State of the Local -The Nashville Musician — July - September 2024

By Dave Pomeroy

It’s been a busy few months since my last column, that’s for sure! There is so much going on in so many areas of our music community, and the entertainment industry as a whole, that it can be a bit of blur at times. I have learned that when there are a number of different processes going on simultaneously, it is important to keep your focus on the job immediately in front you and avoid distractions as much as possible, while making sure that you are not missing anything in the big picture either. It can be a challenge, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve our amazing musician community.

On the national level, we are heading into AFM TV/Videotape negotiations with the major networks, after a one-year extension was recently ratified by those who work under this agreement. This contract covers touring bands who play daytime and late night TV shows, Saturday Night Live and the late night talk show house bands, major network televised sports and holiday events, and more. We are in the process of engaging AFM musicians around the country who work under this contract in the negotiation process, beginning with a survey of priorities. Thanks in advance to any 257 members who participate in this collective effort to improve this contract — you can make a difference.

Our new Demo, Limited Pressing, and Multiple Employer Demo scales are now in effect. The new numbers are on the website and on page 24 of this magazine as well. These raises are long overdue and are still very reasonable rates for songwriters and indie artists to pay our excellent recording musicians. These days, anything can blow up and become a hit, and when it’s on an AFM contract, you are protected. Without it, you are not. It’s that simple. Your work dues payments go to help keep all this moving forward, and we appreciate you keeping up with your work dues balance — it really helps us keep the lights on. Our recording department works hard to keep everything flowing, so that you can get paid what you deserve and not have to wait too long to receive it. If needed, we can explain to employers how our contracts protect them as well as the musicians.

In May, we began negotiations with the Nashville Symphony. After many meetings, discussions, and exchanges of proposals, we were able to reach a one-year agreement by the end of June for the coming season, with a decent cost of living wage increase and several workplace improvements. For more information, please read the Symphony Notes on page 26. Negotiations are never easy and this was no exception, but we did well considering the circumstances, and will be back at the table next year. We will have our work cut out for us next time, and will need to enlist the Nashville community’s support between now and then to gain momentum to achieve our longterm goals. Thanks to our attorney Kevin Case, and all the musicians on the negotiation committee for their time, dedication and hard work.

The last half of June was a whirlwind. I flew to Texas for the AFM Southern Conference of Locals annual meeting, hosted by Austin’s Local 433. It was an informative and inspiring gathering, with a lot of new local officers in attendance. There were speeches, workshops, and multiple opportunities to interact with our fellow union officers and compare notes, trade insights and ideas that we all have in common. I flew home for 48 hours, then on June 26 I flew to Washington D.C. and back to represent the AFM at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the American Music Fairness Act. If passed, the AMFA would fix a 100year injustice to artists, singers, and musicians who play on recordings broadcast on terrestrial AM/FM radio.

AFM 257 member Randy Travis’s wife Mary testified on his behalf, and she did a great job articulating the financial compromises this imposes on artists and musicians, as did Sound Exchange CEO Mike Huppe. Rep. Darrell Issa did a great job of running the hearing and poked numerous holes in the shallow arguments of the radio industry spokespersons. It’s time to pass this bipartisan legislation and free up hundreds of millions in overseas royalties. Immediately afterwards, the Congressional Musicians Caucus hosted a reception with the Travises, sponsors and supporters of the bill, congressional staffers, and others in attendance. I was asked to say a few words and perform a song I wrote in support of the AMFA called “Respect the Band,” which got a good response from those in attendance. I had many good conversations with those who are working in support of our long running effort to pass this law.

The next day, in my role as AFM International VP, I flew to Montreal for the Canadian AFM Locals’ annual gathering. Being a two-country labor union has its challenges, but it is definitely more than worth the effort, and despite our governmental differences, we have much more in common. For many years, Nashville has had a very good relationship with the Canadian AFM office with lots of interaction on work permits, immigration and travel issues, and more. The latest example is the Montreal-based Cirque de Soleil’s new show Songblazers, which debuted at TPAC on July 2, and is covered under an AFM contract, as is the soundtrack album. And, the members of the band have joined Local 257. We welcome them, and all of our other new members as well. Our membership continues to expand and diversify, and Local 257 is proud to be known as the home of the finest musicians in the world. We are glad to have you on the team that puts the music in Music City!