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, 2025
Musicians of Local 7 (Orange County/Long Beach, CA) joined nearly two dozen trade unions gathered at Knott’s Berry Farm to announce a historic coalition with the aim of representing workers at the theme park in Buena Park, California. Once a family owned business, it’s now part of the Six Flags corporate family. The park serves 10,000 […]
Read MoreSeptember 30, 2025
The recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) awarded scholarships to 103 post-secondary students in the US and Canada for the new academic year. This year’s $148,000 in disbursement to Music Family and Music’s Future scholarships, represented less than 3% of the MPTF’s total annual grant distribution but had a great impact on 103 students. […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
by Rebecca Gurnee, AFM Electronic Media Services Division Assistant Director This winter, the AFM reached a tentative agreement with ABC, CBS, and NBC on a successor Television Videotape Agreement, the Federation agreement covering musicians’ work on live television programs such as variety, talk, news, and sports. After months of bargaining, strategic coalition-building, and a tremendous […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
by Mary Contini-Migliore, AFM Electronic Media Services Division, Sound Recording Supervisor Many artists wonder whether disc jockeys can be covered under AFM electronic media agreements. The question of their coverage eligibility has floated around for years, specifically as it relates to working under our Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA). So, can DJs be covered by […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
Ilya Toshinskiy’s Unlikely Path to Becoming a Top Nashville Session Musician In conversation with bluegrass artist Ilya Toshinskiy, one of the first things you notice after his dry and easy wit is his unusually accented English. Growing up as he did in a small city near Moscow, of course you’d expect to hear Russian inflections […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
Every year, Local 159 (Mansfield, OH) organizes over 25 free concerts with 10 different performing groups, including the AFM 159 Concert Band, the AFM 159 Big Band, and small groups that play a variety of music genres. Along with Music Performance Trust Fund sponsorship, Local 159 has committed to fostering live music in their communities, […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
Attendees of a two-day education session gathered before the Canadian Conference in Toronto, Ontario, to explore a new approach to organizing musicians within their communities. The workshop combined traditional labor organizing techniques with strategies specifically designed for freelance musicians. Participants learned how having a clear plan can help attract more active musicians to membership and […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
For musicians and other artists, mindfulness and meditation are essential tools for maintaining a creative and balanced career. These practices can help you break free from toxic “hustle culture,” navigate creative burnout and blocks, and build resilience. This is especially important because studies show that artists and musicians are up to three times more likely […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
Limited Pressing Agreement Clarinetist Marcus Eley of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) is celebrated for championing African American composers and expanding the classical music discography. His latest recording features music by jazz icons Alvin Batiste, David N. Baker, Yusef Lateef, and Oliver Nelson. Here, rhythm diverts from robotic toe tapping to “feeling the groove.” A […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2025
Joint Venture Recording Agreement With this album—as with all of his projects—master percussionist Dimas Sánchez delivers a contemporary celebration of artistry, heritage, and cultural connections. As a student of Caribbean musical history, he bridges Afro Puerto Rican traditions, Afro Cuban grooves, jazz, blues, Latin, and Brazilian rhythms. Sánchez explains, “Within each piece is a story of […]
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