“Save The Music Day” Proclaimed in Tennessee

Pictured (L-R): Lloyd Krein (STMA Co-Founder and Marketing Executive),
Mark Dreyer (STMA Executive Director), Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director). Photo Credit: Jennifer Pinckney

As part of the Save The Music America: Perspective 2013 in Nashville, a kick-off event was held at the Nashville Songwriters Association International offices (NSAI) on Thursday (Dec. 5). Mayor Karl Dean, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Beth Harwell, Speaker of The House of Representatives, issued a proclamation declaring Dec. 5, 2013 as “Save The Music Day” in Tennessee.

STMA Executive Director Mark Dreyer and NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, among others, addressed the issue and consequence of illegal downloading and its effects on creativity, the songwriters’ livelihood and the economy in a formal presentation before an attentive assembly of music industry professionals.

Andy Griggs, who was in attendance at the symposium, shared his thoughts regarding the Save The Music America initiative, saying, “I’ve always known that there was a pink elephant that existed in the closet; but, I never knew how enormous it was until now. I don’t think artists, or even the songwriters, have any idea about how much money is being taken out of our pockets. I’ve learned so much in just the last thirty minutes–it’s mind-boggling. It’s been an education for me and I plan to challenge each and every songwriter…every artist…that I know to stand up with me to ‘save the music.'” The forum provided Griggs with statistics using his own music; more than 70,000 Andy Griggs’ songs had been downloaded illegally in the last 30 days.

The Save The Music America: Perspective 2013 program proceeded and concluded at Nashville’s The Listening Room Cafe. The event featured guest speakers and some of Nashville’s singer/songwriters, including Borrowed Blue, Andy Griggs, Eric Heatherly, Lucas Hoge, Buddy Jewell, Billy Yates and others, donated their time and talents perform.

Pictured (L-R): Billy Yates (Hit Songwriter), Mark Dreyer, Barry Neil Shrum (STMA Board Member, Educator and Attorney), Bart Herbison, Craig Kampf (Secretary/Treasurer of Nashville Musicians Association), Buddy Jewell (Singer/Songwriter), Andy Griggs (Singer/Songwriter), Lucas Hoge (Singer/Songwriter). Photo Credit: SoCo Media & Design