U.S. Music Cities That Are Not NYC or LA
New York City and Los Angeles are often top of mind when discussing the U.S. music industry. While they may currently be the biggest centers of operations for major labels, the U.S. has a wide array of storied music cities that are essential to get to know to fully understand the American music scene. From jazz to country to rock and roll, each city has a specialty that highlights its unique music culture. This guide gives you a rundown of what makes some of these cities so special, and why you should consider paying them a visit.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the first on our list of U.S. music cities, and for good reason. The local music industry reportedly has a $10 billion annual economic impact on the Nashville region. Known as the “Songwriting Capital of the World”, Nashville has long been the prime destination for aspiring songwriters, young and old. While also a popular spot for bluegrass, rock, pop, Americana, gospel, classical, and blues, at the heart of Nashville is country music. During the mid 1950’s staff at RCA Victor, Columbia Records and Decca Records spawned an offshoot of the mid-century country sound called the “Nashville Sound,” which is the same instrumentation and recording techniques that prevail in country radio today.
Today, Nashville functions as home for the recording and publishing divisions of all three major labels as well as a host of independent labels. Whether you’re trying to get involved with record labels big or small, or looking to be discovered by the U.S. music industry, Nashville is a great place to start for artists and songwriters alike. And what better way to do that than by playing at one of Nashville’s many venues? From historic auditoriums like the Ryman to cozy clubs like 3rd and Lindsley, there is a clear progression from the independent venues to the stadiums. Nashville is a great place to start in any facet of the industry, and especially beneficial for those with an affinity for country, folk, and pop.
Artists from Nashville: Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Kings of Leon, and Kelly Clarkson
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jazz. New Orleans is recognized universally as the birthplace of the genre, a phenomenon that would go on to sweep the world and effectively change the trajectory of both amateur and academic music in the 20th century and onwards. New Orleans is shaped by the genre, which has guided both its attitudes and culture ever since its birth. In addition to Jazz, Hip Hop has also found a home in the Crescent City, birthing legends like Lil Wayne and $uicideboy$. With their roots in Louisiana history, Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street have long been the go-to spots for New Orleans nightlife, hosting music clubs new and old. And every year the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in the U.S., featuring names like Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, and Demi Lovato, just to name a few.
While jazz music will always be New Orleans’s claim to fame, the city is evolving and embracing the culture of a new generation. As of 2022, the new head of the Mayor’s Office of Nighttime Economy is Howie Kaplan, a music industry professional who has managed a music venue in addition to several bands. He is looking to not only revamp the clubs that are the core of the music scene and New Orleans economy, but bring in additional music related businesses (e.g. Management, Agencies) to re-establish New Orleans as a center for the industry. This city is certainly one to keep an eye on in the coming years.
Artists from New Orleans: Louis Armstrong, Lil Wayne, $uicideboy$, Fats Domino, and Jon Batiste
Atlanta, Georgia
Not very long ago, Atlanta was hardly in the conversation when talking about U.S. music cities. But with the explosion of Hip Hop, and a very talented collective of artists, Atlanta has effectively been put on the map. With the rise of Outkast and Goodie Mob in the mid-90s, a new type of hip hop nicknamed the “Dirty South'' after the region it came from was birthed. At the same time, R&B and Soul were beginning to see mainstream popularity, and it was Atlanta artists that led the charge. It would also be a travesty not to mention Altanta’s history of Gospel music, which has simultaneously shaped and been shaped by the other genres in the area. The success of LaFace Records and So So Def Records (now owned by Sony), in the late 90s, made sure that Atlanta was taken seriously as a music industry powerhouse. The tradition of talent has continued into the 21st century as the Dirty South sound changes and evolves.
Like New Orleans, Atlanta is still growing and developing its music scene and function as a music city. The music is there and yet the industry at large has yet to follow. But with the attention gained from the numerous rap stars it has produced, and even the titular TV show produced by the city’s own Donald Glover, it is likely to become a focus for the majors in the coming years. Atlanta is the perfect place for music business entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on a gold mine of talent.
Artists from Atlanta: 21 Savage, Outkast, Childish Gambino, TLC, and Janelle Monae
Austin, Texas
Austin is another city on this list that is responsible for the creation of its own unique country sound. The fusion of country and rock music pioneered by Willie Nelson in 70s era Austin venues led to the development of what is now called the “Austin sound”. Around the mid-80’s (sources are still unsure), Austin was nicknamed the “Live Music Capital of the World”. While this nickname may have been an arbitrary title given by the chamber of commerce to drive tourism, the city still deserves the title; housing more than 250 music venues. Popular venues include the Continental Club, Antone's Nightclub, and Stubb's BBQ. In addition, Austin is the home of South by Southwest (SXSW), a week-long festival dedicated to networking, parties, and musical performances, visited by people from around the world every year.
With SXSW well on its way to be one of the biggest global festivals, generating an economic impact of over $200 million dollars in 2022. This number is expected to grow in the following years, and is just one of the ways that Austin is establishing itself as a core of the modern music industry. In addition, the city government of Austin is looking to create new incentives for live music venues that include subsidies and specific benefits. These benefits will continue to grow Austin’s live music scene, and make it a must visit for any U.S. tour.
Artists from Austin: Janis Joplin, Spoon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson, and Gary Clark Jr.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis may very well be one of the most important cities for music culture in the US. Throughout the 20th century, Memphis was a host for the creation of genres that would go on to shape western music. It was Beale Street in the heart of Memphis where blues musicians like W.C. Handy developed their sound. It was the Memphis recording studio, Sun Studio, that birthed international music legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Stax Records, the legendary record label that pushed soul into the limelight, was born in Memphis and still resides there today. The city has had a profound impact on music itself, and its legacy continues well into the 21st century.
In recent years, Memphis has struggled to live up to its massive legacy. But with the history practically seeping into the ground, the city is primed for a revival. Like New Orleans, Memphis is looking to continue its legacy through government-run incentive programs, such as the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission. And Beale Street is still thriving today as a center of live music and nightlife. With a very promising future and an iconic past, Memphis is certainly worth a visit on your next tour of the U.S.
Artists from Memphis: Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Justin Timberlake, Johnny Cash, and Three 6 Mafia
Sources:
https://www.nashville.gov/departments/mayor/economic-opportunity/music-industry
https://www.visitmusiccity.com/explore-nashville/music/story-music-city
https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/music/history-and-traditions/
https://wearememphis.com/play/culture/brief-history-memphis-music