A bill to create a new statewide live music fund in Tennessee has passed the state Senate and House. He will now head to the Governor's office Bill Leewho is expected to sign it into law.
SB2508/HB2712 — consists of identical companion bills carried by the Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson and House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett — introduced as a partnership between the Music Venue Alliance Nashville, the National Independent Venue Association and the Broadway Entertainment Association. The bill creates the structure of a live music fund that will one day provide grants to live music and performance venues, promoters and performers.
The legislation also codifies elements of the live music industry for the first time, marking a fundamental step towards future support. The fund is established to be administered by the Tennessee Entertainment Commission under the Department of Economic and Community Development.
While the bill places no state money in the fund during this fiscal year, it does allow it to receive donations and grants from individuals and the private sector. The opportunity for government funds remains on the table for years to come. Stakeholders will also meet soon to assess revenue streams flowing into similar funds in other states and determine if there are opportunities that could be a good fit for Tennessee's fund.
“We are truly heartened by the unanimous and bipartisan support for our independent venues,” he said Chris Cobb, chairman of the board of Music Venue Alliance Nashville, in a statement. “It has become increasingly difficult to own, operate or develop an independent venue in today's climate, and a fund like this will make a difference in ensuring that independent venues across Tennessee not only survive, but thrive ».
“The Live Music & Performance Venue Fund creates a tremendous opportunity for us to protect and sustain Tennessee's live music industry for years to come,” he said. Bob Raines, executive director of the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, in a statement. “Independent venues and performers across the great state of Tennessee are the foundation of our complex and vibrant ecosystem, and we know their success is directly tied to the vibrancy and growth of our communities across the state.”
While Tennessee is only the second state in the nation to define a live music and performance venue in its state code, similar chapters have been created in cities and states across the United States. Texas provided over 650 micro-grants to individual creatives in 2023 through a similar fund and also provided a grant to historic Austin, Texas independent venue Hole in the Wall that allowed it to secure a 20-year lease extension.
“We salute Leader Johnson and Representative Garrett for their leadership and thank the entire Tennessee General Assembly for their unwavering support of independent venues, promoters and the entire live entertainment sector in Tennessee.” Steven Parker, the executive director of the National Independent Venue Association said in a statement. “Whether investments to strengthen the fund come from the live community, the private sector or government, we look forward to garnering support and growing this fund in the coming years to ensure the preservation of Tennessee's legendary live music economy.”
