Road Rally 2013 One-To-One Mentoring Sessions
Below is a list of the Mentors who will be available during the two One-to-One Mentoring sessions on Friday,
November 8th. Both the morning (10:00am to 12:30pm) and afternoon (3:00pm to 5:30pm) sessions are offered
to TAXI members only, but not to worry: There will be plenty of mentors available for our guests (and TAXI
members, of course) at Friday and Saturday’s Mentor Lunches, as well as our during our evening “Song Bar”
“Production Bar,” and “Career Bar” sessions being held between 6:30pm and 9:30pm on the second floor of the
hotel in the O’Hare and Orly rooms, across from the Concourse Ballroom. The “Bar” sessions are free and on a
first come, first served basis.
In order to provide mentors for as many members as possible, there is a limit of one mentor appointment per
member. Mentor registration is on a first come, first served basis only.
Please look over this list and pick the mentor of your choice BEFORE you arrive at the Rally! Some mentors may
not be available (these spots fill up quickly), so as a back-up, it’s a great idea to have several (4 or 5) to choose
from. Don’t worry, though – we’ve assembled a fantastic group and wide variety of industry pros. Any one of them
will be able to share a wealth of information with you. Remember, there is a limit of one 15-minute mentor
appointment per member.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR E-MAIL TAXI TO SET UP A MENTOR APPOINTMENT. Mentor appointments
will be made AT THE RALLY ONLY, starting at 5:45pm, Thursday, Nov. 7th in the Grand Ballroom Foyer, about
100 feet past the TAXI Registration area. Bring your list of preferred mentors with you [refer to the Bio pages that
follow to select your choices] and make an appointment at the mentor registration table after you have already
picked up your badge at TAXI’s Rally registration table. You must have your badge first in order to sign up for a
mentor session. At your session, remember to bring a CD or iPod if you’d like to play a song for your mentor. Or,
if you don’t wish to play a song, you can just ask questions. Remember it’s your 15 minutes.
One-to-One Mentor registration is offered on a first come, first served basis. Limit: one 15-minute
session per TAXI member. Mentor list and availability is subject to change.
A.M. Session (10:00am – 12:30pm)
Brett Anderson
Suzan Koc
Bob Baker
Jan Linder-Koda
Jake Belnick
Chris “Hotrod” Long
Jason Blume
Karl Louis
Bobby Borg
Paul Marshall
Carl Byron
John Mazzei
Rob Case
Ric Menck
Brooke Ferri
Michael Puryear
Chas Ferry
Liz Redwing
Fett
Betty Rosen-Ziff
Jon Flanagan
David Trotter
Todd Herfindal
Dave Walton
Stephen Goldman Robert Wear
Don Grierson
Kimmie Yan
Dan Kimpel
Paul Zollo
P.M. Session (3:00pm – 5:30pm)
Andy Allen
Greg Lawson
Jon Asher
Matt Malley
Jake Belnick
Jon Mazzei
Jason Brawner
Clare McLeod
Rob Chiarelli
Steven Memel
Jeff Freundlich
Ric Menck
Frank Fuchs
Nancy Moran
Peggy Glen
Ronan Chris Murphy
Cliff Goldmacher Peter Neff
Steven Goldman Prescott Niles
Christi Green
Pat Pattison
Ron Harris
Scott Warren
Matt Hirt
Kevin Houlihan
Kenny Kerner
Paul Zollo
Dan Kimpel
Marcia Zwilling
TAXI Road Rally 2013 Mentor Bios
Andy Allen – Instrumental, Film and TV – Has had years of experience recording, editing, mixing, and mastering music and
sound-design for major film and TV companies in London, New York and Los Angeles, including Disney, Sony, Fox, Warner
Bros., USA Networks, National Geographic, Showtime, SyFy, MTV, and CBS. He also found time to create and teach "Aural
Storytelling" and "Use of Music" courses for the Los Angeles Film School. As a musician, he is involved in teaching, arranging
and performing with top talent in the Jazz genre.
