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.
January 11, 2016
Don Was Honored with Les Paul Award — Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) member Don Was will receive the 2016 Les Paul Award at the 31st annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards and TEC Awards Hall of Fame January 23 at the 2016 NAMM Show.
January 11, 2016
Flint Symphony Broadcast Wins Award — Bill Harris, producer of a Flint Symphony Orchestra (FSO) broadcast, won an Aurora Award in the category Entertainment/Documentary—Music/Life concert for his FSO recording of “A Patriotic Salute”—Music in the Parks.
January 11, 2016
ESSA Designates Music Part of Well-Rounded Education — The Senate passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) December 9 with a vote of 85 to 12. The president signed the bill into law December 10.
January 7, 2016
Beethoven Composition Discovered in Greenwich — The page came from a sketchbook the composer used for brainstorming.
January 6, 2016
Alberta Moves Towards $15 Minimum — Alberta’s government is taking steps towards instituting a $15 minimum wage.
January 5, 2016
Sanders Receives CWA Endorsement — Bernie Sanders has received the endorsement of the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
January 4, 2016
The Walmart Effect — An Economic Policy Institute report issued in December estimated that Walmart’s importation of Chinese-made goods has cost the US 400,000 jobs since 2001.
January 3, 2016
New Agreement for Canadian Actors — Under the new agreement, that needs to be ratified by ACTRA, Canadian actors will receive an annual 2% wage hike every year.
January 2, 2016
AFM 2016 Convention — The 100th Convention of the American Federation of Musicians will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning Monday, June 20, and concluding Thursday, June 23.
January 2, 2016
New Film to Document Bristol Sessions — A new film commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the Viriginia Tourism Corporation will celebrate the 1927 Bristol Sessions, often referred to as the Big Bang of Country Music.