Trump Signs American Music Tourism Act Into Law

Photo Credit: Tijs van Leur

Trump signs Marsha Blackburn’s American Music Tourism Act into law, which requires the Department of Commerce to promote music tourism in the US.

On Friday, President Trump signed the American Music Tourism Act, a bipartisan bill backed by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), into law. The bill establishes a framework to promote travel to significant music landmarks, venues, festivals, and events.

The American Music Tourism Act intends to leverage the existing tourism framework within the Department of Commerce to highlight and promote music tourism in the United States. Specifically, this law will require the Assistant Secretary to implement a plan to support and increase music tourism for both domestic and international visitors and a report to Congress on the successes and vulnerabilities of the Assistant Secretary’s goals to increase travel and tourism.

The legislation has been endorsed by the National Independent Venue Association, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the Recording Academy, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, the National Music Publishers Association, Broadcast Music Inc., the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, the Recording Industry Association of America, the Society of Composers and Lyricists, and other industry bodies.

First introduced in 2024, the American Music Tourism Act received Senate approval last year. The House passed the same version of the bill last month, and now with the president’s signature, the measure will become law.

“The Volunteer State is home to so many iconic landmarks for tourists to experience—from Graceland in Memphis to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge,” said Senator Blackburn.

“Music tourism has such a positive impact on Tennessee’s economy, and we need to ensure that fans from all over the world continue to celebrate our state’s rich history of music for generations to come. The American Music Tourism Act will promote and support the fast-growing tourism industry, and I am pleased it has been signed into law by President Trump.”

“We’re glad to see our American Music Tourism Act become law,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Our new law will drive even more visitors to our outstanding venues across Colorado.”

“Independent venues and festivals are the lifeblood of local communities, not just as cultural hubs but as powerful engines of economic activity,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). “Fans travel for them; they book hotels, fill restaurants, and shop on Main Street because a show is happening that night. The American Music Tourism Act is a jobs bill.”

“Today is a great day for music people everywhere. The signing of the American Music Tourism Act recognizes what we’ve always known: music doesn’t just move us; it moves local economies,” concluded Harvey Mason Jr., CEO, Recording Academy. “From the venues that anchor their neighborhoods to the creators who fill them, this law honors the real impact of music on communities across the country.”

The American Music Tourism Act was co-sponsored by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Ted Budd (R-NC).