New York, NY – AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund has distributed $62 million in royalties to non-featured musicians and vocalists — the largest distribution in the Fund’s history.
“This is great news at such a difficult time for musicians. This fund provides for session players who live gig to gig, and there has never been a greater need for royalty income than right now, with the extensive cancellation of live performances,” said AFM International President Ray Hair.
Established by AFM and SAG-AFTRA, the Fund distributes domestic royalties from non-interactive digital streaming providers like Pandora and Sirius XM to non-featured performers. Over 42,000 participants in all 50 states, Canada, and many other countries will be receiving payment. The average payment to studio musicians and singers is approximately $1,500, The Fund distributed $60 million in royalties in 2019 and over $430 million since it was created in 2008.
“The music industry has been massively impacted by COVID-19, and no one more so than performers whose touring work has been halted and whose recordings are mostly cancelled. We’re proud of the Fund’s commitment and diligence in ensuring that the distribution of royalties will reach tens of thousands of performers at a time when that financial security is needed more than ever,” said SAG-AFTRA’s Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
*** About 80,000 musicians comprise the American Federation of Musicians and SAG-AFTRA consists of 160,000 members
