BMAC ON COUNTRY MUSIC AND NASHVILLE

The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) is preparing to issue “Three Chords and the ACTUAL Truth: The Manufactured Myth of Country Music and White America,” a report on systemic racism in the genre and bringing diversity to Music Row.

It outlines how country music, country-music culture and the business of Music Row have been shaped and why they've been resistant to change—despite the movements that have spurred action in other areas of entertainment with broad racial disparities.

Following its release, BMAC will host a panel discussion on 6/18 at Soho House Nashville. Event info can be found here.

Among other actions, BMAC is urging country artists and companies operating in the country live space to publicly ban the Confederate flag at shows and festivals. The organization is also asking Nashville record, publishing and management companies to join it as it launches “Transformative Support for Emerging Black Artists and Young Professionals Through a Guaranteed Basic Income Program,” which entails $1,000 per month for one year of direct support to emerging Black country artists and young professionals working in the country-music industry.

Following is a statement from BMAC co-founder/Co-Chair Willie “Prophet” Stiggers.

Our industry pledged to fight for equity and inclusion, so it is in that spirit that we release "Three Chords and the ACTUAL Truth: The Manufactured Myth of Country Music & White America.” As a call to action, we invite country artists to stand with us and publicly ban the Confederate flag at shows and festivals... Today we ask you to use your voice, platform and influence to raise the consciousness of your fan base and the broader society. Black artists and concertgoers should be able to have a safe environment to celebrate the art form. In addition, we are calling on great artists like Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and others who own bars on Broadway and throughout Nashville to implement a diversity policy that creates the opportunity for Black musicians and singers to perform in their venues. If Black music is good enough to be part of the set list, then Black musicians should be able to rock the sets! The Black creative community has historically been shut out of Music Row. Let’s change that. We have to be deliberate about closing the wealth gap. If we get this right in Nashville, it’ll speak volumes for our country."