The state will conduct an Upper Cumberland musical census in an attempt to improve the region’s music and entertainment industry.
Tennessee Entertainment Commission Director of Business Development Jimmy Wheeler said the census will look at regional assets and gather community feedback to determine what the region does well in music and what it can do better. Wheeler said the census will lay out a plan on how the Upper Cumberland can use the local music industry to boost its economy.
“Maybe the Upper Cumberland is in need of a larger venue,” Wheeler said. “Maybe, you know, maybe there is, you know, some kind of music advocacy program that needs to be in the Upper Cumberland for artists that maybe don’t have that same thing that maybe artists do in Nashville.”
Wheeler said many regions across the state are unique when it comes to the music industry, and the Upper Cumberland is no different. Wheeler said improving the local music industry in return could boost the region’s economy.
“I like to talk about the Smithville Jamboree that’s been around for over 50 years and draws tens of thousands of people every year,” Wheeler said. “It’s vital for the city of Smithville because every year it’s a big economic boom for them. We want to see that across the region.”
The census can be completed online at experiencetn.com. Wheeler said the state is encouraging the community to participate in the census.
“They do a music census that is open for anybody to take, whether you are in music, whether you play music, whether you are a fan of music, whether you own a record store, we want you take this census,” Wheeler said. “The more people that take it, the more accurate our data will be.”
Wheeler said there will be community roundtables in April, where the public can also provide community feedback. Wheeler said the exact dates have not been confirmed, but expects them to be confirmed soon.
Wheeler said the state has been working to put this census together for about two years. Wheeler said this is an exciting opportunity for the Upper Cumberland.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will lead the efforts.
