Posts

Farewell Kyle Keener, AFM, Local 23 Member since 4/24/1972

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Sometimes it seems as if virtually every one of San Antonio's jazz scene stories has, as its origin, a casual encounter with Kyle Keener, the superb drummer and singer we lost Tuesday.  Musician after musician will relate a strikingly consistent narrative—I was a novice who didn’t know a dominant flat-13th from a hunk of sharp cheddar; this poised and accomplished master of time and space invited me into his realm, showed me what was truly possible, bucked me up when I was flailing in flop sweat, kept my wig straight, and managed to elevate me without ever talking down to me.   Even those of us who’d already done a few laps around the block by the time we met Kyle experienced some variation on this theme.  Shortly after arriving here, when asked by a local luminary how I was settling in, I mentioned my excitement at having been asked to sit in by Kyle and his Small World alter ego Polly Harrison.  “Oh, they ask everyone to play,”   countered my new acquaintance.  In the

Member Spotlight - NPR's Norma Martinez

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Norma Martinez has been a member of Local 23 since moving to San Antonio in late 2016. Prior to her move to the Alamo City, Martinez was a member of Local 466 in El Paso. She played with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years. Martinez was driven to join Local 466 after a strike by the EPSO in 2001 to restore more classical concerts to the performance calendar and improve musicians' pay.  Martinez holds a degree in Music Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso. Her musical background served her well in her radio career.  Martinez started working at El Paso NPR affiliate KTEP-FM in 1989. As a student at UTEP, she hosted a classical music program on Saturdays. This gradually progressed to hosting Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and El Paso Symphony Orchestra broadcasts on KTEP. She became a full-time Morning Edition host and program producer in 1995.  Martinez made the move to San Antonio in Dec. 2016 and was in the right place and

Ken Burns Reaches Out to SA Bassist Ray Sczepanick for Country Music Documentary

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Cool! Check out the letter to San Antonio bassist and country music stalwart Ray Sczepanick from Ken Burns's company, Florentine Productions, thanking Ray for allowing use of photos and memorabilia for their recently released documentary series for PBS, Country Music. Ray is an executive board member of the Musicians' Society of San Antonio, AFM 23.  Nice going, Ray!  Below, in 2013, Sczepanick holds the title to the Texas Hands bus. Ray started with the Top Hands in the late 1960s. And is still the manager. The Top Hands hold the distinction of being the longest active band in Country music. The bus belongs in the Country music hall of fame. Meanwhile it has been on display at the Texas Pride Barbecue restaurant in Adkins, TX. 

T-Shirt Survey for Musicians and Friends! Deadline Sept 15

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Musicians' Society of San Antonio is designing a t-shirt just for you (members and friends)! Please take two minutes out of your busy day to answer a few really quick questions about the design. What size are you? What color do you like? What about text? Click HERE to take the survey . Thanks for your quick response. Deadline: September 15 . Below is a screenshot of the raw shirt, with specs and color options. It's a featherweight 100% cotton unisex style.

Musicians Society Scale in 1970

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Ever wondered what minimum fair wages for musicians were a half century ago? Well, here you go. Thanks to multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Mike Davis, here are the scale sheets from your local, AFM 23, in 1970. $15 per "man" for a three-hour dance in Bexar County. Ten cents per mile for parties outside the city limits.  Rodeos, circuses, river shows, radio, TV, jingles, the whole nine...

Jim Newell - Why I Am a Member of Local 23, AFM

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Jim Newell For ten years I made a career in music, but my young family and a desire to use my business degree led me to pursue a daytime business career.    I`m retired from my business life now and playing music again full-time.    I rejoined Local 23, AFM, after an absence of many years.    My success in business taught me the importance of doing things the right way and supporting the industry you work in.    Being a union member in good standing has many benefits.    Besides the actual benefits package, being a member keeps you ready to take advantage of opportunities in TV and radio.    Just as an up to date passport keeps you ready to travel, being a union member in good standing keeps you ready to get a visa for playing overseas.  Everyone knows symphony members are the core of any local union, but the growth and perhaps future of the union depend on attracting new members on the distant fringes of legitimate music.    We need new members from the musicians who are

AFM Local 23 - Minimum Wage Scale (rev. Jan 2018)

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At a loss for what to charge for your corporate gig or private party? We can help! Below is the Musicians' Society of San Antonio's fair wage scale. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to call our office at 210-227-3582 or drop by during business hours. We're located in the historic Alamo Music Center building at 427 N Main Ave in downtown SA TX 78205. You can also reach us by email at  info@musiciansofSA.com .  1.         GENERAL INFORMATION All scales are MINIMUMS. Members are encouraged to quote any price above minimum that may be commensurate with the ability of the member and/or market value of the musical services provided. Minimum scales include all applicable travel allowances, cartage fees, doubling fees, and leader’s and contactor’s fees as well as the basic pay scales. Any price scale not provided for may be determined by the Local 23 Executive Board or by the President. Scales so determined may remain in effect until revisions are