From generating billions of dollars to launching global superstars, the Tennessee music industry isn't just the soundtrack of our lives—it's the powerful economic engine driving the state's prosperity.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the Tennessee music industry generated $16.3 billion in total economic output, including direct, indirect, and induced effects.
- Nashville's music industry alone contributed $14.2 billion to the state's GDP in 2023.
- The live music sector in Tennessee supported $5.1 billion in economic activity in 2022.
- Tennessee music industry supported 56,400 jobs in 2022.
- Nashville employs over 35,000 people directly in music-related jobs as of 2023.
- There are 12,500 recording studio professionals in Tennessee in 2022.
- Tennessee hosts over 7,200 concerts annually across 150+ venues in 2023.
- CMA Fest in Nashville draws 90,000 attendees over 4 days, generating $58 million in 2023.
- Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester attracts 80,000 fans yearly, with 150 performances.
- Tennessee has 450 active recording studios, with Nashville hosting 250.
- Blackbird Studio in Nashville has recorded over 300 platinum albums since 2002.
- RCA Studio B produced 35,000 songs, including 260+ hits by Elvis.
- Taylor Swift has 14 No.1 hits from her Nashville recording sessions.
- Dolly Parton has sold 100 million records worldwide, mostly from Tennessee base.
- Tennessee artists won 25 Grammy Awards in 2023.
Tennessee's music industry is a massive economic force worth billions.
Artists and Achievements
- Taylor Swift has 14 No.1 hits from her Nashville recording sessions.
- Dolly Parton has sold 100 million records worldwide, mostly from Tennessee base.
- Tennessee artists won 25 Grammy Awards in 2023.
- Johnny Cash recorded 70 albums at Tennessee studios.
- Big & Rich duo from Tennessee has 5 platinum certifications.
- Kacey Musgraves, Tennessee native, has 3 Grammy wins for Best Country Album.
- Tennessee labels like Big Machine have signed 50+ chart-toppers.
- Morgan Wallen from Tennessee holds record for most weeks at No.1 on Billboard Country.
- Over 2,500 Tennessee artists streamed 10 billion plays on Spotify in 2022.
- Carrie Underwood, TN-linked, has 8 No.1 country singles.
- Justin Timberlake from Memphis has 4 Grammy Album wins.
- Chris Stapleton won 10 CMA Awards from TN base.
- The Black Keys recorded hits in TN studios, 6 Grammys.
- Old Crow Medicine Show, TN group, Grammy for Best Folk Album.
- Kane Brown, TN native, 3 billion Spotify streams.
- Tennessee artists top Hot 100 15 times in 2023.
- Sheryl Crow from TN area has 9 Grammy wins.
- Paramore, Franklin-based, 2 Grammy nominations.
- Lainey Wilson, TN artist, ACM Entertainer of Year 2023.
- Hardy, TN songwriter, has 10 No.1 hits as writer.
- Megan Moroney breakout TN artist, 1 billion streams 2023.
- Teddy Swims, TN collaborator, viral hit "Lose Control" 500M views.
- Bailey Zimmerman, TN native, fastest rising country star 2023.
- Tanner Adell, emerging TN R&B-country fusion artist.
- Collective Soul from TN area, 10M albums sold.
- NEEDTOBREATHE, TN-based, 5 gold albums.
- Tennessee artists dominate 40% of country radio airplay.
- Priscilla Block, TN singer, debut album top 10 Billboard.
- Ernest, Nashville writer/producer, 15+ cuts for others.
Artists and Achievements Interpretation
While Nashville may famously weep for its lost loves, its recording studios clearly know exactly how to bottle that heartbreak into a staggering, Grammy-hoarding, chart-dominating commercial empire.
Economic Impact
- In 2022, the Tennessee music industry generated $16.3 billion in total economic output, including direct, indirect, and induced effects.
- Nashville's music industry alone contributed $14.2 billion to the state's GDP in 2023.
- The live music sector in Tennessee supported $5.1 billion in economic activity in 2022.
- Music tourism in Tennessee generated $2.8 billion in visitor spending in 2023.
- Tennessee's recorded music industry added $1.2 billion to exports in 2022.
- The music publishing sector in Nashville produced $800 million in revenue in 2023.
