On Monday, Representative Diana Harshbarger presented the American Music Tourism Act to the House.
This essentially asks the Department of Commerce to concentrate on attracting both locals from all over the nation and individuals from different countries to explore these amazing opportunities related to American music, according to Melissa Roberts, the Executive Director at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
This legislation mandates that the National Travel and Tourism Office within the Department of Commerce should encourage travel to musical event locations and festivals across the U.S., with particular emphasis on our area. This could potentially boost promotion for historic sites located in Bristol, known as the birthplace of country music.
To discuss how that path appears as we travel from Bristol to Nashville, since without Bristol, Nashville would not exist, stated Roberts.
According to Marla Edwards, owner of the Crooked Road General Store, visitors aren’t satisfied with merely attending a one-hour event and returning to their hotels; instead, they aim to explore every corner and crevice, she remarked.
Moreover, as this bill aims to support events such as the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, local musicians in our area might see positive outcomes.
Securing a larger audience is crucial for artists. The primary objective is to expose your music to more individuals, and programs such as these can aid in conveying the message that numerous local musicians deserve recognition. As stated by musician Kris Truelsen, “There’s a significant amount of local talent that people should be aware of.”
It could also have a beneficial effect on our nearby economy.
Roberts stated that since they will be eating and staying here, it indicates higher income.
Should the legislation be enacted, the Department of Commerce will have to present its operations and conclusions to Congress once within a year following the signing of the bill, and subsequently every two years thereafter. Currently, the bill rests with the Senate.
