Tennessee has appointed a new crop of music industry leaders, ready to make decisions that will support the state's artists.
On Sept. 16, Gov. Bill Lee, Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and the Tennessee Entertainment Commission announced the creation of the Tennessee Music Advisory Council (TMAC).
Its aim is to build and sustain a community-led music advocacy organization that "supports music professionals through economic opportunity, professional development, stronger networks and accessible spaces," according to a press release.
Meanwhile, TMAC also hopes to amplify specific regions' unique musical heritage through partnerships and tourism.
Here's what to know.
Who is on the new Tennessee Music Advisory Council?
Community leaders across seven regions were tapped for
the council.
Appointees include:
- Ben Silverman – Director, Pooley Public Strategies
- Casey Fox – Director of Impact & Development, Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville
- Ron Roach – Chair and Professor of Appalachian Studies, East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
- Ryan French – Executive Director and CEO, South Central Tennessee Tourism Association
- Stephanie Riley – Founder, B3 Creative Agency
- Dr. Stephen Marshall – Professor of Media and Communication, ETSU and CMO of the ETSU Research Corporation
- Elizabeth Cawein – Founder and Executive Director, Music Export Memphis
- Demarcus Suggs – Director of Creative & Cultural Economy, City of Memphis
- Jamie Kent – Founder, Backstage Strategies and The BAM Group
- Monica Kinsey – Deputy Administrator, Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (ACCE), City of Chattanooga
- Kessler Cuffman – Executive Director, Dynamo Studios
- Austin McCarley – Director of Operations and Employee Engagement, Visit Knoxville
What will TMAC do?
Council members are now completing a comprehensive Music Ecosystem Feasibility Study for their regions. The previous music ecosystem report in 2024 included data on how much local professionals earn, what types of jobs they have, what the demographics are in those sectors and what types of services and policies would be most relevant to address their needs. The report mentioned tax incentives, housing affordability, and grant opportunities, just to name a few topics.
Keeping that level of insight up to date is a crucial part of growing the local entertainment industry.
“Tennessee’s music and entertainment industry is booming,” said TEC Executive Director Bob Raines.
“As we continue to map out the next steps in the cultivation of this ecosystem, the TMAC represents some of the best and brightest minds we have across this state, and we look forward to supporting them every step of the way.”
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at agibbs@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's new Music Advisory Council will boost advocacy and tourism
