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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International Musician

Michael Lington

Lington, 39, moved to the US when he was 21-years-old and spent his first three weeks sleeping on the couch of his friend, drummer and member of Local 47, Mark Schulman. “It was a brand new city and I didn’t really know anybody—it was very tough,” says Lington. “I probably told myself beforehand it would […]


Chris Cummings

Cummings’ move back to New Brunswick was the perfect moment to do just that. Saint John was preparing several major projects to bring new jobs to the area and to rejuvenate its workforce. Seeing the opportunity to publicize these projects, along with the name of his hometown, Cummings chose to record the John Sebastian hit, […]


Colbie Caillat

With almost overnight success, Caillat went from a small town girl to pop singer in demand, and had to adjust her lifestyle accordingly. “I’m a lot busier now,” says Caillat. “I used to be all about canceling work in the studio to go to the beach and hang out with my friends. Now, I think […]


Richard White

White, once he’s finished defending his dissertation this spring, will be the first African-American to earn a doctorate in tuba performance from Indiana University (IU), though this accomplishment once seemed all but impossible. Born homeless on the streets of Baltimore, White relied upon an innate affinity for music and a gradually-developed discipline to get his […]


Jake Shimabukuro

He’s played big-name festivals like Bonnaroo and the Montreal Jazz Fest, toured and collaborated with banjo innovator Béla Fleck of Local 257 (Nashville,N), and recorded with cellist Yo-Yo Ma of Local 802 (New York City) . “I love the ukulele and I’m very passionate about it,” says Shimabukuro. “I’m so lucky that I am able […]


Robert Cray

“I try to take my time to get my point across and don’t get too hyped up,” Cray says. “I understand the role I play. I’m a guitar player and I’m part of a band. I like being a part of the band instead of just the frontman. I think the kind of music we […]


Sonny Rollins

Rollins’ first stab at music came when his mom signed him up for lessons on the piano. Despite growing up in the birthplace of the Harlem Stride (a style of improvisational jazz piano) mastering the ivories was not written in the stars for Rollins. He preferred playing stickball out in the streets with his contemporaries. […]


Andy Martin

Stupendous Trombone Career Martin joined Local 6 (San Francisco) some 30 years ago, when he started playing with a Dixieland band at Disneyland during his fi rst year at Golden West College in California. He ended up dropping out of school to focus on his work at Disneyland. “It was a very good thing to […]


Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Vermont Group Proves Girls Don’t Have to Sit Pretty Behind a Piano Potter drifts in and out of the phone interview, commenting on Popper’s apparel when she sees something she likes or has an important observation: “Those white pants are so hot. Vests would work, but that one is too big.” She apologizes for neglecting […]


Stanley Drucker

Six-Decade Gig Sixty of those years were spent playing with the New York Philharmonic, and 49 of them were spent in the principal clarinet chair—that is, when he wasn’t in front of the orchestra performing as a soloist. His solo work included about 60 performances of Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, just for starters. Naturally, it […]








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