Following Usher’s awe-inspiring Super Bowl Halftime Show, a Georgia lawmaker has introduced a bill that would create the Georgia Statewide Music Office.
Sponsored by State Representative Tyler Paul Smith, House Bill 549 would allow the Creative Arts and Entertainment Committee to appoint a statewide music advisory council. The council would feature music industry leaders, studio owners, and artists that would help to support and cultivate music artists in Georgia.
The goal of the bill is to “Encourage educational, creative, and professional music activities; attract outstanding musicians to this state through direct activities, such as sponsorship of music; and implement programs of publicity, education, and coordination; and protect, promote, and preserve the rich musical traditions of Georgia.”
During the meeting on Feb. 12, Smith mentioned Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. Usher made it a point to shine a light on Atlanta and its culture throughout the performance.
“That was the influence that Atlanta has had on me,” Usher shared during a press conference in Las Vegas attended by ADW days before the big game. “So much so that I collected everything that I experienced and I’ve benefited from in Atlanta. And I brought that culture to Las Vegas. And now to the rest of the world with the Super Bowl Halftime Show.”
House Bill 549 would also seek an increase of revenue from the music industry. When compared to Nashville, Georgia brings in $6 billion less annually when it comes to the music industry. Tennessee has made it a point to support its music industry by having a music office. Georgia does not have one.
Atlanta’s music scene has a major impact on the city and state’s economy. With a thriving music industry, multiple jobs are created.
According to Georgia Music Partners (GMP), in partnership with Fulton County, Fulton County’s music industry grew by 110% from 2001 to 2018 – six times the growth rate of Fulton County’s economy as a whole.
Recording studios have played a major role in helping the economy’s growth. The study reveals that Fulton County ranks sixth among U.S. counties with registered sound recording industry establishments, with 1.4% of the total recording industry establishments in the U.S.
Furthermore, one-third of Georgia’s music industry is located within Fulton County, with more than 130 recording studios, as well as rehearsal spaces, music performance venues, industry organizations and more.
Usher made sure that Atlanta culture was well-represented as over 200 million people watched the Super Bowl. He highlighted several aspects of the city’s culture that included skating, crunk music, HBCU bands and Divine 9 step shows, and popular Atlanta dances.
He also shared the overall vision of including Atlanta’s culture in his Super Bowl performance while receiving a star on the Black Music & Entertainment Walk Of Fame in Atlanta.
“We had a vision in Las Vegas,” Usher said. “Let’s just sit right here, let’s not give Jay [Z] no other options. And we set there until that moment happened. That wasn’t just for the celebration of what was happening in Las Vegas. That was celebrating the Atlanta culture if you saw my show. Every time I’m on stage, I represent the A. It was a very deliberate decision to stay there. Because I felt like the keys to that city, led to the recognition of this city for the rest of the world.”
“A-town forever down,” Usher continued. “The measure of success is not how much money you get or the accolades, it’s if you can celebrate with the people you started with. That’s true success. We’re going to make Atlanta everything that it is, that it was intended to be, and that it will continue to be throughout history. That’s when I was on the Super Bowl stage I said, ‘I turned the world to the A.”
With the passing of House Bill 549, more resources can be allocated to the creative community that will lead to more jobs and opportunities in the entertainment sector.
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