whadda think of taxi.com

[David Hooper]

OK. I'll ask you the same question I asked Laskow. Credits? Who have you gotten deals for? He cited confidentiality. I expect you'll do the same.

Anybody with any experience in the industry knows that it takes a team of people to do something like obtain a record deal. I'm not going to sit here and take sole credit for all of the hard work put into something like that by the band who was signed, the publicist, the manager, etc.

Anyway, getting a deal is overrated. I've got one band I work with that has sold over 280,000 records on their own. Do you think they're not signed because they have no choice in the matter?

I will offer you guys on here a free ticket to come to the Nashville New Music Conference and see what I do for yourself. Last month, we had 400+ bands showcase with over 2000 industry people attending daytime seminars and panels.

Did any of the showcasing artists make it big? Will any of them make it big? It's too early to tell. I do know that one of those artists, Jason White, has the new Tim McGraw cut though. It's called "Red Rag Top," so listen for it.

 

[David Hooper]

Re: Its all a pipe dream

CD Baby
You can get more information and advice from these folks and they don't charge you a dime. Good people

Too bad you didn't make the Nashville New Music Conference because Derek Sivers, the President of CD Baby, was one of our keynote speakers.

Let me know if you want me to comp you a ticket for next year. Just reply to this post.

 

[David Hooper]

Re: Its all a pipe dream

David Hooper's place is a total wast of time. I joined and within 15 minutes tried to get a refund. I was told there was no way that was going to happen and when I posted my views on his site it was yanked. Everything on the site can be found easily for free as a matter of fact to prove it to David I sent him several links with tons of info. The only thing David ever said that I found was true was that " you only get out what you put in ". This is true just not on his site.

Sorry you were unhappy.

No, you can't get what IndieBiz.com has on it anywhere because what IndieBiz.com has that nobody else does is me.

Now, I'll be happy to do a personal consultation with you, if you want to come to Nashville or pay my expenses to come to where you are, but IndieBiz.com is a much cheaper way to get the same advice...which is why I started it. I understand that most bands and musicians can't afford what I charge.

The other people you mention are lottos. Just throw your tape in a bucket and see if it's drawn. If it happens, it's great, but what about the thousands of people that it doesn't happen for?

I promise that everybody who joins my site will make their investment (and then some) back. Now, you have to do what I suggest. You can't just get on there and expect to see money in the bank automatically. This takes work, my friends...

 

[sonicgirl]

ummm yeah thats great that Derek is a keynote speaker... Derek is the best, you don't have to go to any Seminar to talk to him and get great advice... you can just e-mail him, or call him, or meet up with him at one of his "get togethers"
He offers great help and great advice with out charging you a dime.

 

[David Hooper]

David Nevue's book works and he backs it up with his own music.

Oh yeah...David Nevue. Have known him for years and he's yet another industry professional that I brought in to speak at the Nashville New Music Conference. You guys should really get his book and take me up on that free pass offer for next year.

 

[David Hooper]

How about some of those credits. conferences and books!!! Anyone with enough ambition can make a conference or book or whatever. The real truth is that there is not that much room in the music business for all the people with amtitions to be there.

First of all, if writing a book or running a conference is so easy, how come you're not doing it?

As for room in the music business, there is room for everybody who wants to be here...and that goes for people in the business end as well as the performer/writer end.

Now, not everybody can be Britney or a major label star because there is only so much space on record store shelves, on the MTV playlist, etc. Everybody can make a good living though.

 

[TheRealWaldo]

If you want to pay my expenses to come down, I'll willingly do it, otherwise I have to stay here for the sake of the several thousand artists that I'm working for.

W.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

"Anybody with any experience in the industry knows..."

Are you assuming that I don't have any experience in this business? Bad assumption. I was pitching songs when you were still learning to tie your shoes.

"I'm not going to sit here and take sole credit..."

In case you haven't noticed, this business is built around taking credit. You can't take ANY credit, because you haven't gotten anyone a "deal". If you had, you would be shouting it on your (spider)website.

"Anyway, getting a deal is overrated."

By whom? You? I don't know anyone in the business that believes that. You must be quite special.

"Did any of the showcasing artists make it big? Will any of them make it big? It's too early to tell. I do know that one of those artists, Jason White, has the new Tim McGraw cut though. It's called "Red Rag Top," so listen for it."

Did YOU work with Jason White, or did he just play your showcase? So far, he's the only name you've mentioned. Is he aware that you are using his good name to hawk your cheap wares?