Brett Anderson – Rock, Alt. Rock, Pop, Singer-Songwriter – Musician/Songwriter – Lead singer of the all female Rock band
The Donnas. Has written, recorded, and performed internationally with the band for over 18 years! Their songs have had
successful placements in movies such as Dodgeball and The Hangover, as well as video games such as Rock Band and Guitar
Hero. After releasing two major albums with Atlantic, the band has self-released their last two records. Brett’s songwriting
experience includes sessions with Holly Knight, Guy Chambers, Andreas Carlsson, and Dave Stewart, among others.
Jon Asher – Pop/Dance, Pop/R&B, Pop, Techno-Songwriter – Has written hit Pop singles for established and breaking artists
around the world. His recent single Loud, for “Australian Idol” winner Stan Walker, is certified Platinum.
Bob Baker – All genres – Author/Musician – Author of the highly acclaimed Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook and
Berklee Music's Music Marketing 101 course. An Indie musician and former music magazine editor dedicated to showing
musicians of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, sell more music, and increase their incomes through their artistic
passions. Bob's other books include “Guerrilla Music Marketing Online” and “Unleash the Artist Within.
Jake Belnick – Film/TV – Has done music consulting on several major network television shows such as “Friday Night
Lights”, “Parenthood”, and the recent CBS hit “Hawaii Five-O.” Also consulted on the smash-hit Indie film “The Kids Are
Alright.” Was the Music Supervisor for two Sundance films: “Let Go,” starring Ed Asner and Gillian Jacobs; and “Take Me
Home,” starring Sam Jaeger. Is the Music Supervisor on the current film release of Kevin Hart’s “Laugh at My Pain,” as well as
the Discovery Channel’s, “Surviving the Cut.” He started Under the Blanket Music Publishing LLC to help emerging artists
place their music in Film &TV.
Jason Blume – Pop & Country – Hit Songwriter/Author – Has had singles on the Pop, Country, and R&B charts – all at the
same time. His songs are on three Grammy-nominated albums, have sold more than 50 million copies, and have been recorded
by artists including Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Jesse McCartney, Country stars Collin Raye, John Berry, the Oak Ridge
Boys, Japanese superstar Tomohisa Yamashita, the winners of Greek Idol, and more. He works extensively in Scandinavia where
he currently has a single with Universal Records artist Endre, and additional upcoming singles. Author of three of the best-selling
songwriting books, he teaches acclaimed songwriting workshops for BMI, NSAI, and organizations throughout the US and
internationally.
Bobby Borg – Artist Development Expert – Helps musicians build their careers with marketing and career planning strategies.
He has been a Major Label, Independent, and DIY recording and touring artist, and currently serves as a music business educator
at Musician’s Institute and UCLA. Bobby also serves as an A&R consultant to music supervisors, labels, and producers. He’s
also a featured magazine columnist and the author of Billboard Publications bestseller: The Musician’s Handbook, A Practical
Guide to Understanding the Music Business. Fun fact: Bobby was also the drummer in the band Warrant!
Jason Brawner – Pop, Pop/Rock, Singer-Songwriter – Multi-award winning record producer, whose artists have signed with
nearly every major record label. His songs have been featured on all major television networks. Various credits include Carrie
Underwood, Hilary Duff, Tom Petty, Steely Dan, Josh Groban, The Eagles and recent Billboard chart-toppers Thompson Square.
Carl Byron – Pop/Rock, Americana, Alternative, World, Contemporary Classical, Experimental – Multifaceted, critically
acclaimed sideman and composer/songwriter who is at home in a wide range of styles. Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as a
“musical ace,” he's recorded and performed as a keyboardist with a diverse array of artists, including Anne McCue, Michelle
Shocked, Jim Lauderdale, Moris Tepper, The Young Dubliners, Ben Vaughn, The Spencer Davis Group, Low And Sweet
Orchestra, Duane Jarvis, Warren Zevon, David Baerwald, Marvin Etzioni, Claudia Russell, David Serby and many others.
Among other music-related endeavors, Carl has been a music critic for Opera News and has also hosted Delta Airlines in-flight
Classical music programs.
Robert Case – Film/TV, All Genres – Music Publisher – President of New Pants Publishing, Inc., Old Pants Publishing, Inc.
and New Pants Music. His clients’ songs have appeared in TV show placements including Lions Gate Pictures, CW Network,
Discovery Channel, A&E, Fox Sports, NBC, CBS; as well as VHI/Universal HD show “Love Monkey”, “One Life to Live” on
ABC Daytime, the Soap Network, and “South Park” on Comedy Central in the U.S. and internationally in Canada, Mexico,
Europe, and Asia.
