Mayors work with local artists and musicians to unite cities through music

Washington, D.C. – Following the release of the City Song Collection, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is celebrating the collaborative efforts of cities across America to inspire and bring together their communities through music. The 9-song collection, which can be found here, features both original compositions and covers of songs about Louisville, Chicago, Reno, Austin, Detroit, Charleston, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, and Burnsville (MN). The songs and the collection itself are a demonstration of healing, unity and city pride, during an unprecedented and challenging year.

To mark the release of the project, the USCM podcast, An American Breakthrough, featured President Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, and Austin Mayor Steve Adler, who submitted songs, and the Conference also released a video, spotlighting the artists from the collection. Yesterday, the USCM hosted a virtual panel, featuring mayors and other participants, to discuss this nationwide project and how it has helped communities band together.

“When Covid-19 first hit Louisville, artists and ordinary citizens came together to create a song that spoke to the need for unity and healing across our city. I am humbled that the City Song Collection has become a nationwide initiative and that cities across the country are showing just how music can bring us together, even in these difficult times. As the holiday season approaches, it is important that we all take the time to focus on what unites us, which is exactly in the spirit of this project – finding that very sense of community and hope,” said USCM President and Louisville (KY) Mayor Greg Fischer.

To learn more about the City Song Collection, head to usmayors.org/city-song-project.