You have convinced yourself that you are in the music business. I contend that you are in "The Music Business Business", i.e., preying on amateur musicians with promises of riches and fame. "Buy my book" - although I've never actually done anything, I can teach you the secrets."

The only thing more reprehensible than your scam is your arrogance. At least Laskow has some industry cred and personality. You have neither.

 

[David Hooper]

ummm yeah thats great that Derek is a keynote speaker... Derek is the best, you don't have to go to any Seminar to talk to him and get great advice... you can just e-mail him, or call him, or meet up with him at one of his "get togethers"
He offers great help and great advice with out charging you a dime.

Sonicgirl,

Derek's runs CD store. The more CDs he helps you sell, the more money he makes.

I get paid by helping bands take care of their artist development. I get paid similar to your attorney, recording studio, or CD manufacturing plant.

Not everybody works on commission.

 

[sonicgirl]

WRONG!!

WRONG!

Derek makes money from selling CD's but he helps you wether you sell your cd with him or not.

He helps me and I don't have any CD's... I am not a musician. He knows I don't but he is cool and he likes to help people.

Therefore Derek is the coolest!

I don't know much about you David... that is why I haven't said too much against you... I assume you are a scam, as I do anyone who is in your line of business...
I know I have a book of yours, I got it years ago, then I think I have every book by everyone ever published on the music business!
I have read about your lawsuit and it kind of made me write you off as an industry person, and a basic human being.

But you sound semi desperate so maybe I'll check out your site and see what it is that makes you "so cool".
See if you can offer anything I don't already know.

I'll post my opinions later.

 

[pashop]

the pipe dream continues

Well David
Over the year of my joining I have emailed you a few times with my concerns over your site. Your replies if any were all of the, you get what you put out nature and as I explained to you then I put in allot. Some of us are not spring chickens we have been in the industry for many years and have worked with some great musicians and industry people. All of your comments seem to be directed towards the 18 year old who just wrote their first song or group that is trying to get out of the basement.
I did send you a CD that you said you received and were going to review and I heard nothing. I emailed a few times with no response.
I emailed you about a showcase ( Aug 26 & 27 12th & Porter )I was having in Nashville and your only response was to send me to a site where I could purchase emails of record company A&R guys.
Its only $99.00 US nothing to make me go into chapter 11 but I assumed I would get something of use. I got more over lunch at the LongHorn from the table next to me.

 

[David Hooper]

Re: WRONG!!

I don't know much about you David... that is why I haven't said too much against you... I assume you are a scam, as I do anyone who is in your line of business...
I know I have a book of yours, I got it years ago, then I think I have every book by everyone ever published on the music business!
I have read about your lawsuit and it kind of made me write you off as an industry person, and a basic human being.

Which book do you have?

If you're not a musician, what are you doing here? Do you have a web site?

Regarding the lawsuit, see the above link for more info. When you're doing something right, people get jealous...especially in this poor economy. It's just part of doing business.

 

[David Hooper]

Re: the pipe dream continues

Over the year of my joining I have emailed you a few times with my concerns over your site. Your replies if any were all of the, you get what you put out nature and as I explained to you then I put in allot. Some of us are not spring chickens we have been in the industry for many years and have worked with some great musicians and industry people. All of your comments seem to be directed towards the 18 year old who just wrote their first song or group that is trying to get out of the basement.

My comments are directed at the people who ask them. Some of those people are right out of high school and other, like you, have been in the game for a while and are trying to increase their income, their record sales, etc...

Outside of the promotional aspects, I don't take into account how many years you have been in the industry or how well you can play your instrument. My job is to help you work with what you have.

I did send you a CD that you said you received and were going to review and I heard nothing. I emailed a few times with no response.

When were you a member? What is your name? I'd like to look up your account and see what our records show.

Normally, people are sent to an online forum for reviews. I have a T1 which offers great audio quality via the Net and it makes things a lot quicker as far as turnaround.

I emailed you about a showcase ( Aug 26 & 27 12th & Porter )I was having in Nashville and your only response was to send me to a site where I could purchase emails of record company A&R guys.

Why did you email me about the showcase? Were you asking me to attend or did you want help promoting it? For whatever reason, I was under the impression that you were looking for A&R guys to attend that thought that the database woudl help you.

I get hundreds of emails from bands and musicians daily. Member emails need to go through the site so that they don't get mixed up with others. I need to know you're a client to help you as a client.

