim comments: “I would like to thank TAXI for the insightful comments my submissions received and for proving to me that I could get my foot in the door with the right connections. Not that I doubted TAXI, but you definitely have cleared up any thoughts in my head about your ability to help a working musician catch a break in such a difficult industry: Music! Keep up the good work.”

Long-time TAXI Member, and recent “Passenger Profile” subject, Bill Gordon, just landed three more placements on network shows The District (CBS), Boston Public (Fox), and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Warner Brothers).

A world-renowned music library is picking up another song of Joy Thomason’s (titled “I’ll Be Waiting at the Door”) for their ’40s/’50s project. “You TAXI, are an amazingly awesome gift to songwriters,” asserts Joy.

Thanks to TAXI, Artemis Robison just landed her very first licensing deal. Robison’s song “Fountain of Life” aired on the ABC show MDs on December 4 at 10 p.m. “It’s a really great episode to get placed on,” says Artemis, “since Macy Gray was on that episode, so the audience was bigger than usual. I’m a happy camper!” Artemis sends his “warm regards and blissed-out juju to everyone at TAXI.”

TAXI Member James Grant from Henderson Nevada had one of his songs placed on ABC’s show MDs in a featured two-minute usage.

Elliott Park of Baird Texas has more good news to report: RCA Records has just placed another of his songs “Sand In My Shoes” on hold for Country superstar Kenny Chesney. This goes along with two songs still on hold for Diamond Rio. We’ll keep you posted!

Members Simen Fjeld and Sindre Saebo from Norway have recently signed a publishing/license agreement with an established L.A. based company. Their song was forwarded more than six months before. Simen says “So folks, things might take some time!!!”

Fred Douglas Talbert of Van Nuys, California had two songs, “Before You Say Goodbye” and “Make a Little Love” signed to a Nashville-based music publisher for use in films and TV productions.

Paul Avgerinos of Redding, CT placed three tracks with a music library for their music CD project, and they want more from him in other genres as well.

T. Roberson of Chicago, IL landed a 17 song deal with a huge TV production company, for use on a little TV show MTV has called “Making The Band” with P. Diddy. They also may be used on the shows “Real World” “Road Rules” and/or on “Extreme/All Star Challenge”.

Mark Cook of Woodstock, GA just signed a contract for six of his Blues songs with a powerful music publisher/library.

Wayne Wesley Johnson of Oldwick, New Jersey placed a song on the WB Network’s “Roswell” as well as more music with the Discovery Channel’s “Outward Bound” series

Denny Earnest of Livingston, Montana has had two songs placed on NBC’s “Passions”.

Brad Chiet placed his song “Harley ’99” in the indie film “Local Boys” for a $2,000 license fee.

Pete Surdoval placed his song “Pulp Surf” in the indie film “Local Boys” for a $2,000 license fee.

Greg Shearer placed his song “Rock The House” in the indie film “Evil Alien Conquerors” for a $3,000 license fee.

Brain Binning of Seattle placed two songs with a powerhouse music library,.

And Brian’s roommate Jonathan Kingham had a song featured in an upcoming episode of the hit WB series, Felicity.

Suzanne Grzanna had her jazz song “Mystery Man” used in the film, “Sex and Bullets” starring Judd Nelson and Seymour Cassell.