Rob Chiarelli – Pop, R&B – Producer/Mix Engineer – Has credits on more than 70 Gold and Platinum albums including Will
Smith, Kirk Franklin, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Luther Vandross, Puffy, Jesse McCartney, LeAnn Rimes,
Yolanda Adams, Charlie Wilson, Ray Charles, New Boyz and Janet Jackson, as well as numerous motion picture soundtracks
including “Men In Black” and “Men in Black II.”
Brooke Ferri – Film and TV –Creative Manager at Black Toast Music, a premiere boutique music library and publishing
company, Brooke pitched and licensed songs to many of today’s top hit TV shows. While there, she also oversaw the launch of
Black Toast Records, signing indie artists whose music went on to appear in films, TV series, and commercials. Brooke is a
licensed attorney who has worked in both the business and creative sides of the music industry.
Chas Ferry – Film and TV – In the music and film business for over 25 years. Worked at Cherokee Recording Studio's as the
chief engineer and has worked on albums by artists ranging from David Bowie to Slaughter and Steve Perry. As a mastering
engineer Chas has mastered dozens of film soundtrack albums. As a music editor, music mixer and arranger he's been involved
in many films and TV shows ranging from Repo Man to Big Brother. He worked for former Tangerine Dream member and
composer Christopher Franke for 10 years, during which time he helped create the Christopher Franke Reality TV Library for
Killer Tracks. Currently, Chas is the owner of HollywoodTrax Music Library.
Fett – Pop, Rock, Country, Singer-Songwriter – Producer/Engineer/Musician – Has more than 40 albums to his credit, owner of
Azalea Studios in Nashville, former Technology Editor for Performing Songwriter magazine and contributing technology author
for the CMA’s Close Up magazine. His clients include Davy Jones of the Monkees, Grammy-winning songwriter Don Henry
and international guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel.
Jon Flanagan – Radio Airplay, Music Marketing, and Promotions – Founded Radio & Retail Promotions to help Musicians
grow their fan base, get radio airplay, increase sales, concert attendance, and music industry recognition. Jon worked at
Columbia Records, Capitol Records, EMI Records, A&M Records, and Tower Records, and he was a Radio Music Director
himself. Jon has been interviewed 5 times in Music Connection Magazine regarding Artist Development and achieving Radio
Airplay. He has spoken at music conferences nationwide.
Jeff Freundlich – Film/TV Licensing Expert, Music Library Owner – Has signed tons of TAXI members over the years, and
placed oodles of their songs and tracks in films and TV shows on just about every TV network imaginable. He is also an expert
in licensing Vintage Music into TV shows and films, all of which were written and recorded decades ago and often found
collecting dust in basements all over the world. Jeff is also an accomplished composer in his own right! If you’ve got old master
recordings that you own or control the rights to, and you’d like to find out if they’ve got any current value for Film and TV
licensing, Jeff Freundlich is your guy!
Frank Fuchs – Adult Contemporary, Americana, Folk, Blues, Pop, R&B – Musician/Producer/Songwriter – Two-time
Grammy nominated producer of more than 50 Woody Guthrie songs, with various artists like Taj Mahal, Joe Ely, Billy Bragg,
and more. Recorded and wrote more than 40 songs for films and television shows. Played guitar with Cissy Houston, Whitney
Houston, among others. Had his songs recently placed in A&E’s “The Glades.” Also, was nominated in the 2011 LA Music
Awards for “AC Song of the Year” and “Album of the Year.”
Peggy Glenn – Artist Bio Creation, Marketing, and Promotions – Her greatest joy is coaxing emerging artists (young or old)
over the success hump by using a positive approach to evaluate their music and their promotional materials. She is a marketing
mastermind, a speaking coach, and cheerleader for indie musicians. Bring your music and your promo materials for candid
feedback.
