AFM president speaks out in support of musicians

Thomas F. Lee, international president of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO, today told a Congressional hearing that those most affected by the internet royalty rates set last March by the Copyright Royalty Board are the thousands of recording artists, session musicians and background vocalists that are struggling to make a living.

“Their needs should not be forgotten, because if the difficulties they face make life as a creator unendurable, there won’t be any music for the new music services to bring to the public, or to build their own small businesses around,” Lee said. “Professional musicians know just how dangerous it is to believe that all music should be available practically for free,” Lee continued. “There must be compensation systems in place that are sufficient to support musicians, if we really want to foster music in our culture.”

The AFM fought for the digital performance right because “we believe that performers should benefit whenever others make use of our work to build businesses,” Lee said, but that doesn’t mean the AFM does not support the truly small and noncommercial webcasters, to the extent that they are attempting to bring greater diversity to consumers and to provide new outlets for terrific musicians who are outside of the mainstream. “The AFM supports SoundExchange’s efforts to reach an appropriate business accommodation with such services that will allow them to develop working business models, while still making payments to performers,” Lee noted.

Also testifying on behalf of the AFM was Grammy-award winning recording and performing artist Cathy Fink, who told the hearing that “the creation of a sound recording takes a huge investment of time, talent and energy. Like any other entrepreneurs, we are making financial investments. We think of ourselves as a small business, and one about which we are extremely passionate. Our music is a valuable creation, and it is the core of that business. Like any other product, it deserves fair compensation.” Fink is a member of AFM Local 1000.

Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) 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.

International President Thomas F. Lee was re-elected at the AFM’s convention on June 19, 2007 to serve a three-year term. He has led the AFM since his election in June 2001.