RESOLUTION NO. RS2016-410

A resolution to acknowledge the significant cultural contributions and tourism impact of the Americana Music Association, its volunteer Board of Directors, and Executive Director Jed Hilly.

WHEREAS, the Americana Music Association (AMA) is a professional trade organization that serves as an advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the AMA was originally formed in 1999 by a group of volunteers who represent different facets of the music industry; and

WHEREAS, American roots music is defined as an amalgam of American folk music formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the music ethos of the United States, specifically those sounds that are merged from folks, country, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and other external creative influences; and

WHEREAS, the organization has built an infrastructure to support the creation of Americana music, to spotlight its artists, and to open channels for creative and professional networking that enhances and provides opportunities for the music to grow and flourish; and

WHEREAS, AMA members include artists, record labels, publishers, managers, agents, media, retailers and a wide range of other music industry professionals; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of its volunteer Board of Directors and Executive Director Jed Hilly, Americana has become an accepted genre in the industry; the Recording Academy added a Grammy category for "Best Americana Album" in 2009; Merriam-Webster added a definition in the dictionary for the genre in 2011; and Billboard magazine has named Americana one of the bestselling music genres today; and

WHEREAS, the AMA hosts numerous events throughout the year, most notably in Nashville, including the annual Americana Music Festival and Conference (which drew 35,000 attendees this year), and its annual Americana Music Honors and Awards Show which is taped at the Ryman and replayed on PBS. The AMA also issues a popular Americana Airplay Chart; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council hereby commend and honor the AMA, its Board, and Jed Hilly for the tremendous contributions they make to support this genre of music, and to keep Nashville and Middle Tennessee in the spotlight for its major events and activities.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as commending and honoring the Americana Music Association, its volunteer Board of Directors, and Executive Director Jed Hilly for their significant cultural contributions, tourism impact, and their enhancement of the image of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to the Americana Music Association.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Nancy VanReece, Jeff Syracuse, Mina Johnson