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1000 in 2010, continued from page 1 er in order to conserve resources, the of some partnerships not only between welcomes these NEW MEMBERS Board has made it clear that in-person these 2 locals but other AFM Locals Frank Cassidy meetings are vital to an effective union. throughout the country who see organiz- Jeff McClintock Our Secretary-Treasurer, John ing as a priority. O’Connor will continue James Whittall O’Connor, was just elected Vice-President as Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1000 at Carlos Hernandez of Local 802, the New York City local and least until his current term expires at the Felicia Douglass the biggest local in the Federation. This is end of this year. Siheun Song a full time office and it goes without say- The Executive Board looks forward to Alexander Smith ing that the relationship between Local talking to all of you and to hearing from 1000 and Local 802 will benefit greatly you how to make our union work better. Nathan Tomkins by the connection. Organizing is one of With new challenges come opportunities. Kerri Ough the priorities of the new Local 802 ad- We want to make sure we take advantage Caroline Brooks ministration and there will be discussion of everyone that comes our way. Sue Passmore Tina Stone Scott Berwick Healthcare news Jessica Stuart Local 1000 is pleased to announce new health care options for our membership. REINSTATED SoundHealthCare has worked for years with Ray Bonneville the Country Music Association, the Gospel Mu- James “Doc” MacLean sic Association, and more recently our friends David Bernz at Local 257 (Nashville) and the Interna- Tammy Fassaert tional Bluegrass Music Association developing Freebo discounted, customized health care plans for music professionals. Simply go to the Kim Barlow Benefits page of the www site (http://local1000.com/benefits) to get the details. Along with our previous health care plan, via AFM Local 802, we now offer a broad set of options for our membership, covering per-existing conditions, customiz- able coverage, and affordable pricing.” WINTER 2010 1000 in 2010 s we head toward Folk Alliance tools to facilitate benefits such as pen- be of service. As this issue of New Deal in 2010, we face many chal- sion and health insurance. For the most goes to press, we have already talked to Alenges professionally as travel- part, this has been done through single many members. We want to know how ing musical artists on the acoustic music engagement contracts like the LS-1 and you are doing, how we can help you in scene. Indeed, even those artists who through artist corporations and LLCs, your professional life and what kinds of command much larger audiences than signing agreements with the Local in issues Local 1000 should be tackling our under-the-radar world of what some order to bring benefit contributions on in the coming months and years. We’re loosely call folk music are facing difficult a regular basis. Of course, the camara- a union. Our strength is in working times marked by constant changes in derie is something the union provides together collectively to make ours a bet- the technology of electronic music and a us all. That is something that many will ter profession with dignity, respect and seemingly tenacious recession. For Local agree is invaluable. fairness. We are especially interested 1000, the times are equally challenging. Where we have been not so suc- in what you think are the issues (that Less work for our members. Less work cessful, and where we continue to strive, effect us all) that Local 1000 should be dues. Fewer resources. is forging collective bargaining agree- undertaking. Nevertheless, it’s a good time to ments with presenters such as folk At our Fall meeting in November in take stock in our mission and what we festivals, concert producers, folk music conjunction with the Northeast Regional can do as a most unusual trade union to societies and house concerts. We have Folk Alliance our members re-elected help each other forge on into the unsure had a modicum of success. A few folk Debra Cowan as our Eastern Executive future. When we look back to the first festivals and small concert series. But Board Member and Steve Eulberg as Folk Alliance we attended in Boston as a we have much to do before we come our Western Executive Board Member. newly charted union in 1993 our chal- near to achieving the task we have set Also, Tret Fure was elected as the third lenges were of a different kind. We had out before us, which we have named Delegate to the AFM Convention in June. not much more than 50 members and a Fair Folk. Our current Executive Board In addition, Local 1000 leadership con- tenuous board, as our leadership was still remains committed to picking up the tinued its discussion of what makes best developing. Our main challenge was to find pace here, despite the belt-tightening sense as far as meetings are concerned members in a very skeptical grouping of the organizations who host our shows in relation to Folk Alliance and regional musicians. It took us a good 8 to 10 years have had to face in this recession and in Folk Alliance gatherings. We are open to make musicians understand that Local the face of a changing industry. to input and suggestions on this score. 1000 was here to stay and could provide The good news is that we are reach- How do we best solve the challenge of something tangible in the way of benefits, ing out to people who are connected to fulfilling the sense of true unionism in not the least of which was the security of a different sorts of venues who have ex- a non-geographic local? The Executive pension that few other performing artists pressed interest in becoming part of Fair Board has committed to meeting once had available, and unity among folk musi- Folk. Other good news is that the Local every 6 weeks via internet conference cians and performing songwriters. 1000 Executive Board has taken on the calls. But although some have suggested Our greatest success has been task of calling every Local 1000 member that we stop meeting in person altogeth- providing our members with contractual to better understand how the union can Continued on page 6 New Deal is the official organ of Local 1000. Please read it carefully. INSIDE: Page 2—On the Road: The Long Haul • Page 3—Member Profile: Kristin Lems Page 4—Emergency Relief Fund• Page 5—Member News • Page 6— New Members Local 1000 Membership Meeting-February 20-4PM-Memphis Downtown Marriot Hotel-Memphis, TN.(See inside for more details.) On the Road... Membership Meeting Notice The next Local 1000 Membership meeting will take place at the Memphis Downtown Marriot in Memphis, TN on Saturday, The long haul Feb. 20, 2010 at 4pm. The meeting will take place in the by Bob Franke Concierge Lounge on the 19th Floor. The Local 1000 Executive Board will meet at 1pm on Feb. 19. The Executive Board meeting is open to all members in good standing who would like to observe. Next October will be the 45th anniver- better the chance that it diverges signifi- You must be a member in good standing sary of my first professional gig, as the cantly from the person you are and want (paid up) in order to attend first act to play a little club called the Ark to be, and the more energy you will have a Local 1000 meeting. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Over the years to expend to maintain that persona. It’s a I’ve discovered a few things that might be recipe for bad mental health. Part of our Call the Local 1000 for more details. helpful to my union brothers and sisters, leadership as artists is to make the best Local 1000 on Facebook— and perhaps to other colleagues as well. If music we can, and if we’re songwriters, I focus on a larger per- to write truthfully about http://www.facebook.com/group. spective than the day to what it’s like to be human php?gid=4645867157&ref=ts day, it’s because I can: at this point in history. Local 1000 on myspace.com— http:// venues bloom and fade, If we’re singers of old www.myspace.com/afmtravelingmusicians organic restaurants songs, it’s to find and cel- open and close, but no ebrate the songs that ring matter where you go, truest about what it was there you are, and you like to be human at other need to be there. points in history, because LOCAL 1000 OFFICERS: I think I’ve made it we and our audience can President: this far down the high- learn from that. Tell the JOHN MCCutcheon way not only because truth, as best you can. In 404-296-5943 • [email protected] of my persistence the long run it will support Secretary-Treasurer: (admittedly important), you as well as your audi- JOHN O’CONNOR but also because of ence. my adaptability, and This is a tough way to 212-843-8726 • [email protected] because I’ve learned make a living, but technol- Vice President/At-Large Board Member: to look for what I share ogy has made it easier TRET FURE with my audience. Songs to maintain those friend- 608-469-4007 • [email protected] (like columns) about the ships we discover on the Canadian Vice President: highway become narrow road as well as those KEN WHITELEY industrial work ballads relationships that give us unless you look for the meaning when we’re at 416-533-9988 • [email protected] connections between your journeys and home.

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