A new national study found that Tucson ranks No. 7 in a list of 50 cities nationwide for music fans.
The ValuePenguin national survey of 200 cities, based on 15 criteria culled from Cenus data, earlier studies and other data used to determine how to "get into the heads of music fans" landed Tucson just ahead of Rochester, New York, and right behind Albany-Schenectady-Troy, New York.
Nashville, Tennessee, tops the ValuePenguin survey, which did not include any other Arizona cities.
Yes, Tucson, that means we rock harder and better than Phoenix!
The study also ranked the top cities for musicians (Nashville), radio stations (Fort Smith, Arkansas), record studios (Nashville) and music degrees (Boulder, Colorado).
Folks like Jessica Northey, a nationally celebrated country music social media maven and staunch advocate of local musicians, might disagree to the notion that Tucson wasn't among the top cities for musicians.
Northey earlier this year launched Arizona Originals, a showcase of mostly Tucson-area country musicians who are carving out pretty impressive local careers.
Tucson songwriters, rom left, Caiden Brewer, Billy Shaw Jr, Drew Cooper, Jason Curtis and Andrew Daniel Cates are part of the new songwriters showcase series Arizona Originals. The next performances is Wednesday, March 1, at The Maverick.
The group's next performance is May 10 at Maverick Live Country Club, 6622 E. Tanque Verde Road. Admission is $5 at the door.
The ValuePenguin survey criteria considered the Bureau of Labor Statistics data on the number of musicians per 1,000 population and Census Bureau data including the number of bars, music stores, radio stations and record stores in each city.
Other sources for the study included data from USA Today, the Department of Commerce and Thrillist.
