Every year I had to go to the union president's office to get my card renewed when I had an out of town job. I had sent the check in months prior. Out of town, you had to have a card for big events (National Hardware Show, etc.).

One year,I wrote all board members that if I didn't get a card within 10 days of sending in my check, I would NEVER be a member again. I joined the Nashville union that day. The board members were too busy fighting over the "green sheet" jobs...jobs paid for with dues; usually going to the board members; probably the only jobs they ever played.

I went to the National Hardware Show that year and got stopped during my first tune at the McCormick center Lakeshore Suite. A union bartender turned me in. Turns out I needed to pay a fee and get a "Visiting artist" certification.

Back at home, a little jerk named Ed shows up and tells me that if I don't join up and have my two side players join, the hotel will "never get a damn loaf of bread or anything else delivered by a Teamster".

T threw the little jerk off the steps of the hotel, then suede the local for illegal practices. Cost $2500.00....best money I ever spent.


Russ (I always make many times the minimum anyway) Lay