Dallas Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association
We are Local 72-147 of the American Federation of Musicians, the largest entertainment union in the southwest.
We represent the interests of 1700 musicians across North Texas and southern Oklahoma.
11/04/2025
Here is the place to register if you want to attend the monthly meeting of the Freelance Musicians Association. Member participation is very important! We encourage all independent musicians to join and take part in the formation of this new AFM Player Conference. Copy and paste the link below into your browser if it does not work directly as a link.
We're 16 days away from Halloween but many of us are already buying candy for trunk-or-treats, Halloween parties, and more. Why not support good union jobs with each purchase via our list? Find thousands of other union-made products at www.labor411.org.
10/05/2025
Having a GREAT Denton Arts & Jazz Fesival this weekend. Beautiful weather and incredible music. There is still time if you haven't made it out yet!
09/30/2025
Some of you may know that there are ongoing efforts to form a new AFM Players Conference for freelance musicians, the Freelance Musicians Association, or FMA. There has been a steering committee in place for a while now, and they are actively looking for rank and file members that would like to be a part of helping form this new conference in time to get it recognized at the AFM Convention next summer. Anyone interested is invited to a meeting tomorrow, October 1, at 4PM CST (2PM Pacific). Here is a link to RSVP: https://bit.ly/4psqfin
And finally, a link to a survey regarding your greatest concerns as a freelancer and whether or not you would like to get involved: https://afmfreelance.org/fma-survey/
Fill out this form to stay updated about upcoming events and opportunities to plug in to AFM freelance organizing initiatives.
09/24/2025
09/18/2025
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada President Tino Gagliardi issued the following statement in response to ABC taking Jimmy Kimmel Live, which employs musicians from AFM Local 47 in Los Angeles, off the air. https://www.afm.org/2025/09/statement-kimmel-live/
“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now.
This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society. The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air.
We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”
09/02/2025
09/01/2025
Celebrating the legacy and power of labor today at the Tarrant County Laborfest! HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!
07/31/2025
It was a great Regional Ochestra Players Conference this year! American Federation of Musicians Local 77 in Philadelphia did a fantastic job hosting this year. And we have great news in that we will be hosting this conference here in Dallas in 2026 with our two member orchestras -- Dallas Opera Orchestra and East Texas Symphony! Musicians of 97 orchestras coming together to make a difference!
07/01/2025
We wanted to pass on the great news from International President Gagliardi:
Today, the Senate overwhelmingly supported musicians' rights. With a vote tally of 99 to 1, an amendment was passed to eliminate the ban on AI regulations.
When we stand together, we can make a difference. 🎉
06/26/2025
The 70,000 Members of the AFM - American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada stand in solidarity with the musicians of the Southwest Florida Symphony Musicians and their community.
ROPA Regional Orchestra Players' Association
06/26/2025
Tell Congress to Remove the State AI Regulation Ban from the Reconciliation Bill. As musicians, our livelihoods are under constant attack from AI developers. Now is not the time to make it more difficult for states to support musicians.
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Organizing is people coming together and building power to make real change in their lives. Through face-to-face conversations and a campaign, we build strength to overcome obstacles and opposition.
In traditional union organizing, employees join together to improve their working conditions and have their union recognized by their employer. Musicians, sometimes not legally considered employees, often organize in more innovative ways. Fair Trade Music is a great example of musicians using basic organizing principles to improve their lives.
After the initial campaign is over, mobilizing to secure a good first contract starts. Union contracts are legally enforceable documents that are generally much stronger than individual contracts or personal service agreements. Organizing never stops. Building our union in our work places and planning contract campaigns for expiring agreements is ongoing.
Why Organize
Musicians ability to make a living is threatened as never before. The music industry continues reaping huge profits while technological advances transform our work and how we are compensated.
We face substandard compensation for streaming, outsourcing and growing pressure to play for tips, for free or even “pay to play” at some venues. The employers are consolidating their power—and so should we.
Unity among musicians brings creates the power we need to achieve our goals.
Organizing is not Mystique, it’s Technique!
AFM’s organizing strategy relies on the direct leadership of musicians partnering with labor and community organizations to build the power we need to win. While labor law was established to protect our right to organize, employers have found ways to undermine these laws and our rights. Working with trained and experienced organizers helps ensure success—sometimes against great odds. But most important for a successful campaign is an active group of musicians willing to stand together.
Before beginning a campaign, it is essential to contact us to take the initial steps towards a winning strategy.
