Tax Breaks for Macon Music?
I love starting the day with a hot cup of coffee and the World Wide Web at my fingertips. I go through article after article reading about the topics that catch my interest. A few weeks ago, I came across an article featured on the Athens’ publication, Flagpole. The article (Read it: HERE) outlined the possibility of tax breaks being given to those in the Georgia music industry, much like similar tax breaks given to the state’s film industry. As a musician, this opportunity excites me to no end. Though Macon has already seen massive growth in its music scene, this proposal could give it the support it needs to expand even further. I wanted to get the Macon perspective, so I interviewed a few of our key players: Sean Pritchard (of the Blue Indian), Floco Torres (local musician), Everett Verner (Bragg Jam), and Allen Peake (House Representative). Here is what they had to say.
What do you think the proposed tax breaks in music would do for Macon?
Sean: I think it’s a little early in the game to tell, though if you compare it to how the film industry has impacted Macon in the past few years, I’d expect to see a revival of music business, whether that means bands are relocating to Macon to live, record, and play live, or studios and management offices are opening up. Macon, and the surrounding Middle Georgia area, has some excellent spaces outdoor festivals also – I’d love to see something on the same level of what they have going on at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park.
Floco: It’s really hard to say because like David Barbe stated, most indie/local musicians don’t EVER spend the kind of money on recording that would be considered for tax breaks. It would all depend on the fine print which we have to wait on.
Everett: Hopefully it would bring a legitimate studio back to town, perhaps in the original Capricorn space on MLK. There are extremely active music production environments in Atlanta and Athens, so putting Macon back on the map for production would be the biggest impact.
Allen: Continue to spur potential economic development for the music industry
Other than the tax breaks, what do you think Georgia could do to encourage more growth in the music industry?
Sean: Though I’m not the biggest fan of attending them, outdoor festivals have taken the US by storm over the past few years. You’re seeing lineups announced earlier, advance tickets for the upcoming year going on sale immediately following a festival’s completion, and internationally touring acts are playing in front of audiences that typically might not have the budget to see them on their own. Georgia has a number of amazing festivals coming up for 2014 – Savannah Stopover, Counterpoint, Shaky Knees, AthFest, and of course Bragg Jam. These sorts of events have a huge economic impact with tourism, but they also put money into the pockets of Georgia-based audio/visual, event management, and entertainment management companies – all part of the industry.
Floco: I agree with pushing shows/festivals/local artists to tourist. They DO stay in our hotels & come to see the best of what the city has to offer. What’s better than our growing scene? Possibly getting to see the next *insert big name of the past* before they hit it big you know? Creating value for our music scenes across the state.
Everett: There is a large push to market the state of Georgia as music scene itself, which could encourage music based tourism in the state, or just improve the visibility of what I think is already a pretty vibrant and musically cultured state. This legislative movement is pretty late to the game. We’re already seeing a massive uptick in music centric events in the state without the assistance of tax breaks or marketing efforts at a state level. Shaky Knees and Counter-Point are boasting big acts and appear to be prepared to stick around. Music Midtown returned a few years ago and is as big or bigger than ever, and TomorrowWorld was just held in Georgia as well. There are smaller festivals succeeding all over as well with the growth of Savannah Stopover, AthFest’s yearly success, and Bragg Jam has nearly doubled in size over the past few years.
Allen: More concerts, more promotion of Georgia musicians
How do you think Macon citizens could support these efforts?
Sean: Again, on the grand scale of things, it’s hard to say. Supporting places like Bibb Music, Fresh Produce Records, Bill Harden etc.. is a good way to start, but also getting out and seeing sets from local and touring acts that come through Macon. Getting out and seeing the local and touring bands that come through places like the Theatre, the Hummingbird, the 567, Roasted etc.. also helps. Anything that would encourage music industry to want to grow in Macon is a plus.
Floco: I think citizens have been doing a great job as of late getting back out to live shows. We just have to stay consistent. Most of us are out a few times a week so just staying updated with the scene & spreading the word. Groups like Moonhanger have been doing cool shows that people are willing to see & plugging in more local artist on these bills. I hope we all keep this going.
Everett: It’s arts and entertainment, so either create it or support it, or it will go away. People need to stop trying to get in free to shows they claim they want to see. I get money can be tight and it’s entertainment, but if a band is here that you want to see, then put your money where your mouth is and go to the show. In a city the size of Macon there should be pride in getting to see national and international acts come through town, so buy tickets to those shows because tickets are the best way to put money in the pocket of musicians, and ensure that more come here.
Allen: Contact legislators to encourage state promotion of the artists, and encourage them to support the tax credit initiative.
How do you think musicians or other music professionals in Macon could support these efforts?
Sean: Be an ambassador for Macon’s growing music scene. The Music Ambassadors: Macon project has started to do this on a different level, but I’d say having active musicians + music professionals that are proud of the city they call home and are eager and willing to improve it can only be a positive thing.
Floco: More collaboration
Everett: Go on tour, make friends with other bands, and bring them here, and play locally without being divas about it. If Macon is your hometown, then treat it like a place you call home and not a place you can make a quick buck that you also live in. There are plenty of bands around town that are talented these days, but not a lot I want to pay a cover to see 10+ times a year. Use your hometown as your sounding board, not as a piggy bank.
Allen: Contact reps and senators to push for the initiative, and ask them to support candidates that do
What would you like to see in our music scene in the next 5 years?
Sean: The Bibb Theatre completely remodeled and reopened. Rock Candy Tours to grow into a franchise around the States. National level promoters preferring Macon over Athens/Augusta/Columbus/Savannah and even Atlanta. 10000 people come to Bragg Jam. Macon-based artists in national press. A music festival at the Waterworks or the Ocmulgee Trail park. The Allman Brothers to start playing a benefit show in Central City Park annually.
Floco: I’d like to see Macon included in some of these studies about music in Georgia. Not our rich heritage of the past but NOW. I’d like to see managers/executives/etc come here & check out what we have. Or for us to find a way to connect with them without having to pick up, move to a new city, wait tables & sleep on benches to get noticed hahaha. I would love to see Macon get some attention for some of the great music we have here. But mainly I just want our music scene to stay consistent.
Everett: Consistent bookings that lineup with what I see passing through Athens and Atlanta. We’re too close to these Mecca’s not to draw in more national music acts than we do. However, if the previous 5 years are any indication of growth in live music in these towns, then we’re looking great.
Allen: If the music tax credits help like the film tax credits helped the film industry, I would hope that Georgia would seem the same results in the music industry – more studios, more access for artists, economic opportunity for jobs in the industry.
So whether you attend a concert or contact your representatives, let’s do something to keep our rich musical heritage thriving in the present!
Louise
