The Greater Owensboro Music Commission is prioritizing the next steps for strengthening the local music ecosystem following results from the region’s first-ever music census.
The Commission’s meeting on Monday was led by Don Pitts, founder of Texas-based Sound Music Cities, a firm that helps cities nationwide evaluate their music scenes through data-driven studies. Pitts, who spent more than three decades in the music industry, including 16 years with Gibson Guitars, said Owensboro has “all the right pieces” to grow its musical identity.
“Owensboro just has a lot of all the pieces there. We just have to put them all together,” Pitts said. “It’s definitely a worthy cause, and I think if we can get three or four organizations with the right skill sets to collaborate, it’ll make it a much easier lift.”
Pitts previously conducted music censuses in cities such as Austin, Texas, and Lafayette, Louisiana, where he helped identify community priorities and reduce noise complaints through practical, community-focused initiatives. He said the Owensboro census, conducted earlier this year, measured the “lived experience” of local musicians, technicians, venue operators, and others involved in the industry.
During Monday’s session, attendees ranked eight community action opportunities outlined in the census, narrowing them down to the top priorities that will guide the Commission’s work going forward. Pitts said his firm will now analyze the responses and submit final recommendations to the Commission.
Steve Johnson, who helped organize the meeting through the Bluegrass Music Initiative, said the next step is for the Commission to review the community’s rankings and begin acting on them.
“There was a great dialogue about what we can do to elevate music and musicians in this community,” Johnson said. “You’re going to see more out of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission in the coming weeks than you’ve ever seen before.”
Johnson noted that about 15 members of Owensboro’s music community attended Monday’s session, including members of the 15-person Commission. The group represents a broad mix of the city’s musical and civic leadership, including bluegrass musicians, venue owners, symphony representatives, and Chamber of Commerce and economic development officials.
He added that the effort to grow Owensboro’s music scene is about more than bluegrass.
“The Bluegrass Music Initiative is focused squarely on bluegrass,” Johnson said. “What occurred today was about how to elevate all music — bluegrass and other genres — in Owensboro. It’s amazing the talent we have here that people don’t even know about.”
Local musician and venue owner Andy Brasher, who serves on the Music Commission, said the meeting was a major step toward uniting the region’s music ecosystem.
“This meeting was the first gathering of music folks, members of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission, public officials, and interested members of the community to talk about what the data means and how we can use it to better our music community,” Brasher said. “It’s a great first step toward nurturing and sustaining our very important music business ecosystem.”
Commission member Christian Potts said Monday’s discussion underscored the importance of collaboration and community input as Owensboro’s music scene evolves.
“Today’s roundtable was an incredible opportunity to bring together people from every part of our local music community and focus on what comes next,” Potts said. “From the beginning, our goal as a commission has been to listen, learn, and identify where we can make a meaningful impact. The census results highlight just how much potential exists within the Greater Owensboro area, and now it’s about turning that potential into action.”
Potts said the data offers a roadmap for growth.
“The census helped us better understand the music industry’s cultural and economic impact on our region,” he said. “It offers valuable insights that, combined with further community input, will guide us as we work to create more opportunities and sustainability for musicians, venues, promoters, and educators right here at home. I encourage anyone involved in our music scene to review the results and reach out to get connected.”
Candance Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said the census results underscore the economic significance of the local music industry.
“The income-related data and economic impact that the census report includes demonstrate that this is truly a niche that we can encourage and help develop,” Brake said. “We understand the quality-of-life benefits from continuing to build out the music infrastructure here in our region, but it goes well beyond quality of life. This is a serious economic impact, and this group has just started.”
By; John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times