Turn up the volume on music in Georgia! Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 28, 2015, Georgia Music Partners — the authority that grows and improves the music economy in Georgia — will launch an eight-week “Fundraising Tour” campaign to further music advocacy in Georgia. The campaign will help support GMP’s ongoing efforts to grow the burgeoning music business in the state of Georgia, including advocacy work with government, the private sector and academic stakeholders. The campaign, which will conclude on December 30, 2015, strives to raise at least $100K over the eight-week “tour” period with donations starting at just $25. Complete campaign details, videos and benefit levels are available at georgiamusicpartners.org.  GMP launching campaign with free event at Criminal Records 10-28

Hosted by Atlanta’s Criminal Records in Little 5 Points, the free, public launch event is tomorrow evening, Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 7PM. The event will also unveil exclusive work of art by multi-media artist R. Land created especially for Georgia Music Partners. Entitled, Turn Up the Volume, the vibrant and colorful artwork captures the breadth of diverse musical talent Georgia has produced and championed, including Outkast, Indigo Girls, Arrested Development, Black Lips, Sugarland, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and more. The artwork will be on display at Criminal Records through December, and will be presented to the top donor of the Fundraising Tour. Limited edition t-shirts and stickers of the artwork will be available for sale at Criminal Records throughout the fundraising tour with all proceeds donated to GMP. Signed prints, posters, posters and magnets will only be available through GMP’s Fundraising Tour site.

“Music is part of the fabric of everyone’s life — but this is especially true in Georgia, a state which has a storied history in supporting and developing innovative artists across music genres, from hip hop and classical to R&B and country,” said Georgia Music Partners Co-President Mala Sharma. “The music industry contributes $3.7 billion to Georgia’s economy … and once live music and festivals are added in, that number is closer to $5 billion. We can grow this industry even further if we all work together and invest in music.”

“Whether you are a fan of Cat Power and Mastodon, Janelle Monae and Deerhunter, or Zac Brown Band and REM, the fact is exceptional musical talent comes from this state and we need the support of music lovers everywhere to ensure this tremendous work continues here at home,” said Georgia Music Partners Co-President Tammy Hurt. "We want to also thank R. Land for lending his incredible talent to bring the music of Georgia into a stunning work of art. We hope it will inspire music fans all across the state to give at least $25 to our fundraising tour to help ensure this important advocacy work can continue.”

Fans of Georgia music can support music advocacy in two ways: Tour Support includes gifts of $25-500 with various prizes such as Turn Up the Volume magnets, coffee mugs and more. Join the Band includes gifts of $1000+ with various benefits including an autographed, signed guitar; exclusive invitations to events and recording sessions; autographed, limited edition Turn Up the Volume watercolor prints; and the donated, original artwork.