A Message From the Entertainment Union Coalition:
Our Entertainment Union Coalition (EUC) continues to work collaboratively to ensure the success of the application of our expanded and modernized Film and Television Jobs Program, as well as championing the efforts to keep production both within our State.
Just last week, Governor Newsom announced 17 Television Projects that have been recently awarded tax credits expected to generate $1.2 billion in statewide economic activity. Continue reading
Students at Della S. Lindley Elementary in Thousand Palms sent in an envelope filled to the brim with thank-you letters expressing their delight at the jazz band Saturday Night Bath, led by Local 47 member Howie Rich, for their performance at the school in September 2025.
The musicians’ performance was generously co-sponsored by the Recording Industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund, which is committed to offering free, live music to the public.
All MPTF concerts are presented free to the public. If you are interested in presenting a free concert in your community through MPTF, please visit afm47.org/mptf to learn more.
Congratulations to everyone whose work can be heard on the 68th Annual GRAMMY-nominated tracks and albums, recorded under AFM union contracts filed with Local 47! Listen to our #AFM47 Grammys 2026 YouTube Playlist while browsing the list below.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The ceremony will beMehldaumeld broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and will also be available to stream on Paramount+.
* AFM Local 47 member | * AFM member, other Local
Continue reading
Composer Nathaniel Blume recently completed a recording session for his EP, “nootbar,” featuring a 33-piece string ensemble of AFM Local 47 members at the historic Warner Bros. Eastwood Scoring Stage. The session took place on July 20, under an AFM Limited Pressing Agreement, ensuring that union musicians were central to the project’s creative realization. Continue reading
Browse our full Overture pdf archives here.
For exclusive members-only Overture content — Executive Board minutes, CBAs, Local 47 Wage Scales, Bylaws, Suspended/Expelled member lists, and more — log in to your new E2 member account at ensemble.afm47.org and browse the “Overture” section on the Documents page. (New to E2? Visit our E2 FAQ here.)
“No contract, no coffee!” On October 29, we proudly rallied alongside Starbucks Workers United members at a practice picket in Burbank. Continue reading
At our October 27, 2025 General Membership Meeting, members voted to fill a vacancy on the Salary Review Board and on 3 Resolutions to amend the bylaws. The results of voting are as follows:
Special Election to Fill Vacancy on Salary Review Board
Paul Sternhagen: 44
Luanne Homzy: 17
Resolution 1: Proposed Salary Reductions
Yes: 19
No: 40
Resolution not adopted
Resolution 2: Organizing
Yes: 42
No: 10
Resolution adopted, as amended
Resolution 3: Electronic Membership Meetings and Voting
Yes: 47
No: 3
Resolution adopted
An updated set of the Local 47 Bylaws reflecting these amendments may be found in the members-only section of the Local 47 website, ensemble.afm47.org (click the “Documents” button). (If you have not yet logged in to our new system, please visit afm47.org/e2/account for instructions.)
Life Member & AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus. String Bass
4/9/1921 – 10/4/2025
by Leslie Baker
Thank you, Serena. My lifelong friendship with Serena Kay Williams began before I could remember. She informed me many years later that she met me as a 6-year-old holding the hand of my piano-playing father, Dick Baker. I was just starting piano lessons then. My Dad played piano in Earl Williams (Serena’s husband) band, Serena played bass in Earl’s band. She watched me grow going through countless gigs to become a pro bassist. Serena encouraged and loved so many of us musicians. That was her way. Serena is liked, loved and respected by many. There are decades of memories of times with Serena. Let me describe perhaps the most important: When Serena decided her favorite bass, the last one made by Mr. Robles himself in 1962 (he was over 90 when he made this bass) had sat unplayed for too long (her playing days were behind her as she took on her role as a top officer in the Local 47 Musicians Union), she let me know it was for sale. She offered me the chance to have it for a week to decide if it was right for me. After a few days of trying it out we made our deal. Continue reading
Former Member. Keyboard
8/5/1952 – 9/5/2025
South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Stephen Charles Croes died peacefully on September 5, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV, surrounded by his loving family. Continue reading
Former Life Member. Composer
3/4/1932 – 10/7/2025
Studio City, CA resident, Ian Freebairn-Smith, best known for his Grammy-winning arrangement of Barbra Streisand and Paul Williams’ hit song “Evergreen” from “A Star is Born” (1976), passed away on October 7, 2025. He was 93 years old. Continue reading