Recording Rap
Attending the AFM convention in Las Vegas was quite an experience. The days were long and it's quite a process debating the merits of each Resolution. I was on the Election Committee and learned first hand the voting procedure of our AFM. We had a great team and were lucky to not get stuck working all night!
I had the opportunity to meet the representatives from the Pension Fund, MPTF, TEMPO, and the Recording Musicians Association. Meeting and networking with the musician's from the Southern Conference made me feel right at home and I'm looking forward to attending that Conference next year.
Our AFM Vice President and President of Nashville Local 257, Harold Bradley, gave an update on the resolved situation with the Provident Music Group. The Nashville recording musicians stood firm and would not record for any of the Provident Music Group's companies that were not signatory. Because of their solidarity, the remaining companies of Provident Music Group have now signed the AFM Phono Agreement. President Steve Young thanked the musicians of Nashville, and the officers and staff of Local 257 for their help in resolving this issue with a positive outcome.
While flying home I was thinking about our situation here in South Florida, with our recording musicians, non-signatory companies, and the dark sessions, and lo and behold, a letter from Mike Lewis was the first piece of mail I opened (please see Member Feedback on page 6-ed.).
I will do whatever I can to help get more companies in our area signed to the Phono-Record Labor Agreement (with the help of your calls, we have done this with a few companies this past year). We also have a Phonograph Single Project Short Form Agreement enabling you to do the session or project by having the Employer become a one-time Signatory for that project (with the Federation’s approval). Call me for more information and I will help you get more contracts filed and build up you Pension and Special Payments Fund!
P.S. Total distributions from the Special Payments Fund came to $14,723,115 this year (up 5% from last year)! Covered musicians should be receiving their checks as you read this...
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