Music
Why Music in DeKalb?
The entertainment industry has been rapidly growing in DeKalb County with music at the core. Over the last ten years, the county has managed more than 60 television and film projects, more than 100 in the last year alone. For more than 80 years, Georgia-grown musical talent has contributed billions of dollars, year after year, to the state’s economy.
According to a 2011 study conducted by B. William Riall, Ph.D., the estimated economic impact of the music industry in Georgia is $3.7 billion annually. Additionally, the study credits the industry with creating 20,000 jobs and generating more than $313 million in tax revenues for state and local governments.
LOCATIONS
VENUES
With a vibrant music and performing arts industry, Georgia offers a variety of venues from the mountains to the city to the coast. DeKalb venues including Eddie’s Attic, The Vista Room at Napoleons, The Earl, and more.
Other revered Atlanta venues include Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Chastain Park Amphitheater, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Fox Theatre, Masquerade, The Tabernacle, and Philips Arena.
LIVE PRODUCTIONS
Touring operations hire hundreds of crew, staff, and techs for everything from set construction and lighting, to choreographers, dancers, musicians and more.
MUSIC PRODUCTION/RECORDING
Music production happens on many levels and include businesses such as: recording studios, producers, engineers, musicians, labels, publishers, licensing companies, distributors, mastering facilities, manufacturers of instruments, amplifiers and equipment, rehearsal spaces, tour support companies, artist management and support services, marketing and public relations services, and entertainment law firms.
VENUES SEARCH
Our locations portal makes the process of finding film-friendly music venues across DeKalb simple. Give it a try!
TALENT
Georgia’s music talent is one of the most diverse in the country. Boasting a diverse roster of award-winning musicians, composers and behind-the-scenes figures, it has become a mecca for music.
Among the Atlanta-based stars are: Cee Lo Green, Collective Soul, Ciara, Ludacris, OutKast, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, The Black Lips, Deerhunter, Mastodon, the Whigs, Widespread Panic, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, opera-singer Jessye Norman, plus pioneers including The Allman Brothers Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section, the B-52s, Black Crowes, James Brown, Indigo Girls, Alan Jackson, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mercer, Otis Redding, R.E.M., Tommy Roe, TLC, Travis Tritt, and Trisha Yearwood.
TAX CREDITS
Beginning in 2018, music projects recorded or scored in Georgia — and for tours rehearsing and starting in the state — can take advantage of Georgia’s generous state tax credits allowing your budget to be focused where it’s needed the most … on your production. In addition, these tax credits can be applied to film, TV and digital entertainment (such as gaming).
HISTORY
In October 2010, DeKalb County was one of 16 inaugural counties named Camera Ready Communities by the Georgia Film, Music, Digital and Television Entertainment Office. To capitalize on being named to this list, the DeKalb Board of Commissioners and Chief Executive Office created the DeKalb Film Commission in 2011 to strengthen DeKalb’s long ties to the film industry, and its growth in the music and digital entertainment industries.
To date, the county has hosted hundreds of motion picture features, television projects and commercial projects. Today, that commission has expanded to become what is now the DeKalb Entertainment Commission, overseen by a board including members from the film, TV, music and digital entertainment industry in DeKalb County.
