{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2024/8/issues/jobs-and-economy/senate-commerce-committee-passes-blackburn-hickenlooper-music-tourism-bill", "Senate Commerce Committee Passes Blackburn, Hickenlooper Music Tourism Bill", "2024-08-21", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "TN", "Marsha Blackburn", "B001243", "www.blackburn.senate.gov", "blackburn", "https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/news/cc8c80c1-d564-4bbb-93a4-f1d772346ae0", "scraper", "NASHVILLE, Tenn. \u2013 The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee passed the bipartisan American Music Tourism Act introduced by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors.\n\n\u201cTennesseans know a thing or two about the positive impact that music tourism has on the economy and culture,\u201d said Senator Blackburn. \u201cThe Volunteer State is proud to be home to so many iconic musical landmarks for tourists to enjoy \u2013 from Graceland in Memphis to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. This bipartisan legislation promotes music tourism\u2019s fast-growing industry and ensures fans from all over the world can celebrate the rich history of music for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cColoradans are back to filling big event spaces and enjoying good music. But it\u2019s up to us to support our local venues,\u201d said Senator Hickenlooper. \u201cOur bipartisan American Music Tourism Act is one step closer to doing so.\u201d\n\nENDORSEMENTS:\n\nThis legislation is supported by the Recording Academy, the Nashville Songwriter\u2019s Association International, the Recording Industry Association of America, Live Nation Entertainment, the National Independent Venue Association, Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Memphis Tourism, Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, the Overton Park Shell, Airbnb, and Eventbrite.\n\n\u201cThe Recording Academy is pleased to support the American Music Tourism Act and applauds Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper for their continued dedication to lifting up the music community. Music has long played an important role in our economy and culture. This bill will amplify the music community\u2019s contributions to economic growth and increase understanding of music\u2019s impact on the U.S. and the world,\u201d said Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy and Public Policy Officer of the Recording Academy.\n\n\u201cThe Nashville Songwriters Association International is glad to lend our support to the American Music Tourism Act. As owners of an iconic music venue, The Bluebird Caf\u00e9, we acutely understand the impact of music on tourism dollars. With the music tourism market expected to reach $11.3 billion in revenue by 2032, and since the United States is one of the main beneficiaries of music tourism, it is essential that the Commerce Department\u2019s Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism identify and promote musical sites of significance,\u201d said Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriter\u2019s Association International.\n\n\u201cFrom the historic Grand Ole Opry to the legendary Telluride Bluegrass Festival, America\u2019s music story comes alive at iconic venues and landmarks all across the country. We applaud Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper for introducing the American Music Tourism Act, which will encourage even more music fans to experience the rich legacy of American music firsthand,\u201d said Mitch Glazier, Chairman & CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America.\n\n\u201cIn Nashville, Memphis, and countless other communities across the country, a vibrant live music scene is an economic magnet that draws fans from around the globe. The American Music Tourism Act is an important piece of legislation that will help ensure live music remains a pillar of American culture and tourism, and we\u2019d like to thank the Senator for her leadership on this issue,\u201d said Sally Williams, President of Nashville Music and Business Strategy for Live Nation Entertainment.\n\n\u201cFrom rural communities to city centers, independent stages attract investment and visitors for the artists and professionals that put on shows and the restaurants, retail, and attractions around them. The American Music Tourism Act finally recognizes music tourism as a catalyst for economic development and ensures its growth is a national priority. We applaud Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper for aligning the nation\u2019s tourism strategy with the venues and festivals across our country that the world travels to experience,\u201d said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association.\n\n\u201cAs the proud home to world-renowned attractions like Graceland, Grand Ole Opry, Dollywood, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Tennessee's tourism industry thrives on our rich musical heritage. The American Music Tourism Act reflects our agency\u2019s dedication to preserving this legacy and bolstering our state\u2019s global music appeal. By championing our diverse creative talent and attractions, we believe this legislation can bolster economic growth and draw visitors seeking authentic American music experiences,\u201d said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.