'New York Is Music' Reveals Stark Decline In New York State Music Production

Music production in New York State has been nearly cut in half. New York Is Music, a coalition of music industry leaders, has identified this decline through a recently completed study of over 1,400 recording sessions that took place nationwide. Members of the coalition disaggregated these recording sessions which produced the nation’s top selling albums in 1999 and 2014. Initial findings determined that the share of recordings taking place in studios located in New York State fell by 49.3% in just fifteen years. New York Is Music will continue to delve deeper into the study of New York’s music production industry.

Despite this significant decline in volume, New York's music production industry was well represented at this past weekend's Grammy Awards. Various esteemed artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Beck, Calle 13, Beyonce, Pharrell, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, Rosanne Cash, the cast of the Carole King musical ‘Beautiful,’ the music producers of Disney's ‘Frozen’ and many others chose to work on their Grammy award-winning albums in New York.

This broadly impressive showing highlights the diverse talent of New York's creative and technical workforce in areas such as songwriting, recording, mixing and mastering. It also affirms the viability of New York’s world-class studio infrastructure available at venues such as Avatar, Electric Lady, Germano, Jungle City, Mission Sound, The Studio at Linden Oaks and many more.

New York Is Music, founded by Justin Kalifowitz (CEO of Downtown Music Publishing) and William Harvey (William Harvey Studio), has emerged as the leading voice in advocacy efforts on behalf of the music industry across New York State. In less than one year, the coalition has garnered support from more than 180 organizations, institutions and small businesses. The coalition seeks to promote the significance of music in economic development, culture, and education across New York, but more importantly, New York Is Music serves to open and engage in dialogue that will initiate resolutions against the challenges plaguing the industry.

Currently, the primary initiative on New York Is Music’s agenda is to champion the passage of the Empire State Music Production Tax Credit, a bill introduced by New York State Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (Brooklyn, District 50). This proposed legislation would combat challenges responsible for the decline in music production across New York State. Additionally, the bill aims to preserve and create below-the-line job opportunities for New York’s creative and technical workforce. This bill is modeled in part after the success of the New York State Film Production Tax Credit (also spearheaded by Assemblyman Lentol) that rejuvenated the State’s film industry.

Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, California and Texas offer a range of state-issued programs and incentives to attract music production and support the growth of their music industries. New York Is Music is advocating for similar incentives to help maintain a diverse and viable music ecosystem across the state.

About New York is Music: New York Is Music was conceived in early 2014 by William (Bill) Harvey (William Harvey Studio) and Justin Kalifowitz (CEO of Downtown Music Publishing), who are concerned that New York State’s position as the epicenter of the global music business has diminished. The coalition seeks to increase awareness of the music industry’s economic impact; advocate for local and state initiatives that retain and grow jobs; promote music education; and support the preservation of New York’s rich multicultural musical heritage. The coalition is comprised of 180 members, including organizations, companies and individuals which represent thousands of music industry professionals.

For the full list of NY Is Music supporters, more information, facts about the New York State music industry, or to join New York Is Music, go here: http://nyismusic.org/

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