Another Awards Season is behind us, and what a season it was! This was a big year for members of AFM Local 47, with several of our musicians winning awards, receiving nominations, and having contributed to making the music recordings that contributed to some of the biggest hits of 2018. Continue reading
AFM members are advised that the Michael Bublé concerts taking place at Staples Center on April 2 and July 9, 2019 are not currently covered under a union agreement.
Recorded at Sony Pictures, Culver City, California, August of 2018, this piece, composed and conducted by Kevin Kaska, was performed by the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles — all members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47. Continue reading
Studios’ refusal to provide New Media residuals threatens livelihood of musicians
LOS ANGELES, CA (March 13, 2019) — Today members of the American Federation of Musicians, AFL-CIO, held a press conference calling on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to engage in fair contract negotiations and protect the future careers of professional musicians as the industry shifts to streaming and online distribution (aka “new media”). Continue reading
Negotiations between the AFM and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) began on March 13, 2019. We’re taking on the most important aspect of the future of the recording industry: new media and streaming services.
On the first morning of bargaining, musicians held a press conference calling on film and TV studios to engage in fair contract negotiations and protect the future careers of professional musicians as the industry shifts to streaming and online distribution. The story was reported by several news outlets including Variety, Billboard, Deadline, and Digital Music News.
After three days of intense talks, management was unwilling to accept or negotiate over our most important proposals. On March 18, the bargaining team negotiated a brief contract extension: a 2% raise in existing wages, continuing the terms and conditions of the current agreement to Nov. 14, 2019.
Now through November, AFM musicians will be ramping up efforts to win a fair contract. AFM members working in all areas of the business are encouraged to get involved in the campaign.
Hal Blaine’s drums can be heard as part of the Wall of Sound on the Ronettes’ 1963 hit “Be My Baby” produced by Phil Spector at Hollywood’s Gold Star Studios, founded by David S. Gold and Stan Ross in 1950.
Life Member. Drum Set
2/5/1929 – 3/11/2019
by David Gold
Musician, drummer,
and sometimes conductor too,
Four bass beats to set the tempo,
And start the music too.The bass, the toms and symbols still,
The sticks now quietly lie on the snare,
And now the stool is empty too.
For Hal is no longer there.
Synthplex is a brand new annual “all things synthesizer” event, and the kickoff program will include information on the benefits of union membership for electronic musicians. The event takes place March 28-31 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport hotel.
AFM Local 47 President John Acosta will conduct a presentation titled “The Benefits of Union Membership and Monetizing Your Music” on Thursday, March 28 at 2:45 p.m. in Room A.
Be sure to also stop by the AFM Local 47 booth!
20% discount for all union members
Tickets & more info @ synthplex.com
Presented by The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum, the Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools. Continue reading
Today is International Women’s Day, and we salute all of the strong and talented women in music whose artistry moves, encourages, and inspires.
Many influential women in the music industry paved the path for future generations of female empowerment, and the cycle keeps on going as more female voices stand out from all genres.
To all of our incredible AFM Local 47 empowered union musicians: We honor and celebrate you, today and every day.
