by Barbara T. Owens, AFM International Representative, Midwest & Northeast and AFM Symphonic Services Division Negotiator

Lew Mancini has worked for the AFM for 40 years. In its 120-year history, the AFM has had 12 presidents. Mancini has been on staff during eight of those administrations. His retirement in December 2015, marks the end of his long tenure for the AFM and the services he provided to the offices of both the president and secretary-treasurer.

Barbara T. Owens: How did you get your start as a musician?

Lew Mancini: Influenced by the love my parents had for the accordion, I started taking lessons when I was eight years old. This was not exactly my instrument of choice back in those days (I wanted to play drums), but ultimately it served me well, performing casual, society-type gigs while in college. I joined Local 248 (Paterson, NJ) in 1967, influenced by the union consciousness of my father who had lengthy membership in the Teamsters Union.

BTO: Did you major in music in college?

Lew Mancini (left), pictured here with AFM Secretary-Treasurer Sam Folio, started working for the AFM in 1969 while still in college, and is now a 40-year veteran in the Federation’s New York City office.

LM: Although I did take courses in music and music theory, I was actually a natural science enthusiast, with particular interest in the field of meteorology. I also focused on a course of study in social sciences.

BTO: How did you begin your career with the AFM, and how has your job evolved over your 40-year career?

LM: I worked during the summer months of 1969 and 1970 doing generalist/clerical work within the Federation’s New York headquarters. The AFM President at that time was Herman Kenin. Although still uncertain of my career direction, I began full-time employment in 1971 under the administration of President Hal Davis. My initial duties involved supervisory activities within the AFM’s Booking Agent Department. Elevated to the title of assistant to the president in 1978, and under then-President Victor W. Fuentealba, the Booking Agent Department was expanded to include immigration and touring theatrical. I was recruited by Walt Disney World in 1989 to assume a management role within its creative entertainment division. At the conclusion of that five-year term with Disney, I was recruited back to the Federation by AFM Secretary-Treasurer Steve Sprague to fill the role of assistant secretary. In 2010, I was honored to be elevated to the position of chief operating officer, an expanded role that included liaison to all Federation departments and the day-to-day operations within the Federation’s headquarters.

BTO: One of the most important roles you have had is the coordination of the AFM Convention since the 1980s. How has the AFM Convention changed over the years?

LM: In the 1980s, I, along with staff members Pat Varriale and Dennis Dorry, assisted Convention Coordinator Bob Crothers. In looking back at conventions during that time, they seemed a bit simpler, less demanding, and less detailed. Over the years, we have witnessed an increase in meetings during the convention by the various committees and player and regional conferences. We have greatly expanded catering and other ceremonial and entertainment elements as well.

BTO: I’ve looked at the old volumes of convention proceedings. It’s hard to imagine a time when everything was recorded manually!

LM: We went from recording the events with pencil and paper to audio cassettes. I have memories of a box full of audio cassettes, side A and side B. How would we even listen to them now? Thankfully, CDs replaced those cassettes a few conventions ago. We have become much more tech savvy now; witness 2013 when live streaming from the convention floor was implemented.

BTO: For many local officers, you are the voice of the AFM, providing guidance, information, and institutional memory. Many local officers share your long history with the AFM.

LM: My tenure notwithstanding, I am amazed at the longevity of some of the local officers. Their dedication to the membership and their love of music—and for many with minimal compensation—cannot be understated. It has been an incredible experience chatting with them, learning from them, and cultivating friendships.

BTO: Another integral part, which contributes to the efficient functioning of the AFM, is the staff. How has the staff evolved over your years in the New York office?

LM: The current staff is smaller than years past, but their level of work remains high. The number of staff members with lengthy terms of employment is impressive. I believe the formula for success is teamwork and I am proud to have been a part of the AFM staff team.

BTO: As the AFM looks towards its 100th Convention, what are your thoughts?

LM: The decision to step down after decades of service did not come easy. I am proud of my accomplishments along the way, for being driven to meet the challenges I faced, and always striving to make a difference. I could not have carried out my duties without support from both staff and officers.

Former AFM Director of Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) and Assistant to the President Dick Gabriel passed away at the end of November. Gabriel had retired from the AFM in 2014 after more than 35 years of service. He first worked for Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) and then  the Federation, in a variety of capacities.

An accomplished professional musician, Gabriel brought his skills to the AFM’s West Coast Office in 1980. From the then two-person operation, he built that office into the powerhouse it is today, including developing the New Use Department, which bills more than $4 million annually. Gabriel was especially proud of this achievement because it greatly benefited musicians whose previously recorded materials were used for different purposes.

In late 1985, Gabriel took over as head of the AFM’s Recording Department when Bob Crothers retired. Gabriel participated in numerous EMSD contract negotiations and projects over the years.

