New program offers free parking to Nashville musicians, still barriers remain

By Pune Media On Aug 22, 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Broadway wouldn’t be Broadway without live music — but many musicians say expensive downtown parking is costing them hundreds of dollars each month just to play.

For the next year, Metropolis is offering completely free parking to musicians at 25 lots around the city, but some artists say there are too many barriers to qualify.

“I’m a keyboardist. I’ve been playing downtown Nashville, well, for many, many years,” keyboardist Amy Frederick said.

She said she used to pay $15 a day to park — totaling more than $200 each month, even with a discount.

“I pay a lot in parking every year,” she said.

So when the new free parking program launched, she was thrilled.

“I felt like it was a real victory for the Musicians’ Union to negotiate that,” she added.

Currently, the program has two options to allow musicians to park for free at select lots. They either must be a member of the Nashville Musicians Association, be performing at a venue that’s part of the Music Venue Alliance.

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That means musicians who are not union members or who play at non-participating venues don’t qualify.

Musician Van Coffey says he wants to see that change.

“Whether union or not, I think all musicians should be able to get a break on it,” Coffey said. “You should have some kind of card or sticker or something that shows you’re a musician downtown and then you should get a break for it.”

For those who can take advantage of the program, it’s already making an impact.

“There’s gas money, instrument repair, new instruments — there’s a lot of expenses involved in being a musician,” Frederick said. “So yeah, it’s definitely going to make a difference.”

The parking program is active now and will run through next August. More details can be found here.

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