The Musicians' Association of Seattle hosts a FREE seminar with Martin Atkins, author of TOUR:Smart February 3rd, 7pm
Join TOUR:Smart author Martin Atkins for a candid and hilarious discussion of what bands can do to beat the odds and survive on the road! Martin Atkins has three decades of music industry experience as a drummer, touring with Johnny Rotten's band and Nine Inch Nails. Some of the night’s talking points:
- industry tips
- marketing oneself as a musician
- getting people to come to your shows
- strategies for successful touring in the US
- why you must book yourself
This event is FREE but RSVP required. Register at: tsseattle.eventbrite.com
Location:
Musicians’ Assoc. of Seattle
3209 Eastlake Ave. E.
Seattle, WA 98102
www.local76-493.org
(206) 441-7600
2010 MEMBERSHIP DUES
Membership dues for 2010 remain that same as 2009.
For existing members in 2010:
Regular Members = $192.00 per year (or 10% discount of $172.80 in JANUARY ONLY). Regular dues are $48.00 per quarter.
Life Members = $87.00 per year, or $21.75 per quarter.
Details here.
INITIATION FEES WAIVED
All members pay quarterly dues of $48. New members pay an additional $85 in initiation fees. This year, the membership’s Executive Board voted to waive the Local Initiation Fee ($20) and the Federation Initiation Fee ($65) when musicians join as a group of two or more. Join with your band or ensemble and save $85 each!
New Health Care Initiative For Area Musicians and Artists
The new Artists Clinic at Country Doctor Community Clinic is offering artist and musician-focused hours every Wednesday from 5:30pm-8:30pm as part of Artist Trust's Washington Artists Health Insurance Project. Read more...
AFM Legislative Action Fund
The AFM has lobbyists in Washington D.C. that work on behalf of musicians. The AFM works with them to advocate issues that impact musicians everyday, from healthcare reform to copyright protection. The long-term success of AFM’s legislative efforts depends on making sure that our allies in the House of Representatives and the Senate remain in office. Donating to their reelection campaigns is the best way to see that they remain in Congress. Therefore, it is necessary that we raise contributions to AFM’s political action committee, The AFM Legislative Action Fund.
The long-term success of AFM’s legislative efforts depends on making sure that our allies in the House of Representatives and the Senate remain in office. Donating to their reelection campaigns is the best way to see that they remain in Congress. Therefore, it is necessary that we raise contributions to AFM’s political action committee.
Both Members and non-members can donate securely online at: www.afm.org/donate/index/fund/550.
For AFM members, there is a special way to donate—through the $2 Drive for The AFM Legislative Action Fund. Go to: www.afm.org/departments/legislative-office/-2-drive.
Or, donate by mail. Both members and non-members can download this coupon and send it along with your donation to The AFM Legislative Action Fund. For non-members who want to be “Friends of AFM”, please download this coupon and send it with your donation. Both general donations and “Friends of AFM” donations can be sent in the form of a check or money order, with the appropriate coupon, to:
The AFM Legislative Action Fund
910 17th Street, NW Suite 1070
Washington, DC 20006
Ideas For Seattle
The McGinn transition team created a web site for submitting your ideas for Seattle or voting on already submitted ideas. You get 10 votes and can use them all on one issue if you want. Go to: www.ideasforseattle.org for more information.
MUSIC News
Seattle OnHold Music
Seattle OnHold plays music by some of Seattle's best artists on the city phone system and website in their call waiting system. Musicians may submit at anytime. Click here for details.
NATIONAL News
OBAMA'S ART POLICY
Despite Occasional Stumbles, Arts Policy Advancing under Obama
(Associated Press, 12/7/09)
In his first year, President Barack Obama has marshaled the largest infusion of cultural funding in decades—despite a few stumbles. Though still far less than arts advocates contend is needed, they have high hopes this president could transform cultural policy, funding and arts education for years to come.
"I think and feel he's very much in the John F. Kennedy tradition—he embodies the humanities, essentially," said Jim Leach, a former Republican congressman from Iowa whom Obama named chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. "That doesn't mean a conservative leader can't also. Abraham Lincoln was a great conservative who embodied the humanities."
Across Washington, cultural leaders have taken note of Obama's approach. They're impressed with the variety of musical performances and workshops held at the White House this year, covering classical, jazz, Latin, and country tunes. There's also the $100 million in new funding for the arts, including a one-time $50 million infusion from the economic stimulus package to preserve arts jobs. There were sizable increases as well in the annual appropriations for the arts and humanities endowments. Both agencies will receive $167.5 million in 2010, their largest allocations in 16 years.
Arts supporters wanted more money, but they say the increases were significant and symbolic of Obama's commitment.
Read more at Google.
Music Saves Lives
Music National Service aka MusicCorp supports music as a strategy for public good. Launched in 2009 in only four US cities, the city of Seattle is happily represented in this “musical Peace Corps”. MusicianCorps recruits, trains and places musicians in high-need settings in order to strengthen communities, develop 21st century skills (like teamwork, discipline, perseverance, risk-taking, critical thinking, etc.) and spread music wherever music can reach, teach or heal.
New Report Shows Healthcare Reform Will Lower Costs
Healthcare reform will help the working American. Contact your Senators here to tell them that you want healthcare reform that doesn’t tax our benefits. More information can be found at the AFL-CIO blog and www.unionvoice.org.
About the American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO, is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. With more than 90,000 members, the AFM represents all types of professional musicians, including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape. More information can be found at www.afm.org.
