OUR HISTORY

The Music Performance Fund (originally called the Music Performance Trust Funds of the Recording Industry) had it origins in 1948. To address the problem of technological change - specifically the 12 inch long-playing record - that cost tens of thousands of musicians their jobs, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the Recording Industry created the Fund as a means of settling a long and crippling strike.

Under the terms of their agreement, the recording companies agreed to pay a small royalty from the sale of sound recordings to the newly created non-profit fund, which was dedicated to the public interest. The Fund was - and continues to be - administered by an independent Trustee, who is independent of both the recording industry and the AFM. The current Trustee is John C. Hall, Jr. Mr. Hall holds degrees in music and has an extensive background in administration and labor relations.

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