Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.

As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.

The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.

Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.

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Legislative Update

The American Music Fairness Act Reintroduced in the 118th Congress 

With the installment of the new 118th Congress in January, leadership changes in the House of Representatives required our intrepid lobbying team to re-engage both chambers. With the help of House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) as well as previous Senate Sponsors Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Marsha Blackburn […]


AFM Opposes Proposed USCIS Visa Increases

The AFM strongly opposes increasing O and P visa fees as proposed by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS is very short-sighted in its proposal, as imposing such increases will vastly limit international touring and arts collaborations. In a letter sent February 8, 2023 (below), to Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member […]


Legislative Outlook for Early 2023

AFM Legislative, Political, and Diversity Director As the new 118th Congress gavels in, the AFM looks ahead and summarizes the work still on the table. American Music Fairness Act Progress continues on the creator side of the industry, led in part by the AFM, to ensure that music creator’s and their intellectual property are fairly […]


2022 Midterm Elections: The Balance of Power Shifts

The 2022 midterm elections are in the rearview mirror with some interesting developments. Republicans have declared control of the House of Representatives, whileDemocrats continue to fight for greater control of the US Senate, now held by a razor thin margin. Numbers are irrelevant at this writing as some states continue to count votes, though the […]


Performing Artist Tax Parity Act: Fighting to Retrieve Your Unreimbursed Tax Deductions

HR 4750, also known as the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act and sometimes referred to as QPA, was introduced in the 117th Congress of the United States by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA) and Vern Buchannan (R-FL). This bill would restore above the line tax deductions lost in the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. […]


AEMI Launches Federal Arts Funding Advocacy Campaign

For the past 37 years the AFM has led the charge on Capitol Hill to secure funding to keep the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in place. Now, we need your help contacting your senators. AFM members whose employers depend on annual grant allocations from these […]


Great News! AMFA Introduced in Senate

On September 22, Congress moved a step closer to ending a decades-long injustice against music creators with the Senate introduction of S. 4932, American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Alex Padilla (D-CA). An identical bill (HR 4130) has already been introduced and received a hearing in the House, setting Congress up […]


Action Resumes on Musical Instruments and Protected Species Policy

As the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Conference of the Parties (CoP19) meeting approaches, November 14-25, I thought it would be helpful to provide a summary of the AFM’s ongoing work related to Brazilian Pernambuco wood and the transport of instruments containing protected species. The AFM works […]


July Legislative Round-Up

The PRO Act The PRO Act is once again front and center of the AFL-CIO’s legislative agenda. Action currently resides in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and is being closely monitored by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) who has plans to bring the bill to the Senate floor for a […]


Honoring Our TEMPO Champions

Launched in 1961, the AFM Taskforce for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization (TEMPO) Fund, is the US restricted, nonpartisan political action fund established by the AFM International Executive Board, and designated to support members of both federal, state, and local legislators. For over 60 years, we have depended on these champions to support the causes […]








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