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.
December 4, 2014
Bassist Nathan East will be inducted into the NAMM TEC Awards Hall of Fame by the NAMM Foundation. The induction will occur during the 30th Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Award show on January 24th in Anaheim, California. East has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry including: Daft Punk, […]
December 1, 2014
Today is World AIDS Day and Sing for Hope is releasing AIDS Quilt Songbook: Sing for Hope, a new album featuring classical musicians and celebrities to benefit amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research on their quest to end the AIDS epidemic. The musicians performing in the album ranges from rising stars to award-winning classical artists like Yo-Yo […]
December 1, 2014
Among those honored at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in November were Local 257 (Nashville, TN) members Dierks Bentley, who was awarded Music Video of the Year for “Drunk on a Plane”; Blake Shelton, who was awarded Male Vocalist of the Year; and Mac McAnally who was awarded Musician of the Year.
December 1, 2014
Last week on H.E.A.R. Day New York a panel of medical and health experts discussed the importance of improving hearing conservations for performers, professionals, and those who enjoy listening to music as well. This year Les Paul was honored with the H.E.A.R Leadership Award. Kathy Peck, ED of H.E.A.R. has this to say: “Les Paul […]
December 1, 2014
A leaked internal Walmart memo urged store managers to improve lagging sales over the past 18 months by keeping shelves stocked, among other tips. However, the memo also ignores two of the more obvious solutions to the chain’s woes: giving workers adequate hours and paying them a living wage of $15 per hour. “Understaffing, from […]
December 1, 2014
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra gathered data for classical performances by 21 major American orchestras on the 2014-2015 season and uncovered some interesting statistics. Those orchestras will perform 1,000 different pieces by 286 different composers for a total of almost 4,600 times. The average year of composition for the pieces is 1886, and only 9.5% were written […]
December 1, 2014
Warner Music Group announced a $100,000 prize for young classical musicians between the ages of 18 and 35. The award, presented in association with Carnegie Hall, is funded by billionaire industrialist Len Blavatnik who purchased Warner in 2011. Sixteen candidates from Carnegie Hall’s 2014-2015 roster are in the running for the first award. The Blavatnik […]
December 1, 2014
The Kentucky GOP promised to put the Bluegrass State in the “right to work” column, if they flipped the Democratic-majority state House of Representatives. A slew of GOP radio, TV, and print ads touted the right to work law with claims that the measure would lead to thousands of good jobs in Kentucky. Paducah Plumbers […]
December 1, 2014
Here are some of the best union-made eats and cookware from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM); Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers (GMP); Machinists (IAM); United Steelworkers (USW); and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW). For appetizers: Kraft/Nabisco, Nabisco (Mondelez), and Keebler (Kellogg) crackers (BCTGM); For meats: Boar’s Head, Butterball, Foster […]
December 1, 2014
Bucking the trend of offering music on streaming sites that provide minuscule returns to artists, Taylor Swift of Local 257 (Nashville, TN) has pulled her entire country music catalog from Spotify and not offered her debut pop album to the site at all. And the album, 1989, has gone platinum despite her lack of presence […]