Its only $99.00 US nothing to make me go into chapter 11 but I assumed I would get something of use. I got more over lunch at the LongHorn from the table next to me.

You get what is detailed at the site. If you're looking for something more, I'll be happy to help you, but the rate is $100/hour...standard for the industry.

 

[pashop]

The group is Little Rock
The CD is called Little Rock
www.littlerockband.com
info@littlerockband.com

Well I have gone as far as I can and am willing to go in this forum. The good news about this one unlike yours is that you can't just make them go away as you have done in yours.
You can stop answering emails which is what you did their and probably what you should do here.

My membership in Kathode I think expired in Oct and the only thing during that entire period that seemed to be of the slightest value was the tip sheet that started out good but then seemed to peter out like everything else.
The help and info I needed was based on you listening to the CD which you did get as I have an email confirming.
Your advise for Distribution was to go to a company who according to email threads I recieved from you was having problems paying their bills.
Your advise for showcase rooms was info anyone can get by typing " Nashville Showcase Rooms : into any search engine.
Your advise for A&R Reps was a site where I could purchace the current emails for all reps.
Out of all the projects I joined this one promised alot and gave pretty much nothing. I was not looking to make $100,000 a year all I wanted was some help in an area I thought you should have been qualified in.

 

[sonicgirl]

David:

The book I have is:
How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label, Manager, or Booking Agent)

Like I said I have most books, I am a book freak, I read all the time!

As far as What I do and why I am here...

Well, I am putting together a home studio just a small studio... so that is what brought me to this site.

Why this section?
I am the financial "help" for certain artist... therefore I have an interest in the business.

Networking, and knowing helps me help the artist that I finance.
Over the past years I have gained quite a bit of information and contacts.

I have a web site... because I also do web/graphic design part time.

You can check it out http://www.girillainteractive.net

I actaully do a lot of stuff really...

jen

 

[pashop]

I do believe that there is room for this kind of service however the problem as I see it is how it is sold. Taxi, Tonos, Kathode etc sells the same service to everyone which means the guy in highschool would be purchacing the same as a guy like myself who has been in the industry for over 20 years. What makes that guy or girl happy I would just laugh at as common knowledge. I have read about many people who are happy with Taxi and with the service David provides but they are generally beginners.
I need information and am willing to pay to get it , this make $100,000 in the music business that David sells is part of the reason he gets chewed out on all these kind of forums. Its like the old buy property with no money down scams from years ago that sound to good to pass up.
In my case it was very simple and when I joined all of these folks to see what they had to offer I knew what I was looking for. I had a finished CD in the new country vein with good songs, great players strong vocals mastered in Toronto by George Graves. I needed an opening into the labels, info on the secondary radio market and the most important distribution. I got more from forums like this.
I have done 3 showcase dates in Nashville and it has cost thousands of dollars and although everything has gone well the biggest problem is there is so many bottom feeder companies who are generally nice people but are selling themselves as the the ones who can get " the right people " out. We are back again in Feb so I am forced once again to search for a reputable company who can do what they say they can.
Years ago my grandfather once told me.........
"The winner is the guy who has the best scam"
Its taken me all these years but I finally get it

 

[Mountainmirrors]

I took an offer for a free trial. I was so appalled at the uselessness of the info that I cancelled in 20 minutes. All of this info is in the Musician's Atlas.
And the book?? Tells you to book alot of gigs.
Plain and simple - it is a get-rich-quick SCAM that is working.
It is useful to a beginner who doesn't yet know that this info is ALL available for free - and more valuable when the right contacts and advice comes from networking. Meeting other musicians who are doing it successfully.
I invision Hooper at the Nashville conference appearing as a televangelist, shouting about reaching the promised land. All for a generous sum of money.

 

[Buffalo Bob]

"If you're not a musician, what are you doing here?"

Who the hell are you to question the motives of ANYONE on this site? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
There are thousands of people who surf this site, and every time you open your mouth you alienate more of them. Keep talking, shithead. The more people who know about slime like you the better.




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[David Hooper]

The group is Little Rock
The CD is called Little Rock
www.littlerockband.com
info@littlerockband.com

I do remember this package coming through, but can't remember the music. If you'd like, I'll be happy to listen to it online and give you an opinion here.

Well I have gone as far as I can and am willing to go in this forum. The good news about this one unlike yours is that you can't just make them go away as you have done in yours.

I still have the emails the I sent you on this issue and will be happy to post them here to refresh your memory, if you want.

