A new era begins January 1st for the local musicians union. Session bassist Dave Pomeroy won a three-year term for union president over the weekend.
Pomeroy ends Harold Bradley’s 18-year run as leader of the American Federation of Musicians Local 257. The 82-year-old Bradley comes from a prominent music family, instrumental in creating the “Nashville Sound.”
Pomeroy has been a member of the musician’s union for 30 years. Over that time, he says a growing number have begun to see the union as an anchor around the neck of the Nashville music industry.
“It’s time for my generation to step up and use our knowledge and our experience to guide the union into the future, or we run the risk of becoming obsolete.”
Pomeroy says he wants to make the union more relevant in an age of independent music. Membership has declined in recent years to roughly 2600. Pomeroy says the union could benefit hundreds of home studio producers who need legal representation on copyright infringement. Pomeroy also hopes to have a first-ever union scale established for internet recording as soon as he takes office.
Harold Bradley will remain in his position as vice president of AFM international.
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