The Most Incredible Talent Pool in the World It's a mystery to me that as many jobs, worldwide, which are connected to the business of touring production, that there is not a unifying body to join that says "Touring Professionals". There are thousands of freelancers that are intrinsic to make entertainment, exhibit or event productions run as efficiently and effectively as they do. Every production, large or small, counts on the assembly of a professional team and yet, after 35 years there is not one association that binds us together. Instead, we have kept ourselves together. If you are in the business and speak to anyone else in production touring, on any level, there are commonalities and immediate rapport among us. Whether you are in lighting and from London, or a side musician from Nashville, LA or Toronto, it's rare to find that same camaraderie and passion for lifestyle with other occupations. So, after 35 years, why start an association now? Because there are more of us and we must protect and preserve the talent pool! Without conducting specific research, it has to be one of the largest and most independently trained-and-ready, but without representation, talent groups in the world! Productions rely on us more that ever, but where is the power? Would it be beneficial to you to use a "strength in numbers" association? If you are an artist or creative and focus solely on your job and love what you do, production negotiators will likely eat and spit you out before lunch. Because you love what you do and you want to do it, you'll accept crappy terms, leaving you little money for insurance, retirement plans or savings! Remember the TV sitcom "Cheers"? As Norm from the long lasting series once said, "It's a dog eat dog world out there, and I'm wearing milk bone boxer shorts!" After 35 years, why can't we get it together, protect our financial worth, health, future and also, those that will take our place? Entertainment is not going to go away -- ever. We need to act now and work together as a group to establish an association to help our unit of touring professionals in the real world while we work in our surreal world. Background New technology is what is driving the entertainment, TV/film and architectural markets right now. It has created more specialty jobs, trained professionals and consequently, involves more money. If you understand the past and how touring personnel started, you'll know that anyone could have entered with the love of the game, few or no credentials and a nomadic or eccentric personality. However, touring has become progressively more sophisticated, in addition, we fend for ourselves in an increasingly prevalent corporate environment. Developing your business savvy is, by and large, more important than ever before. Part of the business sense is taking care of Œus' over the long run. You probably know that corporate executives don't care what happens to you? Are you getting enough to sustain your expected lifestyle and pay for your future or are you in it for the love of the game? If it is the latter, that's great, but you'll soon be in trouble as many have proven before you. Old Road Guys/Girls (ORG's) never thought that they would ever have to worry about future savings (IRA, 401K -- they didn't exist back then anyway), health or life insurance. Richard Coles, Led Zeppelin's road manager from 1968- 1983, said it best -- "Telling us to save for the future back then would be like telling Lewis and Clark that they should have invested in real estate." The Problem Work is feast or famine. Find a good long run of work and then spend what you saved on living while you weren't working. It's a constant dilemma! ORG's, as the pioneers of the industry, were the first to have to contend with how cope with fluctuating work schedules, how or adapt with the incredible changing times, how to end a career and bow out gracefully while in pursuit of other interests and, the first to discover after a lifetime of work that they don't have much, if any, savings. Where do you go from here? Touring production had such a great run and promising career path that many didn't think it would change in the way that it has. It was also cut it short with two things -- the end of an unrepeatable era of rock'n'roll and; corporate takeovers and consolidation of entrepreneurial companies that we established to service rock'n'roll touring, now under the guise of corporate thinkers! Eeuuu! It is evil and has, in my view, poisoned the ethos of our initial desire and passion to be involved with such a great freelance jobs in touring and entertainment! The Answer It's clearly evident that times have changed and so must we in order to adequately survive. Roadcases proposes a new way, via communicating with the Internet, and while we're on the subject, the only way possible to garner enough interest and necessary momentum for a "strength in numbers" association for touring professionals. We want to introduce a plan to provide professional network for all of life's questions on living in a touring world; provide a central plan for health benefits to our members at a discount rate available only to large associations and; provide financial guidance to establish a solid plan designed to suit needs of the touring professional. The Association concept is still in its nascent stages. We are conducting on online survey right now. It is for all intents and purposes a feasibility study that will determine the level of interest and whether to take it forward or not -- all you need to do is vote and to express interest. Please proceed to the forum page and cast your vote or if you think it is a stupid idea -- it will only take a couple of minutes, but could change the way that we perceive our future, lay a path for those Roadcases who will follow us, and gain the essential help in the world as a "strength in numbers" association. Click here and go to the forum page to express your interest. Good Luck! Paul Dexter