Welcome, and thank you for your interest in  Musicians of Western Montana’s Local 498-642 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. All though we are based in Helena MT, we service the greater western part of Montana. The AFM is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. Local 498-642 represents many of the finest professional musicians in Montana.

AFM members, who number over 90,000, perform all styles of music—alternative rock, classical, pop, gospel, jazz, country, folk, rock, big band, reggae, contemporary Christian, etc.. With such active members as Bruce Springsteen, Roberta Flack, Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheila E, Suzanne Vega, The Goo Goo Dolls, Willie Nelson, and Branford Marsalis, there is a strong representation of major recording individuals and groups.

The AFM has been promoting and protecting professional musicians for over 110 years. Local 498-642 has been serving  the Western Montana area musicians since 1904 and continues to be an effective advocate for musicians’ rights in the workplace (be that a nightclub, a symphony stage, in a recording studio, or on tour). The AFM and Local 498-642 protect the recorded works musicians produce from being exploited, and protect our members live performances by providing several types of benefit programs that help them to build successful careers.

Members of Local 498-642 of the AFM are secure in knowing that their organization is actively lobbying to promote legislation and public awareness that protects musicians’ interests, negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the recording industry, motion picture industry, jingle industry, TV networks, National Public TV and Radio, and providing excellent wages and working conditions for its members.