1980-1989
The introduction of music video changed the way music and performers were marketed. The fame of some musicians made them powerful fundraisers for charities ranging from famine relief to farm aid. Controversy over free speech issues grew in the US when politicians criticized the content of rock songs and began efforts to control how music was marketed to teenagers.
1980 - The AFM and the National Labor Relations Board signed an agreement allowing the union to continue franchising and regulating booking agents.
1982 - The AFM recognized the International Recording Musicians Association (RMA) as an organization representing recording musicians within the union.
1984 - The AFM recognized the Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA) as an organization representing orchestral musicians within the union.
1987 - The union supported the Digital Audio Recorder Act to prevent unauthorized taping of recordings. Working with US and Canadian immigration, the union secured a reciprocal exchange program that made it easier for members to cross the US/Canada border to work. J. Martin Emerson was elected AFM President and served until 1991.
1988 - The union established the "ROADGIG" Emergency Traveling Assistance Program which provides aid and emergency cash relief when members experience a contract default while on the road. The AFM then follows up with enforcement of the terms of the contract. The program was established in Canada in 1989.
