We'd like to help our friends at Sweet Home New Orleans get the word out on their Empower Musicians Seal of Approval advocacy initiative, which celebrates the venues that treat and pay musicians like professionals.

New Orleans Executive Director Sue Mobley says, "Most music venues are small businesses, really labors of love for the owners, and we want to support and celebrate those that stand out by treating our musicians well."

Venues are evaluated according to: musician pay and pay transparency, venue sound and marketing, and social responsibility, which includes appropriate permits and licenses.

So far, ten venues have been awarded the Empower Musicians Seal of Approval: Preservation Hall, Chickie Wah Wah, Blue Nile, Music at the Mint, Little Gem Saloon, Gasa Gasa, d.b.a, The Three Muses, Rock 'n' Bowl, and Ogden After Hours.

Visit the Sweet Home New Orleans site and nominate a venue!