Category Archives: Features

7th Annual Music Industry Toolbox Presents at AFM Local 47

The Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and California Copyright Conference (CCC) presented their seventh Music Industry Toolbox at our union hall on April 24, 2025.

Our Captain Greg Welch Gathering Place was bustling with music publishers, record companies, production music libraries/producers, managers, attorneys, and other music industry professionals throughout the five-hour event. Attendees enjoyed panelist presentations, round-table discussions, exhibitors, and raffle prizes.

Congratulations to AIMP and CCC on a successful event! Continue reading →

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AFM Represents at the Entertainment Industry Foundation Careers in Entertainment Expo

Photo by Noah Murty // AFM Local 47 Live Performance Business Representative Amber O’Donnell and Communications Director Linda Rapka spent a fun afternoon in Exposition Park on April 25 chatting with high school and college students pursuing careers in music and entertainment.

AFM Local 47 was thrilled to exhibit with dozens of fellow unions, guilds and organizations at the Entertainment Industry Foundation Careers in Entertainment Expo on April 25. Continue reading →

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Playing in Harmony — Despite DEI Executive Order

Last year, a group of teenage musicians auditioned and were chosen for the opportunity of their young lives: playing a concert with “The President’s Own,” the United States Marine Band. The teens were all part of Equity Arc, a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring and support for young musicians of color, and the concert was set for this coming May. Continue reading →

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Mayor, AFL-CIO President meet with L.A. Labor Leaders to distribute resources to wildfire survivors

In the aftermath of the devastating L.A. County wildfires, Labor Community Services (LCS) and the Los Angeles Federation of Labor have been working to get resources and aid distributed to affected union members as quickly as possible. Continue reading →

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Brass quintet brings joy of music to Pasadena fire relief center

In a move to lift spirits and bring a bit of joy to those affected by the recent L.A. wildfires, the Music Performance Trust Fund, Red Cross of Los Angeles County, and Make Music Alliance, Inc. co-sponsored a live concert with AFM Local 47 musicians on the afternoon of February 12 at the Disaster Recovery Center in Pasadena. 

The brass quintet, led by Local 47 member Brad Close, was greeted with words of appreciation for their surprise three-hour concert.

“The performance was well received by clients and volunteers alike,” said Timothy Dahlum,  Pasadena Complex Site Manager. “Several people stopped me to ask who the group was and said thank you for bringing them in — two called it an unexpected treat.” Continue reading →

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NAMM 2025

MPTF Trustee Dan Beck, AFM Local 7 Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Noreyko, AFM Local 47 Sound Recording Business Representative Jamie Vespa, AFM Local 47 Communications Director Linda Rapka, AFM International Musician Advertising Director Honore Stockley, AFM Director of Communications Antoinette Follet, AFM Director of Freelance Services Wages Argott, and AFM Local 7 President Edmund Velasco.

MPTF Trustee Dan Beck, AFM Local 7 Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Noreyko, AFM Local 47 Sound Recording Business Representative Jamie Vespa, AFM Local 47 Communications Director Linda Rapka, AFM International Musician Advertising Director Honore Stockley, AFM Director of Communications Antoinette Follet, AFM Director of Freelance Services Wages Argott, and AFM Local 7 President Edmund Velasco.

The American Federation of Musicians and Music Performance Trust Fund were thrilled to exhibit at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants show for the second year in a row. Continue reading →

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Entertainment Unions Featured at Inaugural Burbank Media Industry Expo & Job Fair

On August 1, 2024, the City of Burbank proudly presented the first Media Industry Expo & Job Fair, a groundbreaking event designed to give students the knowledge and tools needed for a career in the media industry.

Hosted by Woodbury University and Burbank Public Library, the event featured area organizations and businesses involved in the entertainment industry. Continue reading →

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Parlaying Organizing Efforts: 2024 CA Labor Fed Convention

Musicians United, 2024 CA Labor Fed Convention style: AFM Local 47 Organizer Rahul Neuman, Local 47 member Sidney Hopson, California Labor Federation President Lorena Gonzales, AFM Local 7 (Orange County) President Edmund Velasco, and AFM Local 6 (San Francisco) Executive Board member John Fisher.

by Rahul Neuman, AFM Local 47 Organizer

I was fortunate to be able to represent AFM Local 47 at this year’s California Labor Federation Convention in San Diego, July 15-17, along with my colleague, Sidney Hopson. This was the largest CA Fed convention yet, with 700 delegates in attendance. It was inspiring to hear so many union activists speak on a diverse set of issues, and quite a learning experience. While there were the typical pro forma aspects (e.g., Call to Order, Nomination of Officers), the other messages centered around organizing for the 2024 General Elections and expanding unions. Continue reading →

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