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.
September 30, 2016
On August 11, 2015, I became the Secretary-Treasurer of Local 105 (Spokane, WA) after having been a rank-and-file member since 2002.
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2016
Inspired by his love of skateboarding and music, Nick Pourfard founded Prisma Guitars in 2015 to build guitars with one-of-a-kind style using real skateboards.
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2016
Bass Clone is a chorus pedal with features especially designed for bass. A combination of modulated and dry signals, its crossover switch cuts low end from the modulated signal so the pedal delivers a more accurately articulated bottom end with excellent tone definition.
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2016
Following are the changes to AFM bylaws effective September 15, 2016 as determined by the 100th AFM Convention held in June 20-24, 2016.
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2016
Hal Leonard’s answer to the fake book, The Real Vocal Book is legally and professionally copied and meticulously checked for accuracy in melody, harmony, and rhythms.
Read MoreSeptember 29, 2016
Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Serena Ryder is known for her vocal range and full voice. A natural talent, the six-time Juno winner has opened shows for Aerosmith and One Republic, and traveled with Melissa Etheridge on her 2011 tour across Canada.
Read MoreSeptember 23, 2016
A conundrum that we frequently face when administering television agreements is how they apply to so-called reality TV. Early on, there was a tendency to designate all reality television programs as falling under the Television Videotape Agreement
Read MoreSeptember 22, 2016
When people ask me about my job I struggle to tell them precisely what my work means to me and what it is I do. I’m a horribly irreverent person, so I say something like, “I work in an office environment where we can spend 10 minutes one-upping each other with puns and it is not an atypical moment for anyone.”
Read MoreSeptember 20, 2016
Bernie Sanders has launched a full on attack of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pack through his new organization, Our Revolution.
Read MoreSeptember 20, 2016
The Labor Coalition for Community Action has announced its support for Native Americans in protesting against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and defending Native lands from exploitation by corporations and the US government.
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