1. Increase Demand And Employment of Live Musicians

   We do this through advertising public relations and our free Party Planner's Guide To Live Music. This booklet contains a list of all bands and single entertainers in our membership and is sent to all restaruants, hotels, clubs, and businesses in the Kent County area as well as to brides, party hosts, etc. who call our office asking for a copy. In addition, we administer the Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Funds, which help fund free concerts at malls, parks, festivals, schools, nursing homes, and other public events. Our members made almost $44,000 last year utilizing these funds. We also have contracts that cover every aspect of recordings, videos, radio, TV, and concert tours; from the local to the national level.

2. Guarantee Timely Payment for Performances

   Members file contracts which are free from this office, on all engagements. These are kept on file until after the event. If any trouble develops between the musicians and their employer, we step in to help negotiate a settlement even to the extent of providing free legal service to the musicians. Contracts are backed by the American Federation of Musicians and by U.S. Labor Laws.

3. Establish Reasonable Wages and Working Conditions

   Members establish minimum wages for various types of gigs that all agree to follow. This does not stop anyone from charging as much as they are worth, but it does keep bands from undercutting each other. Oblviously, this only works to the extent that members cooperate and the more of us there are, the better it works. Where possible, we negotiate a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the employer, such as the one held by members of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

4. Collect Payments For Recorded Work And Protect The Tape

   Whenever you are involved in a recording situation, from a simple demo to a local broadcast to a national release on a major label, the American Federation of Musicians (our parent organization) has the only system recognized by the recording by the recording, broadcast and motion picture industries for making sure your recording is not misused, and that proper payment is made to you whenever there is a new use of yoiur recording such as in commercial jingles, video soundtracks, compilation CD's, TV, and motion pictures. In addition, you can be building up credit in a great pension fund and receive addtional payments, whether or not your recording is even published. Additonal benefits are available to members such as Replacement Value Instrument Insurance, Liability Insurance, and the Union Privelege Master Card, through our affiliation with the AFL-CIO. Call us at 451-4374 in Grand Rapids or 1-800-637-0498 outside of Grand Rapids for more information on how the Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians can help you.

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