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.
Protec’s new modern and lightweight gear bag is able to convert to a backpack or a brief. Featuring three large storage sections, the insulated main storage section is designed to protect instrument cases, larger electronics, and more, while the front and middle compartments will hold laptops, cables, smaller accessories, etc. Feel safer traveling with all your gear in one durable bag.
Wallace Detroit Guitars creates unique instruments out of reclaimed wood from Detroit’s local landmarks. Customers from around the world can log onto wallacedetroitguitars.com to create their own musical masterpiece. Wood choices include such options as pine or maple floorboards from the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters or maple taken from the benches of the Brewster Wheeler Recreational Center, frequented by Joe Louis as well as Motown stars like Diana Ross. Customers can also select from several body styles, custom finishes, pickguards in many colors, and pickups. Each guitar ships with a one-of-a-kind handmade guitar strap created from reclaimed car upholstery, as well as a hard-shell leather case.
TKL’s Concept MC cases are developed to fit almost every vintage and contemporary acoustic guitar on the market. Noted for their portability, protection, and affordability, Concept series cases feature Rigidlite molded exterior with a plus cushion-soft, secure-fit interior, offering maximum protection for every guitar type/body, plus reliable Providence Forge hardware.
The Auralex MudGuard v2 Microphone Shield isolates mics, eliminating external noise bleed and filtering out external overtones. Its unique, multi-radii convex shape is designed to direct unwanted and off-axis acoustic energy away from the mic, eliminating unwanted colorations. The 16-inch wide, 10-inch deep, and 14-inch tall MudGuard is made of Auralex Studiofoam to reduce excessive room ambience and off-axis sound. It mounts easily to most microphone stands with the included hardware.
Attorneys for Sony ex-employees have reached an agreement in principle with Sony Pictures in their class action suit resulting from last year’s hack and their compromised personal data. Attorney Daniel Girard told The Hollywood Reporter that the deal came together after months of discussions and a mediation session. Sony’s motion to dismiss was denied, but the judge has not yet ruled whether there is enough commonality in the claims to file a class action suit nor whether specific damages could be proven due to other corporate hacks that have occurred. The former employees will have the opportunity to opt out of claims to continue separate legal action against Sony.
A trial is scheduled for November 2 to determine if former investigative reporter Frank Snepp was fired due to age discrimination. Snepp’s career as an investigative journalist began following a stint as a CIA analyst. However, Snepp made the news in 1980 when a landmark Supreme Court ruling upheld his confidentiality obligations with US Government over his First Amendment rights as a whistleblower in regards to his Vietnam-focused book Decent Interval. As an investigative reporter, his award-winning stories covered breaking news about the Iran Contra scandal, Monica Lewinski, SEAL Team 6, and more. In 2006 he was hired by LA’s KNBC as a field producer, two years later re-hired as a content producer, then fired in 2012, at age 69. Snepp has submitted evidence of ageist statements from NBC that he should quit or retire because of his age. NBC claims he was fired for inadequate performance.
