Paying Your Dues

[JoeFowler]

We used to use this expression all the time in music. (from slang of joining a union - paying your union dues, but the jazz cats of old, didn't have a union - not for jazz work at least) ... What makes you think you should be able to get on a stage and blow with me? Why do you think you're good enough to do that? 'Cause you paid your dues and you're ready, that's why.

Matt

I had never heard of that, but it makes a ton of sense. I think it's all the struggle you have to go through, just to get your foot in the door. Then you pay some dues when you're in, to get your shot to write your own story or direct even one thing. But once you are in that stage there is a new set of dues to be paid, and another with each stage. Referencing the post about Lauren Bacall saying that Kidman is "not a legend," means that there are dues to pay even when everyone knows you.

Basically, it's like Matt had stated, there are no union dues, so this is how you make yourself accepted. I guess we pay our dues 'cause the last guy did, and he may be the one that lets us in the door.

I wanted to know what some of you have done that you'd interperate as "paying."