\n\n\u201cFor decades, Tennessee has maintained its reputation as a mecca for music tourism attracting both domestic and global audiences alike. Our State\u2019s uniquely positioned musical legacy has become a valuable tool in shaping cultural pride, economic growth, and community development across all grand divisions. The American Music Tourism Act promotes and supports our distinctive destinations and music heritage, preserving what makes Tennessee a truly exceptional place to visit,\u201d said Bob Raines, Executive Director of the Tennessee Entertainment Commission.\n\n\u201cMusic is Memphis\u2019 primary travel motivator, as it brings in both domestic and international visitors year-round. Visitors from around the world choose Memphis as a vacation destination for our live music, musical attractions, as well as to see and learn about our talented musicians of the past, present and future. Tourism is currently a 6-billion-dollar industry for Memphis and Shelby County. The American Music Tourism Act will allow for the preservation of all areas of our music industry and will be essential to the sustainability and future of tourism,\u201d said Kevin Kane, President and CEO of Memphis Tourism.\n\n\u201cMusic tourism is of vital importance to Tennessee, but specifically to Pigeon Forge. Last year, more than eight million people visited our destination, many of whom came in search of musical entertainment. In addition to a highly successfully musical theater community, we are especially proud that Dolly Parton, one of the world\u2019s most celebrated musicians and prolific songwriters, and her Dollywood theme park give so many visitors reasons to visit time and time again. The Commerce Department\u2019s Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism has a vital role in promoting and increasing tourism for both domestic and international visitors. On behalf of Pigeon Forge and other Tennessee destinations that rely on music-seeking visitors, I encourage the Assistant Secretary to expand these efforts through the American Music Tourism Act,\u201d said Leon Downey, Executive Director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.\n\n\u201cThe historic Overton Park Shell of Memphis, Tennessee is thrilled to lend our support to the American Music Tourism Act. As stewards of our iconic venue which was home to Elvis Presley's first live performance in 1954, The Overton Park Shell acutely understands the impact of music on tourism dollars. Amplifying the work of cultural assets will have a ripple effect to the economic impact that these entities bring to our Country and the legacy of American music known worldwide,\u201d said Natalie Wilson, Executive Director of the Overton Park Shell.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen firsthand how concerts have become a growing tourist attraction, driving travel demand to regions around the world. That\u2019s why we are proud to support the American Music Tourism Act, which helps promote domestic tourism in the US and amplifies the positive economic impact of Airbnb guests seeking music experiences across the country,\u201d said Mike Signer, North America Policy Director Airbnb.\n\n\u201cEventbrite applauds Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper for their American Music Tourism Act, bipartisan legislation consistent with Eventbrite\u2019s commitment to live music and mission to bring the world together through shared experiences,\u201d said Julia Hartz, Co-Founder, CEO, and Executive Chair Eventbrite.\n\nBACKGROUND:\n\nMusic tourism \u2013 both the act of visiting sites important to the history of American music culture and the act of traveling for current concerts and music festivals \u2013 is a vital industry for American culture and an economic driver for our communities.\n\nMusic tourism has emerged as a top travel trend, with the market forecasted to reach $11.3 billion in revenue by 2032.\n\nThe United States, which boasts one of world\u2019s largest music industries that generates over $43 billion in revenue each year, is one of the main beneficiaries of this international interest in music tourism.\n\nThe Commerce Department\u2019s Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism is uniquely positioned to identify and promote sites of musical significance.\n\nAMERICAN TOURISM ACT:\n\nSpecifically, the American Music Tourism Act would:\n\nLeverage this existing framework within the Department of Commerce to highlight and promote music tourism in the United States.\n\nRequire the Assistant Secretary to implement a plan to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors; and\n\nRequire a report to Congress on the successes and vulnerabilities of the Assistant Secretary\u2019s goals to increase travel and tourism.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2024/8/issues/jobs-and-economy/senate-commerce-committee-passes-blackburn-hickenlooper-music-tourism-bill"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2843958102166653, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}