AFM Contract Form PDF Details

The AFM Contract form, established by the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, creates a binding agreement between musicians and purchasers for local engagements. This document is exclusive to the United States and details every aspect of the performance arrangement, including the names and addresses of all parties, the type and location of the engagement, compensation terms, and the schedule of performance dates. Its provisions cover payment procedures, performance regulations, and the prohibition of recording, reproducing, or transmitting any performance without prior written authorization, directly protecting musicians from unauthorized use of their work.

The form includes structured arbitration clauses that define how disputes between musicians and purchasers are resolved. Controversies are first addressed through the Local Union, and if unresolved, escalated to the International Executive Board of the Federation. The federation and local union act as enforcers and arbiters rather than direct parties to the contract. The form also accounts for unforeseeable circumstances that may prevent musicians from performing, offering liability protections under those conditions. Every musician hired for an AFM engagement must be listed with their legal name, home address, local union number, and Social Security number before signing. For musicians working with independent arrangements, FormsPal also offers a non-compete agreement for independent contractors and a subcontractor agreement to cover a wider range of professional relationships.

Musicians playing recording sessions or performing under broadcast agreements may need additional documents alongside the AFM contract. A music release form protects recorded performances, while a talent release form is often required for television or film appearances. Understanding which supplemental forms your engagement requires, alongside the AFM Contract Form L-1, helps ensure complete legal protection for all parties involved.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameAFM Contract Form (Form L-1)
Form Length2 pages
Fillable?No
Fillable fields0
Avg. time to fill out30 sec
Other namesAFM contract, AFM Form L-1, musician contract form, local engagement agreement

Form Preview Example

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

(HEREIN CALLED “FEDERATION”)

CONTRACT

¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Form L-1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR LOCAL ENGAGEMENTS ONLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(NOT FOR USE IN CANADA)

 

 

 

 

 

Whenever the term “The Local Union” is used in this contract, it shall mean Local Union No.

 

 

of the Federation.

 

THIS CONTRACT for the personal services of musicians on the engagement described below is made this

 

 

 

day of

 

 

 

 

, 20

 

 

, between the undersigned purchaser of music (herein called “Purchaser”) and the undersigned musi-

cian or musicians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Name and Address of Place of Engagement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Band or Group:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Musicians:

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Vocalists:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.Date(s) of Engagement; daily or weekly schedule and daily clock hours:

3.Type of Engagement (specify whether dance, stage show, banquet, etc.):

4.Compensation Agreed Upon: $

(Amount and Terms)

5. Purchaser Will Make Payments As Follows:

(Specify when payments are to be made)

(CONTINUED ON REVERSE SIDE)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto set their names and seals on the day and year first above written.

Print Purchaser’s Full and Correct Name

(If Purchaser is Corporation, Full and Correct Corporate Name)

X

Signature of Purchaser (or Agent thereof)

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

Telephone

Print Name of Signatory Musician

Home Local Union No.

X

Signature of Signatory Musician

Musician’s Home Address

City

State

Zip Code

Telephone

Booking Agent

Agreement No.

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Names of All Musicians

 

 

Local Union No.

 

U.S. Social Security Nos.

 

Direct Pay

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Form L-1, Rev. 8/07

6.No performance or rehearsal shall be recorded, reproduced or transmitted from the place of performance, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, in the absence of a specific written agreement with or approved in writing by the American Federation of Musicians (“Federation”) relating to and permitting such recording, reproduction or transmission. This prohibition shall not be subject to any procedure of arbitration and the American Federation of Musicians (“Federation”) may enforce this prohibition in any court of competent jurisdiction.

7.This contract, and the terms and conditions contained herein, may be enforced by the Purchaser, and its agents, and by each musician who is a party to this contract or whose name appears on the contract or who has, in fact, performed the engagement contracted for (herein called “participating musicians(s)”), and by the agent or agent(s) of each participating musician, including the Local Union. It is expressly understood by the Purchaser and the musician(s) who are parties to this contract that neither the Federation nor the Local Union are parties to this contract in any capacity except as expressly provided in 7 above and, therefore, that neither the Federation nor the Local Union shall be liable for the performance or breach of any provision hereof.

8.Resolution of controversies or claims: Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or breach thereof, shall be submitted to arbitration under one of the following procedures to be selected by the purchaser at the time that this contract is signed, by placing his or her initials in the box adjacent to the procedure selected. In the event that neither box is initialed, it will be presumed that the purchaser has chosen the procedures set forth in “B”:

A.(American Arbitration Association) Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the Award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The cost of the arbitration proceeding, except those costs personally incurred by the parties hereto for the presentation of their own case, shall be shared equally by the Purchaser and the Signatory Musician(s).

