THE WHAT

The Greater Nashville Music Census is a grassroots not for profit initiative organized to gain a better understanding of the current needs of the Nashville-area music community. The Census captures key information about our Nashville music economy to help the city and community make better informed, data-driven decisions to support our music ecosystem moving forward. As of March 1st 2024, the Census is officially live and open to participation. It will be live for three weeks, and during that time we are calling on anyone (18+) that identifies as being a part of the Nashville music industry/scene to participate. Share your voice today!

THE WHERE

The census is surveying the Greater Nashville region, which includes the 14 counties in and around and Nashville, featured in the adjacent graphic. As prices have soared in Nashville in recent years, many within our music industry have migrated to surrounding counties where the cost of living may remain more affordable. So we believe in order for this census to be truly reflective of our current ecosystem, we must survey the entire greater Nashville region.

Additionally, Nashville joins a cohort of 20+ cities nationwide conducting similar music census’. Being a part of this movement allows us to share data, best practices, and policy solutions that might not otherwise have been available. The data collection and admin (for all) will be handled by Sound Music Cities, a civic oriented music consulting firm.

THE WHO

The group of Lead Partners helping to make this Census possible include groups like: Community Foundation of Middle TN, Music Venue Alliance of Nashville, Visit Music City, CMA, AMA, and the TN Entertainment Commission. Beyond these lead partners, we have signed on over 100 Community Engagement Partners and Creative Connectors that represent every aspect of the Nashville music ecosystem and will be helping spread the word about the census. Interested in becoming a partner? Check out our Partners Page for the full list of organizations involved!

THE WHY

  • "The economic growth being fueled by our amazing music scene here in Nashville is also causing so many within the industry to be left behind. Our hope is to give each and every one of them a voice in this census, and come out of it with a clear path towards what solutions are needed most, and soonest.”

    -ERIC HOLT

    Asst. Prof. Music Business, Belmont

    Founder, Lovenoise

  • "In recent years, many within our music industry have migrated to surrounding counties where the cost of living may remain more affordable. So we feel it is paramount that we survey the full geographic region to truly understand the current landscape of our Nashville music ecosystem.”

    -KELLY WALBERG

    VP of Communications

    Community Foundation of Middle TN

  • “We know anecdotally what our current problems are, and we have great examples of solutions coming from peer cities. But historically, our industry hasn’t been very well organized when it comes to advocating for itself at the local level. So the bigger a coalition we can build through this census, the bigger the ideas we can tackle coming out of it.”

    -JAMIE KENT

    Singer/songwriter

    President, Backstage Strategies

  • Nashville has the most concentrated and diverse musician population in the world. People move here every day looking to become part of something bigger than themselves. Now more than ever, we need to be able to communicate, connect and find new ways to support that dream and this community. The Music Census is a perfect first step to do just that.

    -DAVE POMEROY

    President

    Nashville Musicians Assoc.

  • “The beauty of the Music Census is the true collaborative nature of it. Between other cities, between other studies, and between community organizations here in middle TN. We believe its going to be a perfect compliment to the data already collected, while filling a much needed gap in the big picture.

    -CHRIS COBB

    President, Music Venue Alliance Nashville

    Chapter President, NIVA TN

  • “The musical culture of Nashville needs nurturing in tandem with the city’s continued growth, and this is a good place to start. We’re excited to get a better understanding of who we are now and to have the data to thoughtfully affect where we are headed.”

    -LAUREN MORALES

    ACME FEED & SEED

    BROADWAY ENTERTAINMENT ASSOC.

  • “We are called Music City for a reason - no other city in the world can match our multi-genre talent, venues, and music business infrastructure. We are proud to join other community partners in the Music Census to better understand where there are opportunities to ensure we maintain the creative culture that built the Music City brand.”

    -DEANA IVEY

    President & CEO,

    Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp

  • The TN Entertainment Commission is proud to join this cohort of exceptional partners to support the Music Census, which is crucial as it will provide a comprehensive understanding of the local music scene, showcasing the diverse talents and genres present. The data will aid in the development of targeted initiatives and support systems for musicians, fostering a vibrant cultural landscape.

    -BOB RAINES

    Executive Director, TN Entertainment Commission

  • “Nashville breaks tourism records with a reported $9B brought in from visitor spending. How much of that was invested back to the hardworking Nashvillians that fuel the arts and entertainment industry that is a driving force behind our city thriving? NOT ENOUGH. This census will provide vital data needed to lead real change.”

    -MARCIA MASULLA

    Roar Nashville & Nashville Fashion Week

  • “In the last 10 years, the music scene in Nashville and the surrounding areas has seen rapid evolution and change. Particularly, in the diversity of genres that are now represented and rooted here. The communities around these genres tend to be fragmented, so the Greater Nashville Music Census will be the first major effort to paint a clear picture of our amazingly unique creative class.”

    -JOSH COLLUM

    Co-founder, The Other Nashville Society

  • "The explosive popularity and growth of the city and region over the past few years is the most dynamic I’ve lived through and the most impacting on the people who live in this area and work in our beloved industry. We need a better understanding of who we are and what the real-world challenges are. The census will be an incredible tool to provide actionable data that can be used to help support and grow the livelihoods and lives of industry participants across all economic strata."

    -DENNIS DISNEY

    Partner, Shrum Disney & Associates, PC

  • "It's so important to help the next group of writers, artists and musicians coming to town. We expect the Greater Nashville Music Census to help us continue as a supportive, vibrant, and growing community."

    -CARLA WALLACE & KERRY O’NEIL
    Co-Founders, Big Yellow Dog

  • "The Global Education Center is happy to participate in the Greater Nashville Music Census as we believe that world music has a unique and important place in the cultural fabric of our community."

    -ELLEN GILBERT
    Executive Director, Global Education Center

THE FAQS

  • Music community leaders here in Nashville and around the world have identified the importance of having measurable information about people who do music related work to provide them with better support. The results of this census will be made available to the thousands of music industry professionals, nonprofits, and government agencies in our area, as well as to the countless music patrons and consumers who are the lifeblood of our music ecosystem.

  • Yes. The census does not collect any personal identifiers or IP addresses. Any individual responses highlighted in the published results will be attributed as “Census Respondent.”

  • From 10-20 minutes, depending on your respondent category. (Creative, Venue owner, or Industry) and whether you type in lengthy comments. 13 minutes is the average time spent on the census.

  • Those working or students in the music industry in ANY capacity who are 18 years or older and living in the greater Nashville area.

  • You should participate in the census if you contribute any type of music-related work, with or without compensation, and you believe your skills and commitment are worthy of acknowledgment and support. This includes part-time work, rarely paid work or volunteer work, and work that is more administrative than creative.

  • To keep the data analysis manageable, we must limit the census to one entry per person, which means you must select one primary identity (creative, venue owner, or industry). That said, we know that most music people work in more than one area, so you will also have an opportunity within the census to provide info on work you do in other identity categories.

  • No. You can use a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Note that if you wish to leave and finish your response later, you will need to use the same device.

  • We will aim to release the results of the Greater Nashville Music Census in early summer 2024. There will be three reports: Summary Report, Data Deck and a DEI report.

NOW WHAT?