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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Alfonso Pollard



Coalition Work Is Key to Our Success for the Remainder of the 117th Congress

As we count down to the passage of our two most important remaining music issues in this Congress, partnering with our allies and counterparts will lead to our success. Our labor coalition has branched out and embraced others in the music industry that often lobby an alternate agenda. This time around, the two remaining issues […]

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The Advantages of Union Membership Equate to Federal and State Benefits for AFM Musicians

The American labor movement has been, is, and will continue to be among the most powerful, influential advocate for working women and men. Labor’s highly respected voice, whether sought out or not, on either side of the political aisle, and in each of the three branches of the US government, is considered equal to any […]

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AFM Members Unite Around AMFA Campaign

As noted in the August International Musician, we have begun an internal campaign to advocate for passage of H.R 4130, the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA). This performance rights bill is designed to provide royalty payments to artists, session musicians, and vocalists when their recordings are performed and broadcast over AM and FM radio. AFM […]

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American Music Fairness Act: Long Overdue Royalty Payments for Recording Musicians

You’re an active, successful session musician who grew up and learned by listening to your favorite players, then yourself, and your session buddies, over AM/FM radio every day when you drove your car. But in this new world of subscription radio, you’ve cut back listening to music on terrestrial radio because the last time you […]

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The PRO Act: Why This Should Matter to You

Not only will the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) restore the right of workers to freely and fairly form a union, this landmark worker empowerment, civil rights, and economic stimulus legislation will also help us build back better following the pandemic and recession.  As we recover from the pandemic and economic recession, the […]

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The PRO Act: the Logic Behind Labor Law Reform in 2021

While we all know that organizing is the lifeblood of the American labor movement, bargaining that elusive first contract is always one of our biggest challenges. After four years of incessant anti-union political rhetoric designed to weaken trust in and break the back of organized labor, union leadership refused to fold. Instead, they have helped […]

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The AFM Directive that Brought Our Pension Efforts to Fruition

It was truly a remarkable moment in the history of this, our musicians’ union, when after four years of dedicated lobbying and political wrangling, AFM International President Ray Hair stood before the International Executive Board (IEB) and unequivocally pronounced to all senior staff and board members that it was time for “all hands on deck” […]

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AFM Coalition Comes Together to Fight for Pension Reform

A new coalition was formed within the AFM to fight for pension reform that was passed in the budget reconciliation package voted out of committee on February 11. After three years of pension debate in both the House and Senate—only to have the Butch Lewis Act stalled in the higher chamber—new legislation was introduced in […]

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Looking Forward: A New Biden Administration and a New 117th Congress

The year 2021 is now upon us. With that comes a new Biden administration and the new 117th Congress. The AFM’s work intensifies as we confront a plethora of new political and legislative issues; and, because of that, we really look forward to your help getting our issues across the goal line. Although all the […]

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Washington Government Roundup

At this writing, Congress is now operating in a lame duck session. Also as of this writing, Hawaii is the final state to certify its presidential election results, making President-Elect Joe Biden the clear winner with 306 electoral votes to Donald Trump’s 232 electoral votes. This cleared the path for certified electors to meet in […]

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