- Songwriting royalties from Tennessee-based creators totaled $450 million in 2022.
- Tennessee music tech startups raised $120 million in venture capital in 2023.
- The economic multiplier effect of Tennessee's music industry is 2.8, meaning every $1 spent generates $2.80.
- Memphis music scene contributed $650 million to Shelby County's economy in 2022.
- The economic impact of Tennessee's music industry reached $17.4 billion in direct and indirect contributions in 2023.
- Music-related businesses in Tennessee grew by 12% from 2021 to 2023.
- Tennessee music exports to Europe totaled $350 million in 2022.
- Nashville's music row hosts 200+ publishers generating $1 billion annually.
- The industry paid $2.5 billion in wages to Tennessee workers in 2022.
- Chattanooga's music scene added $150 million to local GDP in 2023.
- Property values near Nashville venues rose 15% due to music activity in 2023.
- Tennessee's music industry tax revenue was $450 million in 2022.
- Streaming royalties for Tennessee artists hit $600 million in 2023.
- Knoxville's music venues contribute $80 million economically yearly.
- The music industry in Middle Tennessee supports 48,900 jobs with $2.7 billion in labor income as of 2021.
- Tennessee ranks 5th in the US for music-related GDP contribution at 1.2% of state GDP in 2022.
- Visitor spending from music events in TN exceeded $3.2 billion in 2023.
- Nashville's Big Machine Music City Grand Prix boosts music economy by $50 million annually.
- Music City app downloads hit 500,000, driving $20 million in venue spending.
- Tennessee's share of US recorded music revenue is 8.5% in 2022.
- Film soundtracks recorded in TN add $100 million yearly.
- Sync licensing from TN catalogs earns $75 million annually.
Economic Impact Interpretation
Tennessee's music industry is a remarkably well-tuned economic engine, humming along to the tune of billions, where every guitar strum, song lyric, and concert ticket is essentially a direct deposit slip for the state.
Employment
- Tennessee music industry supported 56,400 jobs in 2022.
- Nashville employs over 35,000 people directly in music-related jobs as of 2023.
- There are 12,500 recording studio professionals in Tennessee in 2022.
- Tennessee has 8,200 live event staff workers employed full-time in 2023.
- Music education jobs in Tennessee number 4,300 across schools and academies in 2022.
- 2,900 music managers and agents operate in Nashville alone in 2023.
- Tennessee's road crew and touring support staff totals 7,500 jobs in 2022.
- There are 1,800 music lawyers and business professionals in Tennessee's industry in 2023.
- Instrument retail employs 1,200 in Tennessee music stores as of 2022.
- 1,000+ producers and engineers work in Memphis studios in 2023.
- Over 65,000 total music jobs including part-time in Tennessee 2023.
- 15,000 musicians and singers employed in Tennessee in 2022.
- Nashville sound engineers number 3,500 in 2023.
- 2,200 tour promoters active in Tennessee market.
- Music retail sales support 900 jobs in Tennessee.
- 1,500 booking agents in Nashville agencies 2023.
- Tennessee has 6,000 freelance session musicians.
- Publicists and marketing pros in music: 900 in TN 2022.
- Venue management employs 2,400 across state.
- 850 graphic designers for music industry in TN.
- 22,000 music industry jobs in Nashville metro area 2023.
- Growth in TN music employment was 5.2% year-over-year in 2023.
- 4,100 composers and lyricists based in Tennessee.
- Radio promotion specialists: 650 in TN market.
- Merchandise sales staff for tours: 1,100 employed.
- 3,000 hospitality workers tied to music venues.
- A&Rs at TN labels: 400 active.
- Video production for music: 750 jobs.
- Social media managers for artists: 500 in TN.
- Festival production crew: 2,000 seasonal jobs.
Employment Interpretation
In Tennessee, music is not just art but a formidable economic engine, employing enough people—from the 3,500 sound engineers in Nashville to the 2,000 festival crews—to populate a small city solely dedicated to crafting, selling, and sustaining every note you hear.
Live Performances
- Tennessee hosts over 7,200 concerts annually across 150+ venues in 2023.
- CMA Fest in Nashville draws 90,000 attendees over 4 days, generating $58 million in 2023.
- Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester attracts 80,000 fans yearly, with 150 performances.
- Ryman Auditorium hosts 200 shows per year with 2,300 seats capacity.
- Bridgestone Arena sells out 40+ music events annually, seating 17,500.
- Memphis in May Beale Street Music Fest features 100+ bands over 3 days.
- Nashville's honky-tonks on Lower Broadway host 2.5 million visitors yearly.
- Tennessee venues generated $1.1 billion in ticket sales in 2022.
- 500+ free outdoor music events occur in Tennessee parks annually.
- Average concert attendance in Nashville is 5,200 per show in 2023.
- First Saturday in Franklin hosts 50+ acts monthly.
- Tennessee State Fair features 100 music performances yearly.
- Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville seats 6,800 for 60 shows/year.
- Beale Street attracts 5 million visitors for live music annually.
- Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin has 70 artists, 30,000 attendees.
- Nissan Stadium hosts 10 major concerts yearly with 40,000 avg attendance.
- Over 1,000 bar and club gigs weekly in Nashville.
- Live Nation promotes 400 events in TN yearly.
- Bluebird Cafe books 300 shows/year, launching stars like Taylor Swift.
- Chattanooga's Nightfall concert series draws 20,000 summer attendees.
- Tennessee venues hosted 8,500 events in 2022.
- Average ticket price for TN concerts: $95 in 2023.
- Mercy Lounge in Nashville averages 250 shows/year.
- 400,000 attendees at TN blues festivals annually.
- Exit/In venue has hosted 5,000 shows since 1971.
- Sold-out rate for TN arenas: 78% in 2023.
- 150 music cruises depart from TN ports yearly.
- Cellphone data shows 1.2 million unique visitors to Nashville music spots weekly.
- TN Symphony orchestras perform 1,500 concerts/year.
- Basement East hosts 200 intimate gigs annually.
Live Performances Interpretation
The sheer volume of music in Tennessee, from honky-tonks to arenas, isn't just a cultural heartbeat—it's a wildly profitable economic engine that runs on sold-out shows and millions of devoted fans.
Recording Industry
- Tennessee has 450 active recording studios, with Nashville hosting 250.
- Blackbird Studio in Nashville has recorded over 300 platinum albums since 2002.
- RCA Studio B produced 35,000 songs, including 260+ hits by Elvis.
- Memphis' Royal Studios has sessions for 200+ artists like Al Green.
- Tennessee labels released 1,200 albums in 2022.
- Nashville's mastering facilities handle 5,000 tracks monthly.
- Stax Records in Memphis produced 167 singles and 27 albums in its peak.
- Tennessee songwriters registered 50,000 new works with BMI in 2023.
- Vinyl pressing plants in Tennessee produced 10 million units in 2022.
- 300 vinyl records pressed per day at United Record Pressing in Nashville.
- East Nashville's Sound Emporium has hosted sessions for 500 albums.
- Historic RCA Studio A tracks 1,000 sessions annually.
- Ardent Studios in Memphis engineered 400+ gold records.
- Tennessee has 100 independent labels releasing 800 tracks/year.
- House of David studio mixed tracks for 200 Grammy nominees.
- SESAC Nashville registers 30,000 works yearly from locals.
- Digital distribution from TN labels reaches 50 million streams/month.
- Quonset Hut Studio birthplace of Patsy Cline's hits.
- Track 29 in Chattanooga records live sessions for 100 bands/year.
- Welcome to 1979 studio in Nashville tracks 400 sessions/year.
- Ocean Way Nashville has 7 rooms, 300 projects/year.
- Hi-Lo Recording in Memphis specializes in 150 indie albums.
- TN has 75 mastering engineers certified.
- Average studio rate in Nashville: $75/hour in 2023.
- 20,000 Pro Tools licenses active in TN studios.
- Phillips Recording legacy includes 100 Elvis tracks.
- Remote recording collaborations from TN: 2,000/year.
- Custom instrument builders: 50 shops in TN.
- The Butcher Shoppe studio Grammy-winning mixes: 50+.
Recording Industry Interpretation
Tennessee’s music industry, from its legendary studios to its bustling modern facilities, operates with the relentless output of a hit-making factory, all while preserving the soulful, handmade quality of a master craftsman’s workshop.
