The State of the Local

BY DAVE POMEROY

The complexity of navigating all the different areas of the music industry during these unprecedented times is a constant challenge, but one that we welcome. Much of the evolving technology is helpful to musicians, and to our continuing quest to make sure they are paid fairly. As I have said many times, just because musicians love what they do, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be paid for it!

Home recording, which we finally were able to make legal in Davidson County in 2020 just after the pandemic began, helped many Nashville musicians get through the pandemic. The Single Song Overdub Scale and the various AFM streaming agreements have been used to great effect as well. Touring and club musicians were hit the hardest by the pandemic and we are doing all we can to keep everyone working.

The AFM’s Music Performance Trust Fund stepped up to fund gigs for musicians who had been unable to perform in “normal” venues. We were able to pay out more than $50K in wages to musicians when they needed it the most, for streaming and live performances including Juneteenth, Make Music Day, and July 4th.

Multitasking and mutual respect

It is certainly interesting, and a bit of a challenge as well, when numerous things that have been going on for various lengths of time somehow reach the critical final stage simultaneously. The past month that was certainly the case, as multiple negotiations and agreement renewals, including with the Nashville Symphony, Grand Ole Opry, General Jackson showboat and others, are all heading for the finish line as we go to press. Every contract has its own unique parameters, but in all cases, the perspective of the musicians who do the work guides our decision-making process. The vast majority of our negotiations are mutually respectful, and sometimes even friendly, but there are exceptions when the true motives of the people you are negotiating with become very clear, despite their words to the contrary. This is nothing new — there will always be those who simply don’t understand how hard musicians have to work just to make a decent living. However, it is especially frustrating to observe this behavior and attitude coming from the very people who profit directly from the work of musicians.

Thankfully, that is not always the case. Nashville became known as Music City because of this unique community of creators and business people who learned how to work together, instead of against each other. That is the attitude for which I will continue to advocate — in the most peaceful, friendly, but persistent way possible.

Our membership is growing and diversifying, which is very satisfying to see. We have always been known for all kinds of music, not just one genre.

New perspectives on old challenges

As we continue to try and return to whatever “normal” is, it is becoming apparent that many things will never be the same, yet some universal truths and principles will remain, perhaps with a renewed importance and meaning. As we relearn what it feels like to be mingling with other people in a wide variety of environments, the art of how we treat each other is very important. Many things we used to take for granted are now under scrutiny as we begin sharing spaces with other people, both strangers and those we may know but not have seen in a long time. Music has always played a pivotal role in our culture, and is a powerful force for unity and for change. These are both things we need in the world right now, and we are proud to play our part in promoting a positive attitude.

I took on this job 13 years ago because I had experienced life-changing opportunities and benefits since becoming an AFM member for more than 40 years, and I wanted to pay it forward. I wanted to make sure that future generations of musicians who come to Nashville with a dream would have similar opportunities to those I received. Music City is a place where you can be paid fairly for what you do, although in some situations you must be willing to start that conversation with those who haven’t gotten the memo about “how we do things around here.” Intimidation, harassment, and obstruction are not the way to fix our problems, and as long as I am president of this local, that will never be our approach.

Summer NAMM

Speaking of community, Summer NAMM returned to Nashville this year, in a reduced form due to the present circumstances, but regardless, it felt great to get together with our friends, colleagues and collaborators in the musical instrument manufacturing industry once again. Our AFM 257 booth was bustling with activity and our members were able to get in free without an affiliation through a gear company. Over the past decade, this has been a very popular membership benefit, and we appreciate our wonderful relationship with NAMM. We hope to get more involved next year with their educational initiatives and community programs, and keep this relationship growing.

America is a melting pot of many cultures, and so is Music City. Our membership is growing and diversifying, which is very satisfying to see. We have always been known for all kinds of music, not just one genre. Please feel free to send anyone our way who wants to be part of something special. As AFM Local 257 approaches the 120th anniversary of our founding in 1902, I am proud to say that by working together in the Nashville Way, we now find ourselves at the cutting edge of the music business. The respect we generate for those we represent from those they work for, will always win the day. Thanks for being a part of this amazing community of musicians.