Cliff Goldmacher – Country, Pop, Jazz, Classical Crossover – Songwriter/Producer/Musician/Engineer/Author – Owner of
two recording studios in Nashville, TN and Sonoma, CA. His songwriting collaboration includes multi-platinum selling artists
Chris Barron (lead singer of the Spin Doctors) and Lisa Loeb. Cliff’s songs have been cut by major label artists, in genres
ranging from Country, Pop and Jazz to Classical crossover. His music has also been used on NPR’s “This American Life” and in
national advertising campaigns. In 2010, Cliff’s song “Till You Come To Me” spent 27 weeks in the top ten on Billboard
Magazine's Jazz chart and finished as the Mediabase #1 and Billboard #2 Jazz Song of the Year. Currently has a song on a
compilation entitled “Love Notes” which has reached #3 on the Billboard Jazz album chart; as well as another song, which opens
the Hurly Burly show on London’s famous West End.
Stephen Goldman – Film/TV, Jazz – Music Supervisor for more than 65 major motion pictures, including The Godfather:
Part III, A River Runs Through It, Mercury Rising, Full Metal Jacket, Lolita, and A Walk on the Moon. Music supervision and
licensing for Video Games such as Brutal Legend, DJ Hero, World of Warcraft, and more. Steve's music production credits
include Laurie Anderson, The Crusaders, Gerry Mulligan, Van Dyke Parks, and Diana Krall, to name just a few. He has multiple
Academy Award, Grammy and Golden Globe nominations, and has worked with a who's who of artists and bands, overseeing
the creation of songs for films, albums, and games, including Dr. Dre, David Bowie, Limp Bizkit, The Gorillaz, Korn, Queens of
The Stone Age, 50 Cent, David Guetta, and many more.
Christi Green – Jazz Guitar/Classical Guitar – Holds a BM in Jazz Guitar Performance and an MM in Classical Guitar
Performance. Is the Author of Fretboard Theory, A Chordal Approach, A Time Management Guide For The Practicing
Musician, and has developed the curriculum for NorthwestMusicSchool.com. Has been an active guitar instructor and pro player
for nearly 30 years, both in the private studio and at the University level. Is currently preparing to launch her online instruction
guitar series under her name Christi Green Studios.
Don Grierson – Pop/Rock/Alternative – Legendary Sr. Vice President of A&R at such labels as Epic, Capitol, and EMI. Was
directly responsible for signing some of the world’s biggest artists, including Celine Dion, Heart, Iron Maiden, Sheena Easton,
Joe Cocker, Wasp, Bad English, George Clinton, J. Geils Band, Kate Bush, among many others. Has also worked with Gloria
Estefan, The Jacksons, Duran Duran, Tina Turner, Queen, Indigo Girls, Kenny Rogers, Alice Cooper, and an extensive list of
other hit artists. Currently, is a consultant to artists, managers, independent labels, etc., as well as a teacher at Musicians Institute
in Hollywood.
Todd Herfindal – R&B, Pop, Pop/Rock – Songwriter – Signed with Peer Music and 2412 Publishing (Red Zone Ent.) in 2004.
Has written tracks with Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, The Dream, Kuk Harrell, Fiona Kernaghan, and Brett Walker, among
others. His songs have been placed in films such as Little Manhattan, Griffin & Phoenix, Firehouse Dog, American Primitive, as
well as countless television shows, such as Grey's Anatomy, Army Wives, Men In Trees, and on networks such as ABC, E!,
MTV, Lifetime, HBO, Cinemax, and more.
Ron Harris – R&B, Pop, Blues – Former A&R Executive for Epic and Sony Records and Producer whose credits include
Christina Aguilera, Hoku, Christoper Williams, Adina Howard. Orianthi and Allison Irehata.
Matt Hirt –– Film and TV Music Composition and Licensing – One of TAXI’s most successful members, with nearly 1500
unique published songs and instrumentals in nearly every musical style imaginable to his credit. Matt’s songs have been featured
in 4 #1 box office motion pictures (Limitless, Tropic Thunder, Rush Hour 3, and Mr. And Mrs. Smith). His music is also heard
daily on network and cable TV on shows such as Hawaii Five O, How I Met Your Mother, CSI, Parenthood, Dancing With The
Stars, American Idol, America’s Next Top Model, The View, Access Hollywood, The Dr. Oz Show, and the Beijing, Vancouver
and London Olympic Games On NBC, among many others. Matt has also been on TAXI’s Successful Members panel and the 5Year Plan panel at the TAXI Road Rally. He is often credited with the birth of the 5-Year Plan concept.
