Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants Calgary to become the next Nashville. After a research trip to Tennessee, she’s pitching the idea of“Nashville North,”pointing to the changes Nashville made about 25 years ago that turned it into a global music powerhouse. The numbers show the gap: Calgary’s music industry is valued at $2.3 billion, while Nashville’s impact tops $28.3 billion.
Calgary already has a strong foundation. The Calgary Stampede draws roughly 1.4 million fans each year, Cowboys Music Festival is a major draw, and the new Scotia Place arena opens in fall 2027 with concerts on the schedule. Those are the kinds of pieces Nashville used to build its scene, one venue and one event at a time.
Canadian music is also making noise beyond our borders. The Beaches just earned their first U.S. gold single with“Blame Brett,”and Vancouver’s Reliant Music signed a global distribution deal with Warner Music Group’s ADA Benelux. It all points to a growing national footprint. So what do you think — can Calgary really become Nashville North? Let us know in the comments.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
