Memphis's Music Impact

Memphis’s Music Legacy: A Key to Boosting Our City’s Economy and Culture

by: Donovan Jackson

-Memphis is home to iconic artists like Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Otis Redding. -The city's cultural history shaped genres that have a global influence today. -Music is an integral part of Memphis's identity. -Despite this incredible legacy, our city has not yet fully taken advantage of its potential as a music tourism hub in the way other cities have.

Memphis: The Birthplace of Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Soul

+INFO

Music tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the U.S. Cities like Nashville have successfully turned music into a central driver of tourism. Memphis has the potential to do the same by leveraging its musical heritage.

How Music Tourism Can Drive Memphis’s Economy

Why Music Tourism?

• Memphis already boasts attractions like Graceland, Sun Studio, and Beale Street.
• These sites draw millions of visitors each year, but they can be expanded to increase tourism.

Graceland, Beale Street, and More

Current Music Attractions in Memphis

Promoting Memphis as a Global Music Hub

Expanding Music Festivals and Events

Investing in Music Education

Supporting Local Musicians and Venues

How Memphis can enhance its economy and culture?

- Expand events like Beale Street Music Festival and Memphis in May. - Create new festivals focusing on Memphis genres (blues, soul, gospel, hip-hop). - Hold events year-round to make Memphis a music destination.

Expanding Music Festivals and Events

Investing in Local Talent and Music Venues

Small venues and local artists are the heart of Memphis’s music scene.Invest in local venues, provide grants for musicians, and build infrastructure for live music. Local talent can drive both the music scene and tourism.

Supporting Local Musicians and Venues

Promoting Memphis as a Global Music Hub

Market Memphis as a music hub where the past (Elvis, Stax, Sun Studio) meets the present (Glorilla, Three 6 Mafia).Create a unified campaign that highlights Memphis's history and modern influence.

• -Invest in music schools, programs, and partnerships with universities.

• Create opportunities for young musicians to perform and develop in Memphis.

• Attract Students and Educators from around the world.

Developing the Next Generation of Memphis Musicians

Investing in Music Education

Balancing Memphis’s Legacy with Other Music Cities

• Memphis’s musical identity is unique and valuable, without diminishing other cities' contributions (New Orleans, Chicago).

• Memphis should highlight its contributions, not compete with other music cities.

+INFO

While I believe that Memphis could advance in the aspect of tourism, many believe that Memphis is overally concentrated on Music and its history. They believe that they there are far more important aspects that can support the city economically.

Counter Argument

Invest in Memphis’s Music Tourism Now

• Now is the time to capitalize on Memphis’s music legacy.
• Memphis can become a premier music destination with the right investment.
• Let’s work together to make it happen.

CALL TO ACTION

Question and Concerns...

THANK YOU!

Gosa, Travis H. Hip-Hop in the South: The Evolution of Southern Rap. 2013.

"Beale Street Music Festival.” Memphis in May, www.memphisinmay.org.

“The Economic Impact of Music Tourism.” Americans for the Arts, 2019, www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and-data/research-studies-reports/field-reports/music-tourism.

Gordon, Robert. It Came from Memphis. Vintage, 1995.

Dickerson, James L. The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll: Music, Race, and the Memphis Sound. 1998.

Work Cited