FORUM VOICES Augusta vs Columbia, SC: Which claims ‘Music City’

BY CRAIG BOOGIE

Music is an essential element of society, and it has significant cultural and economic impacts. Therefore, several cities are striving to become music cities to attract musicians, music-related businesses, and tourists.

Augusta, Georgia, and Columbia, South Carolina, are two cities that have been vying to gain recognition as music cities. Let’s have a conversation and compare and contrast Augusta and Columbia’s efforts to become top music cities in the region based on their music industry infrastructure, festivals and concerts, music education, and support for local musicians.

If we look closely at Augusta’s music industry infrastructure we do have several recording studios, live music venues, and music-related businesses such as instrument shops and music stores. The city has produced several well-known musicians and some local businesses have supported Augusta’s music industry and local musicians and their performances for a significant amount of time. But is that enough?

In contrast, Columbia’s music industry infrastructure seems not as robust compared to Augusta. The city has limited recording studios and live music venues. However, it has support from the University of South Carolina music program and the Columbia Music Festival Association.

Is that a point of contention for

Augusta and how do we correct that?

The city also hosts several events such as Border Bash, which celebrates the country’s music from North Augusta to Augusta. The event features local and regional musicians, and proceeds go to charity. But like most events it’s a yearly event and this coming football season there will be no Border Bash because of scheduling. So there is another lost opportunity for local musicians/artists to have a platform to perform.

Similarly, Columbia also has a vibrant music festival scene, which culminates in the Soda City Music & Arts Festival. The festival hosts local musicians and featured artists such as Saint Motel and Washed Out. Additionally, the city hosts the Jam Room Music Festival, which promotes local bands and genres.

Augusta has a decent music education program with a focus on jazz and blues at the Augusta University jazz studies program. This program has produced several music educators and musicians, further strengthening Augusta’s music industry. Additionally, the city’s James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils (J.A.M.P.) mentors and trains young musicians.

Columbia is also invested in music education, with the University of

South Carolina music program and the nine public magnet schools that emphasize the arts, including music. Further, the Columbia Arts Academy and Lexington School of Music provide private music lessons.

So who has the healthier education component to not only train musicians but attract musicians?

From what I understand music eduction here has been absent in several of our local elementary and middle schools. Musicians and artists alike need time to develop and build interest in the arts. Seems like that is less and less of a priority when it comes to keeping our talent here at home.

Both Augusta and Columbia have a supportive community of musicians and music lovers, which creates a demand for local music. Augusta has local organizations such as the Augusta Music Foundation, which supports local musicians with grants, and Augusta Arts Council, which provides opportunities for musicians to perform in community events.

Similarly, Columbia has local organizations such as the ColaJazz Foundation, which promotes jazz music, and Songwriters in the Round, which provides a platform for local songwriters to perform.

If there are forums that exist here in Augusta, where are they being promoted or publicized?

To look at all sides of Augusta and Columbia reveals that both cities have advantages and disadvantages in becoming music cities. Augusta has a more robust music industry infrastructure and history of producing famous musicians. Meanwhile, Columbia emphasizes music education and has burgeoning festival scenes.

Both cities have supportive music communities that demand local music. I’m sure for the city of Augusta there is a lot more room for improvement.

I’ve been to Columbia several times and found that there are quite a few new places and venues that give local artists a platform. The atmosphere has an entirely different feel for those that are in the arts and it shows in Columbia, but here it seems more hidden and protected.

I will say that, while the two cities may have their unique strengths, they share a passion for music that propels both forward in their aspirations as music cities. I will continue this mission to put together the pieces to make Augusta a Music City that is not only diverse but inclusive.

If you have any comments, ideas or feedback feel free to contact me here preneur.ai/OmniMedia. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Peace!

Sample Augusta presents the Music & Nightlife Industry Roundtable

When: JULY 20th from 6pm to 8pm

Where: THE MILLER THEATRE - 708 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901

Sample Augusta aims to engage Augusta’s music community through leadership, education, and programming.

The focus of the panel will be to assess Music academia in the region. How do we successfully prepare youth and students for careers in Media and Entertainment within the Augusta River Region?

There will be an Industry Mixer before the panel where Sample Augusta will relay new data and information to the public to elaborate on developments of Sample Augusta’s Weekly Music Guide.

SampleAugusta.com/Roundtable

The panel will be moderated by Sample Augusta’s Walter Santiago & Rachel Goodman and feature the following speakers:

Dr. Robert Foster is the Professor of Music at Augusta University and a distinguished national Jazz ensemblist. Locally Dr. Foster curates and plays at the Maxwell Performing Arts Center while also being featured in acts like The Brownstown Gritty, Goin’ South, The Soultown Horns, and a plethora of other acts.

Ryan Abel is on the Board for The Augusta Players and is a renowned staple for the southeastern music industry, known best for their touring group Goin’ South and his career with Ed Turner. Abel has produced an ovational benefit concert series with The Miller Theater, supporting youth in the arts. And more Special Guests TBA.

This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed in partnership with GetUp Productions