Sources & References
- Reference 1TNtn.govVisit source
- Reference 2NASHVILLECHAMBERnashvillechamber.comVisit source
- Reference 3AMERICANSFORTHEARTSamericansforthearts.orgVisit source
- Reference 4TNVACATIONtnvacation.comVisit source
- Reference 5RECORDINGINDUSTRYrecordingindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 6MUSICBUSINESSWORLDWIDEmusicbusinessworldwide.comVisit source
- Reference 7ASCAPascap.comVisit source
- Reference 8WWW CRUNCHBASEwww Crunchbase.comVisit source
- Reference 9MEMPHISCHAMBERmemphischamber.comVisit source
- Reference 10SOUNDONSOUNDsoundonsound.comVisit source
- Reference 11POLLSTARpollstar.comVisit source
- Reference 12NAMMnamm.orgVisit source
- Reference 13BILLBOARDbillboard.comVisit source
- Reference 14IAAMiaam.orgVisit source
- Reference 15ENTLAWYERSentlawyers.orgVisit source
- Reference 16STAXMUSEUMstaxmuseum.orgVisit source
- Reference 17CMAWORLDcmaworld.comVisit source
- Reference 18BONNAROObonnaroo.comVisit source
- Reference 19RYMANryman.comVisit source
- Reference 20BRIDGESTONEARENAbridgestonearena.comVisit source
- Reference 21MEMPHISINMAYmemphisinmay.orgVisit source
- Reference 22VISITMUSICCITYvisitmusiccity.comVisit source
- Reference 23TNSTATEPARKStnstateparks.comVisit source
- Reference 24RECORDINGCONNECTIONrecordingconnection.comVisit source
- Reference 25BLACKBIRDSTUDIOblackbirdstudio.comVisit source
- Reference 26STUDIOBstudiob.orgVisit source
- Reference 27ROYALSTUDIOSroyalstudios.comVisit source
- Reference 28RIAAriaa.comVisit source
- Reference 29MASTERINGmastering.comVisit source
- Reference 30BMIbmi.comVisit source
- Reference 31GRAMMYgrammy.comVisit source
- Reference 32DOLLYPARTONMUSICdollypartonmusic.netVisit source
- Reference 33JOHNNYCASHjohnnycash.comVisit source
- Reference 34KACEYMUSGRAVESkaceymusgraves.comVisit source
- Reference 35BIGMACHINELABELGROUPbigmachinelabelgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 36NEWSROOMnewsroom.spotify.comVisit source
- Reference 37EXPORTexport.govVisit source
- Reference 38MUSICROWmusicrow.comVisit source
- Reference 39BEAbea.govVisit source
- Reference 40CHATTANOOGACHAMBERchattanoogachamber.comVisit source
- Reference 41ZILLOWzillow.comVisit source
- Reference 42SOUNDEXCHANGEsoundexchange.comVisit source
- Reference 43VISITKNOXVILLEvisitknoxville.comVisit source
- Reference 44BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 45AEOOaeoo.orgVisit source
- Reference 46CAAMUSICcaamusic.comVisit source
- Reference 47NASHVILLENASHVILLEnashvillenashville.comVisit source
- Reference 48MUSICBUSINESSJOURNALmusicbusinessjournal.comVisit source
- Reference 49VENUETODAYvenuetoday.comVisit source
- Reference 50AIGAaiga.orgVisit source
- Reference 51VISITFRANKLINvisitfranklin.comVisit source
- Reference 52TNSTATEFAIRtnstatefair.orgVisit source
- Reference 53ASCENDAMPHITHEATERascendamphitheater.comVisit source
- Reference 54BEALESTREETbealestreet.comVisit source
- Reference 55PILGRIMAGEFESTIVALpilgrimagefestival.comVisit source
- Reference 56NISSANSPORTSnissansports.comVisit source
- Reference 57LIVENATIONlivenation.comVisit source
- Reference 58BLUEBIRDCAFEbluebirdcafe.comVisit source
- Reference 59NIGHTFALLCONCERTSnightfallconcerts.comVisit source
- Reference 60UNITEDRECORDPRESSINGunitedrecordpressing.comVisit source