Kevin Houlihan – Film and TV – TAXI’s V.P. of A&R & Film/TV. Was previously a signed artist and songwriter to MCA
Records and Universal Music Publishing Group. Has been a touring musician to music coordinator for major studio films like
The Love Guru, All About Steve, and Gracie. His own music has been licensed for feature film releases including Firehouse Dog,
Little Manhattan, and Gossip, as well as several television shows including Army Wives (Lifetime) and The League (FX).
Kenny Kerner – Pop – Discovered and produced KISS! Also produced Badfinger, Gladys Knight, Jose Feliciano, and many
more. Was Senior Editor at Music Connection magazine. As a music journalist, has interviewed such artists as John Lennon,
Cher, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Ringo Starr. Currently, is Director of the Music Business program at Musicians
Institute in Hollywood.
Dan Kimpel – Bio Writing, Industry Networking, and Music Marketing Expert – Foremost authority on popular music and
songwriters. He is also quite expert and constructing artist bios! Contributes to books, interactive CDs, magazines, websites,
documentary films, television programming, videos and new media. Over a five-year period, Dan conducted weeklong master
classes on networking at Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in the UK. Stateside, he lectures at
colleges, universities and conferences across the U.S., Canada and Japan, and he is currently on the faculty of Musician's
Institute in Hollywood. Dan’s book, Networking Strategies For The New Music Business (ArtistPro/Thomson) is the follow up to
his best-selling titles, Networking in the Music Business; How They Made It: True Stories of How Music’s Biggest Stars Went
From Start to Stardom; and co-author of, It All Begins with the Music: Developing Successful Artists & Careers for the New
Music Business.
Suzan Koc – Songwriting, Music Publishing, and Artist Development – Long history as a high-level Music Publishing
Executive at Warner Chappell France, Hit & Run Music, BMG, and BMG Rights Management. In 2008, started The
Songwriter’s Rendez-Vous, a six-week workshop that brings songwriters together so they can get their work critiqued, get
insight, meet other writers, and start the network that is essential to survive in this business. The once a week workshops are
available live in Los Angeles, or via Skype. In the spring of 2013, she joined TAXI as a member of its A&R team, and is more
than ever dedicated to the ever-changing craft of songwriting. Her appearances on TAXI TV have mesmerized viewers as she
effortlessly dispenses pearls of wisdom to songwriters and artists, and makes it look easy as she does it!
Greg Lawson – Grammy Award Winning Producer and BMI Songwriter Award Winner – While his record, film and TV
credits are too numerous to list here, some of those credits include “Got It On” as writer/producer and artist from the number one
movie “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “He Had It Comin’” and “Love Is A Crime” from The Chicago Movie Soundtrack, as well
as the international #1 smash hit for Jennifer Lopez “Love Don't Cost A Thing” and four #1’s for international superstar
Anastacia, including “Paid My Dues” and a #1 Dance hit with “Love Is A Crime” he also worked as a writer and producer of the
theme for the “Dr. Keith Ablow Show.” He continues to work prolifically in the industry as a writer and producer for a variety
endeavors, and is an esteemed member of TAXI’s A&R team.
Jan Linder-Koda – Artist development – An award winning singer/songwriter/producer/actor. Jan is the author of the best
selling guide and workbook and companion DVD, “Once More With Feeling.” Jan has a roster of 20 Grammy winners including
Grammy Winner, Tim Fagan, Lou Rawls, Tiffany Alvord, and Katy Burgess. She specializes and is very successful in artist
development. Her studio, Angel Diva Music is designed to lift artist abilities to rock star level. Angel Diva Music has a roster
including 20 Grammy winners. Jan’s songs have been heard in many films, TV and On-Line Communities.
