New ‘50 States of Music’ Website Shows Economic & Cultural Impact of Recording Artists & Songwriters
BMI is proud to partner with the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), ASCAP, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and SoundExchange in a new interactive web experience called 50 States of Music. Designed to illustrate the profound economic and cultural impact the music industry has on the United States, 50 States of Music collects crucial data from all facets of the industry for the first time into a single and dynamic resource.
At the core of this website is new data culled by Steve Siwek of Economist Inc., highlighting how the music industry generates more than $143 billion in annual value into the nation’s economy and creates nearly 2 million jobs. The site also allows users to access information on a more granular level, presenting economic analyses of each state that tallies the number of workers employed in music-related businesses. These state-specific pages also cite pertinent specific detail like local record labels, royalty recipients and songwriters in each state, as well as notable highlights such as prominent area musicians, annual festivals, music schools and conferences.
“The power of music is undeniable, both from a cultural and economic standpoint,” said Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI. ”Many talented people across the nation are essential to the American music industry, and of course, it all starts with the songwriters and composers who provide the foundation for our business. Bringing this picture to life is the 50 States of Music site, an incredible new resource that highlights music’s cultural and economic impact across the U.S., state by state. BMI is proud to partner with the RIAA and other music organizations on this important project that showcases all that goes into the success of the American music industry.”
“Music is a uniting force; a beloved cultural asset that speaks to each and every one of us in our lives,” said Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of RIAA. “We know this, but what is less known is the enormous economic value music provides in hometowns throughout the USA – from the local music store and concert venue to the music festival and hard-working songwriters and musicians in each and every state. Music is America, and America is music. This new site finally paints a proper picture of the U.S. music industry as one that is truly local, growing, and more important than ever. We hope that the entire music business, fans, and policymakers find this a useful resource as we continue our work toward a bright future for U.S. music.”
“Everybody loves music and the influence of American music is in evidence almost anywhere we go in the world,” said Richard Burgess, President and CEO, A2IM. “So much so that it has been an unofficial cultural ambassador for this country since the invention of the phonograph. Despite the ubiquitous of our music, it is not common knowledge how much creators, labels, and other music industry players contribute to the U.S. and our individual State economies. Finally, we have a site that gathers this information together in a fun and easily digestible way.”
“Songwriters are the lifeblood of the music industry; small businesses who operate in every state across the country making great music and driving American culture,” said Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, ASCAP. “ASCAP is happy to be a part of this new site that shines a light on the importance of music throughout the USA – from the smallest town to the biggest city – and notes the iconic contributions of songwriters.”
“50 States of Music captures the tremendous positive economic impact of our industry - one that extends far beyond music’s creators and is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of professionals in communities across the country,” said Michael Huppe, President and CEO, SoundExchange. “We are proud to support these creators by providing them with the accurate and timely revenue needed to advance their work.”
BMI is excited to support this important initiative and invites its songwriters, composers and music publishers to explore the site’s informative dynamics.
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