Links for Recording Musicians -- Signed and Unsigned

Whether you are working as a session player, writing jingles, or recording your band in your garage, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) is there to make sure that you get paid fairly and your work is protected now and in the future.

You work hard recording. We work hard protecting your art for you. The AFM Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) administers recording contracts negotiated between the AFM and record entities. These recording contracts cover the whole communications spectrum, including broadcast and non-broadcast media. The major types of agreements are for Records/CD's, Motion Pictures, Television Films, TV Variety Programs, TV and Radio Commercial Announcements, Radio, Non-broadcast Industrial Films, Videocassettes, and Interactive Media. The AFM monitors and tracks recordings and songs, used in TV, Film and Commercials, which were not originally intended for that use, and collects and distributes payment to musicians who performed on them.

Contact us if you need information or just want to find out more.

Organizations

TRADE
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences - Emmys
The Recording Academy (NARAS) - Grammys
National Music Publishers' Association
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
Recording Musicians Association

ROYALTIES & PENSIONS
AFM-EP Fund - American Federation of Musicians and Employers' Pension Fund
The Film Musicians Secondary Market Fund
Recording Artists Royalties
Sound Recording Special Payments Fund

LABOR
Actors Equity - Representing American Actors and Stage Managers in the Theatre
AGMA - American Guild of Musical Artists
American Federation of Musicians (AFM) - National
AFL-CIO - National
AFL-CIO - Pennsylvania
AFL-CIO - Allegheny County Labor Council (Pittsburgh)
IASTE - International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees

PERFORMING RIGHTS & COPYRIGHT
ASCAP
BMI
Harry Fox Agency (HFA)
SESAC
Sound Exchange
US Copyright Office

PITTSBURGH ARTS
The Pittsburgh Filmmakers
Pittsburgh Film Office

National Media

Recording Magazine
Music and Technology.com
Mix Magazine
EQ Magazine
Film Music Magazine
Screen Magazine
Billboard Magazine
Performing Song Writer Magazine
Performer Magazine
Rolling Stone Magazine
Variety Magazine

Local Media

Pittsburgh City Paper
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
WDUQ 90.5 FM - Public Radio - Jazz/NPR
WQED 89.3FM Public Radio - Classical
WQED TV - Public Television - PBS

Government

Small Business Administration
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
City of Pittsburgh
Allegheny County

Public Transportation

Pittsburgh Port Authority Transit

Additional links for Musicians

For Freelance and Casual Musicians
For Theater Musicians
For Symphonic and Opera Musicians