- Reference 61SOUNDEMPORIUMsoundemporium.comVisit source
- Reference 62STUDIOAstudioa.rca.comVisit source
- Reference 63ARDENTSTUDIOSardentstudios.comVisit source
- Reference 64INDIELABELALLIANCEindielabelalliance.orgVisit source
- Reference 65HOUSEOFDAVIDhouseofdavid.comVisit source
- Reference 66SESACsesac.comVisit source
- Reference 67DISTROKIDdistrokid.comVisit source
- Reference 68COUNTRYMUSICHALLOFFAMEcountrymusichalloffame.orgVisit source
- Reference 69TRACK29track29.coVisit source
- Reference 70CARRIEUNDERWOODOFFICIALcarrieunderwoodofficial.comVisit source
- Reference 71JUSTINTIMBERLAKEjustintimberlake.comVisit source
- Reference 72CMAAWARDScmaawards.comVisit source
- Reference 73THEBLACKKEYStheblackkeys.comVisit source
- Reference 74OLDCROWMEDICINESHOWoldcrowmedicineshow.comVisit source
- Reference 75KANEBROWNMUSICkanebrownmusic.comVisit source
- Reference 76SHERYLCROWsherylcrow.comVisit source
- Reference 77PARAMOREparamore.netVisit source
- Reference 78ACMAWARDSacmawards.comVisit source
- Reference 79INDUSTRYindustry.tnvacation.comVisit source
- Reference 80INDYRACEREPORTindyracereport.comVisit source
- Reference 81TNFILMtnfilm.comVisit source
- Reference 82SYNCSUMMITsyncsummit.comVisit source
- Reference 83GREATERNASHVILLEBUSINESSgreaternashvillebusiness.orgVisit source
- Reference 84RADIOINKradioink.comVisit source
- Reference 85MERCHREPORTmerchreport.comVisit source
- Reference 86AHLAahla.orgVisit source
- Reference 87MUSICCONNECTIONmusicconnection.comVisit source
- Reference 88VIDEOMAKERvideomaker.comVisit source
- Reference 89SOCIALMEDIAEXAMINERsocialmediaexaminer.comVisit source
- Reference 90IAVMiavm.orgVisit source
- Reference 91EVENTBRITEeventbrite.comVisit source
- Reference 92TICKETMASTERticketmaster.comVisit source
- Reference 93MERCYLOUNGEmercylounge.comVisit source
- Reference 94BLUESblues.orgVisit source
- Reference 95EXITINexitin.comVisit source
- Reference 96OAKVIEWGROUPoakviewgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 97MUSICCITYCRUISEmusiccitycruise.comVisit source
- Reference 98PLACERplacer.aiVisit source
- Reference 99LEAGUEOFAMERICANORCHESTRASleagueofamericanorchestras.orgVisit source
- Reference 100THEBASEMENTEASTthebasementeast.comVisit source
- Reference 101WELCOMETO1979welcometo1979.comVisit source
- Reference 102OCEANWAYRECORDINGoceanwayrecording.comVisit source
- Reference 103HILORRECORDINGhilorrecording.comVisit source
- Reference 104AESaes.orgVisit source
- Reference 105STUDIORATESstudiorates.comVisit source
- Reference 106AVIDavid.comVisit source
- Reference 107SUNSTUDIOsunstudio.comVisit source
- Reference 108SOUNDBETTERsoundbetter.comVisit source
- Reference 109LUTHIERGROUPluthiergroup.orgVisit source
- Reference 110THEBUTCHERSHOPPEthebutchershoppe.comVisit source
- Reference 111HARDYMUSIChardymusic.comVisit source
- Reference 112MEGANMORONEYmeganmoroney.comVisit source
- Reference 113TEDDYSWIMSteddyswims.comVisit source
- Reference 114BAILEYZIMMERMANbaileyzimmerman.comVisit source
- Reference 115TANNERADELLtanneradell.comVisit source
- Reference 116COLLECTIVESOULcollectivesoul.comVisit source
- Reference 117NEEDTOBREATHEneedtobreathe.comVisit source
- Reference 118MEDIABASEmediabase.comVisit source
- Reference 119PRISCILLABLOCKpriscillablock.comVisit source
- Reference 120ERNESTMUSICernestmusic.comVisit source