| I think it does matter where you live and where you wish to play.
True Story: Many years ago, I played lead guitar and some keyboards in a "Top 40" / "Pop" band. As I was the "business head" of the group, I did all the bookings. One day, I got a call from an unknown inquirer regarding a potential gig for New Year's Eve. The band was pretty popular, and it was not unusual to get gigs all over the region. As I wanted to know more ($$, venue, type of crowd, etc.), I asked the caller to meet me at a popular restaurant to discuss particulars. The man I met there seemed somewhat "out-of-the-ordinary", although, I couldn't quite discern exactly in what sense. As we began negotiating, he produced a lengthy written contract form for me to sign. Upon reading it over, I discovered that union membership was required to play the gig. At first, I balked, since "union" conjured-up visions of nasty Teamsters (Jimmy Hoffa, etc.). On the other hand, the gig would pay a lot of money. I wanted to "think about it", so I asked the dude to give me a week. I was put in touch with the nearest "local" (Baltimore, MD), and decided to join-up, along with my dubious band-mates. We became official union members and took the gig ... and what a gig it was! It was in a closed-off basement of a major hotel ... and was pretty much a "speak-easy" / private-members only deal. Almost everything was going on ... gambling, broads (unbelievable "babes").... Turns out, "The Mob" was running the show. I have to say -- we were very well taken care of ... treated like royalty, or "Rock Stars".
After that one gig ... nothing evermore from or with union connections.
End of story. (And please do not ask me to "elaborate" on what went on at that gig ... "my lips are sealed"!)
Regards,
Robert Rowe |