Macon musicians meet with legislators to jump start Georgia music industry incentives

Macon’s music history is often at the forefront of the county’s identity. Locals reflect on the music of the Allman Brothers and Otis Redding, while tourists visit the Big House Museum and Grant’s Lounge to absorb the past.

But the days of Little Richard changing the music industry or Gregg and Duane Allman releasing hits from Capricorn Studios have faded. While the history is vibrant, local and state leaders are looking toward the future.

Macon music figures and Georgia legislators met at Capricorn Studios in Macon recently to discuss how to grow Georgia’ music industry.

One way forward is by establishing tax incentives for people to record and release music in the Peach State. Georgia lawmakers created similar incentives to boost the film industry back in 2008. The film and TV industry’s economic impact has since skyrocketed from $242 million to $4.4 billion.

Macon’s music industry seeks the same success, with local icon and Rolling Stones pianist Chuck Leavell leading the charge to convince the senators and representatives to push for the tax incentives.

“The whole idea is to create more incentives to bring artists to Georgia,” Leavell said. “We’re talking about tax incentives to do their rehearsals, start their tours in Georgia, and record their records here.”

Leavell said the incentives would help Georgia compete with other states such as Tennessee, Louisiana and others that have surpassed Georgia’s music industry.

Capricorn Studios was the meeting site for the committee earlier this month, a former recording spot for multiple star-studded groups and an emblem of Macon’s music history. The legislators heard from several Maconites about the importance of the music industry and the need for more incentives to record in Georgia, then took a tour of the studios and the Big House Museum.

Speakers included Leavell, Macon Pops CEO Steve Moretti and others. Legislators came from all over the state and heard ideas ranging from creating an industry committee to how the incentives would boost local education.

The Macon meeting kicked off a series of stops for the committee, which is officially titled the Joint Georgia Music Heritage Study Committee and is led by Sen. Jeff Mullis of Chickamauga.

“We’re here to sort of get an idea of the industry and the hardships it’s had after COVID-19, and see how music contributes to Georgia’s economy,” Mullis said. “We want to make it easier here and keep musicians from going to somewhere like Nashville, or another music city.”

The Bill to officially create the committee didn’t pass back in April, so the legislators and Macon supporters are trying to push it back into action to initiate the tax incentive process. Mullis passed a similar bill, House Bill 155, back in 2017 that provides The effects of those tax incentives will end after this year.

With a meeting in Georgia’s musical epicenter complete, the committee will next meet in Athens to discuss the incentives.