He had a knack for spotting talent and he encouraged people fortunate enough to work with him to grow and take on the complex and daunting responsibilities of the EMSD. He was a skilled negotiator, able to analyze a project and determine what could be done to make it work, without undermining the standards we achieved over the years.

“Dick was unassuming and patient with everyone, with a knack for finding the way to fit a square peg into a round hole. I’m not sure I ever truly appreciated the depth of his knowledge and history of the AFM until I became vice president and started working with him on a regular basis. We lost one of the good guys,” says AFM International Vice President Bruce Fife.

Alongside six AFM presidents, Gabriel built a stellar reputation in his interaction with colleagues, local officers, staff, player conference representatives, industry representatives, labor attorneys, and most of all, musicians. His unique skill as a problem solver created employment and payment opportunities for our members.

Gabriel was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of AFM contracts, electronic media history, and people. Perhaps his greatest strength was his lifelong commitment to keeping his door open to all working musicians and making their lives better.

Aside from his work in the office, Gabriel participated at trade shows and music conferences, where he patiently counseled young musicians on the virtues of AFM membership and protecting their recorded products. He always felt it important to reach out to musicians to explain the importance of tending to the business side of their craft. After spending the entire day at a booth and on panels, where his voice would become noticeably hoarse, he still found the energy to go out to the places where the young musicians were performing to support their efforts.

Ironically, when Gabriel first hit the trade show circuit the AFM was not well-received; in fact, we were shunned. But, before long, he turned that around and we were not only in demand at the booth, but on panels and at other conferences as well.

Gabriel was a mentor to many. He had a passion for representing and helping musicians, especially recording musicians. The AFM, the EMSD, and musicians across the country owe a great deal to Gabriel for his great work, dedication, and the sharing of his wealth of knowledge. Recording musicians lost a true friend in Dick Gabriel.

He was passionate in the way he looked out for their interests.
“I have known Dick Gabriel for more than 35 years, witnessing first-hand his sincere dedication and tireless efforts to better the lives of recording musicians. He was a treasured friend and devoted family man,” states Pat Varriale, EMSD director/assistant to the president.

“Dick Gabriel was one of the first Federation staffers that I met following my election as President Local 72 (Fort Worth, TX),” recalls AFM President Ray Hair. “He was always there from the very beginning to help me understand the Federation’s complex media agreements. Dick provided a world of knowledge. Every musician who has ever recorded under an AFM agreement owes Dick Gabriel a debt of gratitude.”

On March 5-6 musicians around the world will gather to take part in the 2016 Worldwide Chamber Music Play-In, a tradition begun in the 1960s by the nonprofit Association of Amateur Chamber Music Players (ACMP). Small groups of chamber music enthusiasts—professional and amateur, beginner and experienced players of all ages—will gather almost anywhere for a simultaneous expression of the joy of music.

It’s easy to join in this year’s Play-In. Visit the ACMP Worldwide Play-In Weekend Facebook page to find an event near you or visit the ACMP website www.acmp.net/wpiw to put together your own event.

Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship was convicted of conspiracy to violate mine safety laws in the 2010 Upper Big Branch mining disaster that killed 29 miners. United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts says the conviction provides a measure of justice and sends a message to every coal operator in America that they skirt safety laws at their own personal risk.

Violinist and Local 802 (New York City) member Itzhak Perlman has been selected as the 2016 Genesis Prize Laureate. The annual $1 million award is given to individuals who have achieved extraordinary professional success, have made a significant contribution to humanity, and inspire others through their engagement and dedication to the Jewish community and the State of Israel. Previous awardees include Michael Bloomberg, as well as Michael Douglas.

Genesis Prize Chair and Co-Founder Stan Polovets describes why Perlman is an ideal Genesis Prize Laureate: “A 16-time Grammy award winner, he has been an incredible source of inspiration for individuals with special needs by overcoming tremendous challenges after having been severely disabled by polio at age four. And he has given back to society by dedicating virtually all of his free time and significant resources to teaching young talented musicians and to serving as an advocate for individuals with disabilities.”

Perlman was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom last November. He says that he plans to direct the $1 million prize money to initiatives he is passionate about.

The AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) has announced a plan to partner with civic and community organizations to invest up to $30 million of pension money in the Detroit Neighborhood Home Repair Program. The trust will help acquire, finance, and repair up to 300 single-family homes in the Detroit Land Bank Authority inventory, utilizing union labor and creating union apprentice programs over the next three to five years. In the past 30 years, the HIT has invested nearly $8.5 billion to finance more than 100,000 units of housing nationwide.

The 14,500 US-based passenger service employees of the new American Airlines have approved a five-year contract that includes immediate and significant pay raises. Represented by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (CWA-IBT), the vote was 6,993 in favor to 2,522 against.

Kerry Philipovitch, American Airlines senior vice president customer experience commented that passenger service employees have played a critical role in the integration of the airline. “This agreement is a huge step in making us truly one combined team, and we thank the CWA-IBT for their professionalism in advocating for their members,” she says.