In Canada: Inside Danielle Smith’s Plans to Make the Calgary Music Industry ‘Nashville North’
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wants Calgary to become Canada's next major music hub, modelling it on Nashville after a recent trip to Tennessee where she met chamber of commerce and tourism leaders. Smith argues that the groundwork Nashville used to build its "Music City" status 25 years ago could be replicated in Calgary, and she is seeking partnerships to transfer talent and expertise, a move that could significantly boost the city's cultural and economic profile.
Calgary's music scene already draws large crowds through events such as the Calgary Stampede (around 1.4 million attendees) and the Cowboys Music Festival (roughly 165,000), and is currently valued at an estimated $2.3 billion, compared with Nashville's $28.3 billion impact. Infrastructure is expanding to support this ambition, including the new Scotia Place arena, home to the Calgary Flames and set to open in autumn 2027, plus a 20-year plan to turn Stampede Park into a year-round entertainment destination.
In short
- Alberta premier wants Calgary to become Canada's "Nashville North"
- Plan follows Smith's Nashville trip and Music City research
- New Scotia Place arena and Stampede Park expansion under way
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Building Calgary into a major music hub could create jobs, attract visitors and investment, and strengthen the city’s cultural life. Supporters can argue that Nashville offers useful lessons in developing venues, talent and tourism, while Calgary’s existing festivals and planned entertainment infrastructure give it a foundation to build on.
The case against
Critics can argue that Nashville’s success grew from its own history and music community, so copying its model may not produce comparable results in Calgary. Public and private resources could be better spent on existing local artists and cultural needs, and a tourism-led strategy might favour large events and venues over the smaller scenes that sustain a diverse music culture.
Explained simply
Calgary is a city in Alberta, a province in western Canada, where Danielle Smith is premier. The city already hosts major events including the Calgary Stampede, a large annual festival, and the Cowboys Music Festival. Its music industry is estimated to contribute $2.3 billion to the economy.
Nashville, in the US state of Tennessee, is widely known as “Music City” and has built a large music business over several decades. Smith sees its development as a possible model for Calgary and is seeking partnerships to bring expertise to Alberta. New venues and plans to make Stampede Park a year-round entertainment destination could support the city’s ambitions.
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