Nashville Music Clubs Partner With National Independent Venue Association

The National Independent Venue Association launched last week, and already has more than 700 member venues in 47 states and Washington, D.C.  Eleven Nashville clubs have joined the association including 3rd and Lindsley, The 5 Spot, The Bluebird Cafe, the Cannery Ballroom, Mercy Lounge, The High Watt, The End, The East Room, Exit/In, Springwater and Third Man Records (home of The Blue Room).

These venues and promoters across the country are banding together to seek help from the federal government for small venues with the main goal being to secure immediate financial support from Congress. The group has received some financial support from ticketing companies Lyte and See Tickets, and is seeking additional sponsors. The organization is also serving as an opportunity for venue owners and promoters to communicate and share resources regarding immediate needs like navigating small business loan applications as well as longer-term goals.

“Independent venues and promoters have a unique set of circumstances that require specialized assistance, so we’ve banded together and secured a powerhouse lobbying firm,” said Gary Witt, CEO of Pabst Theater Group and founding member of NIVA. “Akin Gump has been tapped to represent us, and that telegraphs to Capitol Hill that our needs are serious. Most of us have gone from our best year ever to a dead stop in revenues, but our expenses and overhead are still real, and many will not make it without help. Our employees, the artists, and the fans need us to act. But we are also an important income generator for those around us, bringing revenue to area restaurants, bars, hotels, and retail shops. Our contributions to the tax base far exceed our ticket sales.”

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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