"The Musicians Union is a community for musicians. People think it's supposed to be something that you use on a weekly, monthly basis and that will find work for you. It doesn't work like that. The Musician's Union is not a booking agency, although there are times that traveling groups call the union for musicians, especially for horn sections. The Musician's Union has services that come in handy over the long haul. For example, it has a free-to-union-members rehearsal space. The cost is $2/non-union members to rehearse [with union sponsor only]. Plus it has drums, amps and a p.a. That alone has saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the years. Being in the union has always been helpful for French Quarter Festival. FQF started small, but is now a major music festival and it's union supported. If you should get injured or something catastrophic happens like a severe health issue or something like Hurricane Katrina happens, the union provides emergency aid. The union has retirement and death benefits. Every once in a while something comes up like a recording session or a tv spot where it's very helpful to be in the union. It's not a requirement to be in the union to play these sessions, but being in the union makes sure we get paid correctly. The union also has regular activities and events that are always fun.

So to sum it up, being in the union is not something that I use on a daily basis, but over time, I've had needs that it's provided for. Over time I've easily benefited way beyond the annual dues. I've been in the union for over 20 years and I plan on staying in the union for life."