I don't mind questions or criticism, which is why I am here answering every question and complaint that you guys post. What I do mind is people who only try to instigate because they have buyer's remorse, don't want to do what I suggest for their promotion plan, etc.

Again, I have the series of emails in your file...

You can stop answering emails which is what you did their and probably what you should do here.

I know it's frustrating that I am calling you out like this. Maybe stop right now is what you should do.

My membership in Kathode I think expired in Oct and the only thing during that entire period that seemed to be of the slightest value was the tip sheet that started out good but then seemed to peter out like everything else.

It's there, but the tips aren't constant. I go by what the needs of people are. Just got a call from a post-production house in LA that needs some stuff. That doesn't happen every day though. Needs fluctuate.

The help and info I needed was based on you listening to the CD which you did get as I have an email confirming.

Ok. Well, email me the link to some mp3 files and I'll give you that advice now.

Your advise for Distribution was to go to a company who according to email threads I recieved from you was having problems paying their bills.

Almost all distribution companies have been hit hard. That's how the business is.

Are you in need of distribution now? This might have been overkill and I'm sure I mentioned that.

Do you have airplay? Are you playing live? Do you have a national promotion campaign?

if you don't have these things, distribution is a waste of money and will tie up your product...product which you could be selling.

Your advise for showcase rooms was info anyone can get by typing " Nashville Showcase Rooms : into any search engine.

What I told you to do was research the rooms, come to me with a list of where you're looking to play, and then I'd be able to give you advice on them.

Your advise for A&R Reps was a site where I could purchace the current emails for all reps.

The online A&R database on IndieBiz.com is free with membership. However, if you want to download something to do a mail merge with, that is something different.

Out of all the projects I joined this one promised alot and gave pretty much nothing. I was not looking to make $100,000 a year all I wanted was some help in an area I thought you should have been qualified in.

Again, post what you need and I'll get you hooked up with the answers. You may not like what I have to say, but I will give you the info you're looking for.

 

[David Hooper]

I do believe that there is room for this kind of service however the problem as I see it is how it is sold. Taxi, Tonos, Kathode etc sells the same service to everyone which means the guy in highschool would be purchacing the same as a guy like myself who has been in the industry for over 20 years.

I can't speak for Tonos or Taxi, but I definitely don't sell the same service to everybody.

I think the problem here is that you are looking at the length of time you have been playing music. 20 years means nothing if you're still earning your living from working another job.

this make $100,000 in the music business that David sells is part of the reason he gets chewed out on all these kind of forums. Its like the old buy property with no money down scams from years ago that sound to good to pass up.

Have you read the book? It's definitely not a get rich quick thing.

My co-writer works harder than almost any musician that I know...and that is why he is making so much money. We never marketed the process as one where you'd be able to sit on the couch all day, play shows when you feel like it, and collect tons of money via automatic deposit. This is hard work.

In my case it was very simple and when I joined all of these folks to see what they had to offer I knew what I was looking for. I had a finished CD in the new country vein with good songs, great players strong vocals mastered in Toronto by George Graves. I needed an opening into the labels, info on the secondary radio market and the most important distribution.

Ron, do you know how many people are in the exact same situation that you are? I can walk out my door and find about ten of them within five minutes.

A finished CD with great players and mastering is a good start, but you mentioned nothing about having a market for it. How is your mailing list? Do you have an email list? What kinds of shows are you doing and how are you promoting them?

Radio doesn't sell records for indie bands...especially those without a live show in the area of broadcast and no distribution.

When was the last time you purchased something solely from hearing it on the radio?

I have done 3 showcase dates in Nashville and it has cost thousands of dollars and although everything has gone well the biggest problem is there is so many bottom feeder companies who are generally nice people but are selling themselves as the the ones who can get " the right people " out. We are back again in Feb so I am forced once again to search for a reputable company who can do what they say they can.

Instead of worrying about what people have to offer you, maybe you should look into what you have to offer other people.

Good bands in Nashville are a dime a dozen and talent here is as plentiful as table salt.

If you were to come to me and say, "David, I have sold 10,000 records in Canada, have a mailing list of 15,000 people, and am looking to take things to a new level," I'd be able to get a ton of people out to your show. Another "good country band" that is just good on tape is the last thing people want to hear though...they're looking for something they can sell.

And why are you coming all the way to Nashville? Do you have fans here?

My advise would be to take over your own market first. The grass is always greener where it is watered...and that is much easier close to home.