Chris “Hot Rod” Long – Rock, Modern/Alt. Rock – A former music journalist and concert promoter who has managed two
bands he found through TAXI; platinum-selling Crossfade (Columbia) and Jonah, among others. Did A&R at Chameleon
Records, where he was responsible for signing Kyuss and bringing highly acclaimed techno/rock trio Ethyl Meatplow to the
label. Was also an A&R consultant for Delicious Vinyl and assisted the President and Marketing Director at Fuel 2000. Has
worked with such bands as Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine, and Ice T’s Body Count. Recently helped land
South Carolina-based band Weaving the Fate a deal with Universal/Republic Records; and also helped Atlantic Records newest
superstar Christina Perri find a top-ranked music attorney, who is part of the team that has helped her become one of the biggest
success stories of the last 10 years.
Karl Louis – Rock, Modern/Alt. Rock – Former A&R/Promotions rep for Limp Bizkit at Flip Records. Was a Manager at
Warren Entner Management, whose clients included Deftones, Faith No More, Rage Against the Machine, and more. Worked in
the Promotions Department for KROQ-FM and was writer/marketing rep for the leading trade publication HITS magazine. Was
Creator/Writer of the A&R column for the industry trade magazine, The Album Network. Shopped many label, publishing and/or
management deals for artists such as Matchbox Twenty, Creed, the Ataris, Test Your Reflex, Sixpence None the Richer,
Hoobastank, Firekills, Collective Soul, Weezer and many more. Currently teaches Personal Management courses at Musicians
Institute and is part of the TAXI A&R screener staff. Owns and operates his own management and development consulting
business, Moral Compass Management.
Matt Malley – Modern Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Americana, World – Founding member of the multi-platinum selling rockgroup, Counting Crows. Appeared as bassist on their entire catalog, up to and including their latest release “Saturday Nights and
Sunday Mornings” from 2008. With more than 20,000,000 records sold to date (and counting), he has acquired Oscar, Grammy
and Golden Globe nominations as a songwriter. Has also recorded and produced an authentic Indian “Qawwali” style music CD,
and participated on a World Music CD released on Harmonia Mundi, where he collaborated with the Grammy-winning Indian
slide guitarist,Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. In 2009, he collaborated with legendary pop songwriter Emitt Rhodes and guitarist Richard
Thompson. Currently is appearing as bassist on the upcoming record by English Folk legend, Beverly Martyn.
Paul Marshall – Adult Contemporary – Musician/Songwriter – His songs have been cut by Patty Loveless, Juice Newton,
Highway 101, Jill Sobule and others. As a bass player/guitar player, he has worked with Strawberry Alarm Clock, Highway 101,
and Country legends, Hank Thompson and Johnny Tillotson. His songs have appeared in numerous movies and television shows.
He is currently a member of the band I See Hawks In L.A., and a bass-playing mainstay of the L.A. music scene.
John Mazzei – Film/TV Music Composition and Licensing – A TAXI member since 2004, and since then has composed well
over 500 pieces of music (while still holding down a day gig at a biotech company) and has placements in hundreds of episodes
in more than 72 different TV shows to date. He has also scored independent films and licensed music for other non-broadcast
productions. John has also been on TAXI’s Successful Members panel and the 5-Year Plan panel at the TAXI Road Rally. A lifelong musician, John cut his teeth playing covers in Holiday Inns and other fine establishments, as well as performing at exotic
locations like the pyramids in Egypt. John also enjoys collaborating and helping other composers with their music. He appeared
in an episode of TAXI TV in 2010 to rave reviews. This is his 10th Road Rally, his 9th as a TAXI member.
Clare McLeod – Vocal Coach – Assistant Professor in the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston. As Head
of Voice at JMC Academy (a Music College in Melbourne, Australia), from 2009-2011, Clare taught voice as well as
composition, arranging, and professional practice. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in 2004,
and received a Graduate Diploma from Monash University in Australia in Education. A member of the Australia National
Association of Teachers of Singing, she holds a Certificate of Figure Proficiency from the Estill Voice Training System and
continues to study developments in the voice research field.
Steven Memel – Vocal Coach – An Internationally acclaimed Voice, Speech and Vocal Performance coach whose clients
include artists that have recorded on Sony, BMG, Jive, Warner, Epic, DreamWorks, and J Records, including the Grammy
Award winning group Maroon 5. Has taught at the Musicians Institute and the Hollywood Pop Academy and continues his
private practice developing new artists and bands, as well as working with established groups.
