Tennessee Bill Creating Live Music Fund Heads to the Governor’s Desk

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A Tennessee bill that would create a live music fund for venues and artists heads to the governor’s desk for a signature after passing the Tennessee General Assembly.The Tennessee General Assembly has passed a bill to create a live music fund for musical artists and venues, and now it heads to Governor Bill Lee’s desk to await a signature. The bill provides a potential structure for a live music fund that will eventually provide grants to venues, promoters, and performers.

The fund will be administered by the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, an office under the Department of Economic and Community Development. While the bill does not actively allocate money to the funds for this fiscal year, it does state that the fund can receive donations and grants from both individual donors and the private sector.

The Music Venue Alliance Nashville, National Independent Venue Association, and Broadway Entertainment Association worked together to bring the bill before the Tennessee General Assembly. Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) carried identical companion bills, SB2508 and HB2712, respectively.“We are truly excited by the unanimous and bipartisan support for our independent venues,” said Chris Cobb, Board President of the Music Venue Alliance Nashville. “It has become increasingly difficult to own, operate, or grow an independent venue in today’s climate, and a fund like this will be a difference maker to ensure that independent venues across Tennessee not only survive, but thrive.”

The bill will potentially make Tennessee the second state to set up a live music fund, as Texas is currently the only state to utilize one. Texas provided over 650 micro grants to individual performers and creatives using a similar fund in 2023. Among those was the historic independent venue, The Hole in the Wall in Austin, with a grant that enabled the venue to secure a 20-year lease extension.