Greater Nashville Music Census Deadline Extended

The deadline to complete the Greater Nashville Music Census, a survey for anyone working in the music industry, has been extended to April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

The census aims to capture key information about the Nashville music economy to help the city and community make informed, data-driven decisions to support the music business going forward. Since its launch on March 1, more than 2,500 industry professionals have contributed to its findings. Lead partners include Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), Music Venue Alliance of Nashville, Belmont University, Americana Music Association, Backstage Strategies, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC), Nashville Musicians Union (AFM Local 257), Tennessee Entertainment Commission and the Country Music Association (CMA).

“Our numbers have been steady since launch,” says Kelly Walberg, CFMT VP of Communications. “But we’re still low in a couple of key demographics, such as those aged 18-24, and we’re hoping with some additional time and outreach, we can capture those voices as well.”

Early findings have indicated that participation has been strongest among independent creatives (51%), followed by music industry professionals (35%) and venues (10%). However, the 18-24 demographic overall has only accounted for 6% of those participating.

“We know that our local colleges are putting out some the best and brightest young musicians and minds in the nation, but that the hustle and grind can often dominate bandwidth,” says Chris Cobb, Music Venue Alliance of Nashville President. “From TSU’s award-winning marching band to Belmont and MTSU’s stellar music business programs to Fisk University’s Jubilee Singers–the very reason Nashville is called Music City–we are confident the future of our city’s music ecosystem is already living here. We need to hear their voices, too.”

The Census Steering Committee also admits that, as Music City, they really want to break the record for most participants of any music census to date. Austin, Texas currently holds the record with approximately 4,000 surveys filled out in 2019.

“We have the highest concentration of musicians in the nation living here in greater Nashville,” notes Dave Pomeroy, Nashville Musicians Association President. “So we’re asking each and every one of them to take the census, spread the word, and help us set the bar for all other cities moving forward.”

The Census Steering Committee has created a Social Media Tool Kit and Communication Tool Kit available for anyone to download from the census website. Additionally, because the census will remain anonymous for all participants, the coalition has created a separate sign-up form on the website for those interested in participating in future advocacy initiatives that emerge from the census results.

For more information, click here.

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Liza Anderson

As Subscription Manager/Writer, Liza Anderson contributes to many functions of MusicRow. She produces content, carries out general office tasks, assists in the daily news operations, and provides support to all team members. Liza graduated from the University of Alabama in May of 2021 with a B.A. in English and a minor in communication studies. Prior to MusicRow, she worked as an administrative assistant at Anderson Benson where she assisted the firm’s departments, such as the Entertainment Specialty Practice, with various tasks.

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