FAIR PLAY FAIR PAY By Ginny Brennan
National AFM also has a program called Tempo. Tempo’ s focus is supporting candidates who support music. How does Tempo help Local 105?
A. AFM members have joined together to support candidates who support music. For musicians, it is critical that we support lawmakers and candidates who fight for issues we care about including:
1. Stricter copyright and performance rights laws guaranteeing musicians are fairly compensated
2. Stronger pension system so musicians have a secure retirement
3. Increased National Endowment for the Arts( NEA) funding
4. Improved travel regulations making it easier to travel with instruments
5. More music education so our next generation of musicians may learn their craft.
Federal law prohibits dues money from being used for most political purposes. That’ s why musicians have established TEMPO( Taskforce for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization). TEMPO is solely comprised of small contributions given by AFM musicians— like you.
What message would you like to share with our readers who may also be musicians or know musicians?
The Professional Musicians AFM 105 represents a collection of diverse musicians. To mention just a few, Greg Youmans, a one-man band called The Not So Fullharmonic, is a busker at community festivals. Johnny Cash, Waylon and Willie would be proud to hear their music played by Rusty Jackson in brew pubs and outdoor festivals. Keith LaMotte and Variety Pak perform vintage swing music at senior centers. The Spokane String Quartet plays wedding receptions at the elegant Davenport Hotel. Whitworth professor Brent Edstrom was commissioned by the University of Nebraska to write a song cycle based on Willa Cather’ s writings, which was performed in Omaha and Bordeaux, France.
Our office is in the Teamsters’ building, on the corner of Indiana and Division in Spokane, Washington.
Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00am— 3:00 pm
Professional Musicians, AFM 105 1912 N. Division, Lower Level 105 Spokane, WA 99207
Phone:( 509) 328-5253 Email: local105 @ afm. org
44 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE