A committee tasked with looking at the economic impact of the state’s music industry and ways to measure, expand and promote the music economy statewide has been named and is ready to get to work. The committee, which was established by Senate Resolution 477, will be co-chaired by Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton) and State Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga).
“It is an honor to have been selected to co-chair this committee by Speaker Ralston and House leadership,” said Carpenter. “I look forward to evaluating the best ways to utilize Georgia’s world-renowned music history to impact tourism in our great state. Georgia is fortunate to have a story to tell and customers that are interested – we just need to be strategic in developing a game plan. As a lover of music, I can’t wait to soak it all in.”
The joint committee will also identify initiatives that foster integration with other creative industries, including film, digital media and gaming. It will also explore legislative solutions that support Georgia’s music tourism sector, musical tour and theatrical productions, as well as the Georgia Music Hall of Fame as an economic development tool.
SR 477 states that “Georgia has a rich, wide-ranging musical history that spans many genres and decades and has long been a hub for music heritage, creation, performance, and innovation.”
It points out that artists such as the Allman Brothers Band, James Brown, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Robert McDuffie, Johnny Mercer, Outkast, Otis Redding, Little Richard, TLC, Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, R.E.M. Usher, the B-52s, Young Jeezy, and many more, all hail from Georgia, as well as many producers, promoters, technicians, and others who “have entertained and given great pleasure to millions of people worldwide.”
SR 477 also states that since the music industry has made significant contributions to Georgia’s culture and economy, expanding the Georgia based music tourism industry “will lead to further significant contributions to the economy, job creation, and welfare of this state.”
The following House members were also appointed to serve on this joint study committee: State Representatives Ginny Ehrhart (R-Marietta), Spencer Frye (D-Athens), Leesa Hagan (R-Lyons), Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming), Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys), Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta) and Tyler Paul Smith (R-Bremen).
The Senate members joining Mullis on this committee are Sen. Gloria Butler (D- Stone Mountain). Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) Sen. Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), Sen. Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) and Sen. David Lucas (D-Macon).
“I am looking forward to help foster more of these industries in Georgia and compounding on what we already have,” Sharper said. “My key point is to work with the youth and give them positive opportunities through entertainment and keep their skill set within the state of Georgia.”
