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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Home » Legislative Update » Great News! AMFA Introduced in Senate


Great News! AMFA Introduced in Senate

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On September 22, Congress moved a step closer to ending a decades-long injustice against music creators with the Senate introduction of S. 4932, American Music Fairness Act (AMFA), sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Alex Padilla (D-CA). An identical bill (HR 4130) has already been introduced and received a hearing in the House, setting Congress up for action this fall.

This is a critical piece of legislation for professional musicians whose music is played on AM/FM broadcast radio with no compensation to the creators. The United States is the only industrialized nation besides North Korea and Iran that has no law requiring a broadcast performance royalty for sound recordings to be paid to artists, musicians, and singers.

The American Music Fairness Act will help remedy this problem by requiring terrestrial broadcasters to start paying long-overdue royalties to the musicians whose music these stations use to make billions in advertising profits.

AFM President Ray Hair states, “The bipartisan introduction of AMFA by our Senatorial champions, Marsha Blackburn and Alex Padilla, underscores the coast-to-coast effort on the part of the Federation, our locals, and our members to encourage Congress to adopt historic changes to copyright law that would benefit professional musicians and vocalists whose recordings are heard on AM/FM radio.”
It’s time to end the loophole that has allowed Big Radio to rob artists of their fair share for far too long.

Contact your representatives and ask them to support the American Music Fairness Act, HR 4130, https://bit.ly/support-amfa.







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