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.