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.
March 30, 2020
From March 2-4, AFM International President Ray Hair met with Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) in the Speaker’s Office suite inside the Capitol Building in early March to discuss the Bipartisan Artist Tax Parity Act
Read MoreFebruary 12, 2020
The bill, promoted by the AFM and the Music First Coalition, of which President Hair sits on the executive board, helps the AFM keep it’s promise to fight for a performance right in terrestrial radio.
Read MoreJanuary 14, 2020
The federal elections that will take place on November 3, 2020 will play a major role in determining the forward progress of the nation and, with major challenges to our pensions, our workplace security, important kitchen table/family issues, as well as the future direction of our industry, now is the time for each of us to weigh in with our vote.
Read MoreNovember 5, 2019
As the drumbeat for pension security rolls through the halls of Congress, Democrats in the United States Senate kicked off their campaign to pass meaningful pension reform via the Butch Lewis Act. The legislation, S. 2254, will provide relief to more than 1.5 million workers, pensioners, and retirees who depend on their multi-employer pension plans. […]
Read MoreOctober 15, 2019
The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts (Kennedy Center) is the nation’s sole, premier civilian national cultural center. It is located on the banks of the historic Potomac River in Washington, D.C. and built with federal funds authorized by Congress in 1958. In 1962, President Kennedy stated, “The life of the arts, […]
Read MoreSeptember 5, 2019
After markup in both the House Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Ways and Means Committee, HR 397, the Rehabilitation for Multiemployer Pensions Act of 2019, often referred to as the Butch Lewis Act, was taken up on the floor of the US House of Representatives and overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 264 to 169, with 29 Republicans joining Democrats to advance the bill out of the House chamber.
Read MoreAugust 15, 2019
The AFM Convention has long been the gathering where union leadership shines.
Read MoreAugust 5, 2019
After the House Education and Labor Committee marked up and passed HR 397 on June 11, the House Committee on Ways and Means took the bill up on Wednesday July 10.
Read MoreJuly 30, 2019
A Portrait of Musical Diversity Professional music is what we do best! More than 200 Las Vegas residents converged on the Historic Fifth Street School in Las Vegas on June 22 to watch more than 40 popular music artists rock the house in a dynamic, explosive showcase of extraordinary musical talent. Expanding on the Music […]
Read MoreJuly 9, 2019
A new policy with American Airlines, to eliminate oversize luggage fees for instruments, went in to place on May 21, 2019.
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