Ric Menck – Modern Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Americana – Owner of indie record labels that release both current bands and
musical rarities. He is a core member (drummer and songwriter) of the power pop band, Velvet Crush. As a musician, Ric has
worked with Matthew Sweet, Susanna Hoffs, Liz Phair, Marianne Faithfull, Aimee Man, the Pernice Brothers, and many others.
Author of the acclaimed book, “Notorious Byrd Brothers.”
Nancy Moran – Folk-Rock – Singer/Songwriter – Has four critically acclaimed solo albums and radio airplay from coast-tocoast. Currently tours nationally with The Four Bitchin’ Babes and has released two CDs with them. Co-owner of Azalea Music
Group, where she teaches music business workshops and webinars; mentors aspiring indie artists in career development and
marketing skills. Is a regular speaker for organizations such as NSAI, Just Plain Folks, and SGA. Is also a contributing writer to
CMA Close Up and is a former Asst. Editor of American Songwriter magazine.
Ronan Chris Murphy – All Genres – Producer/Mixer/Mastering – Has diverse credits spanning from Prog-Rock legends,
King Crimson, to YouTube sensation Tay Zonday; and everything in between, including Tony Levin, Steve Morse, Terry
Bozzio, Martin Sexton, and Nels Cline. His productions have charted as far away as Iceland and Malaysia. He also presents
lectures and master classes about recording internationally.
Peter Neff – Film and TV – Composer – Credits include the video game Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly (co-composed with
Stewart Copeland), promos for more than 100 television shows including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Survivor, Chicago
Hope, and Walker Texas Ranger. Has also had music in commercials for Miller Lite, Food City and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Has 20 music library CDs and has had music placed in such television shows as The Sopranos, Saturday Night Live, and Dr.
Phil.
Prescott Niles – Rock/Adult Contemporary/Pop/Contemporary Christian – Musician/Author – Best known for being a
founding member and bass player for the band, The Knack and the #1 song My Sharona. Has also recorded with George
Harrison, Steve Jones and Josie Cotton, who he performed with in both the movie and soundtrack for Valley Girl. Has recently
joined the band, Missing Persons with Dale Bozzio, and also performs with The Classic Rock All-Stars. Author of 4 Strings &
The Truth, scheduled to be released early next year. Has been a screener at TAXI since 2001.
Pat Pattison – Lyric Specialist and Songwriting Expert –Professor at Berklee College of Music, where he teaches Lyric
Writing and Poetry. In addition to his four books, Songwriting Without Boundaries, Writing Better Lyrics, The Essential Guide to
Lyric Form and Structure, and The Essential Guide to Rhyming, Pat has developed five online courses for Berkleemusic.com:
three lyric writing courses, one on poetry, and one on creative writing. He has developed a hugely successful songwriting MOOC
through Berkleemusic for coursera.org already taken by over 100,000 students and still counting. Several of his students have
won Grammys, including John Mayer, Tom Hambridge, and Gillian Welch.
Michael Puryear – Christian – Has 30 years in the Music Industry, both as Music Publisher and Songwriter with cuts on many
notable Christian albums. He received a Dove Award as a songwriter for If We Only Had the Heart by Bruce Carroll. Received
ASCAP’s Christian Publisher of the Year in 2001, as VP of BMG Music Publishing's, Gospel Division. Worked with Universal
Music Publishing in a Joint Venture to establish their 1st Christian Music Division. His publishing company, Final Four Music's
catalog includes cuts by Amy Grant (“Better Than a Hallelujah--nominated for a Grammy 2010), Jessica Simpson, Ce Ce
Willaims, and Take 6.
Liz Redwing – Modern Rock, Rock, AAA, Pop – Currently manages producers, and provides music business consulting for
artists. Got her creative start at MCA and Interscope Music, Interscope Records former publishing company. Also scouted for
Atlantic Records and has held positions with management companies, business management firms and law firms, as well as
having worked in video production.
Betty Rosen-Ziff – Country, Singer Songwriter, Rock,Film and TV – Former top executive in Nashville and Los Angeles for
14 years running three independent publishing companies. Co-founder of the non-profit and innovative Film Music Workshop,
Inc. in mid 1990's that helped to open more doors between songwriters and filmmakers. Placed songs, film and TV projects.
