Books-Resources, Products, Traveling Musician

Helpful Resources for Flying with Musical Instruments

Helpful Resources for Flying with Musical Instruments The AFM TEMPO Sourcebook This is the union’s guide to the effective administration of our TEMPO Program. The manual can be found in the Document Library section of the AFM website in the Legislative Office folder. We strongly recommend AFM local officers, boards, regional and player conferences, and TEMPO […]

Get It in Writing

February 26, 2015

I think the best way to deal with a botched verbal contract is to avoid the whole mess in the first place. Get it in writing. I personally learned this the hard way.

Time to Think About Tax Refunds

February 25, 2015

It’s a new year and it’s time to start thinking about getting a refund of taxes withheld in a foreign country by filing a nonresident tax return.

AFM Partners with Government and Airlines to Resolve Long Overdue Inconsistent Policies

January 30, 2015

On December 29, 2014, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx issued a final rule regarding the carriage of musical instruments onboard US air carriers. The rule was published in the Federal Register January 5, 2015 and is scheduled to go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, around March 6.

Avoid Border-Crossing Gear Glitches with an ATA Carnet

January 1, 2015

It’s the stuff of nightmares for the travelling musician: you’re headed out of the country for a big show, your precious instrument in hand, but when you get to the border, you’re gruffly told that you can’t bring your gear across—not without a bunch of hassle and some hefty fees, if at all!

Dealing with Foreign Sales Tax

December 1, 2014

by Robert Baird, President Baird Artists Management (BAM!) My column “Getting Merchandise Across Borders” (October 2014 IM) prompted some questions on dealing with the sale of merchandise once you’ve gotten it into the country. We all know about “under-the-table” sales, but we should also be aware of the regulations regarding tax on merchandise—sales tax or […]

Revised Airline Travel Advice for Musicians with Instruments

November 1, 2014

For years, musicians have faced numerous uncertainties when traveling on commercial aircraft. Many have been refused boarding, while those trying to make connecting flights have had to settle for inconveniences in order to complete their journey. In some cases, musicians have had to make the choice between stowing rare, expensive, and often irreplaceable musical instruments […]

It Takes More than Just a Passport: Preparing for Foreign Gigging

November 1, 2014

by Michael Manley, AFM Touring/Theatre/Booking and Immigration Division Director and Assistant to the President  In a landscape where an artist’s big break can take place on YouTube as often as in a concert hall or club, musicians can reach an international audience with a few swipes of a tablet screen. Jazz artists and indie bands […]

Be Prepared to Cross Borders for Showcases, Competition, or Other Business

November 1, 2014

by Robert Baird, President Baird Artists Management (BAM!) Artists often ask if they can cross a border freely to do a showcase, enter a competition, or for other business purposes. Sometimes it is possible to do so without a visa or to use a different form of visa. Every artist needs to adopt the Boy […]

Getting Merchandise Across Borders

October 1, 2014

by Robert Baird, President Baird Artists Management (BAM!) Travelling across the US/Canada border requires declaring to a customs officer what you are bringing with you. Personal items are exempt from duties and taxes. Bringing in goods or merchandise makes you an “importer” and you will definitely have to declare any items you intend to sell. […]