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.
February 1, 2026
As musicians, learning our craft is an individual pursuit of continual practise and study. As lifelong students, nothing can replace the daily routine of flexibility studies, building endurance, learning repertoire, passing exams, and getting to a place of being hired for a job doing what we love. However, our routine must include continuous practice to […]
February 1, 2026
I was going to title my column “Everything’s Going to Hell in a Handbasket,” then I came across The Temptations’ song “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today),” recorded in 1970 against the backdrop of racism, social injustice, and civil unrest in America. It’s an apt title for today. To say that we live […]
January 1, 2026
As we usher in the promise of a new year, it’s a moment of reflection and tremendous optimism. The AFM is not just holding steady; we are growing, evolving, and most importantly, organizing. Our success in 2025 has laid the foundation for the future, and I want to share the progress we’ve made together and […]
January 1, 2026
I like Canada. Like any nation, it has its flaws here and there, but I like it for its geological beauty, because national health care is part of public policy, because its elections are actually representative of the will of the citizenry, because its maple leaf flag reminds one of a connection to the natural […]
January 1, 2026
As the curtain closes on 2025, a new 2026 season has begun. As each year passes, we learn from seasons past and adjust course to hopefully improve the future. This last season we slowly but surely gained strength through organizing. A successful organizing campaign in New Brunswick at a private music academy has provided a […]
January 1, 2026
After years of performing in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and recording sessions that paid more in promises than in actual checks, I’ve come to see the freelance music world differently. What once looked like a smattering of gigs and side hustles now feels like something bigger, an incredible labor force that holds up an entire industry. […]
December 1, 2025
The language of music is universal, and the fight to protect the livelihoods of the people who create and perform it knows no borders. As generative artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly ingests and mimics the work of human artists without consent, compensation, and credit, national boundaries have become obsolete. During 2025, I have worked to strengthen […]
December 1, 2025
In New York City, Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor, with over 50% of the three-way vote, following one of the highest NYC voter turnouts in recent memory. His election has been hailed as a victory for the left-leaning populous, an indication of the emerging power of young adults and ethnic minorities, and portending […]
December 1, 2025
In Canada, the arts and culture sector contributed more than $65 billion to direct gross domestic product (GDP) last year. The total economic impact of the sector is over $100 billion in GDP. The reality is that arts and culture in Canada supports more jobs per dollar than other key sectors such as oil and […]
December 1, 2025
Canada plays a vital role in enhancing the diversity of the AFM. While Canadians and Americans share a supportive and harmonious relationship within the Federation, recognizing the distinct characteristics of each country helps foster greater mutual understanding. First, a few figures: Canadians represent 21% of AFM’s membership. There are 24 Canadian locals, with the largest […]