Nashville Mayor Karl Dean Announces Changes For Music City Music Council

Mayor Karl Dean

NASHVILLE Mayor KARL DEAN has announced that MUSIC CITY MUSIC COUNCIL (MC2) is the new name for the NASHVILLE MUSIC COUNCIL. The organization also has restructured to 21-member body to and wants to place a focus on economic development in the music industry. 

“We’re not just any city. We are MUSIC CITY, and that designation is an appropriate and descriptive name for the Council as it works to further cement our MUSIC CITY identity,” DEAN said. “Under this new structure, the MUSIC COUNCIL will be better equipped to recruit entertainment companies and visitors to our city and all that NASHVILLE offers.” 

The NASHVILLE MUSIC COUNCIL was launched in 2009 as a partnership between the MAYOR’S OFFICE, the NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and THE NASHVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU to capitalize on NASHVILLE’s identity as MUSIC CITY. DEAN serves as co-chairman, along with former LYRIC STREET RECORDS President RANDY GOODMAN. 

“As we evaluated different approaches and strategic initiatives toward our overarching goals, it became obvious it was necessary to downsize the Council to be nimble and focused enough to give appropriate and timely counsel to the Mayor, his staff, the Chamber and the CVB,” GOODMAN said. Sixty artists and music executives had been serving on the Council. 

“This streamlined Council is a direct response to the Mayor’s desire for an increased focus on economic development, which over the long term will help continue to grow NASHVILLE as the global MUSIC CITY,” GOODMAN added. “The bottom line is if NASHVILLE rises and grows, so will all the different, unique and important constituencies that make up the music industry.” 

GOODMAN also announced the appointment of HONEY HOPKINS to the newly created, full-time position of director of the MUSIC CITY MUSIC COUNCIL. Hopkins, who had served as the liaison between the NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and THE MUSIC COUNCIL, will manage the group’s initiatives and day-to-day operations. He can be reached at (615) 880-1506 or hhopkins@musiccitymusiccouncil.com. 

The new Council will include the following members: DEAN, GOODMAN, BUTCH SPYRIDON, RALPH SCHULZ and MARY ANN McCREADY. Six committee chairs have been named including SALLY WILLIAMS, KEN LEVITAN, NANY SHAPIRO, DAVID BOHAN, STEVE MOORE and GOODMAN. Ten at-large members also will serve on the Council, including five from the music industry and five from the broader NASHVILLE-area business community. The five at-large members representing the music industry are JOE GALANTE, CLARENCE SPALDING, TROY TOMLINSON, DAVID INGRAM and SCOTT CLAYTON.

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