Music and Entertainment Council

08/26/2026

MEC REMEMBERS DOLLY PARTON 🕊️

Today, the music world has lost a true American treasure.❤️

Country music legend, songwriter, businesswoman and humanitarian Dolly Parton has passed away at the age of 80.

From the mountains of Tennessee to stages around the world, Dolly showed us the extraordinary power of a song, a story and a dream. Her influence reached far beyond country music. She was an advocate for literacy, a philanthropist, an entrepreneur and one of the most recognizable creative voices in American history.
For those of us who believe in the power of the music industry to transform communities, create opportunity and leave a lasting legacy, Dolly Parton was the blueprint.

The songs remain.
The impact remains.
The doors she opened remain.

Here In the Columbus, Georgia area, her enduring legacy continues locally through childhood literacy efforts via the Chattahoochee Valley Imagination Library, part of her global program providing free books to children. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library you can sign up your child (all children from birth until their 5th birthday are eligible) and receive one free, age-appropriate book delivered straight to your door each month, for up to 60 books in total!

Rest well, Dolly. Your music will always love us. 🤍🎶

Music & Entertainment Council (MEC) Columbus

05/16/2026

THE MOMENTUM MOVEMENT CONTINUES🥁

The newly established Association of Music Offices (AMO) has formally launched, uniting leaders from music offices across the country to champion shared resources and best practices for local music ecosystems.

A first-of-its-kind national organization, AMO will initially comprise music officers, executive directors, and key representatives from municipal and state music and entertainment offices, cultural affairs departments, nonprofit music organizations, and industry affiliates, including the Recording Academy.

The association serves as the collective voice for music office leadership, sharing expertise and fostering long-term economic impact and cultural vitality nationwide.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/e6SAFavZ

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Music offices are banding together in a new trade organization to champion resources and best practices for local music scenes.

“If it's done right, an intentional music initiative can significantly increase the quality of life for residents and visitors," adding that it can help attract companies and non-music development around venues.

“Some people are foodies, some are into sports, some are into music," When attracting companies like Eli Lilly that look for places where employees will have something to do after 5pm. "Having music in a community really, really helps." Matt Mandrella, Huntsville Music Officer

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04/29/2026

Join Us Sunday May 3, 2026 🎙️🎷🎸

Join The Columbus Jazz Society and the Music and Entertainment Council for MA FEST, an exciting outdoor celebration honoring the legendary Ma Rainey, the “Mother of the Blues,” on Sunday, May 3, from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM outside the Historic Liberty Theatre & Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, GA....

04/16/2026

There is a bipartisan bill that overwhelmingly passed in both chambers of the Georgia legislature to create a Georgia Music office, awaiting Governor Kemp's signature. Please help support these efforts by taking the action steps below. Thank you!!!

✉ Send a message to Governor Kemp in support of HB14: [email protected]
🔗Sign the form letter: https://shorturl.at/LGMkl
📞Call the Governor’s office to support: 404-656-1776
🎥 Post a video and share on social media
🎼 Follow Georgia Music Partners or MEC for real time info

02/19/2026

Some shows you attend.
Some shows stay with you.

“We Are the Drum and the Scribe” is now on view at the Bo Bartlett Center — bringing nationally recognized artists from the Black Art in America collection right here to Columbus.

It’s layered.
It’s powerful.
It asks you to slow down.

Public reception: February 19 | 6–8 p.m.
Free admission.

We wrote about why this exhibition feels like more than a gallery stop. Read the article then go experience it in person.

Some things reveal themselves when you stand in the room.

Cover Image by Monica Jones Sculpture: Ochanya by Ejiroghene Adewale


ArtExhibition
FreeEventsColumbus ColumbusCulture SeeItInPerson
ArtMatters

02/18/2026

🎬 200+ leaders. Countless conversations. One defining question.

In early February,
brought together more than 200 senior professionals from music, entertainment, real estate, design, investment, and government for Sound Development Los Angeles.

Timed just after the GRAMMY Awards, SDLA focused on how cultural infrastructure can drive cities, unlock investment, and deliver long-term impact.

Across keynote conversations, candid panels, practical workshops, and curated site visits, SDLA moved from strategy to delivery. How to finance and operate venues. How to design districts with identity. How to engineer live experiences that resonate. How to build projects that create both cultural and commercial value.

The day included exclusive site tours at , at Mateo, , and a showcase at SoundLab.

SDLA closed with an evening reception at and selected behind-the-scenes tours of an upcoming live music venue, courtesy of .

Our Founder and Chief Music Officer was glad to be a delegate alongside world leaders who bring ambition, insight, and generosity to the room.

Sound Development was presented in collaboration with and .imagines and supported by , The Recording Academy, , and .

Video ℅

01/02/2026

Happy New Year from the Music and Entertainment Council of Columbus!🎶✨

As the creative arts engine of our city, we’re proud of everything we accomplished last year—building opportunities, amplifying voices, and making real waves for creatives in Columbus and across the United States. 💫

Here’s to an even bigger year ahead, fueled by talent, collaboration, and the unstoppable creative spirit of our community. 🥂🎨

12/30/2025

The Gospel Music industry and the world lost a Giant today, Richard Smallwood💔 Our condolences to your family, friends, loved ones, varied musicians, Ministers of Music and fans!

From Family Office
We are saddened to announce the passing of world-renowned artist, songwriter, and musician, Richard Smallwood. The family asks that you respect our privacy during this difficult time, while helping to celebrate the legacy he leaves behind and the gifts he unselfishly shared with the world.

12/29/2025

Congratulations to !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saying Congrrats to
as well as she was a key contributor to the success of the songwriting on Queen B's country album 🎸🎶 Columbus and the State of Georgia let’s Stand Up and Clap for such High Level Success! 🌟

Repost Via
A bold pivot to country music led to the most successful concert tour in the genre’s history and helped Cowboy Carter lasso a 10-figure fortune—becoming just the fifth musician to do so.