![[Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — The Most Expensive Mistake Rights Owners Make in a Music Catalog Deal: Op-Ed from Symphonic's Michelle Garramone](https://i0.wp.com/d2n07ae9429qri.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/15145135/Keeping_Tempo-Symphonic-article-750x372-1.jpg?resize=95%2C95&ssl=1)
![[Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — The Most Expensive Mistake Rights Owners Make in a Music Catalog Deal: Op-Ed from Symphonic's Michelle Garramone](https://i0.wp.com/d2n07ae9429qri.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/15145135/Keeping_Tempo-Symphonic-article-750x372-1.jpg?resize=527%2C297&ssl=1)
President Trump signed the American Music Tourism Act into law on Friday, requiring a federal plan to encourage music-related travel in the United States. The bipartisan legislation covers music landmarks, venues, festivals and events, targeting both domestic and international visitors.
Senators Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, and John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat, backed the measure.
Federal music tourism plan
The law uses the Department of Commerce‘s existing tourism framework to promote music tourism. It requires the Assistant Secretary to implement a plan to support and increase that travel, and to report to Congress on successes and vulnerabilities in meeting travel and tourism goals.
Blackburn cited Tennessee destinations including Graceland in Memphis, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. She described music tourism’s contribution to the state’s economy and said the legislation would help visitors continue to experience its musical history.
Hickenlooper welcomed the signing and said he expected the law to bring more visitors to Colorado’s venues.
Industry endorsements and co-sponsors
Industry organizations endorsing the legislation included:
- National Independent Venue Association
- Nashville Songwriters Association International
- Recording Academy
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum
- National Music Publishers Association
- Broadcast Music Inc.
- American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
- Recording Industry Association of America
- Society of Composers and Lyricists
Other industry bodies also endorsed the measure.
Harvey Mason Jr., chief executive officer of the Recording Academy, welcomed the signing, saying the law recognized music’s economic contribution and the role of venues and creators in communities across the country.
The legislation’s co-sponsors were Republican Senators Bill Hagerty of Tennessee and Ted Budd of North Carolina, and Democratic Senators Gary Peters of Michigan and Andy Kim of New Jersey.
