ProMusicDB.org Announces Free Webinar in Advance of 9/28 Launch Date

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The launch date for enrollment with ProMusicDB.org, the first artist-controlled authority of music credits, is just around the corner on September 28 and the organization is offering a free launch party/webinar for any interested songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers. Registration is free at www.promusicdb.org.

In addition, some of the industry’s most respected organizations are already singing the praises of ProMusicDB.org’s revolutionary new platform:

“Protecting the best interests of musicians is the top priority for us, and ensuring proper credit to the work of musicians in the digital age is a major challenge. ProMusicDB.org is not only educating musicians on how important data is to preserving their musical legacies; it is also offering a valuable solution to collect and maintain musicians’ data through its platform.” – AFM Local 47 Continue reading →

Local 47 Election News: All candidates unopposed, elected by acclamation

For the first time in recent history, all candidates who submitted nominating petitions for the 2016 Local 47 General Election were unopposed. In accordance with Article IX, Section 1 of the AFM Local 47 Bylaws, the Election Board declares that all of the following candidates, running on the slate of John Acosta, are hereby elected by acclamation*:

President (1): John Acosta

Vice President (1): Rick Baptist

Secretary/Treasurer (1): Gary Lasley

Trustees (3): Judy Chilnick, Dylan Hart, Bonnie Janofsky

Directors (6): Pam Gates, John Lofton, Andy Malloy, Phil O’Connor, Bill Reichenbach, Vivian Wolf

Hearing Board (7): Alan Estes, Jon Kurnick, Jeff Lass, Norman Ludwin, Helen Nightengale, Allen Savedoff, Marc Sazer

Delegates to the AFM Convention** (3): Pam Gates, Bonnie Janofsky, Norman Ludwin

First Alternate Delegate (1): Phil O’Connor

Second Alternate Delegate (1): Vivian Wolf

Congratulations to all of these candidates, and thank you for your willingness to serve the membership of our Union!

Election Board: Mark Zimoski (chair, mzimos@gmail.com, 818-997-7225), Marie Matson, Paul Sternhagen, Stephen Green, Scott Higgins, Nick Stone, Kris Mettala Continue reading →

Don’t Get Penalized! File for Your LA Business Tax & Creative Artist Exemption

business-taxIf you are defined as a “creative artist” under the Los Angeles Municipal Code, you might be eligible for the Business Tax Exemption provision.

Under the Small Business Exemption, no tax is required of creative artists whose total annual taxable and nontaxable gross receipts attributable to creative activities do not exceed $300,000.

This exemption applies strictly to individual “creative artists” (individual, individual acting as a loan-out corporation, or individual acting through a limited liability company), when performing “creative activities” for “entertainment or aesthetic purposes.” It only applies to those receipts the creative artists earn from their creative activities and does not include income from any other source.

The exemption is available as of Jan. 1 during the business tax renewal period. Businesses must file a renewal in a timely manner in order to receive the exemption.
Continue reading →

Why Should You File for Unemployment Benefits?

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by Lewis N. Levy, Esq.

Even the off-handed mention of filing for unemployment benefits sends most professional musicians scurrying for cover. Filing for unemployment benefits conjures up thoughts of waiting in long lines, dealing with unresponsive bureaucrats, and requires an understanding of the process. But what is most critical to any successful claim for unemployment is a finding by the California State Employment Development Department (EDD) that the musician (or other employee) seeking unemployment benefits is, as a matter of California law, a statutory “employee” of his/her employer, as opposed to a finding that the claimant is an independent contractor. Continue reading →

Notice to musicians traveling with instruments containing ivory or endangered species

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Important notice from AFM:

Many musicians have instruments containing ivory or other endangered species material—which makes travel potentially perplexing. If your instrument contains ivory, Brazilian rosewood, tortoiseshell, or another endangered species, you will need documentation before crossing international borders. Please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for information before traveling.

Please note U.S. federal regulations may impact instrument sales so review the guidelines if you are planning on buying or selling an instrument that may contain ivory or endangered species material.

Bows Made With Pernambuco. You do not need documentation to travel with bows containing pernambuco wood as long as these instruments do not also contain ivory or other endangered species material. This U.S. Department of the Interior letter details that finished bows made of pernambuco wood do not require documentation. Please bookmark or print this letter to make traveling easier.

Made In Hollywood Honors For Television 2016

Made In Hollywood Honors Television 2016 took place at 1600 Vine the morning of Sept. 7, 2016 - AFM Local 47 EMD Administrator Gordon Grayson, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Recording Musicians Association International President Marc Sazer, AFM Local 47 Vice President Rick Baptist. (Not pictured: AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley)

Made In Hollywood Honors For Television 2016 – AFM Local 47 Electronic Media Division Administrator Gordon Grayson, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Recording Musicians Association International President Marc Sazer, AFM Local 47 Vice President Rick Baptist. Not pictured: AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Gary Lasley. (Photo: Linda A. Rapka)

The 4th Annual Made In Hollywood Honors For Television awards honored this year’s Emmy-nominated shows produced in California and the Los Angeles area in a star-studded program the morning of Sept. 7, 2016. Continue reading →

H&W: Eligibility and Enrollment Mailings Begin in November

Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’  Health & Welfare Fund

HAVE YOU HAD A CHANGE OF ADDRESS?

The Professional Musicians Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund (“Fund”) will soon be determining eligibility for benefit coverage effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. Very important contribution and enrollment information will be mailed out by the Fund to each participant of record and musicians who have qualified for coverage based on employer contributions for work performed during the Fund’s 2015/16 Qualifying Period (October 3, 2015 through October 2, 2016). Continue reading →