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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Executive Board Members, Officer Columns

Protecting Yourself Can Be as Simple as Asking ‘The Question’

Music has lasting value, but that value is not automatically granted to the creator. Ultimately, it is up to you to stand up for yourself and your rights as a creator of intellectual property by working under an AFM contract.


$67 in Average Domestic Digital Royalty Payments—That’s It?

Unfortunately, the average domestic digital royalty payment per member (including songwriters, composers, producers, publishers, and other composition rights owners) was a paltry $67 in 2019.


We are Working to Pass Emergency Relief Legislation for Creative Professionals

We have been working closely with the AFL-CIO Department for Professional Employees Arts, Entertainment and Media Industry unions to advocate for musicians and other creative professionals urging Congress to pass emergency relief legislation.


Coronavirus Update

This month, AFM President Ray Hair has dedicated his column to accommodate special coverage of the Federation’s response to coronavirus.


Pension Benefit Reduction Plan Explained

As many of you know, on December 30, 2019, the AFM-EPF Trustees filed an application to reduce benefits under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (MPRA).


Festival Alert! Which Ones Are Cool and Which Ones Are Not

Negotiations are underway once again for the 2020 festival year, and there are details that members need to be aware of. Please take the time to read through this list, and, if in doubt, call your local for the latest information.


Musicians and Illegal Worker Misclassification

Illegal worker misclassification is a form of payroll fraud used by employers to classify workers who should be considered employees as independent contractors.


AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund

This article, reprinted from Music Connection magazine, explains what the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund does.


As Streaming Increases, the Rights of Performers Internationally Is Making Progress

A recent article in Music Business Worldwide quoted some impressive statistics released in BuzzAngle’s yearly report. For the first time, on-demand streams in the United States eclipsed the one trillion mark, with 705.9 billion being audio and 304.1 billion video. Over the previous year, that represents a total increase of 32% in audio and 10.6% […]


LM Reports—What AFM Local Officers Need to Know

On January 9, Ken Shirk, assistant to the AFM president, Jon Ferrone, AFM assistant secretary, and I met with the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) for our annual Voluntary Compliance Program (VCP) meeting. Lorenzo Harrison, OLMS director of program operations, Joy Mitchell, district director (New York District Office), […]








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