B.(Local Union) Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration by the Executive Board or other body of the Local Union charged with the responsibility of settling such controversy or claim. All rulings and awards made by the Local Union in arbitration hereunder may be appealed to the International Executive Board of the Federation (herein called “IEB”) by any party who was a participant therein. Appeals from such proceedings shall be perfected in the manner provided in the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the IEB in effect at the time of such appeal. All rulings and awards made by the Local Union in arbitration which are not appealed to the IEB shall be final and binding upon the Purchaser and participating musician(s) and all rulings and awards made by the IEB on appeal shall be final and binding upon the Purchaser and participating musician(s). Any party to an arbitration proceeding before the Local Union or to an arbitration appeal to the IEB may bring an action to confirm or enforce a final determination and award of the Local Union or, if appealed, of the IEB in the courts of the jurisdiction in which the office of the Local Union is located; and the Purchaser and participating musician(s) agree to submit to the jurisdiction of such court or courts for that purpose.

9.A representative of the Local Union shall have access to the place of engagement covered by this contract for purposes of communicating with the musician(s) performing the engagement and the Purchaser.

10.The agreement of the musicians to perform is subject to sickness, accidents, riots, strikes, epidemics, acts of God, or any other legitimate conditions beyond their control.

11.ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:

Names of All Musicians

Local Union No.

U.S. Social Security Nos.

Direct Pay

$

(IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED, ADD SEPARATE SHEET(S).)

(Form L-1)

How to Edit Afm Contract Form Online for Free

The AFM contract form can be filled out online with FormsPal. Simply open the FormsPal PDF tool to complete the job without delay. Our editor is continuously updated to provide the best user experience, based on our commitment to improvement and close attention to customer feedback. Follow the steps below to get started.

How to Fill Out the AFM Contract Form Online

Step 1: Click the "Get Form" button above. It will open the FormsPal PDF tool so you can start completing your form immediately.

Step 2: Once you open the PDF editor, the form will be ready to fill in. In addition to completing the blank fields, you can also add your own text, edit existing text, insert images, and add a signature.

This form requires specific information in several sections. Follow these guidelines to ensure accuracy:

1. To begin, when filling in the AFM contract form, start with the first section shown below:

How one can complete afm form contract portion 1

2. Next, complete the following fields: Print Purchaser's Full and Correct Name, If Purchaser is Corporation Full Name, Print Name of Signatory Musician, Home Local Union No., Signature of Purchaser or Agent, Signature of Signatory Musician, Street Address, Musician's Home Address, City, State, Zip Code, and Telephone. Double-check each entry before continuing.

If Purchaser is Corporation Full, Musicians Home Address, and Print Purchasers Full and Correct inside afm form contract

3. The third section is straightforward: fill in all fields in the Form L Rev section to complete this part.

afm form contract completion process outlined (step 3)

4. The next section requires the following: The agreement of the musicians to control, ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS, Names of All Musicians, Local Union No., US Social Security Nos., and Direct Pay. Provide all required details before proceeding.

Stage # 4 of filling out afm form contract

5. The final section to complete before finishing includes: IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS NEEDED ADD and Form L.

Completing segment 5 in afm form contract

Step 3: Review all entries in the blank fields and then click "Done." You can immediately access the completed AFM contract form and download it. All changes are saved automatically, letting you return and edit later as needed. FormsPal keeps your data secure and never stores or shares your personal information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the AFM Form L-1

Completing the AFM Contract Form correctly is essential to protect your rights and avoid disputes. Here are the most frequent errors musicians make and how to avoid them:

Leaving the compensation fields incomplete. Every payment amount, including leader pay, sideman rates, and any additional fees, must be listed clearly. Vague or incomplete compensation entries can lead to payment disputes that are difficult to resolve through arbitration.

Omitting musicians from the roster. All musicians performing under the engagement must be listed with their full legal name, home address, Local Union number, and Social Security number. Missing entries may invalidate the contract for those individuals.

Failing to address recording rights. The form includes a clause prohibiting recording, reproduction, or transmission of the performance without explicit authorization. If recording is planned, this section must be addressed in writing before signing.

Not retaining a signed copy. Both the purchaser and the signatory musician should keep a fully signed copy of the contract. Without a signed copy, enforcing the terms through the Local Union or Federation becomes far more difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions About the AFM Contract Form

What is the AFM Contract Form used for? The AFM Contract Form (Form L-1) is the standard agreement used by the American Federation of Musicians to document local engagements. It outlines the terms of a performance, including compensation, venue, date, and the responsibilities of both the musicians and the purchaser.

Who needs to fill out the AFM Form L-1? Any musician or band operating under the jurisdiction of the American Federation of Musicians for a local engagement must use this form. It is required for engagements in the United States and applies to both solo performers and groups.

Does this form cover recording sessions? The AFM Form L-1 is designed primarily for live local engagements. Recording sessions typically require separate AFM agreements. For live performances that may be recorded, the form includes a clause requiring written authorization before any recording can take place.

What happens if a dispute arises under this contract? Disputes are resolved through the arbitration process outlined in the form. The case is first handled at the Local Union level. If unresolved, it may be escalated to the International Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians.

Can I fill out the AFM contract form online? Yes. FormsPal allows you to fill out, edit, sign, and download the AFM Contract Form directly in your browser, without installing any additional software.

Related Forms You May Need

Depending on the nature of your engagement, you may need additional agreements alongside the AFM Contract Form. FormsPal offers a full library of related legal documents:

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