(Under Seige, Kicking and Screaming, Double Impact, etc.). Management approach to publishing working with artists such as
Jay Joyce, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Shelby Lynne, Jeff Finlin, Matthew Ryan and Craig Carothers. Currently, a songwriting
consultant and mosaic artist.
David Trotter – Film and TV – Co Founder and Music Producer for Studio 51 which provides television background and
theme music for Harpo Productions and currently represents a large percentage of the entire Harpo Sounds Music Library (more
than 1,800 cues), averaging between 8 and 10 drops per show. Since its inception, Studio 51 has relied exclusively on TAXI for
its growing need for composers in all genres. Prior to Creating Studio 51, David was Marketing Director for PowerHouse Music
Library.
Dave Walton – Film/TV Music Composition and Licensing – After a long time away from music, Dave joined TAXI in 2004
with ideas and sounds that were “out of date, out of style.” Since then he has managed to evolve his ideas and sounds into
something more current and modern, and now has hundreds (and hundreds) of placements on network and cable television
mostly through direct TAXI deals with libraries and publishers. Dave is now a full-time composer, and has been on TAXI’s
Successful Members panel and The 5-Year Plan panel at the TAXI Road Rally. His daughter thinks his music placements are
cool, but rolls her eyes when he mentions having music in “Bad Girls Club.”
Scott Warren – Songwriting and Film/TV Music – A singer/songwriter/composer living in Southern California. He’s been
signed to Dave Matthews’ ATO Records, and his music has appeared in numerous Film and TV projects like The CW’s 90210,
FOX ATOMIC’S The Rocker, NBC’s Harry’s Law, FX’s The League, and NEW REGENCY’S Firehouse Dog, just to name a
few. As a composer, he co-wrote the opening logo music for Miramax Films, and recently completed an original score for the
film Angels Sing, starring Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, and Willie Nelson. Scott continues to write, record, and produce
projects for himself and others from his studio in West Los Angeles.
Robert Wear – Film/TV, Industrial Rock – Composer/Producer– Was Creative Director for a major Los Angeles music
company with 15 years of experience. Created sound design and scores for hundreds of commercial clients such as Cadillac,
Gatorade, Mitsubishi, Mattel and Kelloggs; as well as trailers for games and movies including Transformers, Assassin’s Creed 2,
Modern Warfare 2, and Splice. Has developed a reputation as an in-demand Remixer and Producer in the Industrial music scene
with a list of credits, including Nitzer Ebb, Leaether Strip, Wumpscut, Implant, Angelspit, Komor Kommando and more.
Kimmie Yan – Electronica, Pop, R&B, Alt-Rock, Singer-Songwriter – Worked with Electronica DJ’s/Producers. such as Nick
Warren, Steve Porter, Sumantri, Arsit, and more. Formerly ran the world famous Los Angeles rock venue, The Viper Room. Has
been instrumental for various projects for Thrive Records, including Swedish pop sensation Maia Hirasawa and Lil Rock Starz.
Currently works with songwriters and producers for Jason Derulo, Katharine McPhee, Black Eyed Peas, American Idol finalists,
Korean Pop starts Girls Generation, Jeremy Greene, Ke$ha, and various Nashville artists. Other current projects include talent
booking, artist development, and music video production.
Paul Zollo – Rock, Pop, Singer-Songwriter − Songwriter/Recording Artist/Author – Has interviewed such legendary
songwriters as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Paul Simon, Randy Newman, James Taylor, Carole King, Laura Nyro, Frank Zappa,
Townes Van Zandt, and Neil Young, and is the author of several books, including Songwriters On Songwriting and
Conversations with Tom Petty. Currently, is the Senior Editor at American Songwriter Magazine.
Marcia Zwilling – Film and TV − A songwriter for United Artists Music, Marcia has had covers by Bonnie Raitt and Patty
Loveless. She segued into TV and Film production and became Director of Development for Steve Martin's production
company, 40 Share Productions. Also served as Vice President of Current Programming at Lorimar Studios. While in Austin,
Texas, was the Mayor's appointee to the Austin Music Commission. Currently, she works directly with music supervisors and
television producers, screening music for specific film and television projects.