Re: Question on musician union
Good point on why union memberships are useful if you're a professional musician. But, as drummer points out, if you're aren't serious about making a career out of professional percussion (or any other kind of music), I'd hold off.
I had an unpleasant experience with a union local where I live, so I'm frankly a little sour on unions. One of the officials of the local chapter had been after me for years to join, because, as drummer hinted, it would give you an edge on landing a gig.
In this guy's case, however, all membership gave him was his own edge on landing a gig. In four years of union membership, I got precisely one job opening--and I discovered after the fact the papers I was supposed to sign at the end of the gig had been pre-signed on behalf of the son of the union official, whom I had replaced for that gig. That is, I did the work and he got the money.
I wrote a diplomatic but rather blunt letter to the president of the local telling him what you see above; needless to say he wanted me to stay, but I was spending more money maintaining my dues than I ever was paid as a "professional" drummer.
Interesting to note that shortly afterward, that local was taken over by another AFM local, never to be seen or heard from again.
Last edited by bongobro; 09-13-2013 at 11:15 AM.
keep the beat goin' ... Don't keep it to yourself!
Charlie
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." --Henry David Thoreau, "Walden," 1854
"There's a lot to be said for Time Honored tradition and value." --In memory of Frank "fiacovaz" Iacovazzi
"Maybe your drums can be beat, but you can't."--Jack Keck
Bookmarks