Music Facts

More than 37 artists, producers, songwriters, conductors and other musical talents with Georgia ties were honored as nominees at the 50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. Nominees included Akon, Bill Anderson, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Gnarls Barkley, Former President Jimmy Carter, Casting Crowns, Freddy Cole, Keyshia Cole, Bryan-Michael Cox, Randy Crawford, Kendrick Dean, Nick DiDia, Mark Hall, Jennifer Higdon, India.Arie, Alan Jackson, Jennifer Larmore, Terius “Dream” Nash, Ann Nesby, Ne-Yo, Brendan O’Brien, OutKast, T-Pain, Karen Peck and New River, Ryan Shaw, Shop Boyz, Joyce Simpson, Alice Smith, Soulja Boy, Robert Spano, Chris “Tricky” Stewart, Angie Stone, Phil Tan, T.I., Toomp, Usher and Trisha Yearwood. Georgia artists garnered nominations in over 50 categories.

• In the past 20 years, Georgia’s music industry has experienced unprecedented growth in the number of music recording establishments, record labels and other professional services connected with the commercial music industry.

• According to the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, the current estimated economic impact of the music industry in Georgia is approaching $2 billion dollars annually. An earlier study developed by Georgia State University credited the industry with creating 11,000 jobs and generating $54.3 million in tax revenues.

• Georgia also dominates regional radio. With the region’s only top radio market, Georgia sets the agenda for what music is played and consequently consumed throughout the region.

• The City of Atlanta harbors regional offices of the nation’s top three performing rights societies, the American Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and SESAC. Atlanta is also home to one of the Recording Academy’s twelve regional chapters.

• Major recording artists and producers with Georgia ties include: Gregg Allman, Dallas Austin, Chuck Leavell, R.E.M., Jermaine Dupri, Ciara, Elton John, Ludacris, Ray Charles, James Brown, Jessye Norman, Earl Klugh, B-52’s, Toni Braxton, Byron Cage, Kenny Rogers, Van Hunt, Jeff Foxworthy, Jagged Edge, Montel Jordan, Kelly Price, Otis Redding, Monica, Bow Wow, Collective Soul, Luther Barnes, Indigo Girls, Young Joc, Johnta Austin, Little Big Town, Mastodon, Shawn Mullins, Peabo Bryson, Lil Jon, Allman Brothers, Sugarland, Third Day, Young Jeezy and Travis Tritt.
• Georgia’s music industry includes over 1000 establishments, a significant number of which are recording studios, including several that have been awarded GRAMMYS®, Dove Awards, American Music Awards, Emmys and Oscars for their contributions to stellar music and film recordings.

For more information on Georgia’s music industry, view the complete Music Industry Impact Study or contact us.