Message from the Vice President

My Dear Brothers and Sisters – that always kinda bugged me when union leaders would say that. But today I say it deliberately, and with purpose. I count each one of you as family.

On July 24, I called the Nashville Board of Directors to order as president … for the last time. After 20 years serving as president of this local, I have stepped down.

It has been an amazing run, and I am deeply grateful and humbled by your trust in me.

The other day I realized that when I was first elected to office, I was the age my daughter is now. That freaked me out. But what really struck me is how much we’ve accomplished, and how much we’ve grown in the past two decades.

• When I picked up the gavel in 1993, our staff included Dot Felts, Dee Bowers and Kay Edwards, with Randy Himes as the local director.
• The AFTRA Performers Relief Fund. We established this local fund, which is generated by and for local members in need.
• Block Party was launched in 1990, and AFTRA quickly became known in the music community for that gathering: a blocked-off alley, a flatbed stage and music that could be heard for miles, serving as a musical “thank you” to the labels by newly signed union artists. The performers who have appeared on the Block Party stage through the years have gone on to have major careers in the music industry.
• AFTRA Golf Tournaments — these were lots of work and incredibly fun, with members, friends and celebs participating at all levels. All proceeds went to the Performer’s Relief Fund.
• AFTRA First Tuesday Singer’s Showcase was born during this time. When we launched it, we had a show every “First Tuesday” at the Bluebird. After the first couple of years, we asked producers to pick some of the best performances and produced a CD. The profits from the CD sales also went to the Performers Relief Fund
• The Holiday Caroling Event, which was launched about 1990, continues to grow in size and popularity … both with the singers and the Nashville community. This past December, we had more than 60 union members participating. For many, it literally launches the spirit of the season.

I could write all day, and it would still be impossible to mention all the significant events, people and things in the past two decades. But I can’t close without mentioning our incredible staff: Dee Bowers, Josh Reese and Judy Marie Ellis. Randy’s still running the show and the word “national” has been added to his title. You guys all know this, but the word “staff” feels wrong when speaking about this group of amazing people. They really are like family, and we are the luckiest members in the country to have them on the front lines for us every day.

If you asked me to name one thing, one driving force that kept me going even when those closest to me would tell me I’d lost my marbles for doing all this union work, I’d name this: I was the advocate for the dreamers — and that’s exactly what I intended to be. I was your fierce defender, the one who stood ready to whisper in your ear or shout from the rooftops, “You can do it!” And you still can.

Even though I no longer carry the title of president, my feelings and my passion for your talents, your dreams and your freedom to chase them have not changed. And they never will.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

God bless,
Cece DuBois