President Trump Signs Blackburn’s Bill to Support Music Tourism Into Law

President Trump Signs Blackburn’s Bill to Support Music Tourism Into Law October 14, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) released the following statements after President Trump signed into law their bipartisan legislation, the American Music Tourism Act, to support music tourism in Tennessee and across the country: “The Volunteer State is home to so many iconic landmarks for tourists to experience – from Graceland in Memphis to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge,” said Senator Blackburn. “Music tourism has such a positive impact on Tennessee’s economy, and we need to ensure that fans from all over the world continue to celebrate our state’s rich history of music for generations to come. The American Music Tourism Act will promote and support the fast-growing tourism industry, and I am pleased it has been signed into law by President Trump.” “We're glad to see our American Music Tourism Act become law,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Our new law will drive even more visitors to our outstanding venues across Colorado.” The American Music Tourism Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.). BACKGROUND Music tourism – both the act of visiting sites important to the history of American music culture and the act of traveling for concerts and music festivals – is a vital industry for American culture and an economic driver for our communities. Music tourism has emerged as a top travel trend, with the market forecasted to reach $11.3 billion in revenue by 2032. The United States, which boasts one of world’s largest music industries that generates over $43 billion in revenue each year, is one of the main beneficiaries of this international interest in music tourism. THE AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT The American Music Tourism Act will leverage the existing tourism framework within the Department of Commerce to highlight and promote music tourism in the United States. Specifically, this law will require: The Assistant Secretary to implement a plan to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors; and A report to Congress on the successes and vulnerabilities of the Assistant Secretary’s goals to increase travel and tourism. Click here for bill text. ENDORSEMENTS This legislation is endorsed by the National Independent Venue Association, Nashville Songwriters Association International, the Recording Academy, the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, National Music Publishers Association, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Broadcast Music, Inc., the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Memphis Tourism, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Recording Industry Association of America, Overton Park Shell, Society of Composers and Lyricists, and Global Music Rights. “Independent venues and festivals are the lifeblood of local communities, not just as cultural hubs but as powerful engines of economic activity…Fans travel for them. They book hotels, fill restaurants, and shop on Main Street because a show is happening that night. The American Music Tourism Act is a jobs bill. We are thrilled the House and Senate have prioritized driving domestic and foreign visitors to the nation’s music attractions and independent stages. Now, we encourage the President to sign it and give the country its first national strategy for music tourism. It is a bipartisan policy that treats live music as the economic asset it already is. We are grateful to Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper and to Representatives Diana Harshbarger and Nanette Barragán for their leadership, and to the Senate Commerce and House Energy and Commerce committees for moving forward this bill,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association. “The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is elated that the American Tourism Act has been enacted. As the owner of an iconic music venue, The Bluebird Café, we acutely understand the economic and social impact of music tourism. The music tourism market is projected to exceed $11 billion in revenue by 2032. With adoption of this Act we expect that the music tourism industry can thrive beyond that expectation,” said Bart Herbison, Executive Director, Nashville Songwriter’s Association International. “Today is a great day for music people everywhere. The signing of the American Music Tourism Act recognizes what we've always known: music doesn't just move us; it moves local economies. From the venues that anchor their neighborhoods to the creators who fill them, this law honors the real impact of music on communities across the country. We're grateful to Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper and Representatives Harshbarger and Barragán for their bipartisan leadership, and to the president for signing this into law. The Recording Academy has championed this since day one, and we're proud to see it cross the finish line,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO, Recording Academy. “The passage of the American Music Tourism Act is a major win for Tennessee and for music communities nationwide. This legislation strengthens our ability to showcase Tennessee’s iconic music destinations and drive economic growth through increased tourism,” said Bob Raines, Executive Director, Tennessee Entertainment Commission. “The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors the artists whose music connects us all. We share stories of the people, events, and songs that shape our world through digital content, innovative exhibits, live music, engaging programs, and our annual Induction Ceremony, and have welcomed more than 15 million visitors from all 50 states and around the world to our Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. We support the American Music Tourism Act to reinforce our music community’s massive economic and emotional impact on the U.S. and beyond,” said Greg Harris, President & CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. “U.S. music venues showcase songwriter’s work for travelers from all over the world. We are pleased to see the American Music Tourism Act pass into law, which we expect will lead not only to commercial growth but also a greater appreciation of American music, history, culture, and creators. We greatly appreciate Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper’s continued leadership and focus on protecting and encouraging music creation and consumption,” said David Israelite, President & CEO, National Music Publishers Association. “Music is Tennessee’s door to the world. From the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis to Dollywood and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, visitors come from across the globe to experience the places and sounds that shaped American music. The American Music Tourism Act recognizes music’s power to inspire travel and create economic opportunity. And there’s simply no better place to experience America’s music than Tennessee, where music sounds perfect,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “BMI applauds Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper for getting the American Music Tourism Act across the finish line and into law. Adding the weight of the federal government to promoting music tourism home and abroad will help turbocharge growth we’re already seeing in music-related travel. As importantly, it will also help highlight how music has contributed to America’s culture and history,” said Mike O’Neill, President & CEO, BMI. “The federal government's support to bolster music tourism for both domestic and international visitors is vitally important to leveraging the authentic cultural assets that are rooted throughout Tennessee.  Memphis is a big part of that music story, and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum is uniquely positioned to educate visitors about role the city and the region played in the birth of American popular music,” said Cynthia Ham, Interim CEO & Executive Director, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. “Music is Memphis’ primary travel motivator, bringing millions of visitors to community annually. Passage of the American Music Tourism Act will give destinations like Memphis another important tool to elevate our music story, reach new domestic and international audiences and inspire even more travel to the places where American music history was made and continues to be made today. Growing music tourism means more visitors staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, experiencing our attractions and supporting local businesses, ultimately expanding tourism’s economic impact throughout Memphis and Shelby County,” said Kevin Kane, President & CEO, Memphis Tourism. “Music is an economic engine for the American economy, and we are pleased to see this bipartisan legislation become law. Songwriters depend on the royalties they earn from live performances of their work, and the American Music Tourism Act will create important new opportunities for music creators all across the country,” said Elizabeth Matthews, CEO, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. RELATED Blackburn Bill to Support Music Tourism Heads to President Trump’s Desk Blackburn, Hickenlooper Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Increase Music Tourism In U.S. Blackburn Applauds Senate’s Unanimous Passage of Her Resolution Honoring 100 Years of the Grand Ole Opry https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2026/10/president-trump-signs-blackburn-s-bill-to-support-music-tourism-into-law