event planner Resources

Live music events are a critical part of West Tennessee’s creative economy. The resources provided here are designed to help event planners create successful events. From understanding rules and regulations to creating a supportive atmosphere for artists, these guidelines can help ensure both memorable performances for audiences and positive experiences for performers.

Hiring Musicians

Show your support for local musicians by committing to fair treatment and pay when hiring them for an event. Being a musician is a dedicated profession that demands years of practice, investment in quality equipment, and significant amounts of time to develop the necessary skills.

Recognizing the value of musicians’ expertise and the resources they put into their art is crucial for fostering a vibrant and sustainable music community. By acknowledging and fairly compensating musicians, we not only ensure their livelihood but also contribute to flourishing the artistic landscape in Jackson, Tennessee.

  • Rates are determined by multiple factors, including the musicians’ experience and expertise. Highly skilled artists who have been honing their craft for years will have higher fees because of the value of their expertise. Popularity and demand also contribute significantly.

    The type of event and venue, duration and scope of the performance, and the geographical location are other factors that influence pricing. Musicians may tailor rates based on the specific needs of the client in the terms outlined in the contract or agreement.

    Ultimately, recognizing the elements that contribute to musicians’ rates fosters a fair and equitable approach to compensating these artists for their unique skills and contributions to Jackson’s music scene.

    Suggested Music Rate Ranges Per Musician

    • First Gig/Early Career – $100-$200

    • Mid Career – $300-$700

    • Experienced – $800+

  • Discover the perfect musician for your event by exploring the diverse pool of local artists in Jackson through the Jackson Hidden Tracks Artist Directory. These are just some of the musicians our city has to offer.

    We are continually urging local musicians to sign up for Jackson Hidden Tracks to allow venues and event planners to find local artists.

  • It is always best practice to send over a contract that clearly states what is agreed upon for the event including the responsibilities of each party. This can be done through a simple email, or, for larger corporations, a legitimate contract should be used.

    • What is the arrival time to allow for unloading and sound checks?

    • What is the start time and preferred introduction?

    • Who is the point person during the performance?

    • What is the expected finish time?

    • What breaks are required during the performance?

    • Does the band provide lighting and sound equipment?

    • Is the lighting and sound equipment (or P.A.) the correct one for the size of the venue?

    • Do they provide a sound guy?

    • Do they need a green room?

    • Let the band know if you have any specific song requests.

Alcohol Permits and Licenses

Beer permits

    • The Beer Board – All beer permit applications go through Jackson’s beer board. The Beer Board is composed of three members appointed by the city council based on the mayor’s recommendation. The Beer Board is empowered to regulate various aspects of beer-related activities in accordance with the local ordinance and state law. Additionally, the board can establish bylaws, rules, and regulations for its business, ensuring they are not inconsistent with state law, the city charter, or any local ordinance.

    • Application Fee – If you’re looking to obtain a beer permit, please keep in mind that there’s a non-refundable application fee of $250. Additionally, there may be other fees that will be required to cover the actual cost of investigation, meetings of the beer board members, and publication. The exact amount of these fees will be determined at the discretion of the Beer Board.

    • Privilege Tax – A privilege tax of one hundred dollars ($100.00) is imposed on businesses involved in selling, distributing, storing, or manufacturing beer. This tax must be remitted to the City of Jackson, Tennessee every successive January 1. When a new permit is issued to any business subject to this tax, the permit holder must pay the privilege tax on a prorated basis for each month or portion thereof remaining until the next tax payment date.

    1. Manufacturers – This is a permit given to a manufacturer who makes beer or other alcoholic beverages which are not more than 5% alcohol. The permit allows them to make, store, sell, distribute, and transport the product. However, the consumer cannot consume the product in or near the premises of the manufacturer.

    2. Off-Premises Sale – An off-premises sale permit allows selling beverages to someone who will not consume them on or near the seller’s premises. This can be done to a person or a legal organization engaged in the sale of such beverages.

    3. On-Premises Sale – An on-premises sale permit is issued to individuals or businesses that sell beverages to be consumed on their premises by the buyer or their guests. This permit also allows the sale of such beverages in hotel rooms, regularly conducted hotels, and regularly incorporated clubs and lodges, provided they obtain the required permit.

    4. Special Occasion Permit – If you want to sell alcoholic beverages for a limited time at a particular location, you need to get a special permit for that occasion. This permit allows you to sell beer on city property and/or on streets and sidewalks. However, before applying for the permit, you must get written approval from the head of the city department that is responsible for the property where you want to sell the drinks.

    5. Sports Venues – An ongoing permit may be issued for the sale of beer at city sports stadiums and at the municipal-owned golf course.Manufacturers – This is a permit given to a manufacturer who makes beer or other alcoholic beverages which are not more than 5% alcohol. The permit allows them to make, store, sell, distribute, and transport the product. However, the consumer cannot consume the product in or near the premises of the manufacturer.

    6. Off-Premises Sale – An off-premises sale permit allows selling beverages to someone who will not consume them on or near the seller’s premises. This can be done to a person or a legal organization engaged in the sale of such beverages.

    7. On-Premises Sale – An on-premises sale permit is issued to individuals or businesses that sell beverages to be consumed on their premises by the buyer or their guests. This permit also allows the sale of such beverages in hotel rooms, regularly conducted hotels, and regularly incorporated clubs and lodges, provided they obtain the required permit.

    8. Special Occasion Permit – If you want to sell alcoholic beverages for a limited time at a particular location, you need to get a special permit for that occasion. This permit allows you to sell beer on city property and/or on streets and sidewalks. However, before applying for the permit, you must get written approval from the head of the city department that is responsible for the property where you want to sell the drinks.

    9. Sports Venues – An ongoing permit may be issued for the sale of beer at city sports stadiums and at the municipal-owned golf course.

  • For more information on beer permits, see page 148 of Jackson’s Code & Ordinance.

venue rental guide

Other Considerations

Local Ordinance Laws: Code & Ordinance for Jackson, Tennessee

Anti-Noise Regulations

When planning your event, it’s important to be mindful of anti-noise regulations. Simply put, making extremely loud, disruptive, or unnecessary noise is not allowed. If the noise is so intense that it could harm someone’s well-being or disturb the peace of the public, it’s against the rules. Certain actions, such as those listed in the following, are declared unlawful under these regulations.

  • Using radios, musical instruments, phonographs, or other sound-producing devices in a way that disturbs the peace or is louder than necessary for the comfort of those nearby is not allowed. Operating such equipment between 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. in a manner audible at a distance of fifty feet is considered a violation of these regulations.

  • Making loud noises such as yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or any other disruptive sounds in public spaces, especially near offices, dwellings, hotels, or residences, is regulated. These regulations aim to prevent disturbances to the quiet, comfort, and repose of individuals in these areas and the surrounding vicinity.

  • Respecting noise levels around specific institutions is also a requirement. Generating excessive noise on streets adjacent to schools, churches, courts, or hospitals while they are in use is regulated. This ensures that the normal operations of these institutions are not unreasonably disrupted.

For more information, see Chapter 5 in Jackson’s Code & Ordinances.

Road Closures

If your event requires you to temporarily close a street or road in Jackson, you are required to submit this form.