Grand Rapids Fed of Musicians

06/09/2025

Check this out, it might ring a bell.
Kevin Murphy -V.P.
GRFM Local 56

Join veterans and allies in Washington, D.C. on June 6 to defend the VA, protect our benefits, and carry forward the legacy of the Bonus Army.

12/31/2024

As we head into the holiday season, we’re so grateful for our postal workers and letter carriers who make sure our gifts, holiday cards, and letters make it to our loved ones. Thank you for all that you do!

07/01/2024

Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 56
MEMBERSHIP MEETING - TUESDAY, JULY 9th, 4:30 - 7:30pm
CHICAGO BEEF JOINT https://www.cbjgr.com
822 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids MI 49503
OPEN TO ALL MUSICIANS - topics include:
Managing Finances for Musicians, Musicians & Taxes, Rebuilding the GRFM Website
DETAILS:
(5 PM) Rebuilding our Local 56 website
- GRS Percussionist Jack Latta
(6 PM) Managing Finances for Musicians
- Financial Consultant MarShon Peoples:
(7 PM) Musicians and Their Taxes
- Dianna Cutts, Owner/Vision Business Group:
Open to anyone who would benefit from the presentations and to learn about AFM membership!

07/01/2024

HAPPY JULY 4th to FAMILY and FRIENDS.
LET’S TAKE THE TIME OUT TO HONOR OUR VETERANS AND MILITARY COMMUNITIES FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
TO ALL VETERANS, CURRENT SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES – THANK YOU.

06/27/2024

This week SXSW quietly made another incremental update to their paltry and optional artist compensation policy while vaguely stating that they will not include military or defense contractors as sponsors or presenters in 2025. Congratulations are due to all musicians who mobilized around these issues for this modest win. A fairly negotiated compensation model that includes festival access has yet to surface. Organizing ourselves and our musician colleagues is, as ever, the only way to build the power needed to bring about the changes musicians need.

06/14/2024

Perfect way to end GR Festival of the Arts 2024? A performance by HarkUp, led by Chris Hansen, at Calder Stage!

06/13/2024

Saturday afternoon at GR Festival of the Arts on Clocktower Stage featured Beer City Saxes, with Local 56 members (left to right) Joe Oprea, Steve Talaga, Fred Knapp, Gary McCourry, Mike Lutley, Jim Hayward, and Greg Marsden.

06/12/2024

Grand Rapids Festival 2024 opened last Friday at noon with a performance on City Stage by FANTAT (left to right Thion Charity, Tim Hiler, Nick Hiler, and Herman Marshall).

06/12/2024

From DiSuvero Stage, members of Crossroads Resurrection performed on Sunday afternoon at Grand Rapids Festival 2024. Left to right: Charles Johnson, Jeff Fernandez, Ed Lester, and Dave Allemang (who also celebrated a birthday that day!).

06/11/2024

Last weekend’s Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids, MI featured many Local 56 members, thanks to the Music Performance Trust Fund. This week we will be featuring photos of our musicians doing what they do best! Shown here is the band Krystal Kleer.