Nashville, the ABC television show filming its second season in Music City, is slated to begin principal photography in mid-July on 24 new episodes. Pre-production has already begun. As a result, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) has announced it has approved a grant of up to $12.5 million to support the local production. The Mayor’s Office for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has also agreed to provide financial incentives for season two of the television show.
“‘Nashville’ offers a valuable international platform to showcase our state’s dynamic entertainment industry, while providing a confluence of film and music that is unique only to Tennessee,” ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “Promoting and assisting this thriving business sector is an integral part of our state’s economic development efforts. From our rich musical heritage to our talented artists and crew, Tennessee’s entertainment industry is second to none. I am pleased Nashville producers recognize the value of filming in Music City, and I look forward to another great season.”
The reimbursable grant will be based on qualified expenditures made in Tennessee. Qualified expenditures are those incurred in the state for goods or services purchased from a Tennessee vendor or paid to a Tennessee resident in connection with the production.
The Nashville Mayor’s Office has proposed a cash grant of $500,000. The money will be used to offset the cost of production in Nashville, which is expected to generate over $40 million in local spending. Legislation will be filed with the Metro Council in the near future. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and the Event Marketing Fund, which is backed by hotel tax and administered by the CVC through a contract with Metro Government, also will provide additional financial incentives. The CVC and the Event Fund each will contribute a cash grant of $125,000 for a total of $250,000.
“Small and large Nashville businesses have benefited greatly from the local filming of Nashville, not only from the direct spending related to the show but also from the worldwide attention this show has generated for our city and our state. With beautiful scenic shots of our landscape and the portrayal of our unique music scene, more people, without a doubt, are visiting our city and spending their money here because they’ve seen this hour-long commercial for Music City that airs every week during primetime,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “The city’s investment in ‘Nashville’ this season is a recognition that this show benefits our local economy and is opening doors to further grow the film and television industry here.”
Much of the musical scoring, recording and publishing will also be done in Music City. Last season spawned two successful soundtracks with original music from the show.
Nashville is gaining fans the world over with international distribution in Asia, the United Kingdom, South America and Europe. The series is produced by Lionsgate, ABC Studios and Gaylord Entertainment. To watch full episodes from season one online visit <beta.abc.go.com/shows/nashville> .
Nashville stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Eric Close as Teddy Conrad, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Robert Ray Wisdom as Coleman Carlisle and Powers Boothe as Lamar Wyatt.
