India.Arie Simpson is among a small class of post-millennial R&B artists more likely to recall the likes of Roberta Flack and Bill Withers than almost any given artist played by urban contemporary radio stations. Continue reading
The Rochester Music Hall of Fame announced the 2019 inductees for this year’s ceremony, and among them are two Life Members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47.
Beach Boys founding member, guitarist and vocalist Al Jardine, and 11-time Emmy Award-winning composer and producer Jack Allocco, will be along those inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame at the 8th annual induction ceremony on April 28. Continue reading
Please note that Low-Budget Recording Scales have increased 3%, effective Feb. 1, 2019. The new scale summary may be found here.
Professional Musicians & Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund:
Commencing with the Jan. 1, 2020, coverage year, the minimum initial eligibility threshold to qualify for enrollment in medical plans sponsored by the Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund (the “Fund”) will be reduced to $700 in Employer contributions. Thus, effective with the current Qualifying Period — Oct. 2, 2018 through Oct. 3, 2019 — the amount of Employer contributions necessary for eligibility at the Fund’s “C Level” of coverage/benefits shall be $700 (including any available permissible carry-forwards from the 2017/2018 Qualifying Year). Continue reading
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.
